CAPE TOWN TENDERS ROUSING WELCOME TO VISITING ALL BLACKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27078, 12 May 1949, Page 7

CAPE TOWN TENDERS ROUSING WELCOME TO VISITING ALL BLACKS

From NZPA Correspondent with the All Blacks . CAPE TOWN, May 10. The mother province of the Union of South Africa was shrouded in deep mist when the 1949 All Blacks arrived this morning on the initial stage of their Rugby tour. This denied the visitors the familiar sight of Table Mountain. However, several had the good fortune to see it about 2 a.m., when the ship was lying in the roadstead. This was a truly- remarkable introduction to South Africa, Table Mountain being reflected in brilliant moonlight From the moment of arrival the All Blacks were impressed with the enthusiasm of their reception. “ Welcome, All Blacks,” was on the lips of every citizen from the highest dignitaries in civic, poli- _ tical. and Rugby spheres, to the ordinary man in the street, and the team was whirled round Cape Town amid extraordinary scenes of adulation and hero worship. The Rugby fever evident in Cape* Province was reflected in the remarks of the Mayor at a civic reception. “ We are one up on you, but we know you are right out to swing the balance in your favour, that you have brought a very fine side, and that this tour amounts to a clash between the Rugby giants of the world,” he said. “We have waited for years for this Now that the tour has eventuated, may we have a great tussle.” Manager Replies The manager, Mr J. H. Parker, replying, struck a particularly happy note with a fitting tribute to the greatness of the 1937 Springboks. The generous manner in which he acknowledged that side as one of the finest to visit New Zealand stirred the local populace. “Make no mistake, however, we are here to try to turn the tables,” said Mr Parker. The whole aim in any sport should be do win. He knew the Springboks had the same attitude, but he was sure both would also be good losers The team was welcomed on arrival by Dr T. E. Donges, the Minister of the Interior; Mr A. J (“ Sport ”) Piennaar, president of the South African Rugby Board; Mr T. J. Kenmuir secretary of the 'board; and other prominent personalities, including Mr D F. (“Tim”) . Mason, former All Biack, on behalf of the New Zealand

community, and Mr J, de Villiers. chairman of the Western Province Rugby Union. Later the civic reception was attended by the Prime Minister, Dr D. F. Malan, and five members of the South African Cabinet, and such Rugby notabilities as Phil Mostert, captain of the 1928 Springboks; “ Boy ” Merkel. 1921 Springbok; P. de Villiers, 1928 and’l937 Springbok; W. Russeau, 1928 Springbok; Fred Turner, Louis Babrow and George Vanreenen, 1937 Springboks. Serious Training Mr Parker said the team was fit and well, but all were keen to get down to serious training. Though physical exercises under G. W. Delamore and N. H. Thornton had been most beneficial, many players were still well over-weight and will need all of the three weeks before the first match to reach proper form. Headquarters of the team are at Hermanus. about 90 miles out of Cape Town. Everyone is delighted at thus being well away from the hubbub of city life, with splendid facilities for solid training. The assistant manager, Mr A. McDonald, and R. A. Ealton, as well as Mr C. King, the NZPA correspondent, and Mr W McCarthy, the announcer are flying to Pretoria to witness the South African Rugby trials, which conclude on Saturday. The All Blacks excelled in ship games on the voyage. E. G. Boggs won the “ triple crown ” at deck tennis. Mr McDonald, who beat Dalton in the deck quoits final, has now accomplished the hat trick, having won this event on the last three occasions on which he travelled with New Zealand Rugby teams. His first success was in 1913. and the second in 1938. Well-travelled Players Among the most interesting of the numerous photographs of the team published was a group consisting of R. W. H. Scott, J. C. Kearney and J. G. Simpson. This trio may claim to be the most travelled Rugby players in the world. During the war they took part in matches in the Middle East and Italy, trials for the Army team in Austria, and subsequently toured the British Isles, Eire. France and occupied Germany On returning they toured Australia with the 1947 All Blacks. Including South Africa and their homeland, they have thus played Rugby in 10 countries.