THE SPRINGBOKS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 21 July 1937, Page 8

THE SPRINGBOKS.

The South African Rugby’ football team landed in Auckland today after a most successful tour of Australia. Their record there has proved that they are a very good side, with every department of the game represented by unusually skilful players. Only one match was lost in the Commonwealth, when the Springboks met New South Wales in the first game at Sydney. That was a sound defeat which left its impress, for the South Africans were taken from the brirrht life of Sydney to the quietude of the Australian bush to work out the arresting problem of how to win the next match, the Test against Australia. They did so to good purpose and, continuing their run of success, have displayed remarkably consistent form. But in doing so they have played only the game they play best,, not the sort the public delight in, with its thrilling open movements and swift penetration of defence. As the Springboks’ captain said at Svdney after the match last Saturday, the South Africans play the game for the game’s sake, then for the players’ sake, and for the spectators’ sake lastly. Obviously for them it is the result that counts, not whether the game itself' gi\es to player or patron, and the New Zealand public will be treated in the Tests with Rugby displays which have been described in Australia as “close as a clenched fist” instead of the open, spectacular type which England, Australia, and New Zealand prefer. In the minor games no doubt the Springboks will relax sufficiently to make the play bright and open, but in the more important contests the result itself will dominate five match. The visitors’ tour opens at Auckland on Saturday, and, eleven days later they will be seen in Palmerston North. There are many pleasurable recollections of the match played here in 1921, when the combined Manawatu-Horowlienua side was beaten by three points to nil, and play of the high standard shown on that occasion will be thoroughly welcomed.