The game

Fifteen thousand excited people crammed Rugby Park to see a game full of thrills.

The combined team was beaten –– but not $$$. They fought valiantly in the first half to hold the 'Boks to a three-nil lead.

Superior weight and fitness told in the second half, the 'Boks winning 22-nil.

Captains du Rand and White lead their teams on to the field.

Leaps like this by 'Bok forward Pickard were a feature of line-out play. In picture are du Rand, Ackerman, Pickard, White, Newton Walker, Rowlands, Kirkpatrick (back to camera), Henderson, and Duncan.

Home forward Kora Dewes moves in to tackle flying 'Bok left winger, Tom von vollenhoven. Pictured between them is Springbok lock forward Pickard. The Combined side's right winger. Mick Cossey also did good work in keeping von Vollenhoven in check.

Home team flanker Wog Atkins tries to break free from 'Bok forwards to chase the ball. At left of picture are Springbok backs Paul Johnstone and Clive Ulyate.

Ulyate making a break. Combined forwards are Blair (crouched), Rowlands, Dewes, Henderson, Potae and White. Winger Don Green is in right foreground. Referee is Mr W. Forsyth, of Taranaki.
Pictures of the game continued on Pages 6 and 7.

But something different was in store for the 'Boks when they attended the Rugby Union dinner in the evening.

Gisborne's Hill Billy Band, pictured below, arrived like a whirlwind and set the pace for an evening which the 'Boks voted the best of the tour.

The tourists were also high in their praises of the spread prepared by Mrs Gwen Baddeley.

First official welcome was at the Masonic Hotel, where the Mayor, Mr H. H. Barker, met Dr. Craven.

Union president Bernie Wolstenholme with Dr Craven.

Mr Keith Woodward (right) performed delicate operation on pig.

No-one can quite remember when it started. But somehow the 'Boks took over and it was the Hill Billies' turn to be entertained. "Dr Danie" sang and Basie Viviers blew Jack Gooch's "Mau Mau trumpet" as the Springboks tried their hand at mountain music.

In hilarious group above are Dave Ackerman, Viviers, Ian Kirkpatrick (with accordian) and George Lochner. Partly obscured are Dan Retief, Bertus van der Merwe and Tom von Vollenhoven. It was the first time the 'Boks really "let their hair down" since the tour began in Australia.

Springbok half-back Tommy Gentles (No. 14 jersey) awaits pass from Pickard. The Combined team's hooker, Bob Henderson, is pictured with hand on Pickard's shoulder as he attempts to intercept pass. On Pickard's left is Salty du Rand. Flankers Ackerman and Atkins, at right of picture, stand off from ruck, in defensive roles.

Mick Cossey (partly obscured) moves in to tackle von Vollenhoven.

Van der Merwe, 'Bok hooker, is bundled into touch by Henderson & Green.

Combined's half-back, Jimmy Duncan, pounces on Gentles before he can get the ball away. Despite the attention of Springbok flankers, Duncan was in top form, both on attack and defence.

Jimmy Duncan gets line kick away a split second before 'Bok forwards pull him to the ground. Behind ruck, watching ball's flight, is Pickard. Mick Cossey is in right foreground.

Duncan works the blind side as he gets pass away to Cossey.

Combined captain B. A. White is bent like a bow as he reaches for ball in a line-out.

General view of scene at Rugby Park yesterday. 'Boks were highly impressed with both the condition of the field and with the facilities provided at the park by the Poverty Bay Rugby Union.

Sports commentator Winston McCarthy, pictured left (centre of group) with Terry McLean, almost cried with laughter at the antics of Tony Bonica, shown above left as he recited "Little Red Hooding Ride".

Also amused were the three 'Boks above, Bertus van de Merwe, Piet du Toit, and Ian Kirkpatrick.

'Bok banjo-players below are George Lochner and Brian Pfaff.

Experimenting with Hill Billy guitar is Clive Ulyate.

Silhouetted by the setting sun Hawea heads for North Auckland

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 24 : June 28, 1956

The game