THE SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALLERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8277, 2 November 1906, Page 3

THE SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALLERS.

COMPARISONS WITH IHE "ALL BLACKS." ! (N.Z. Herald's Correspondent;.) LONDON, Hoptember 22. With ttio Hrrival oi' the South African football team in London the football writers of al\ the | jounmla iu tho metropolis and , in the provinces are spreading themselves. References to the new arrivals ami comparisons with tbe New Zualaudoia who were Here last winter are to be .found in almost every paper. In tue course of an interview yesterday ihe captain of the South African teuui, *ir Kqoa, remarked:— "We should like it to bo thoroughly understood that, we have como over • here not to touch, but to learn what • the Old Country can show us. We have no special plan of campaign, and 1 might siy that in South Africa we do not take tbe game quite so ser iously, perhaps, as the Netv ZealLanders. We have no systemst'O methods of training, no special diet, but we hope (o hold our own in most of the matobep. Of course we oxpect our hottest flghcs when ►we visit Wales.*' Comparing the South Africans with the New Zoulanders, from the point of view of physique, the Daily Telegraph sbvb that the present visitors leave little to be desired. "They are not quite suoh a powerful set of men as tbe New Zealandflig, but their appearance suggests wiry strensth and speed." The writer adds: "With regard to -their prospeots and expectations the South Africans aie very modest and reticent. Fully aware that they must be judged by the standard set by the New Zealanders, they are hopeful of rendering a good account of themselves, but -for the present they are not certain of their own strength or weamnrss. jlu ihe matter of formation the South Africans will no* puzzle the English players as did the New .Zealanders. Questioned on this puint, Mr F. Roos, the captain, -laughingly declined to give the soorets of their team, but' assented -to the .suggestion that their methods, .generally sneaking, •are those in vogue in this country. Certainly ho left it.to be inferred that hia men realisod the imperative ineceeaity of the man taking a pass 'being well in his stride. The, Welshmen and New Zsalanders np preciate the difference between a man being on ihe.Jng-trot and well on the move. So do cur payers, -expect when they are on tha fields. 'Possibly the bitter experience of last season may bear fruit. If those hard :lessous taught us by the Now Zeal anders are forootten the South Africans will drive tnem home again." The Mail devotes a leading article to the subeot of the newly-arrived visitors, in the coiubo of which it is observed:—'We have become accustomed of recent years to the visit of -colonial teams of crickoters and football players. A generation bauk -Australia led the waj, and twenty j years ago a Maori fifteen followed J in the wake of the Australian j . cricbeters. Last year it was the turn of tbe British population in New Zealand to send us the famous fifteen which marched to such wonderful and unprecedented victory, If the South Afrioans can approach the performance of the 'All Blacks' their tour will be the sensation of 1906. It is natural to compare the South African fifteen with the 'All Blacks.' The South Africans are a heavier lot of men, with, if possible, ■liner physique, but their backs are not believed to be as tricky and clever as were the New Zealanders. Moreover, the South Africans play with the orthodox English formation and have not adopted the innovation of the New Zealanders—the extra man behind the scrimmage. . . . They will play all the four nations and all the English counties, with the single exception of Cheshire, which has been excluded because it was impossible to arrange a meeting. They do not, however, encounter any of the English clubs, reserving their attentions for tbe Welsh ones. A mistake made by tbe New Zealanders in arranging their programme has been avoided by those responsible for »he South Africans' tour. The New Zealandera took tha matches agai/ist tbe Welsh clubs, which are peculiarly formidable, together towards the end of the tour, when stateness was setting in. The South Afrioans have distributed their Welsh club matches over the whole season, and thus should play some of their strongest •'competitors at the moment when they are at their best." The Globe comments thuß.—"Thfc marvellous sucoess of tbe New Zealand footballers who visited this country last season naturally adds a good deal of curiosity and entbusi- • asm to the welcome of the South African Bugby team which has just landed at Southampton. Warned by a formidable experience Home footballers may be relied upon to do their utmost from tbe start of the tour, and it will be a little surprising if the record of the New Zealand team is equalled by our pre- ■ sent visitors. The Cape footballers, • however, appear to be men who will certainly take some beating, and tbe fact that they are ail men born and bred in the colony will add maob . genuine interest of the right bind to the matches played on the tour."