SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR.

Grey River Argus, 14 January 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR.

THE SPRINGBOKS PREPARING. LIKELY PLAYERS DISCUSSED FINE MATERIAL AVAILABLE. A survey of the material South Africa has at her disposal to put iu the field against the All Blacks proves there is to room for pessimism, as to the possible outcome of next season’s great struggles. This at at any rate is the view of Mr C. R. Lambe, the well known Transvaal Rugbyy authority writing in the, Rand Daily Mail under date November 14. In the following article he discusses the country’s leading players, and their liklihood of wearing the Spring bok colours next year. The success of the late David Gallagher’s team in 1905, backed up by the memorable triumph in the United Kingdom of C. Porter’s combination in 1924, and further supported by reports to the effect that New Zealand is stronger in Rugby to-day than it ever has been, is likely to overawe many followers of the game in South Africa and give them cause for pessimism. Figures certainly do speak. They convey a lot but I cannot overlook the fact that South Africa’s international record overseas is wonderfully good—one defeat and one draw in eight games, as against One defeat in seven by the New Zealanders. These countries met, too in 1921 in the land of the fern leaf, where the honours were even. It has been said that in New Zealand they think Rugby, they dream ot it and they study it thoroughly, I can well believe it. Their scrum formation suggests it. ROOM FOR RESOURCE. Their placement of backs, too has its advantages and lends itself to more resource work among the insides. The New* Zealanders specialise and it is due the work of their five-eights that so much of their attack is done down the centre, as against the consistent work in South African play. The All Blacks rely on their insides to do a great deal of their scoring, while South Africa, on the other hand rely too much on the insides to work the openings for the wings. I am inclined to agree that we are a little too orthodox, and overdo the rapid passing between the scrum half and outside centre. We have developed on these lines. Our coaches have told us this is the right game, and while to a certain extent they may be right our players have undoubttdly depended too much on the coaches to do the thinking for them. The individual touch is absent, and is replaced by a machine called combination. Nevertheless it is that little bit of individualism that makes real combination.

I have repeatedly heard people say “Oh, if we only had Japie Kriga in the centre to-day” er “Wouldn't Pere Albertyn make a difference to a South African third line,” and so on Exactly! It’s the individual element that is wanted. It was the individualism of Japie that made Roy De Villiers and Jack Hirsch appear “stars” iu 1906, actually they were not. They simply participated. in movevents made easy by the genius of a brilliant centre three-quarter. Pere AlFertyn had the same ability, and it was the positional play of these two great artists that made the extra man. In other words, the opposition had to cope with an extra man as a result of these inside tactics, and the defense was severely handicapped in consequence.

In forward play I feel certain wo shall hold our own, even if outweighted, and I shall not be the least bit afraid of our wings or halves. On recent Currie Cup form one would look upon the full back position with some misgiving, especially against the New Zealand forwards, with their high punt and follow tactics This form of attack calls for a speedy full back with good hands and excellent feet, and above all, keen anticipation. This last quality was the making of Gerald Morkel in this position. THE ONE FOR THE JOB The one player that strikes one for the position is Tindall. Western Province tried one or two full backs before they called on this player to fill the gap. He had been playing in the centre for his club up to then, but he was an unqualified success as full back for the champion province in the remaining games. He has also had experience against the All Blacks in J 921, while he played in the last line of defence against Cove-Smith’s team in 1924. But other full backs may develop before the All Blacks arrive.

The 1927 tournament revealed no outstanding centres. One of thefew thart impressed was Dobie of Harlequins. South Africa with its wealth of good wings might do worse than try Jock van Niekerk in this position. He wasoriginally a centre^ —as a matter of fact he played in this position for Villagers at the Cape, where Richter of Pretoria Police, partnered him on the wing. Van Niekerk’s great dash and speed would be of estimable value to South Africa in the centre were he encouraged in this position The most pleasing news I have heard in this connection, however is -that both Duffey and Cornell, The Border centres, will be available next year. Neither participated in this year’s tournament, the former through a shoulder injury, and Cornell for busness reasons. Had a Springbok side been chosen after the 1925 tournament though, these men must have been chosen. Great attacking players, they were full of resource and always endeavouring to do something with the

ball. They backed each other up for the return pass as well, and if fault could be found in their play it was perhaps, that they at all times divorced themselves from their wings. This however, can easily be remedied. Both are young, and Cormell, particularly, is strongly built. Neither may be chosen, but if South Africa has a better pair there will be no cause for anxiehy in this department.

LIKELY WINGS 1 have referred to our wings, the best of whom are Vaji Niekerk and Pienaar, of Western Province, and Prinsloo, of Transvaal, but there are one or two others in the running. Bennie Osler is the outstanding flyhalf, and at the base of the’scrum South Africa is very happily situated for halves, Devine, Townshend, and Maris being among the most prominent. Coming to our forwards, I understand that it is the wish of the selection committee that Kruger keeps himself fit. The Pretoria player was regarded as the best forward in the South African team of 1921 in New Zealand, and was probably the best hooktr in 1927. Phil Mestert and Dr. Van Druten are certainties, and they form the nucleus of a very fine pack. Nel the Natal forward from Grey town with his 2001 b weight and splendid reach, is also one of the impressive forwards, wjhile Oliver (1961b)is highly thought of at the Cape. Then there is Pretorius, a front-rank forward from the Western Province, and five or six others, who will battle for the last two or three positions. The blending of a pack is important. We, too, may have to specialise but from what I have seen and heard of the material avaiable for next year I am. far more optimistic now than ''fever before.