Newlands Ground Too Small To Hold 'Test Fever' Crowd

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1949, Page 6

Newlands Ground Too Small To Hold 'Test Fever' Crowd

CAPETOWN, Sun.—Conditions were perfect for the match. Such was the test fever in Capetown that the ground capacity was overtaxed. At one stage, officials had a most difficult time trying to control the huge queues and there was a period of “fence” -rasping. Newlands with its capacity of 40,000 is now all too small for Capetown with its white population of 300,000 and coloured of 120,000. »

The teams were:— All Blacks. — Fullback, W. H. Scott; threequarters, P. Henderson, R. R. Elvidge, E. G. Boggs; five-eighths, F. R. Allen (captain), J C. Kearney: halfback, L. T. Savage; back row, N. H. Thornton; middle row, J. R. Me Nab, L. R. Harvey, C. C. Willocks, L. A. Grant; front row, K. L. Skinner,' E. H. Catley, J. G. Simpson. Springboks.— Fullback, J. van der Schijf; threequarters, B. Marais, F. P. Duvenage, *> M. Lategan, C. Moss; halfbacks, H. Brewis (fly), J. Wahl (scrum); front row, A. Geffin, R. P. Jordaan, C. J. van Jaarsveld; middle row, L. Strydom, F. du Plessis, H. Koch, B. S. van der Merwe; back row, H. Muller. The < Springboks worked a clever change in direction from the kick-off with the result that the ball went out in the All Blacks’ twenty-five. When South Africa won the subsequent scrum the crowd roared in expectation as Brewis had a snap pot at the goal, but the ball went wide. A few moments later the All Blacks were penalised, but van der Schijf’s shot was well off direction. OBVIOUS TACTICS The Springboks’ tactics were obviously to try and catch the All Blacks out with shock tactics and when they won another scrum and Lategan made a useful run it appeared as if something really effective was about to be produced. However, after surviving this early test, the All Blacks asserted themselves. Although beaten at this stage in the scrums, the forwards were packing effectively and the breakaways were harassing Wahl. From well out near the sideline Scott went so close with a penalty kick at goal that the crowd gasped. Then from a lineout the ball went out to Henderson, who flew past Marais and bounded dlong for the corner flag, only to be pushed into touch a few yards short of the line. This rush awakened the crowd to the possibilities of the All Blacks on attack. Some scrappy play followed and Allen surprised with a reckless pass when under pressure. * This let the Springbok forwards away, but Scott and Boggs halted them. The All Blacks kept up the pressure and from 35 yards out near the sideline Scott kicked a good penalty goal, to place New Zealand three points up after 15 minutes of play.

race for the ball. Scott converted. New Zealand, 8; South Africa, 0. There was now real confidence in the All Blacks’ play. Scott came up into a back rush, but although Elvidge slipped past Lategan, his pass went astray. A beautiful line-kick by Kearney just missed the corner flag and went into touch in goal. Harvey coolly fielded the drop-out and found the line at the corner. From the throw in Boggs moved infield, but fumbled the pass, and the Springboks cleared to All Black territory. Van der Schijf had a long penalty shot which went wide, but when the All Blacks a few moments later were again penalised Geffin kicked the goal. New Zealand, 8; South Africa 3 HALF-TIME LEAD Immediately following the kick-off .another penalty was awarded to the Springboks, but van der Schijf failed with a long shot. Fine line-kicking by. Scott placed the All Blacks in a handy position and the fullback then moved up to take the ball in a passing rush. He broke clean through and a try appeared certain as he ran to van der Schijf, but Elvidge fumbled the high pass as he dived over and a scrum was ordered. Right on half-time Lategan failed to field a high kick by Kearney and from the scrum Savage whipped the ball to Kearney, who dropped a brilliant goal to make the scores:—New Zealand, 11; South Africa, 3. The scrum tally was even, and the All Blacks won 12 lineouts to three. SOLID DEFENCE The Springboks began the second spell with bustling tactics and within two minutes had reduced the leeway when Geffin kicked a fine goal from an acute angle. They kept up the pressure and Brewis potted for goal, but the ball was mothered by Thornton, and from the resulting scrum the All Blacks swept upfield. At this stage the All Blacks launched a series of attacks that looked like deciding the game. Play was confined for some time to the South African .twenty-five and some of the grimmest tussles of the match ensued. The defence was very solid. Wahl and Brewis found touch at every chance.

From 35 yards out came a move initiated by Boggs which looked like yielding a try. but Henderson’s in-pass near the line was fumbled Point? to the All Blacks at this rnioht have ••wunt the ? ate of ‘he game definitely in their favour and the crowd appeared resigned to a South African loss. DESPERATE EFFORT Then came a desperate effort by the

Kicking by the inside Springbok ' .'irks proved :bor ivc against Scott': astute positional play and four minutes later came the next All Black score when Savage shot round a ruck and punted high. Van der Schijf’s kick was charged

tackle by Thornton and found the line in the New Zealand twenty-five. In a ruck following the lineout the All Blacks were penalised and Geffin make the score: New Zealand 11, South Africa 9. This sudden change in the possibilities of the match seemed to enliven the Springbok pack, which also found encouragement in a cool display by van der Schijf, and some astuie linekicking by Brewis. *■ But always there was a threat of a brilliant move by the All Black back line. From a scrum the ball went right out to Henderson, who flew past Marais and almost beat van der Schiif. The latter managed to grab the winger by the jersey and swing him into touch near the corner. From the throw-in the ball went to Allen, who potted left-footed for goal. The ball went wide and van dev Schijf gained much ground with a long line kick. A few moments later he, too, had a pot at goal, which was charged down. A scrum followed. Catley hooked the ball and as Savage bent down to pick the ball up van der Merwe shot round offside. IN THE LEAD When the whistle blew it was for a penalty against Savage for picking the ball out of the scrum and Geffin kicked an easy goal to place South Africa in the lead, 12 —11, with 10 minutes of time left. The lead to the home side was all against the run of play, and Scott had a chance to alter it when the Springboks were penalised in midfield about 45 yards out. His shot went outside the posts. The All Blacks were making desperate efforts now to pull the game out of the fire. Scott came up into a passing rush, but Allen passed over the heads of his supports and the Springboks dribbled to the New Zealand twenty-five where Boggs cleared, but was penalised for obstruction. Geffin placed the issue beyond doubt with another goal. Full time sounded with the score:— SOUTH AFRICA 15