THE SPRINGBOKS

Evening Star, Issue 22708, 23 July 1937, Page 8

THE SPRINGBOKS

TOMORROW'S PROSPECTS A TEST EIGHT AUCKLAND PACK A STONE LIGHTER [Special to the ‘ Star.*] AUCKLAND, July 23. With the realisation that the Auckland team contains six former All Blacks, the Springboks have chosen almost a test side for tomorrow’s match, the first of the New Zealand tour. Auckland’s side is fit and confident, but it appears ilnlikely that it will be able to match the Springboks for pace in the back line or for solidity among the forwards. The Auckland pack is almost a stone lighter than the Springboks. , , , Given fine weather and _ a dry ground, the match should provide tense, exciting football. Man tor man the Springboks are players of greater repute than any of the Aucklanders, but the Auckland team, and many of their supporters, have high hopes of a repetition of Auckland’s devastating victory over the British tourists of 1930. The performances by the Aucklanders will he watched with particular interest by members of the New Zealand Selection Committee, who will arrive to-mor-row morning. Three men who will probably attract special attention are T. M. Lockington (a line line-out forward), W. Frankham (half-back), and J. Dick (right wing three-quarter), who is opposed by the “ baby” of the Springboks, J. Bester, a fast Western Province three-quarter. Dick, given a reasonable share of the ball, should be seen in a favourable light. Bester is a centre, and not a wing. He is reputed to be exceptionally fast. The Springbok three-quarter line contains players of more experience than, the Auckland three-quarters. It is claimed for Harris and Babrow that they are wonderfully constructive, and with the famous D. H. Craven to feed them with long dive passes from the base of the scrum, it is expected that the South African back line will be seen in many spectacular movements. It is customary for the Springboks to play to the line until they get a few points ahead, and then open up the play. With the exception of C. Jennings, who to-morrow will play in the back of the scrum, the Springbok pack is a test eight. The only difference is that in the test eight S. C. (“ Fanie ”) Louw would go in the front row, and his brother, M. M, (“ Boy ”) Louw would go in the back. J. W. Lots has already confirmed the opinion that he is the best hooker in South Africa. To-monrow he will oppose W. E. Hadley, a hooker of remarkable speed, who, however, is likely to be handicapped by lack ot weight from behind. _ A hooker must have weight to obtain possession. POINTS TO REMEMBER. When the Springbok half-back puts the ball in the scrum he shouts “ Druk,’.’ and every man heaves. That is what, Auckland must do to-morrow if it hopes to get possession. Near the line the Springboks screw and wheel the scrum ready for their flankers to drop on the ball and score. To counteract this the Auckland scrum must go down en bloc, just as the All Blacks did in England in 1935. When the scrum breaks the Auckland flankers must cover Craven, for he will be the danger spot of to-morrow’s side. His midfield runs are difficult to stop. He is stronger than R. S. Spong, the mercurial fly-half of the 1930 British team, but is far more astute and a difficult man to deal with, according to those who have watched both in action. On no account must the ball be kicked to G. H. Brand, the crack Springbok full-back. _lt must _be kicked past him with an oblique kick or. short stab over the heads of the three-quarters. Brand is said to be worth 10 points to his side on a dry day, so Auckland must take every care that no penalties are given away in range of the posts. Stout defence will be necessary by the Auckland backs. Th.ey will have to get on top of the Springboks and. keep on top throughout the match. , In the scrums the Auckland pack will probably be beaten, but if they jump for the ball in the line-outs and do not stand flat-footed, possession should he theirs in this department. Many weeks have been spent by Messrs F. W. Lucas, A. Knight, and R. G. M'Williams, former All Blacks, in coaching the Auckland side. Auckland, which was beaten by the Springbok side of 1921, is determined to-morrow to avenge that defeat.