1940 SPRINGBOKS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 260, 1 August 1939, Page 3

1940 SPRINGBOKS

Form In Western Province ENCOUNTER WITH TRANSVAAL By "Old Otago Blue.” > VREDENBERG, July 7. A match between the Transvaal and the Western Province can generally be regarded a a a major Springbok trial, and the game last Saturday week was no exception.

From that game the critics seem pretty well agreed that Fanie Louw, Lotz and Scrooby will go straight into the side. They are a formidable frontrow, and Scrooby the hefty newcomer impresses tremendously. To complete the scrum it looks as if 1 an den Bergh Sherriff will act in the lock position, Ben du Toit and Van Heenan or Bastard as flankers, and a tall raking brainy iransvaaler, de Laporte, looks like the ber 8. Thus it will be seen that VV estern Province are not likely to gain more than two places in the pack. It certainly seems so at present. The Transvaal pack playing only seven men most of the game dominated the play from the start and the draw result (8 all) hardly does the northern team justice, because territorially tne> had more than two-thirds of the play and scored a goal and a try to a goal and a penalty. The forwards were responsible f or this —their back-line with one outstanding exception being very average. The exception was Tony Harris, who played a master game. He cut in biiiliantly on two occasions when his opposite was a trifle slow in coming up, and so effectively did he efP 1 ® 1 * break that the two tries resulted. Apart from this he displayed excellent judgment in everything—specially hisM touch-finders to the corner flag, Ibe AU Black who marks him will have to be on his toes. Both times he found the gap on the outside of his opponent. Apie de Villiers, the Western Province scrum-half, who is regarded well in the running for the cap, falls at present below the Craven Pierre Villiers standard. He is solidly built - but no great tactician as yet. Neither of the Transvaal centres impressed—one being injured early vias unable to resume —but they have a goo left wing in Van Niekerk. The Province centres de Wet and Meiring, played a sound orthodox game, but failed to penetrate . Lochner was not selected, but be is tipiped to partner de Wet for the centre pesitionswith Williams on the right wing, and quite likely Bester on the other flank, vgth Turner fulDback. Gerry Brand’s Retirement. Gerry Brand’s definite retirement is a big loss to South Africa, and apart from Turner there does not seem any suitable candidate at the moment, though some suggest White, who toured New Zealand as centre. This player would' without a doubt make a fine full-back. In fact, he played' in that position when Mr. Markotter first got his eye on him. Being unacquainted with the present standard of All Black Rugby, except throu-h New Zealand newspapers, it is difficult for one to prophesy the.chances. It is only ! by reverting to the strength ol our 1928 team that one might say with conviction that if more forwards of the type of Brownlie. Finlayson, Hazlett, and Stewart are procurable, the African pack Should be more than held, and with backs of the class that toured Australia, there is good prospect of victory. Springboks Squarely Beaten. The English team fairly and squarely beat the Springboks at Newlands last year. The great Springbok pack had to yield to Walker, Mayne, Dancer and Co. It was the finest international I have ever seen. The British forwards ’beat the Africans in scrum and loose, and broke evens in the line-outs. The British scrum can attribute much of its success to its hefty front-rankers, Walker, Travers and Dancer. Travers, a brilliant hooker, was supported by two fifteen-stoners who more than stood up to Boy and Fanie Louw, and it appears very urgent that the All Black hooker be supported by real hefty and spirited types. New Zealand has always suffered in comparison in this important respect. It also appears that South Africa's idea of choosing international forwards of experience is the correct one. On this account they feel that the loss of Boy Louw and Phil Nel needs compensating. Walker, Waters and Grieve were undoubtedly the mainstay of the British pack, and yet they were all veterans. They realized the value of low packing and synchronized heaving, and remained in the scrum to give a second heave when out-hooked — thus causing their opponents to heel sluggishly and break up a possible movement. They also knew the extreme value of the quick heel from the ruck, a result of massed movement, and not straggling in following up. Van den Bergh continues to dominate the line-out play, though he is not considered an ideal lock. Oue certainly agrees with Mr. Mark Nicholls' remarks concerning the arrangement of the tour. The irony of the situation at present is that Natal, led by Bastard, are expected to. give Transvaal a merry run for the Northern Section of the Currie Cup. They have, in fact, already defeated them this year in a friendly match. Eastern Province have also a chance of extending the Western Province in the southern section. These four teams are undoubtedly the strongest in the Union at present, but I expect the final will once again be between Transvaal and Western Province. Murk Nicholls’ Prestige. Living as I am now in a practically 100 per cent. Dutch community, I would like to end on a cheery note. It is just to inform New Zealanders that the Dutch speaking .South African, despite his team’s victories of 1937, still holds New Zealand Rugby in the highest esteem. They all saw that fijie victory at Newlands, when Mark Nicholls established himself as a football god, greater even than Benny Ostler. They disparage English and Australian Rugby, but they are genuinely serious about the men from Maoriland, despite their success of 1937. All pigislanders in exile, who never lose their faith, take comfort in this, nevertheless.