SPRINGBOK TEAM

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 150, 29 June 1928, Page 10

SPRINGBOK TEAM

NOTES ON PLAYERS SOME "OLD HANDS" (By "Drop Kick.") The-South African selectors in finding the players for the first Test with New Zealand have been given every opportunity to sort out the best that tho country offers. There have been trials and representative- games for the past two mouths, and since last Saturday the finalists for tho Springbok team have been kept in solid training, with practice matches. As anticipated,

most of tho plaers selected for tho Test como from Western Province and Transvaal, the former supplying four ■backs (possibly flvo) and three forwards, and the latter one back and four forwards. Several of the players aro getting into the veteran stages, but there is a fair sprinkling of young blood. Mostert, Kruger, and Tindall were in New Zealand with tho Springboks in 1921. ' Notes on tho players are as follow: — i THE BACKS. J. C. Tindall ("Western Provinco), full-back. In 1921 ho represented South Africa in New Zealand, being then a half-back. It was for the first Test with tho British team in 1924 that tho Bouth African selectors created considerable ' surprise by announcing Tindall as'the full-back. He has since distinguished himself in that position, and has also figured as a centre threequarter. Tindall, who plays for Hamiltons in Capetown, has represented his province many times. Ho played in only one Test in 1924. His age is 27 years, weight lOst 131b, height sft 7in. J. P. Prinsloo (Transvaal), wing throe-quarter. Ho has riot previously represented South Africa. Before going to the Transvaal, Prinsloo was at the Cape, playing for Bcthal High

School in 1922-23, and for Stellcnbosch iv 1924-25. He represented Western Province in 1925, and Transvaal in 1920-27. A member of the Pretoria Club, he is' 23 years of age. J. Slater (Eastern Province), wing three-quarter. He has had considerable experience as a representative, and was in the South African teams for the third and fourth Tests against the British team.in 1924. ',In the trials at Port Elizabeth .early this season he played prominently as a centre, as well as a wing three-quarter. He was one of the best wing three-quarters in the Currio Cup tournament last year. "Slater still appears to be as good as ever he was," said Benny Osier. "Ho is always dangerous on attack, and ho is most probably the best wing we have on defence. When one has been put down by. him-throe or four times one doesn't look forward, to the next." G. S. Brand (Western Province), wing three-quarter. He- was amongst the most conspicuous players at the trials in Port Elizabeth early, this season, though not "as a " three-quarter. Brand played at full-back, and his display was of very high order. Port Elizabeth' Eugby enthusiast's considered that if Tindall, who did not appear in those trials, was better than Brand then he was a good, full-back. Brand has not previously represented South Africa. S. Osier (Western Province), centre three-quarter. He plays for University in Capetown, which side he has captained. In trials this season he has played as fly-half and centre threequarter, having' previously shown fine form in both positions. As a Western Province representative he impressed so greatly.last year as to bo looked upon as almost a certainty for the Springbok Test team this year. In the Port Elizabeth trials he did well, though not playing up to his best form; Stanley Osier is 20 years of age, his weight.is lOst 51b, and his height sft 6in. Duffy (Border), centre three-quarter. He is a provincial representative of con- j sidcrable experience, and was one of the outstanding centres in the Currie Cup tournament in 1925. In more recent times he appears to>have been unlucky in the matter of- injuries. Early last season Duffy. received a rather nasty shoulder injury, and it was doubted whether he would ever play again. This season, however, he. was in action again, and showed good form in the trials at Port Elizabeth/ though he had the misfortune to receive another injury in the final trial at that.place. B. L. Osier (Western Province), fly: half. Although his form was somewhat disappointing early this season and he did not play in the first trials, Bonnie Osier was always regarded as a certainty for the Test team, being freely mentioned for the captaincy. He represented South Africa in all four Tests with the British team in 1924, a potted goal by him representing the margin of victory iv the first Test. As a Western Province representative (1922-25----2/) he has contributed very considerably to his team's great record of success, and in club as well as representative- football ho has frequently used the drop-kick to great advantage. He is generally rated as the best insideback in South-Africa. In club football he plays for Hamiltons (Sea Pointers), Capetown. Ti- age is 25 years, weight lOst 121b, and height sft Sin. P. de Viliers (Western Province), scrum-half. He plays for Paafl in tho Capo district, and has represented Western Province.; At tho outset of tho present season he was tipped, with Devine, as a probable for the Test team, though De-vine subsequently gained greater favour by reason .of his fine form for Transvaal against New Zealand. Devine, who is probably affected by injuries, played for South Africa in the third Test with the British team in 1924. De Villiers, who is stated to be a player with unlimited resource, plays at 'centre-three-quarter as well as at half. His age is 21 years, .weight 9st Sib, and height sft 9in. THE FORWARDS. P. do Villiers (Western Province), forward and captain of the Test team. He was a member of tho Springbok team which visited New Zealand in 1921, and he playedMn three of the four Tests against the British team in 1924. Although reported to have slowed down somewhat in recent years, he still has dash and his experience counts fdr a

