SPRINGBOK TEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 195, 19 July 1937, Page 5

SPRINGBOK TEST.

CONVINCING WIN FOR TOURISTS. SCORE OF 26 TO 17. SYDNEY, July 18. The Springbok Rugby team on Saturday won the second Test against Australia by 26 points to 17, a margin which does not reflect the visitors’ convincing superiority in nearly every phase of the game. They had victory in band at half-time, hawing scored six tries to nil to lead by 26 points to O. Thereafter they took passing risks but were never in danger, though their lino was crossed three times in the second half. The teams were : SOUTH AFRICA. Full-back: G. Brand. Three-quarters: F. Turner, D. 0. Williams, L. R.sbrow, S. Hofmeyr. Half-backs: P. de Villiers, D. Van der Vyver. Forwards: S. C. Louw, J. W. Lotz, P. Nel (captain), G. Van Ileenan, F. Bergli, L. C. Straclian, H. Martin, D. Craven. AUSTRALIA. Full-back: R. Rankin. Three-quarters: J. D. Kelaher, C. H. Towers (captain), F. Hammon, F. O’Brien. Five-eighth: P. Collins. Half-back: J. M. McShane. Forwards: J. H. Malone, A. H. Stone, W. H. Cerutti, V. W. Wilson, E. E. Hutchinson, A. J. Hodgson, R. L. F. Kelly, K. S. Windon.

For South Africa Bergli, Van Reenan, Babrow, Turner, Williams a.nd White scored tries. Brand converted four.

O’Brien, Hodgson and Kelaher scored tries for Australia. Rankin converted one and kicked two penalty goals. The Springboks were without Fanie Louw in the front row; nevertheless his absence made little difference to their clearly superior packing. Boy Louw went into the front row and Craven packed in the last line down. Their seven stalwarts were quite able to cope with Australia’s pack, consisting of six pushers and two breakaways, Hodgson and Windon. A serum analysis showed that the Springboks won 19 and Australia 15. Even more marked was South Africans superiority in the line-outs. Whether the ball was thrown back or rucked through the Springboks invariably gained the greater advantage and were better supported by their backs, whose knowledge of positional play was a feature of the team’s victory.

' Half-way through the second spell the Australian captain. Towers, retired with an injured forehead. Australia's form thereafter improved greatly, the forwards rising to heights quite lacking in the first spell. AUSTRALIA’S STRATEGY. The Springboks early perceived that Australia’s strategy was built on getting the ball to Towers. The Australian captain was closely marked and the inside backs utterly failed to check the Springbok attacks down the centre of the field.

The first act in a dramatic first spell was the domination in close rucking by the Springbok forwards. Within two minutes Bergli forced, his way over the line following a five-yard scrum. The next try was similar, the Australian forwards being helpless against the close passing of Strachan and Van Iteenan, following an in-pass from the winger, Williams. The next two tries were due entirely to weak defence by Towers and O’Brien. From do Villiers's rapid service Babrow was cutting holes in the Australian defence. The only chance the Wallabies had of stemming the tide was to take advantage of the Springbok impetuosity. This was indicated in the tally of" penalties through the game. The referee. Mr A. L. Irving, awarded 18 to Australia and four to South Africa. From two of these Rankin goaled. Meanwhile the Springbok threequarters had added two more tries. SPRINGBOKS AIR THE BALL. In the second spell the Springboks generally endeavoured to give the ball the air, although Brand occasionally was barracked for finding the line. Windon, wlio was pulled from the pack to replace Towers, was responsible for the three Australian tries. It would be invidious to single out the Springbok forwards, but Boy Louw, Lotz, Bergli and Van Reenan, who was limping in the second half, were superb. Babrouv a sparkling centre, was outstanding in an exceptionally sound back division. Brand was always cool as full-back. FIERCE ENCOUNTER, SOME PUNCHING ALLEGED. SYDNEY, July 18. The Sunday newspapers to-day refer to the fierceness of the encounter be-

tween tlie Springboks and Australia. Mr E. N. Greatorex, writing in the Sunday Sun, says that to describe it as a fierce encounter is to be mild. Punches were exchanged on numerous occasions and more than one player wai stretched on the ground by tactics not recognised in the rules. Australia’s defeat was due to faulty tackling.^ Mr Greatorex adds that the Springboks will have something to. worry about on the New Zealand tour. They will not be able to run up big scorce in the first half against All Black teams, and if they fade at the end as they did yesterday they will not be in it.