NEWLANDS OUTLOOK: FAIR WEATHER, SOFT GROUND

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1949, Page 6

NEWLANDS OUTLOOK: FAIR WEATHER, SOFT GROUND

■ CAPETOWN, Fri. (11.15 a.m.). —Light but steady rain fell overnight in Capetown. . This, coupled with heavy morning fogs throughout the week, should leave the Newlands ground soft for the test, but otherwise the pros oects are for fair weather. ■ 1 “We have a 51—49 chance of winning,” said the assistant manager (Mr McDonald) today. “We know their type of game and they know ours. It is useless hiding that, and trying to make out we have something special up our sleeves. “I expect a* hard game, and, if our players get a fair share of the ball, we should do well.

. "Our boys have come along nicelj in the past two weeks. However, 1 doubt if. we will beat the Springbok! in the set scrums, but if we can hole our own in this department I feel ouj boys will carry enough guns to show them a point or two in several othei phases of the game. "Our defence is excellent, and wil; stand up to the Springboks, and ] feel confident our boys will do well." Capetown is thronged with visitors and the test is practically the sole topic of discussion. Whereas a week or two ago South Africans had no hesitation in stating that the All Blacks would not win the test today, they are much more cautious. WELL MATCHED The South African press tonight carried a message from Mr Don Max, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and Mr A. J Pienaar, president of the South African Rugby Board ; both of which were notable for their complimentary tenor. Fred Allen and Felix du Plessis. the captains, were content to bserve that each team was <nj* *- ' --■-d the.honours would gr ' Vt'er side. . H. B. Heartland, doyen of South African Rugby writers, feels the teams are so well matched that any points

i scored are likely,to come from a lucky ' break by one or the other side, or by, : penalty goals. j ! “Spectacular back movements such' as Rugby followers delight in can scarcely be expected. The fresh vogue of the wing forward developed to a fine art in South Africa in recent’ years, does not allow much latitude for backs to score with orthodox play, and points scored tomorrow may be the re-] suit of opportunism rather than teamwork,” he writes. "Where I think South Africa has a big advantage is in the skill and speed of its flank and back row forwards. “South Africa has produced some great players in these positions in the past, but I doubt whether there has ever been a greater trio at one time than Strydom, van de Menve and Muller. “The All Blacks have useful flank- ' ers but New Zealand, which first in- ' troduced the wing forward to the con- . sternation of all opponents, has more recently concentrated on the ’crummaging ‘?amo end it -~°maiir! f o be SCCP V’ 1 ’ v ‘ v t • Sp o cc" r : morrow n uv lo se.' A late weather forecast says that a [light drizzle may be expected tomor- 1 •row morning. *