THE SPRINGBOKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22805, 12 August 1937, Page 15

THE SPRINGBOKS

Sir, —I have noticed that some of your correspondents have jumped to the conclusion that, since the Springboks have confounded the critics by continuing on their winning way, the only explanation they can ofler is that New Zealand llugbv is on the decline. Why not give the Springboks full marks for being ' an undoubtedly first-class combination, playing a type of football that we never, in our wildest flights of fancy, imagined them capable of turning on? After last Saturday's display I am convinced that this Springbok team is going to take a power of beating. The fact that the tourists scored a really brilliant try from a movement initiated in their own twenty-five, in my opinion, set the seal on their prowess. Let us admit frankly that on their record to date this South African teairt is one of the best to have toured the Dominion, and of their behaviour both on and off the fields of play that a better team of gentlemen and sportsmen has not visited our shores. All New Zealanders are anxious to see the better team win the tests, and are fervently hoping that the All Blacks will prove to be that team, but should South Africa win let us admit ungrudgingly that they are a great side and, if we win, that they gave us a great fright. Fkank O. Reabdo?t.