PREPARATIONS FOR MATCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 216, 12 August 1937, Page 10

PREPARATIONS FOR MATCH

SPRINGBOKS AT MASTERTON. TRAINING INTENSIFIED. Per Press Association. MASTERTON, Aug. 11. Tlie Springboks will have their final training prior to Saturday’s test tomorrow morning. Several of the players who have been suffering from colds went to bed after Tuesday’s practice, and as a result were considerably better to-day, so that they trained for over an hour this afternoon, but it was noticed that Brand, the famous fullback, did not turn out. It is stated, however, that he will be fit and well for Saturday. „ . In their training to-day the Springboks confined themselves to orthodox methods, but there was considerably more speed as compared with the previous afternoon. There is no doubt they have enjoyed the spell of fine weather while in Masterton, and while avoiding social engagements as much as possible, they have taken every opportunity of getting out in the open. Motor trips round the outlying country have been greatly favoured, while the interest of a number of players in rabbit-shooting bids fair to. outrival their love for Rugby. During their stay here, the Springboks ha.ve been inundated by autograph hunters, and some members of the team have been literally writing for hours. An instruction was issued in the Masterton schools to-day for the pupils to retrain from bothering the visitors. Even so, a group of youngsters were waiting hopefully outside the hotel after 9 o’clock to-niglit. The team will return to Wellington to-morrow afternoon. It was stated to-day that- Featherston hotels 45 miles from Wellington, were booked out by Test visitors unable to obtain accommodation in Wellington at the week-end.