THE SPRINGBOKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10957, 20 July 1921, Page 6

THE SPRINGBOKS

NEW ZEALAND TOUR AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT *> MASTERTON. PEAYING TO WIN. By Telegraph.—Special to ‘‘‘Times/' MASTERTON, July 19. The arrival of the Springboks ffom Palmerston North this -afternoon was marked by great enthusiasm by & large crowd which had assembled honour to the visitors. The party was met at the railway station by Mr O. N. C. Pragneiil, the Mayor of Masterton, by the Mayors of other towns of t the district, and by officials of th<y Wairarapa Rugby Union.. The visitors were motored to the Opera House and tendered a civic reception. The building was filled to its utmost capacity, while on the stage were Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P., the Mayors of Wairarapa towns, the Masterton Borough Councillors, and Rugby Union officials. Great enthusiasm was shown on the arrival of the South Africans at the Opera House and throughout the reception. Mr Pragnell said he welcomed the visitors as footballers, but. even 'more as brethren of a sister State. Twentythree out of the thirty-four Springboks had seen service in Prance. New Zealanders would always remember the reception our boys received at Durban and Capetown, and they would not begrudge the South Africans any victory, should they (prove victorious throughout the tour. “WHAT ABOUT ‘TEDDY/ '• On rising to speak Mr A. J. Griffiths (New Zealand Rugby Union), who is travelling with the Snringboks, wae greeted with (good-natured banter and such remarks as “What's wrong with Teddy Roberts" and “Wimt about Teddy/' He said that one pleasing feature he had. noticed about the visitors was their kindly attitude towards the Maoris. They manifested a great interest in the natives, and had already learnt their., war cries. He had accompanied many teams on tour, but had never met a more sportsmanlike dot than the Springboks. Speeches were also delivered by Mr G. R. Sykes. M.P.; Mr R. J. Southgate, president of the Wairarapa Rugby Union and Mr W. A. Hutton, Mayor of Greytown. THE VISITORS' MANAGER. “When ue came to this country," said Mr Bennett, manager of the Springboks, “we knew we were going to play some hard, games, but we never dreamt Rugby was taken so seriously by New Zealanders/' He would tell the ladies of Capetown apd Durban of the hearty receptions they had had in New Zealand,* and he would convey to them thanks for what they had done for New Zealand soldiers touching at those ports during the recent war. He was sorry the team could not accept many of the social invitations ex trended to them, but they felt that with so much proficiency 6hown in local football they'\must always be on the watch to keejp themselves fit, so that they might endeavour to beat them. He was told that the Springboks could not win the tests, and from what he had already seen of the football in this country he was beginning to think his informants might be right. (La*ughter.) Some footballers in this country contended that the South African, team formation was wrong, because it was not as progressive as the New Zealand forma* tion. However, liis team was going to try and show that the older method of attack* produced the beet sport. If they found they were wrong they might adopt | newer New Zealand methods. THE CAPTAIN. Mr A.' B. Peinaar ‘ (captain of the Springboks) said his team had had to put up a hardfe fight at New Plymouth, and they recognised thab they must (play harder -still if they were going to be successful. He was surprised to ©eo' the hold Rugfby had on New Zealanders. It jwas South Africa's national game alsp, but there it was! snot as universal as in New Zealand.

THE WELLINGTON MATdH

ARRANGEMENTS DISCUSSED. RUGBY UNIONS CO-OPERATE.

At the meeting last night of the management committee of the Wellington Rotgiby Union, Mr J. Prendeville (chairman) presiding, Messrs G. \W. Slade Tchairman), H. EL Combs (secretary) EL Wylie, E, little, and H. Paton, of the New Zealand Rugbv Union management committee, attended for the purpose of discussing the arrangements to be made at the Athletic Park ground for the Springboks v. Wellington match on Saturday next. It was stated that all the grandstand been sold out, so that no etilo would be needed for the gragidsitand; ibuit there would be six . stiles available for admitting the spectators to other parts of the ground. On the ground, or “the lawn," the chairman termed it, forms, had been provided to seat some 3000 people; and the tickets for these had also all been practically sold. Messrs Slade and Wylie, of the New Zealand Union, and McLeod and Buck, of the Wellington Union, were appointed as a sub-committee to see to the final details—Press tables, additional ' exits, etc. ENTERTAINMENT OF VISITORS. The following arrangements have been made by the joint entertainment committee for the entertainment of the Springboles' team, which arrives from Masterton by the 6.50 p.m. train to-morrow: — Thursday evening.—Free. Friday morning.—Run at Athletic Park; 12.15 ,p.hi., civic reception at Town Hall; 2 p.m., car ride round bays and afternoon tea at Seatoun; 5 p.m., entertainment at Commercial Travellers' Club and Federal Club; 8 p.m., Wellington and South African teams at His Majesty's Theatre. Saturday night.—South African and Wellington teams dine together at the Grand Hotel; 7.45 p.m., the Springboks leave for Lyttelton by the Mararoa. Golf has been arranged for at tho Heretaunga and the Miramar Club grounds. Tho visitors during their stav in Wellington will be hon. members nz the Wellesley, Commercial Travellers' and Federal Clubs.

With their usual consideration for the convenience of the nublic, officials of the Telegraph afid Telephone 1 Departments have decided to instal six telephones at Athl-efiH Park on Saturday in connection with the Wellingtou-Springboks fiiotch. Tho charge will bo 3d for a local call and toll calls at the usual rates.