SPRINGBOKS' CAPTAIN.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 31 July 1937, Page 2

SPRINGBOKS' CAPTAIN.

ON 35-MINUTE SPELLS

QUESTION OF FIT MEN

EXPLANATION OF ACTION

[By Telegraph.—Press Association] NEW PLYMOUTH, July 31. Opposition to a suggestion that today's match, Springboks v. Taranaki, be played in 35-minute spells has been expressed to the Springbok captain, P. J. Nel, by officials of the Taranaki Bugby Union. Nel has not yet arrived at a decision as to whether he will ask for thirtyfives or forties.

After reading the comment in last night's "Star," Nel refutes the allegation that he held up the Springbok game against Auckland at Eden Park

for ten minutes. He explained that the reason why he wanted to play thirty-fives was the fact that his pack was made up of four semi-injured players. Although in South Africa the accepted rule is spells of 35 minutes, Nel is quite agreeable to fall in with New Zealand's wishes and play forty minutes as soon as the members of the Springbok team are fit.

"At the very outset I told the officials that as soon as my men were properly fit we would be prepared to play forty minutes according to international rules," said Nel. "There will be no question of what spells we will play in the Tests. At the moment we arc

in an unfortunate position with injuries." One of the Springboks' best forwards, B. Du Toit, who was injured in Australia, practised on Thursday, but his injured back would not stand up to the strain of light work, and he will bo unavailable for the first Test. Thero is a possibility that he may not play for the rest of the tour.

TO PLAY 40 MINUTES.

TO-DAY'S TABANAKI MATCH

[By Teiepraph.—Press Association]-^/ NEW PLYMOUTH, July 31. Forty-minute spells will be played to-day. The Springboks wished for 35 minutes, but the captain, Nel, eventually agreed to meet Taranaki halfway.