SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1928, Page 2

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY

SPRINGBOKS IN PREPARATION. CAPETOWN, April 13. Tom Heeney said of Gene T'unney, when interviewed, with regard to his prospects of the coming world title boui in July: . Tunney will know that he has been, in a light.” 1 repeat these words in, regard to the Ail Blacks during their tour of South Africa (writes C. T. White). 1 am optimistic so far as the success of the All Blacks are concerned—l believe theirs will be a wonderful and successful sojourn in the land of the Springbok in every sense. With their four matches with the pick of South Africa the All Blacks w’ill know, as Tunney wjill, that ' ‘ they have been in a fight.” This surely sums up the chances of the New Zealanders. Knowing the Springboks during their tour of New Zealand in 1921, when I saw them in Wellington, and knowing what I do of their play during the last two seasons "here, when I saw them in the pick of the Currie Cup matches, I am a little pessimistic of their chances. Personally, I fail to see howl they can possibly choose a side to equal the 1921 combination. Last season I hardly saw a player worthy of a place in that wonderful side. Kruger, still considered a good player, has slowed down considerably, while Phil Mostert is not the same Phil Mostert. Yet both these players of the very few still remaining in the game are considered certainties against the All Blacks in the Tests. Bennie Osler, the local fly-half, seems to ba worth a place in any team, and one journal has just said that if ho is droppel “the game is all up.” That may be or may not be. In the first two games the All Blacks will meet some of the best players in the country, and it will be n good to their future games.

The Western Province match, the last but one match of the tour, will be a stiff one. Western Province went through the Currie Cup last year undefeated, and this is by a lot the best team in the country. This may be the All Blacks’ hardest match.

The arranging of hotel accommodation especially in the small places, has been a matter of trial, because accommodation is very limited in some parts whe.re fourists and visitors never touch. With the All Black party their New Zealand followers, local selectors, managers, mfpree, etc, one hotel has practically had to be bought from Cook’s Agency, .which are handling the tour, to provide the necessary accommodation. This only hotel “will be packed to the doors.” For those xyho may be wishing to cable New Zealanders on “the spot” I append the list of hotels where the New Zealanders will be staying—which list I was able to obtain from Cook’s to-day (the day the All Blacks left New Zealand): — Capetown: Hotel Edward, Gardens. Kimberley: Queen’s Hotel. Johannesburg: Longos /Hotcjl. Kroonstad: Sclborne Hotel. Johannesburg: Long’s Hotel. PotchefstrOom: Queen’s Hotel. Maritzpurg: Imperial Hotel. Durban: Federal Hotel. Bloemfontein: Polley’s Hotel Kimberley: Queen’s Hotel.

Bulawayo: Grand and Carlton Hotels. (Hero there is not .sufficient accommodation in one hotel.) Victoria Falls: Victoria Falls Ho tel.

Bulawayo: Grand and Carlton Hotels. Johannesburg: Long’s Hotel. Pretoria: Grand Hotel. Bloemfontein: Trolley’s Hotel. Burghersdorp: Jubilee Hotel. East London: Marino Hotel. Kingwilliamstown: Central Hotel.

Port Elizabeth: Humewood Hotel. Oudsthoorn: Queen’s Hotel. Capetown: Arthurs’ iSea Hotel, Sea Point.

Johannesburg is charging as much as £2/2/- a. reserved seat for its test match, while seats may be obtained for £1 Is and uncovered seats for 15s. For the other tests the admission charges have not yet been macle known. Nevertheless, so great is the keenness to see thei All Blacks that the prices will bo no hindrance to packed grounds, but they must seem exhorbitant in face of the nrices charged to see th<i Springboks New Zealand. Enthusiasts have told the writer they would willingly pay two guineas to stand.

I know of no tour which has had the- “boosting’’ this tour of the All Blacks has had—and let me whisper, I' have met many people who still believe they arc all black' What a. shock they will get! Every journal, every issue has something in connection with the tour and the tourists and it is the sole topic of conversation. Soon we shall see these giants* of Rugby football. And what a welcome they will get!