SPRINGBOK TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 152, 24 December 1921, Page 7

SPRINGBOK TOUR

NOTES FROM SOUTH AFRICA

QUITE USED TO THE MUD.

Brief but interesting comment on rome aspects of the Springboks' Kugby .tour ire New Zealand'is contained in a letter from an ex-Christchurch High School boy, who has been in South Africa for the last 20 odd years. He himself is a keen footballer, and, owing to his connection with both countries speaks with impr.i'tiality, and it would appear that the third Test weather, was not at all a disadvantage to the team. "I think the South African fellows did very well," he says, "and the third Test ending as it did was perhaps the happiest close to a successful tour. There does not seem .to have been much to choose between the two sides. You may remember Van Heerdan, the wing three-quarter. Well, he was from my goods office, and has now returned to it. He .is absolutely 'full' of the hospitality shown, the team by my countrymen, and speaks in glowing terms of the time's thoy had in New Zealand. I think as a team" they are a bit hurt at the criticisms of their plp^> and they complain of the r-eferees anu of the unnecessarily hard (if not actually to be called rough) play. The question of tha Referees' inconsistent rulings, I thinK, is to be explained by the different styles of play in New Zealand and South Africa. The charge of rough play, ' I am afraid, is only too easily proved. 1 saw the All Blacks here in 1919, and, yo Gods, they were no carpet knights. But- I have no doubt the South African chaps returned the hard knocks with interest.

"In closing these- rambling, notes I would point out to you that the South African team was not so much handicapped by heavy grounds and, rain as they would make out. Half the team, or more, cams from Capetown atid districts, and the Cape Peninsula winter is very wet. I have played at Stellenboach and at. Capetown in pouring rain and mud just as bad a-s at Lancaster ■Park. Up. country, it is true, our grounds are hard and dry, but the back division of the team camp largely from the Cape. "\V« are hoping' for a visit from the All-Blacks in 1923."