SPRINGBOK STALWARTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 31, 3 July 1939, Page 3

SPRINGBOK STALWARTS

MEN TO MEET ALL BLACKS

LIKELY NEWCOMERS Jack Gage, the writer of this article, which is published with acknowledgments to the Outsnin, was formerly a brilliant South African wing three-quarter, and toured the Union as press representative with the British team which visited South Africa last year. I wonder how many realise that when the first Springbok test team is selected to meet the All Blacks in South Africa next year it Avill in, all probability not include a single one of the great South African forwards who helped to make Benny Oslei's 1931 touring team to England so successful in winning matches. As recently as last year, against Sam Walker's British team ? four members of that famous 1931 pack were still good enough to keep younger South African forwards out of the national side. Of these four, only "Iioy" Louw has officially retired, but it is almost beyond the bounds o; possibility that the other three, ''Fanie" Louw, Ferdie Bergh and Louis Strachan, will still be good enough to retain their places for yet another series of international matches . UNIQUE RECORD. These four forwards must hold u unique international record. "Boy" Louw first played for South Africa against the 1928 All Blacks while the other three gained international iccognition in 1931, when tkey were all chosen for the tour to Great Britain. In 1938 all, except Strachan who was recovering from a sei ious illness, played against the Wallauies. When the time came for picking the Springbok team to tour Australia and New Zealand it was felt by many that these older players had shot their bolt and would not gain selection. Their form at the trials, however, carried them right into the touring side, and their performances on tour gained them all places in the international games. .Finally last year, eight years after their first overseas tour y the same men played in the three test matches against Sam Walker's side. Between them these four forwards can boast 57 international ''caps''—indeed an. amazing record, covering as it does a period of eight years, generally considered a long innings for even a first class club player. As a matter of fact D. O. Williams is* probably the only man who toured Great Britain in 1931 who will play against the All Blacks next year. Many will remember that Williams was sent for after Jack van Niekerk had injured his knee playing, in an early game on that tour. Williams was unlucky too, however, and after playing in only three matches broke his collai bone. WHO ARE THE MEN Who are the men to take the places of these mighty and trusted stalwarts of South African rugby? Judging by the form shown by the young Springbok backs who plaved last year, there will not be much room for new blood in this department of the national side. Men like Fred Johnny Bester, G. P. Lochner, Tony Harris, Dai Williams, Pat Lyster and Piet d e Wet will take some shifting. Nobody knows for certain whether Gerry Brand and Danie Craven have definitely decided to retire from big football. If they have, then it opens up serious problems. Will Fred Turner talc-- up his permanent position as South African fullback if Gerry does drop out of the international arena for good? Personally 1 think that Turner is the best all-round back playing iii South Africa, today. If business does not interfere with his playing career he may quite possibly develop into the greatest all-rounder ever to represent South Africa. TURNER AT CENTRE? He has represented South Africa with distinction at both fullback and centre. Many still contend that Turner's best position is centre, although he has generally been chosen as a wing. He is playing in the "Western Province this season, and provided his club gives him the chance to play in this position it would not surprise me to sec him represent Western Province r.t centre this year and con. solidate his claims to centre in the Springbok sid.> next year. This would throw open a vacancy at fullback. Smith, a young Eastern Province player, filled this position in the final test match against th-' British team at Newlands last year.

and while he played a very sound game he did not come quite up to expectations. With the experience gained in that match, however, lie must be considered a serious con. tender for this position. Another promising fullback was Rivers, of Western Transvaal, who also played against the tourists for the Northern Provinces in Durban. Bun,ny Reid is getting on in years, but what about Jimmy White for this position? White announced his decision to give up rugby last j r ear, but it would not surprise me to see him make a come-back. He is the most deadly tackier in representative rugby in South Africa, and indeed has few rivals and is a tremendous kick. Besides he was first spotted by the South African selectors in 1931 when lie was playing fullback for Border. I can recall no other outstanding fullbacks playing against the British team last year, although the gen. eral standard was high. SCRUM HALF. Jacko Tod, of Natal, at last looks like getting his just reward after playing second and third fiddle .to those two great scrum halves, Graven and De Villiers. Unfortunately he has been rather prone to injuries recently, and he must get over these if he is to stake a firm claim as successor to Cra,ven. of Eastern Province, was another scrum half who impressed me last year. ''Butch" Segal, of the Transvaal, is hardly a polished player as internationals go in this position, as yet, but Jie is a man with any amount of guts —an invaluable asset in any scrum half—knows the game thor. oughly and in, addition partners Tony Harris at half for Pirates. But there should be no great difficulty in picking a really first class international back division. Besides these men other young players aie certain to come to the fore this season, and South Africa will be hard to better in, this department. THE PACK. We all know that South Africa is particularly rich in forwards and nearly always has been. The only trouble next year will be picking ideal scrummaging combination. For so long now the selectors have had the backbone of the pack ready to hand that it has only been necesasry to fill in odd places. Next year we can take it that Lotz ? Sherriff and Du Toil of last year's team should regain their places. There is some doubt as to whether "Ebbo" Bastard will be playing serious rugby by then, Avliile as I said earlier on, it is hardly likely that the other old stalwarts will be able to hold their places. Those of us who toured the country with the British team last ~ycav took particular note of the forward material at the disposal of the country, and we need have no fear thai the men are there. They are only ! lacking in international experience.