FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1921, Page 11

FOOTBALL.

THE FIRST TEAM OF SPRIHGBOKS. KEMLNISCENTES BY A SCOTTISH OPPONENT. (By Cazna, in The Referee.) A visit te one of the Springbok matches has made cue reminiscent, and having Iwen lucky enough to be a player in the only International side that has so far defeated visiting Springbok team, these reminiscences may prove interesting. The 1906 Springboks which were the first to leave South Africa were emulating the deeds of the AB Blacks, who had toured Britain the previous year, and the points they were piling up against the English counties were more akin to cricket than Rugby scares. The question then arose, which was tiie greater side. The AH Blacks had the advantage of catching the Old Country teams unprepared, as, prior to their advent, the' Rugby authorities at home had not considered colonial opposition seriously, so when the Springboks came along the following season the opposition were more on the qui rive.

The International with Scotland, which was the Springboks first national, created a great deal of interest among Rugby enthusiasts in the "Land of Cakes." Writing now, I think were fortunate in meeting them under conditions te y.hich, used as they w«-re to playing on the hard firm grounds of the veldt, they were entirely foreign. It was just such a day as the Saturday of the first match of the Springboks m ny«»ne.y, plus a rain-sodden pitch, which soon became a quagmire, and which suited the rushing, bustling tactics of the Scotch forwards, the result being that l the Springbolts only crossed the half-way line twice during the game. But defence has always been a strong point in African football, and that, their line was only twice crossed in this game testifies to their strong tackling abilities. The hero of this game was the South African full-back Marsburg, who was carried off the ground unconscious, and strangely enough the Star forward on either side both maos the oxtreme sacrifice In the late war, and for Scotland that prince of forwards, Bedel! Sivright, well known to Australians. Darkle Sivright was the type of forward one would sooner play with than against, and a good sportsman. He related to me how on one occasion the opposing captain was reprimanding the full-back for not stopping him; the repl,y of tee full-back was "Stop him; why. it took me all my time to get out of lus road.’"

But I am diverging from my subject—the first Springboks—and whilst admitting that the present are a good side, they are a bit ' behind the 1906 combination. The present team are heavier forward, but with the exception of Van Heerden, I thought their backs compared very unfavorably with those of the 1906 side, who had a star three-quarter line —Loubser, Krlge, De Villiers, Stegman. There were also in the 1908 combination two Morkels, which name I should think must have become historical in the annals of South African Rugby football. My experiences on and off the field of the 1906 side were of the finest—men imbued tfith Die highest principles of amateur football. I trust the present Springbok invasion is the forerunner of many more, for its visits, like those that tend to bind the Empire closer together, and whilst admitting .that the League game is

more spectacular, I recognise that in the Union game the players are imoro studied, for to play tho League game one has to devote his whole time to it and become a professional, and although not disparaging tho latter code, I think the cream of a country's manhood springs from amateur sportsmen.

In answer to a question about the origin of '’All Blacks,” a writer ■ in tht? Napier Daily Telegraph says"l was under the inspression that the name originated during the English tour of the 1905 New Zealanders, but a correspondent has generously forwarded me authentic information on tho point. During the tour of tho unbeaten New Zealand team In Australia in 1903, the team was often referred to as the 'All Black’ combination by tho public and the press. In 1904 the New Zealand team that defeated Bedell-Siev-wright’s English team was similarly designated. It was. however, in 1906 that the New Zealand team became known all the world over as the 'All Blacks.' When that team returned with its proud record, a team was organised to tour England. It purloined the ‘All Black' title for the purpose of adding prestige to the undertaking. It also adopted a facsimile of the ‘All Blacks’' uniform—black jersey and silver fem—and th® straw hat with black band and silver fern, made familiar in the Old Country'by the original Rugby ‘AU Blacks.’ ” Coincidence of dates will always afford scope for memory and comparisons. On 13th August next, the Springboks will meet New Zealand in tee First Test at Dunedin; on Saturday, 18th August, 1904, New Zealand met and defeated Bedell-Slevwright’x team of British tourists--one of the greatest teams that ever visited these shores. The anniversary may bring luck again to New Zealand; at least that is tho hope of all lovers of the game. NOTES AND COMMENTS. A correspondent has asked the Wanganui Chronicle who was the best Lack and who was the best forward that New Zealand has produced. The answer Can only be to express an opinion, and the fact that the game has been gradually changing has also to be takv» into consideration. The best thing is to divide New Zealand’s football history into two periods, and the answer would then be, teat during the past 25 years the best back, was W. Wallace, of Wellington, and the test forward was C. Seeling, of Wanganui and Auckland. Prior to their time the best back was R. Whiteside, of Auckland, and the bestforward was T. Ellison, of Wellington. It would be impossible to make a comparison between, say. Whiteside and Wallace. Both were champion players. Van Heerden, the big South African wing three-quarter, has been compared with Hugh Good, the Taranaki wing three-quarter of rhe early nineties, but the comparison is not a particularly fitting cue. Tl e big Dutchman ia speedy, a safe handler of the ball, and bo Is at his best when the centres make the opening and then toss the ball on fbr him to gallop with an open field ahead. As he has no pronounced swerve or a quick side-step Van Heerden is not a likely scoring man with a resolute tackler barring the way. In some respects Good was utterly dissimilar. In build he was big and burly, and although’ over 14 .stone in weight, he had a fine turn of speed. Good’s scoring method was to go straight- at the line, using all his weight, speed and strength. He was one of the game, hard running type of backs which are rarely seen in modern football. Old tinners will remember what a hard man Good was to stop. On one occasion In a match at Auckland Good was tackled high ten yards outside the gaol line, and he took Lis opponent with him and scored.

A few personal notes about some of the most prominent Springboks make interesting reading showing that they have brains as well as brawn. De Kock, the marvellous little half back, hurt at Wanganui, is a Bachelor of Science. s

Pienaar, the captain of the team, is a Bachelor of Arts, and headmaster of the Calendon School in South Africa. He comes of an old Huguenot family,« who emigrated to South Africa in the very early days of that colony.

F. O. Mellish, is also a Bachelor of Arts, of Oxford University, and is said to be one of the finest forwards who ever donned h jersey. Foothall is a hobby with him. He played for All England in 1919. and «t the close of the season sailed for South Africa, and played, there in the 1919-29 season, returning to England, and playing for that country last year when Le again represented All England. At the close of the season he sailed for South Africa to join the present teaun on tour. He is one of the handsomest and best natured footballers imaginable, and is also one of the youngest members of the team.

J. S. Oillver, one of the best forwards in the team, is also a Bachelor of Science. He is 23 years qf age, sft Ilin, high, and weighs 14 stone.

Mr. Bennett, the manager of the team. Is a barrister and solicitor in practice at Kimberly. He always been a keen football ealhuiiaau