SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 1 June 1937, Page 7

SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR.

VICTORY In FIRST MATCH. BIG SCORE AT PERTH. PERTH, May 31. The subordinate position of Rugby in western Australia, combined with the late landing of the Springboks intensified the debut of the visitors when, in a practice exhibition game, they defeated Western Australia by 47 points to 8. There was sufficient opposition to show that the visitors believe in fast, open play, and in giving the backs the ball, instead of seeking touch and trusting to' massive forward work. With the players obviously ship stiff it- was difficult to judge the team’s real strength, but it is undoubtedly fast on ULiaUv and strong on defence. , Several flashes of brilliance revealed plenty of quality behind the scrum. ' The full-back, F. Turner, drew applause for the first try by the visitors after a pretty piece of three-quarter play. , . . The impression left is that it is a good, solid team, well combined and with brilliant possibilities among the The visitors bad 36 points to their credit before the local side, scored, though Western Australia at one period kept them on the defensive for 10 minutes. . , The Springbok captain, P. J. Nel, said the team would play under South Africa rules and conditions only. The tour was not a struggle for the world championship but just a friendly visit to another country to play friendly games of Rugby. The whole team is particularly interested in the New Zealand visit to test the strength and compare the standards of the two countries. If it did not win it would undoubtedly learn. The team will re-embark to-night.