THE 1927 SPRINGBOKS.

Shannon News, 18 October 1927, Page 4

THE 1927 SPRINGBOKS.

PROBLEMS FACING THE SELECTORS, Serious problems are facing the selectors of the 1928 Springbok team to meet the All Blacks, according to the Cape Times, of August 24th. This paper comments as follows: — "On the morning of the Natal match against Province the selection committee assembled. . . and it was suggested that towards the end of the season a combined 'Varsity side—which could include men from other clubs—should visit'Port Elizabeth and play a match or series of matches against the elect of the Eastern Province, Border, Southwestern District and North Easterns. The latter team would be chosen of course, by the selection committee, certain members of whom have seen players from these centres in action. These games were intended to serve in thonaturc of trials.

"It was furthermore recommended that trial games should be arranged amongst the Northern centres. These latter games have been abandoned apparently., "Transvaal have experienced a lean year financially and are not'prepared to stage these matches. "The fixture at Port Elizabeth will take place probably if both 'Varsity and Stellenbosch lose interest in the Town Challenge Cup. The question of Province against Transvaal at the Wanderers has been found impracticable as only six of the Province best fifteen can make the trip. This, of course, is because players cannot procure leave, while an added difficulty as far as Province is concerned is the congested "state of the fixtures with four teams each having a chance of securing the championship. "The suggestion that a Country fifteen should play in Johannesburg in October has not been settled as yet. From what can be gathered, however, it appears likely that this tour will not materialise.

"The selection committee, therefore, outside the possible matches in" the Eastern Province, are faced with an impasse for the season 1927. Strenuous endeavours have accomplished nothing and they are now attempting to arrange a series of trials early in 1928. Various suggestions have been made by members of the committee, but as far as can be gathered the only practicable idea seems the arranging of trials in some centre just after the rugby season has commenced. Such trials should last about ten days or more, and the South African fifteen should be selected naturally with sufficient reserves to meet all demands. "B. Osier, the South African halfback, has suggested that the team should be gathered together on the Monday previous to the test, enabling them to have a run on the Monday, a full practice on Tuesday against some particular Provinces best; then Wednesday and Thursday could be utilised in becoming acquainted with each others characteristics and eecentrici-

ties, in heart-to-heart'talks and light training. "As far as one can see this is all that can be done in existing circumstances and there is every indication that South Africa will play the first Test under a severe handicap."