SPRINGBOKS TRAIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 215, 11 August 1937, Page 15

SPRINGBOKS TRAIN.

SPEED AND ACCURACY.

VARIED STYLES TRIED. Per Press Associaiton. MASTERTON, Aug. 10. The Springboks’ team for the first Test will be selected in Masterton after the final practice on Thursday morning Und will be announced in Wellington on Saturday morning. The players are greatly enjoying their rest in Masterton and are in the best of spirits. They are keenly anticipating the contest with New Zealand on Saturday, and though little is said in public on the subject, it is gathered that they are quietly confident of the result.

AA’idespread interest centred in the training methods of the visitors when they turned out at the Memorial Park this afternoon and they attracted an attendance of about 2QOO. All the members of tile touring party assembled for 'training, which was more or less of a light nature designed for the relaxation of tho muscles and to keep the eyes, hands and feet keyed up to concert pitch. There are only three men now on the injured list: A. D. Lawton, J. A. Broodryk and B. du Toit. They all trained to-day and it is thought that Lawton and Broodryk will be fit to play again in a week or ten days. Du Toit, who had the small bones in his lower spine broken? in the match against New South Wales, has made remarkable progress and will soon . be in full training. ' . One of the most impressive feature,of the practice Was the work of the forwards, who were headed by their skipper, Nel. They indulged for some time in close passing rushes, in which they made short dashes in close formation with the ball handed rather than passed from player to player. They showed amazing speed and accuracy in.handling the ball and agility in coming round behind the man with the ball to ensure continuity of the movement. . This style of play was varied at times with the forwards fanning out in line and throwing the ball around with short, sharp passes. It was purely practico with no attempt at rush-stopping by the other members ot the team, but sufficient was seen to enable the opinion to he formed that resolute tackling will be required from New Zealand when tho Springbok pack swings into action. The great skill shown by the tourists at dribbling was a revelation. They showed excellent hall control. The backs in charge of D. Craven (vice-captain) practised mainly passing, kicking, and fielding, full speed being worked up at times. Practically every player showed himself to he a master of tlie “screw” kick, while there was general accuracy in ingAnother feature was the manner in which tho players have apparently perfected the centre kick. After a sharp passing rush tlie ball would be kicked infield, sometimes high and at qther times along the ground, but invariably to a spot where it could he gathered or dribbled by the rushing forwards, who would still be onside. Craven was seen in his famous “dive” pass, which lie sent out with great speed while falling. In the morning the Springboks were taken for a motor drive to Middle Run. AA r . F. Bcrgli, one of the biggest forwards in the team, who is a Govern-, nient stock expert, gave a most interesting and instructive lecture to the members of tlie Young Farmers’ Club. He stated tliat lie found it difficult to understand why, in New Zealand, with beautiful pastures abounding, so little grass was to be found on tlie football fields. He was elected an honorary life member of the Masterton Club. . .

The Springboks will have to-morrow morning free, but they will again train at Memorial Park at 2.30 p.m. The final practice will be held on Thursday morning and they will leave for AA’ellington in the afternoon. . Referring to the matches played in the North Island, Mr A. de Villiers, assistant manager of the team, said tlie Springboks had encountered tough opposition in practically everv case. He thought the standard of play by the New Zealand provincial teams had been high and lie had been particularly impressed with the display triven by the forwards. He had been much more favourably impressed by the forwards than by tlie backs.