South Africans Hopeful That 1940 Rugby Tour Will Be Carried Out

Southland Times, Issue 23987, 30 November 1939, Page 12

South Africans Hopeful That 1940 Rugby Tour Will Be Carried Out

Rugby authorities in South Africa are still full of hope that the 1940 tour of the All Blacks to their country will eventuate. The official position, so far as New Zealand is concerned, is that any decision has been postponed until January, when the situation again comes up for review in the light of the world crisis. The chance at the moment seems faint, but that does not prevent such prominent South Africans as Mr Percy Day and Mr Alec de Villiers from dis-, cussing Test prospects and the possible basis of teams, should all go well. There is little or no reference to the war in a letter Mr Day has written to Mr S. S. Dean, chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Mr Day, now chairman of the finance committee of the South African Rugby Board in his letter expresses a keenness to know who were in the running for the position of manager of the New Zealand side, but that, of course, is something very indefinite yet. He expressed the hope that Mr Dean could take time off to visit South Africa as a tourist if he did not travel in a managerial capacity. SPRINGBOKS ON THE BANK

Mr de Villiers said that of the side which visited New Zealand in 1937, Phil Nel, “Boy” Louw, Brand, Pierre de Villiers, White and Broderick had all retired; and the form of Lochner and

Bester during the last year had been poor. Neither could have been considered for a South African team. But Tony Harris, though he did not play regularly, largely because of injuries, was, to quote Mr de Villiers, “great” when he did turn out. Going strong, too, were Lotz, Du Toit, Bastard and Williams. Turner, if he had not been brilliant, had at least been consistent. Ferdie Bergh and Strachan had joined up with a new organization, the Northern Transvaal Union, in the Pretoria area. Hofmeyr, a youngster on the 1937 tour (he played at centre three-quar-ters was one of the best players of the year. Another who had shown better form than most was Fanie Louw. M. Van der Bergh, wrote Mr de Villiers, was Western Province captain now, and advancing years did not affect his old-time vitality. Players who had departed for overseas included Babrow and Martin. Danie Craven was undergoing a strenuous course of training, with the idea of physical culture work. Questioned in Wellington, Mr Dean was loath to comment on prospects for the tour. His tone naturally did not inspire optimism, as he again pointed out that nothing at all could be decided till January.