SPRINGBOKS IN SCORING MOOD

Southland Times, Issue 23228, 17 June 1937, Page 5

SPRINGBOKS IN SCORING MOOD

63 POINTS AGAINST COUNTRY TEAM GIANT FORWARDS JOIN IN PASSING RUSHES (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 16, 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 16. The Springboks, on their way from Melbourne to Sydney, where they will begin the serious part of their - programme, played their first game in New South Wales today against a Combined Western team at Orange. The Springboks won by 63 points to nil after leading by 29 to nil at half-time. The giant Springbok forwards were early irresistible, joining the backs in passing bursts, and three tries were quickly scored, the play veering to the right wing, where F. G. Turner ran strongly. Later, a lack of condition was noticeable, and the country team rallied. It tackled solidly, but towards the end the heavier South Africans carried all before them and scored a succession of tries. A feature was the splendid goalkicking of G. H. Brand, the full-back, who converted nine of the 13 tries and also landed two penalty goals. D. F. van de Vyver gave an attractive exhibition at five-eighth, taking P. de Villiers’s swift passes cleverly. Turner’s determination and speed led to his scoring three tries. A. D. Lawton, on the left wing, also played with great vigour but could not get through till near the end. L. Babrow was the better of the centres, J. White being uncertain. Brand gave an excellent allround display. The forwards, with great weight and packing a tight 3-4-1 formation, carried the scrums and won most of the loose rucks. They also showed skill in passing rushes. Their backing up was splendid, and mainly as a result of this they scored six of the team’s 13 tries. J. W. Lotz, G. L. van Reenen, M. M. Louw and S. C. Louw were all great, but ffie majority of the players are still short of really good condition and they are anxious lest New South Wales be able to take advantage of this on Saturday. The only real casualty in the team at the moment is D. O. Williams, the outstanding wing three-quarter. His injured muscle above the knee is improving and he may be fit for the Test on Saturday week.