THE SPRINGBOKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 147, 23 June 1937, Page 11

THE SPRINGBOKS

WORKING INTO FORM

FIRST OFFICIAL MATCHES

TOO EASY AS TRIALS

(Written for "The Post" by Syd

Nicholls)

Although well satisfied with the results of their first two official matches (with Victoria, at Melbourne, and with Western Districts, at Orange), the South African Rugby football representatives were not unduly elated, as they recognised that they had been fortunate in meeting comparatively weak -sides. They realised, however, that they would have to go all out, and were prepared for a hard struggle with New South Wales. Their only concern was whether they could stand the pace of a hectic eighty minutes so early in the tour. The Springboks' first official match of the tour was that with Victoria. It was a glittering game of two complete phases. In the first dazzling half the tourists simply made the Victorians look like novices. They immediately jumped into their stride and before two minutes had gone were four points up. At half-time the board read 35 to '3, and a record score was indicated, as during all this half the Springboks had absolutely dominated the proceedings. "HUMAN AVALANCHE." Everything went right, and, displaying perfect team work and co-ordina-tion, allied with sure, quick-fire handling and remarkable pace and dash, they simply tore down upon the Victorians like a human avalanche, smiting them hip and thigh, and practically S°But in the second half the Victorians were a totally different proposition, and a complete change came over the scene. They jumped right into the picture and reversed the accepted order of things. Whereas they had been nervous and semi-demoralised, they now played up gamely and convincingly. They attacked and worried the fasttiring Springboks, giving them something to think about. The Springboks found condition beginning to fair them and they were forced into errors, and the Victorians definitely had them on defence for the best part of this spell. The exhibition was a good advertisement for the Rugby code. Twelve thousand spectators, who paid in all £700, saw a spirited and entertaining game played at a fast and solid bat throughout. STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES. It seemed from this showing that as a combination the Springboks, have great possibilities. Their great strength is undoubtedly forward, for here they possess the art of-quick, intensive, and powerful scrummaging. Every man pulls his weight; they are triers all i' c- time. They heel quickly and wheel efficiently and appear to know every scrum trick. In the loose they use their feet proficiently, indulge in rapid close interpassing, and are nearly always on top of the ball. But in the line-outs they are undoubtedly weak, surprisingly1 so, for they mostly stand flat-footed and Jo not exert themselves for the ball. - ~ . Their backs all possess individual, ability, undoubted pace, and tenacity of purpose. They give . the leather plenty of air and play a nice, attrac- ■ tive style of Rugby. But in this match, they also showed ra definite weakness. It was down the centre when on defence, and caused mainly through players being out of position. But again this may be attributed to their general tiredness. OTHER FEATURES. Their kicking is tremendous. Some t>f the high punts were prodigious, efforts of sixty yards, reminiscent of George Nepia in his prime. True, they missed occasionally but their skill in place- and drop-kicking will assist them in winning many matches. They made judicious use of the line and did not employ wild, useless, and aimless long punts. In size and stature they bring to mind- memories of the famous Hawke's Bay sides in the palmy days of Morrie Brownlie and Co., but possibly they are more striking in appearance through being suntanned. Considering everything they were to be -congratulated upon a successful debut. They themselves, however, ■were not too well satisfied with their showing or condition in the second half, as they realised they have a real tough proposition to negotiate in their next match against New South Wales. If they got over that hurdle successfully they believed they would then go through Australia unbeaten. (New South Wales w6n, as reported on Saturday, by 17 points to 6). WITH RARE ABANDON. The Springboks provided a Rugby treat at Orange in the second match of their Australian tour. It was a super-exhibition—th^ very champagne of Rugby. The Springboks throughout played with skilful ease and were never extended. They completely overwhelmed the Westerners. Their remarkable strength in the forwards and the spectacular moves by the backs absolutely baffled the countrymen, who were never in the hunt. The Springboks made eight changes in their side, bringing in five backs — Turner. Babrow, White, Lawton, and de Villiers—and three' forwardsSheriff, Bergh. and Van Reenan. The effect generally was a greater liveliness with more thrust in the backs and forceful dash in the pack. The South Africans always had the game well in hand and they simply did what they liked with their less experienced up-country opponents. It was really an exercise gallop for them and throughout they played with rare abandon and appeared to thoroughly enjoy the outing. TOO EASY FOR TOURISTS. The score 63 to " about reflects the Springboks' superiority. It could have been 70 to 0, but a couple of tries were thrown away after the visitors had crossed the line. The Western Districts' men did their best at the start' but soon fell away. Considering they had had no match practice, one must make allowances for them. The Springboks on the other hand regretted that- the opposition was not stronger as they badly required a proper try-out in view of their encounter at Sydney on Saturday. Sydney enthusiasts were still firm in their belief that they could "bottle up" and extend the Springboks. ~