Transvaal's Supremacy.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18009, 20 November 1926, Page 10

Transvaal's Supremacy.

CORNER IN SOUTH AFRICAN SPORT. I =3

“BEST ALLROUND SPORTING PEOPLE.”

■pOR sport in South Africa there is any amount of enthusiasm, X 1 and in each branch there is keen rivalry. Events of recent times on the field of play show that the Transvaal is once again proving her undoubted superiority in South Africa's sports affairs. Of the various branches of sport it can be said that, with the exception of athletics, where Natal just about shares the spoils, and Rugby, where the Western Province is entitled to full laurels, the Transvaal is supreme.

What championship docs the Transvaal not possess? (asks a Johannesburg writer). Her boxers are infinitely superior to those in all other centres; as a matter of fact, a Transvaal boxing team, in our opinion, could whip tjie rest of South Africa without being really extended. In cricket, the players of the Rand are holders of the Currie Cup; they have easily the best batsmen and bowlers in the country. In Soccer, the Transvaal are also champions; in tennis they are firmly established at the top of the tree; they also lead in awimming, and if we come to individual performers we find that on the track they have men who still hold South African records. Recently the Transvaal proved themselves to be the master of all other centres in hockey. They won the interprovincial tournament without losing either match or goal, and they themselves scored 26 goals in five games. THOROUGHNESS ADMIRED. Why is it that the Transvaal should lead in practically every sport in the country? No matter what they take up they seem to do their work better than anyone else, says a South African writer. Is it because the young men and women have better facilities for training and participating in games, or is it because individually and collectively those who take part are more 1 borough in their work? Whatever the reason, there is no getting away from the fact that the Transvaalers are well worthy of being the best all-round •porting people in the world. T have always admired the thoroughness of the Transvaalers in their participation in sport, and of them it could

be said that they play the game in the right spirit. There may be a deadly rivalry between the Western Province and the Transvaal in sport, but it is healthy. There is no bitterness, and no rancour on either side. At one time I believe, the feeling between the two centres was not conducive to the best of sportsmanship, but those days have, gone, and as one who has more than once visited the Transvaal with touring teams, I must say I was charmed with players and legislators, who in defeat still play the game. FINE SPORTING QUALITIES. If the Transvaal are winning we can rest assured that success will not make them become arrogant in sport. They are not boastful when at the top of the pinnacle, and, incidentally, there is one other centre, which T need not mention, that could well take a leaf out of the Transvaal’s book. No, we need not regret that the Transvaal has a corner in' sport. The ‘ Transvaal can win, but success does not make them overbearing, and when it comes their turn to lose, then they can take defeat with a smile. Anyone who has visited Johannesburg, and mixed with those people who rule the various sport organisations, cannot help but be impressed with the sporting qualities of the Transvaal. And those of our Rugby players who have played against the men on the Rand, and have been received by the leaders in the game, will bear me out that the crowd that watches, and those who play, do not forget their true sporting instincts when victory goes to the other side. There is -rivalry between the Province and the Transvaal but no bitterness.