Combined 6 Springboks Not Greatly Troubled by Combined Side

G. Rayner

P. Clarke

J. Chadwick

J. Gleeson

K. Marfell

P. O'Brien

A. MacDonald

A. Sutherland

J. Diedrichs

R. Sutherland (capt)

A. Schultz

King

N. Fitzsimmons

P. Fry

P. Egan

Referee, Mr C. J. McAuley (Otago).

South Africa 45

The combined Nelson-Marlborough-Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby side wilted under the power and weight of a huge Springbok pack in the second half of its game at Blenheim, and provided the tourists with their biggest win of the tour, 45-6. At half-time the Combined side was down only 14-6 at half-time, and with a little luck this score could well have been 14-11 – two penalty shots at goal hitting the uprights and a conversion of a try just missing. The Springboks found the ground heavy but dry on top, to their liking, and in the second half, when possession was being won from practically every facet of play and the Combined's tackling became but a shadow of the first-half effort, their backs bewildered defenders and onlookers alike with some sparkling movements.

Supporters of the Combined side must have been disappointed at the drubbing taken by the locals, but lessons were taught that day and if taken to heart could do much to put Rugby in the three provinces on a much sounder footing

H. Marais

D. Walton.

H. Parker

A. Janson

P. Goosen

P. Botha

J. Ellis

L. Slabber

N. Smith (capt)

K. Oxlee

F. Roux

G. Brynard

J. Engelbrecht

T. Truter

L. Wilson

A view of the playing field at Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, during the game.

The team arrived at Woodbourne Aerodrome in light rain after a direct flight from Auckland where the day before it was beaten by Auckland. A small crowd was at the aerodrome to meet the 'boks and a bigger one braved the rain in Blenheim for the civic reception to the team.

Springboks' manager, Kobus Louw, is flanked by N. Z. R. F. U. liaison officer, Ralph Love (left) and local president, Pat Dwyer, as the team leaves the plane.

Mr Sid Harling, Mayor of Blenheim, extends a welcome to the team from the balcony of their hotel.

Coach Hennie Muller raised an impromptu laugh among team members as he approached the mike to speak

Captain, Dawie de Villiers, sporting a black and cut eyebrow received in the Auckland match.

Children scramble for the Springbok badges thrown down to them by members of the team

"Come over here and I'll toss you one"

John Gainsford pins a badge on Ivan Culling who has been in hospital for two years as the result of a Rugby injury.

Combined side's manager, Leo Simpson, chats with team's selector-coach, Jim Finlay, during training.

Rival contingent arrives for the game: Alwin and Bev Bond, Les Coldstream, Maurie Meechang, "Rusty" Adams, and Mans Rangi.

More Nelson supporters: Bernie Norfolk, "Ruff" Muollo, Anne and Johnny Monopoli and Tom Sherlock.

The game had an interest for Nelson selector Ant Gargiulo, Beverley and Mary Gargiulo and Peter Marshall.

Roy Mace, Nelson president, seems to be leading-in this contingent from Waimea College.

And so to the game itself. The Springboks gave the Combined side a lesson in hard running and backing up. Seldom was the ball allowed to die with a player when the Springboks had possession. In the first half the lighter Combined team played hard and well and the tourists found them doughty opponents. But weight, and hard running and some excellent switches of play in the second half brought reward for the Springboks and a crushing defeat for the local side.

Alan Sutherland has one hand to the ball, but Botha had two and he won possession (Neil Fltzsimmons and Peter Fry await developments).

Goosen drives from a ruck with Janson in support as Alan Sutherland comes in for the tackle.

Fltzsimmons and Janson tussle for the ball

The first of Ellis's three tries coming up – Ellis diving on the ball a fraction ahead of King, Sutherland, and MacDonald.

Chadwick prepares to use a Fend and Marfell looks for the pass that didn't come

Ellis in a typical run

Oxlee's lean to starboard helped this conversion through the uprights.

Fitzsimmons grounds Parker while Diedrichs, Mac-Donald, and O'Brien prepare to snap up the loose ball.

Combined's only try, to Clarke, who followed up to take a difficult bouncing ball after it had eluded Chadwick.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 59 : September 18, 1965

Combined 6 Springboks Not Greatly Troubled by Combined Side