SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18320, 10 August 1921, Page 2

SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR

CIVIC RECEPTION

THE SOUTH AFRICANS WELCOMED.

Tile Springboks wore accorded a civic welcome ut the Octagon Theatre yesterday afternoon. r ihe Mayor (Mr J. ri. Douglas) first introduced the New Zealanders, who arrived al the appointed time for the reception (12.30;. The Springboks arrived 15 minutes later. Both teams were given - a hearty reception. Many ladies ami representative citizens were present. After the singing of the National Anthem the Mayor extended a welcome to the visitors as representatives of the great dominion of South Africa. Twenty-one years ago they had Piet their visitors in conflict as foemon worthy of their steel. (Applause.) 'lho Souln Africans, however, were now here as partners in our Great Empire to take part in another conflict. In the same manner as they appreciated them as worthy foemen 21 years ago they welcomed, them to-day as worthy foemen in the Rugby Championship of the world. Ihey all. realised the big part South Africa played in the late war, and they felt grateful to their leader and soldier, General Smuts—(applause)—who fought for honour and justice 'ihe people ot New Zealand also remembered the great hospitality extended to New Zealand boys by South Africans when proceeding to and from the war. (Applause.) As New Zealanders they were all proud that Rugby was their national game. Ho was proud to extend a hearty welcome to the South Africans, the more so because the honour had been conferred on Dunedin of being the city in which the first test match was to be played. ' Mr H. Harris (president of the Otago Rugby Football Union) said that ever since the South Africans toured Great Britain New Zealanders had looked forward to a visit from them, more especially as the Springboks boat Wales, who downed the All Blacks by 3 points to nil. The New Zealanders now wanted to turn the tables, and if they beat South Africa next baturday it would be a great win for them. Mr S S Myers (president of the Otago Football Association), in extending a welcome, said that a visit of this kind to combine New Zealand .with Soutn Africa. , Mr Crosbv Morris (president of the Otago Cricket. Association) said that cricket was the - finest summer game, as Rugby was the finest winter game. He understood that m the South African team there wore some very prominent cricketers, and ho looked torward to the day when that country wou.d send a team of cricketers to New Zealand Thev wore all struck by the fact that the visitors played straight, clean football. Mr A. E. Usherwood (Overseas Club) and Dr Harrison (Otago Returned Soldiers Association) also extended welcome MR BENNETT REPLIES. . Mr Bennett, manager of the Soutn African team, said he understood the spirit ot Scotland prevailed more in this province than in any other in New Zealand, ihat had been impressed upon him since _ his arrival last nignt. 'they had heard m their country that a Scotchman was a good teilow, and that the only way to improve him was to send him to the colonies, ihe manner in which they had been received in Dunedin had impressed them to a great extent. They looked upon that a&y'B reception as an expression of goodwill not only to 'them as footballers, but to their country. (Applause.) At different receptions speakers had reierred with pride to their great statesmen and to the work which South Africans had done in the Great War, mid more particularly to the way in which Now Zealand soldiers going to and from the war had been received at Cape iown, Durban, and other places. “We Springboks arc fortunate in being the first baton of South Africans to arrive in New Zealand to receive tins appreciation and expression of your reeling of goodwill, which we will carry back to South Africa. We will tell them there the manner in which you have expressed your gratitude for what was done for your soldier boys. I am sure the ladies who did so much for your soldiers in South Africa will be pleased to know how much their ,services are appreciated by the people of New Zealand. It is a wonderful expression, and. we will be proud to be the bearers of your message to the people of South Africa. Referring to Saturday’s test, the speaker said ho was sure it would be a game played-in-"ihe 'very best of spirit. The Springboks hoped to give a good exhibition of the game, and if they were beaten they would wish the New Zealanders the very best of luck, but he was afraid they would have to wish his team the best of luck. There was one aspect of the tour he wished to refer to and that was the alarming amount of hospitality being offered them. As manager of the team he was sure the people would forgive them if they had to refuse somb of the invitations extended to them. They regretted having to do so, but it was absolutely unavoidable from a football point of view. They wanted to play the game and leave Now Zealand as a team with the best of impressions. (Applause.) OTHER SPEECHES. Mr T. B. Pienaar, captain of the team, added a few words. He specially thanked those speakers who represented other branches of sport, and whose presence indicated the good feeling that existed throughout the sporting world. There was no line to be drawn between good sportsmen (Applause.)' The team was looking forward to the matches this week, added Mr Pienaar, and although ho vvas not going to make any promises or prophesies—it wasn’t safe—he would say that they were going to give the New Zealanders a jolly hard go for it. If they were beaten—well, there were two more tests to go. One thing he was certain of and that was they were assured of a hard, fast, and clean game of football. They were assured, too, ot a fair deal from the New Zealand crowds. The warm reception given them showed New Zealanders to be true sportsmen and sportswomen. (Loud applause.) The Mayor then formally welcomed the members of the New Zealand team who were assembled there. Dunedin warmly appreciated their presence, he said, and hoped they, too, would enjoy their stay. Mr W. J. Stead (one of the team’s coaches and an ex-AH Black) returned thanks on behalf of the team. For something like 26 voars he had from time to time enjoyed the hospitality of Otago and he was certain the South Africans would enjoy their visit here. He assured them that the dominion team would Ire fit and well on Saturday. (Applause.) The audience, after singing “For they are jolly good fellows,” demanded the South Africans’ war cry, and this the Springboks gave with great gusto.