SPRINGBOKS' TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22700, 12 April 1937, Page 8

SPRINGBOKS' TOUR

TEAM SELECTED TWENTY-NINE PLAYERS STRENGTH OF THE BACKS HEAVY, SPEEDY FORWARDS By Teifzraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 11, 6..V> p.ni.) CAPETOWN*. April 11 Following a week of trial matches in which 90 of South Africa's leading players took part the Springbok Rugby team to tour Australia and New Zealand is announced as follows : Fullbacks. —Turner and Brand. Wings.—-.Williams, Lawton, Lyster and Broodryk. Centres— Bester, White, Hofmeyr and Babrow. Stand-off Halves—Van der Vyver, Lochner and Harris. Scrum Halves. —Craven and de Viiiiers. Forwards. —Lotz, S. C. Louvr, 31. M. Loiiw. Jennings. Sheriff. Martin, Xel, van den Berg. Bergh, Watt, Strachan, Duioit, Bastard and van Reenen. Outstanding Fullbacks Turner and Brand are two outstanding fullbacks. Turner is also useful on the wing and Brand is a good centre. It is likely that Philip Xel, who captained the Springboks against the Wallabies in 1933 will again be captain, with Craven as vice-captain.

The forwards' weights range from 13st. 101b. to lost. 51b., but Bergh weighs 16st. 31 b. The centres are a forceful quartet and are likely to improve as the tour proceeds. The wings are speedy and thrustfnl, especially Williams, whose displays during the trials were most impressive. The question of stand-off halves gave the selectors a great deal of trouble, as there was no Bennie Osier in the offing, but it is certain that those selected will acquit themselves admirably. Men Prom Western Province ■ Craven and Pierre de Viiiiers are two experienced scrum-halves, who have represented South Africa in many previous matches. De Viiiiers is notable for his partnership with Osier. The forwards are magnificent specimens —heavy, speedy and excellent in handling the ball, it is expected that the team will more than uphold the high traditions of South African Rugby. Eleven of the players are from the Western Province.

G. Brand, the veteran fullback, played against the AH Blacks in South Africa in 1928, while several of the players were members of the springbok combination which toured Great Britain m 1931. DOMINION ITINERARY FIRST MATCH IN AUCKLAND THREE TESTS ARRANGED The South African team is due to arrive in Australia early in June and

the first of nine matches will bt> played against Victoria on .June 12. The last match will be played against Australia on July 17 and the team will sail from

Sydney that evening for Auckland, where the New Zealand tour will open with a match against the Auckland representatives on July 24. Seventeen matches, including three tests at Wellington, C'hristchureh and Auckland respectively, will be played in the Dominion. The tourists will leave for Australia and South Africa on October 1. The itinerary of the New Zealand tour is as follows: July 24. —v. Auckland, at Auckland. July 28.—v. Waikato-King Country. Thames Valley, at Hamilton. July 31. —v. Taranaki, at New Plymouth. August 4. —v. Manawatu, at Palmerston North. August 7. —v. Wellington, at Welling-

ton. August 14. —v. New Zealand "(first

test), at Wellington. August 18. —v. Marlborough and Nel-

son, at Blenheim. August 21. —v. Canterbury, at Christ-

church. •August 25.—v. West Coast and Buller,

at Grey mouth. August 28. —v. South Canterbury, at

Tim aru. September 4.—v. New Zealand (second test), at Christchureh. September B.—v. Southland, at Inver-

cargill. * September 11.—v. Otago, at Dunedin. September 15.—v. Hawke's Bay, at

Napier. September 18. —v. Poverty Bay-East Coast-Bav of Plenty, at Gisborne. September 25. —v. New Zealand (third

test), at Auckland. September 29. —v. North Auckland, at Whangarei.