SPRINGBOKS WIN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 138, 28 June 1937, Page 10

SPRINGBOKS WIN

—PreM Assn.— Copyrightu)

First Test Victory 9 — 5 Against Australia SUPERIOR THR0UGH0U1

(By Telegraph-

SYDNEY, June 27. Following last week's debacle against New South Wales, the Springboks today reinstated themselves and thoroughly earned their victory in the first Test, defeating Australia 9 — 5. The margin does not reflect their true superiority, for territorially thoy had the advantage in sixty out of the eighty minutes' play. ■ The Springboks' toam was as folLows: — Brand, Turner, Williams, White, Babrow, Craven, De Villiers, G. C. Louw, Lotz, Nel, Vandenbergh, Bergh, Strachan, Bastard, M. M. Louw. The scorers were: Springboks, Bergh and Bastard (tries) and Brand (penalty goal) ; Australia, Towers (try and a goal). The Springboks owed their victory tnainly to the magnificent pounding taetics of the giant forwards and to better adaptation to the prevailing conditions. After a week's incessant rain, play began in fitful sunshine. The centre of the cricket pitch was a patch of treacherous slush, but elsewhere it "was surprisingly firin. Towards the end of each spell, however, torrential downpours prevented expert handling. An analysis of the scrummages showed that the Springboks cut even, but their ■ successful hooking came at periods when most aeeded. In the lineouts the Africans had a clear advantage and in this department Australia sadiy missed Hodgsoh. The Springboks delayed thfe selection of their team until the last hour, then wisely relied on the old hands. Given the advantage of the wind by Towers — a tactical blunder — the Springboks immediately invaded the home twenty-five, 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-eighth, and De Villiers kept the Springboks on the attack with judicious line-finding, several screw' kicks bearing' the hallmark of the traditional 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 the strenuous opposition. Strachan, the last to handle, passed when tackled a yard from the line and Bastard gathered the leather to ctosb and open : the Springboks' account. ! Springboks 3, Australia 0. J That was the only seore in the first spell. Australian hopes were raised when Richards gathered from the ruck following a line-out and streaking through between Babrow and White in the midfield slush, drew Brand and then passed , to Towers, who scored and. converted. i Australia 5, Springboks 3. For the remaindei of the match .the Springboks were definitely in control. The next try followed prolonged pressure, Bergh barging through a melee on , the Australian goal-line. ; Springboks 6, Australia 5. j Brand and Turner had several at- ! tempts at. goal from penalties, but the • sodden ball precluded accurate kicking j until Brand succeeded from in front of : the goal 25 yards out. | Springboks 9, Australia 5. Brand gave a cool disylay throughout and did not hesitate to find .the line,' whereas the Australian tactics remained open. The wing men, Turner and Williams, were not really fast, but , Turner was much superior to Dorr on j the day. Babrow and White (centres) are both deadly tacklers and effectively checked the efforts of the Australian three-quarters. Craven- was the star ,of the backs. i He always handled De Villier's diving • passes with sureness and kicked grandi ly. He proved a lion in defence and a great supporter of the Spring&oks' fre* . quent forward rushes. It is difiicult to single out any African forward. Strachan and Bastard are splendid spoilers, but always ,did their duty in the \S6rununages and rucks. Bergh made magnificent use oi his great weight. - Boy Luow packed the last line and lived up to his world reputation in all its phaees. Lotz was an effective liooker and was always on the ball, while Nel is a capable leader and conscientious. The attendance was 33,043 and the gate nearly £2200. The Springboks' captain, Nel, diseussing yesterday's game, said: "We won because our forwards were able .to keep the ball under control. Our condition has improved. Our forwards were magnificent. The day called for "tight" play and our weight counted.'' The Australian captain, Towers, eaiq: "Thp Springboks kept poseession and tad the ball nearly all day. They won an their merifl." Queonslanders predominate in an Australian fifteen selected to play the South Africans at? Brisbane next Saturaay week. The team is: Full-back, Walker; three-quarfcers, Keliaher, Towars, Hayes and Andrews; haives, Lewis and Horan; forwards, Oxlade, Douglas, Blundell, Wilson, Bieeett, Cerutti, Bonis and' BerxningiuiiB,