great .deal. He has been a fine leader for Somerset West and he led Western Province in their unbroken run of success last year, when he was mentioned as a worthy candidate for the Springbok captaincy this year. Mostert, who has represented his province since 1920, is-31-years of age, 6ft in height, and weighs 14st. . . ' ■T. van Druten (Transvaal), forward. Another forward of considerable experience and still showing fine form, lie has been regarded all along-as ai certainty for the Test team. From tho I S.A. College in Capetown, ho wont to Trinity College, Dublin, and on his return to South Africa ho went to Trans-j vaal, where he has since played for | the Harlequins (Pretoria), whom ho has captained since 1925. Van Druten, who is 29 years of age, was first selected as a Transvaal representative in 1923, but was unabxj to accept. Since 1925 ho has played in every Currie Cup game for Transvaal, and was one of tho few players who represented South Africa in all four Tests against the British team in 1924. T. L. Kruger (Transvaal), forward. Although he announced his retirement before the start of the present season he was prevailed upon to play again, particularly as he was regarded as a very necessary man for the Springbok side to meet New Zealand. He was one of the best forwards in the Springbok team which toured New Zealand in 1921, and he represented South Africa in all four Tests with the British team in 1924. Kruger made his first appearance in senior football for Stelle'nbosch. In 1917 he joined the Pretoria Club, and since 1918 he has been a regular member of the Transvaal side, except in 1925, when he was on duty at the Capo and played for "Western Province. He is 32 years of age. P. J. Nel (Natal), forward. He is regarded as a forward of outstanding merit in Natal, where, he plays' for Maritzburg Old Collegians. Of fine stamp, ho showed great promise some fow years ago, and has been a prominent figure for Natal in Currio Cup matches since 1925, except for _ last season, when he was on the injured list. Nel is representing South Africa for the first time, and his weight of 15st should be a big help to the Springbok pack. He is 24 years of age. S. P. van Wyk (Western Province), forward. He is another player • representing South Africa for the first time, though ho has had considerable experience as a provincial representative, having represented Western Province in Currie Cup football since 1925. In club football ho plays for Hamiltons, being a club-mate of Bennie Osier. From the start- of the present season he was ranked among the certainties for tho Test team. His age is 25 yoars, weight 13st Sib, and height 6ft.... ;G. Daneel (Western Province), forward. ■In recent'times Daneel has been

ranked as one of the forwards making up tho backbone of the Western Province pack, although his chances of inclusion in the Test team wore not regarded so favourably as thoso of Mostert and van Wyk, of the. same provincial team. Ho plays for Stellenbosch in club football, but has not previously represented Soutb Africa. Daneel was ono of the best forwards in the trials at Port Elizabeth early this season. Prctorius (Transvaal), forward. Although he has not previously represented South Africa, he has had such experience in representative football with Transvaal. He was regarded from the outset of the present season as a player well in the running for Test honours. He plays for the Diggers iv club football. Another player , of'the same name, who has represented . West Band, Transvaal, and. Orange Free State, was also well in the running for a place, in tho Test team. Potgieter (Transvaal), forward. The inclusion of this player was evidently one of the surprises of the selection. As a member of the Pretoria team he has shown great promise in recent times, but did not find a place in either of the Transvaal teams against the All Blacks. He has evidently made the most of his opportunity in the final trials at Durban. . .