SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 253, 20 July 1921, Page 6

SPRINGBOKS’ TOUR

RECEPTION AT MASTERTON TRIBUTE TO THEIR SPORTSMANSHIP By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Masterton, July 19. The Springboks arrived by the afternoon train from Palmerston North today. They were met at the railway station by the Mayor of Mastertoll (Mr. O. N. C. Pragneil) and the Mayors of other AVairarapa towns, Mr. It. J. Southgate (president), and other officials of the AVairarapa Rugby Union. The Municipal Silver Band and the Caledonian Pipe Band were in attendance outside tho station. A large crowd had assembled to welcome the visitors, who were motored, to the Opera Bouse, where a civic reception was tendered them. Every available seat in the building was occupied, and great enthusiasm was shown throughout the proceedings. Among those on the stage were the Mayor and Mrs. Pragneil, borough councillors and their wives, Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.P., and Mrs. Sykes, and tho Mayors of other towns of the district.

Mr. Pragneil said that they were not only welcoming great footballers from South Africa, but brethren from a sister State. Of 34 Springboks travelling ill tho Dominion. 23 were returned soldiers. (Applause.) In welcoming the visitors. New Zealanders were only trying to repay tho South Africans for what they had done for our own boys when they had touched at Durban and Cape Town on their way to the Great AVer. If the visitors won every match during their tour, New Zealanders would not begrudge them their victories. (Applause.) Mr. Pragneil concluded by reading a welcome in Dutch.

Speeches were also made by Messrs. G. R. Sykes. M.P„ AV. Hutton (Mayor of Greytown) and R. J. Southgate. Mr. A Griffiths, who is accompanying the team on its tour, said that he had travelled with many teams, but had never met with a finer lot of sportsmen than tho members of the South African combination

Mr. Bennett, manager of the team, said that before they came iJo New Zealand they had not dreamed that Rugby was taken so seriously by tho people. Such stress was laid on the game that his team felt they simply had to be victorious. (Laughter.) He bad been told that the Springboks would never leave this country as winners of the Test matches. From what he had already seen, he began to have his doubts whether his informants were not correct. Some people here condemned the South African methods because they were not as progressive as those in use in New Zealand. In Africa they favoured the older form of the game, and the forthcoming matches would prove whether the conservative or the new formation was the better. They would endeavour to show that the old methods produced tho best sport; if they found they were mistaken, they might adopt New Zealand methods. In conclusion he said he- would convey to the ladies of Durban and Cape Town the thanks of New Zealanders for what had been done for their soldiers. Mr. Pienaar, the captain, said that his team had been fully extended nt New Plymouth. They had no tricks up 'their sleeves, as suggested by the previous speaker, but they recognised that they would have to play hard to win the forthcoming matches. South Africa also Failed Rugby its national game, but it had not got the same hold on tho people in that country as it had in this Dominion. He had been told that in New Zealand religion came first, and football next, but.he was now inclined to. place football first and religion next. (Laughter.)

At the conclusion of the reception the Springboks gave two Maori hakas. which they had learnt since their arrival in New Zealand. BREACHES OF RULES SPRINGBOKS EXPECT PENALTY TO FOLLOW. Bv Teleirranh—Sneciat Corregnondent. Masterton, July 15. According to The Dominion’s correspondent at Neiv Plymouth, it was noticeable in the game played there that tho South Africans frequently stopped playing in anticipation of the whistle sounding for a breach of the rules. Mr. Bennett, manager of the team, was asked to-day for comment on this statement. Ho said that the question was really one of interpretation of rules by the roferee. In South Africa they were penalised for tho slightest breaches. Of j course, even African club captains advised their men not to wait for the whistle, but his team were so used to being penalised for some of the breaches which occurred at New Plymouth that they automatically suspended play. It did not matter whether the penalty was in their favour or not. At New Plymouth the ball was knocked on several times without a penalty being inflicted. ENTERTAINMENT IN WELLINGTON The following arrangements for entertainment of the Springboks on their visit to Wellington have beqn made by the joint committee of the New Zealand and Wellington Rugby unions:— Thursday: 6.50 p.m., team arrives from Masterton; evening free. Friday: Morning, run at Athletic Pork; 12.15 p.m., civic reception at Town Hall; 2 p.m., car ride round bays, and afternoon tea at Seatoun; 5 p.m., Commercial Travellers’ Club and Federal Club. Saturday Night: South African and Wellington teams dine together at Grand Hotel; 7.45 p.m., depart, for Lyttelton. Arrangements have been made with the Heretaunga and Miramar clubs for golf. The visitors will be honorary members of the Wellesley and. Commercial Travellers’ Clubs during their stay.