SPRINGBOKS IN NEW ZEALAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1937, Page 25

SPRINGBOKS IN NEW ZEALAND

> SOME IMPRESSIONS OF THEIR DEBUT

Tlie 1937 Springboks' lour of New Zealand has been launched auspiciously, the visitors, by defeating Auckland by 19 points to 5 last Saturday, having got away to a good start. Their form in this match was such as to give a pretty fair indication of what manner of players they are, although, of course, it would1 be unwise as the result of this one game and their general play to assess 100 rigidly the calibre of the team and their prospects for the whole tour, including the Tests. Sufficient was seen of them, however, to make it abundantly plain that they are a good side and are likely to be a tough proposition. But they arc-not unbeatable. They realise that themselves, and one thing they hale is to be referred to as world-beaters. Already, in the first two matches of their New Zealand tour, they have encountered opposition which makes them realise that their match engagements generally are likely to be even harder than they had expected them to be. They are very fine spoilsmen, and if it happens that defeat comes their way they will take it in the best possible spirit. That is the impression one gains from this band of happy footballers.

Apart from their defeat of Auck- ' land and the excellent start they were thus able to make in this country, the Springboks showed also that they are not wedded to the stolid type of football with which South African teams .are generally associated, but that they are fully capable of playing the open and more attractive game favoured in this country, and , that, moreover, they can do so very successfully. It no doubt pleased many followers of Kugby up and down the country to find that the visiting team not only opened, their tour in this way, but favoured the open type of game ■ with backs very much in the picture. This is one of several points which emerged from the Auckland . match. Every opportunity was taken and used by the South African team to feed their backs and the huge crowd at Eden Park was treated to some fast and thrilling movements which revealed players of distinct class. But while on Saturday the Springboks opened up and their tactics against the Auckland side were crowded with success it is only reasonable to suppose that the nature of the going and the strength of the opposition will determine their tactics very largely in the games ahead with the result that in some at least of their engagements

they perhaps will be compelled in their own interests to adopt: a different form of campaign and endeavour to make the game tighter. ■■:/■■ . .

The Springboks have poundage and strength forward and on their Auckland showing some fast and clever backs. Contrary to what was probably the general opinion, the Auckland forwards, playing above themselves, held the South African vanguard well in the ■ set scrums from which W. E. Hadley, the Auckland hooker, emerged with flying colours, but in the line-out play and the ability shown by them in opening up play from rucks the Springboks were on a different plane. They are adept in wheeling the scrum, a very valuable asset. They are a lively lot in the open work and co-operated well with the backs, whether they were opening up play among the rearguard or were taking over from them, which they did quite frequently. The forwards are a hefty, solid,. capable lot, though they did not by any means dwarf the Auckland men. The two wing-three-quarters,- Bester and Williams, showed a fine turn of speed, but the special feature of their play was the use they made of the kick to centre—not an indiscriminate kick but one which placed the ball in just the right spot for others of the team to collect it—and this is;a.point in the Springboks' tactics which is likely to cause many an opposing team much trouble during the tour.

Craven's renowned dive-pass was one of the features of the game. It was spectacular, but as has been pointed out previously, one could not help but think that it might be decidedly risky with a smart winging forward on the other side. The stars in Saturday's game among the visitors' inside backs •undoubtedly were Harris at fly-half and Babrow, one of the centres, who played a big part in the Springboks' win. Much interest was taken in Brand, the South African full-back, but while demonstrating that he kicks a long ball, he was not at his best. Still, Brand is very definitely one of the men who will have to be reckoned with on the tour. '

Auckland's forwards played well, their performance standing out in even a better light when it is remembered that they were up against a weightier .pack. They stuck to their task valiantly and did their job. That Auckland lost was no fault of theirs. The Auckland backs, on the other hand, were disappointing both on attack and defence.