SPRINGBOKS WIN

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20231, 28 June 1937, Page 8

SPRINGBOKS WIN

NINE POINTS TO FIVE. HAVE ADVANTAGE THROUGHOUT. AUSTRALIAN TEAM BEATEN. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, June 27. Following last week's debacle against New* South Wales, the Springboks reinstated them elves thoroughly yesterday, and earned victory in the first Rugby test match by defeating Australia by 9 points to 5. The margin does not reflect the Springboks’ superiority, for territorially they had an advantage for 60 out of the 80 minutes’ play.

For the Springboks Bastard and Bergh scored tries and Brand kicked a penalty goal. Towers scored and converted his try for Australia.

The Springboks owed their victory mainly to the magnificent pounding tactics of their giant forwards and to better adaptation to the prevailing conditions.

After a week’s incessant rain, play began in fitful sunshine. The centre cricket patch of the ground was treacherous slush but elsewhere the playing area was surprisingly firm. Torrential Downpour. Toward the end of each spell, however, torrential downpours prevented expert handling. An analysis of the scrummages showed that honours were even, hut the Springboks’ successful hooking ; came at periods when most needed. In ! the line-outs the South Africans had a clear advantage. In this department Australia, sadly missed Hodgson. The Springboks delayed the selection of their team until the last hour. They then wisely relied on the "old hands.” There was an attendance of 33,043 and the gate takings amounted to nearly £2200. The teams were as follows: SOUTH AFRICA. Fullback. —G. Brand. Threequarters:—F. G. Turner, J. White, L. Babrow, D. O. Williams. Halfbacks:—D. Craven, P. de Villiers. Forwards.—S. C. Louw, M. Lotz, P. J. Nel (captain), M. Van den Bergh, | F. Bergh, L. C. Strachan, F. Bastard, M. M. Louw. AUSTRALIA. Fullback :—R. Rankin. Threequarters:—J. D. Kellaher, C. H. Towers (captain), T. P. Pauling, R. W. Dorr. Five-eighths:—V. Richards. Halfback: —J. M. S. McShane. Forwards:—K. M. Ramsay, R. Kelly, K. S. Windon, I’. E. Hutchinson, W. 11. Cerutti. V. Wilson, E. T. Bonis, V. Bermingham. A Tactical Blunder. Given the advantage of the wind by Towers —a tactical blunder —the Springboks immediately invaded the home 25, rucking fiercely and compelling Australia to force three times in the first quarter of an hour. Only great cover defence by Towers, Pauling and Richards prevented tries. Craven, playing five-eighths to diminutive de Villiers, kept the Springboks on attack by Judicious line-finding, several screw kicks bearing the hallmark of traditional South African methods.

Nevertheless, the first try did not come until 27 minutes had elapsed. Then the big forwards passed and dribbled along the left wing, brushing aside strenuous opposition. Strachan was last to handle, passed when i tackled a yard from the line and Bastard gathered and crossed. Brand | failed at goal. These were the only points in the i first spell, making the half-time score: Springboks 3 Australia 0 Australia’s Hopes Raised. Australia’s hopes were raised when 1 Richards, gathering from a ruck following a line-out, raced through Babrow and White in midfield slush, drew 1 Brand and passed to Towers, who scored and converted. Australia 5 ' Springboks 3 i Sprlngbokc In Control. For the remainder of the match the i Springboks were definitely in control. The next try followed prolonged pressure, Bergh barging through a melee - on the Australian goal-line. Brand failed with the kick. j Springboks 6 ; Australia . 5 t Brand and Turner had several atl J tempts at goal from penalties. The [ I sodden ball, however, precluded ao- , j curate kicking until Brand succeeded 1 from in front, 25 yards out, making [ the final score : Springboks 9 Australia 5 COMMENT ON PLAY. CRAVEN STAR OF THE BACKS. LOUW MAINTAINS REPUTATION. . United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, .Tune 27. 1 Brand gave a cool display through- ! out at fullback, lie did not hesitate to find the line, whereas the Australian , tactics remained open. The wingmen, Turner and Williams, were not really fast. Turner was much superior to Dorr on the day. Rabrow and White, the centres, were both deadly taeklers and effectively checked the effo 's of the Australian threequarters. j Craven wa the star of the backs. 1 He always bandied do Yilliers’ diving passes with sureness and kicked grandly, lie was splendid on defence and a greater supporter of the Springboks’ frequent, forward rushes. It is difllcult to single out any South African forward. The flankmen, Strachan and Bastard, were, splendid spoilers but always dutiful in the scrummages and rucks. Bergh made magnificent use of his great weight. “Boy” Louw packed the last line and lived up to his world reputation in all : phases. Lot 7. was an Teelive hooker and was always on the 1-all. Nel proved a : capable leader.

the BETTER TEAM WON. SYDNEY PRESS COMMENT. TYPICAL SOUTH AFRICAN DISPLAY United rrpss Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 28. 3.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 28. Commenting on the test match the Morning Herald says: " Undoubtedly the better team won. It was a typical South African test display. The eight, forwards kept the game as close as a clenched fist, and pounded relentlessly for H hours through mud and slush. " Tliev seemed cold and inhuman, something man-made and machinelike in the unbrooked intensity of their endea\ours.”