SPRINGBOKS IN SYDNEY

Southland Times, Issue 23229, 18 June 1937, Page 7

SPRINGBOKS IN SYDNEY

Solid Training At Cricket Ground

FIRST TEST SELECTION A DIFFICULTY

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 17, 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 17. The Springboks, who were delighted to reach Sydney today, were tendered a reception by various sporting bodies and paid a call on the Governor of New South Wales (Lord Wakehurst). Tonight they were officially welcomed by the New South Wales Rugby Union. The gathering was most convivial. The team was greatly impressed with the Sydney Cricket Ground, where the players indulged in solid training for Saturday’s match against New South Wales. A feature of the training was the brilliant goal-kicking of the fullback, G. H. Brand, who drop-kicked several goals from halfway. Among the 29 members are huge, iron-jawed men, with cauliflower ears and other scars earned in innumerable battles on the Rugby field, and fresh-faced youths, wide-eyed with interest at visiting a new country. All have an outlook similar to Australians. They speak Afrikaander among themselves and invariably use it on the field.

Ferdie Bergh, known as “the human tank,” is the biggest; he is 6ft 3in tall, weighs 17.0 and is one of the most handsome members of the team. George van Reenen is the tallest—6ft 4jin. Ben du Toit and Harry Martin are about the shyest. D. Craven and P. de Villiers are a strange contrast in half-backs; Craven weights 14.0 and de Villiers 9.0. The captain (Philip Nel) has a difficult task in getting a team fit for the first Test, as not one of the games already played has been of much assistance, and all the games so far have - been on wet grounds. A number of players are suffering from colds contracted last Tuesday, when they visited Jenolan Caves, where the weather was bitterly cold. The teams for Saturday’s match are: SOUTH AFRICA Full-back, G. H. Brand. Three-quarters: F. G. Turner, ..J. Bester, S. R. Hofmeyr, J. A. Broodrijk. Five-eighth: D. F. van de Vyver. Half-back: D. Craven. Forwards: M. M. Louw, J. W. Lotz, S. C. Louw, P. J. Nel, B. du Toit, M. A. van den Berg, H. H. Watt, G. L. van Reenen. NEW SOUTH WALES Full-back—Rankin. Three-quarters.—Kelaher, Towers, Pauling, O’Brien. Five-eighth.—Richards. Half-back.—McShane. Forwards.—Hodgson, Kelly, Windon, E. Hutchinson, Ramsay, Cerutti, Stone. Malone. The manager of the Springboks (Mr Percy Day) has chosen Mr E. V. Mayne as referee.