Victory is ours today.  Don’t be dismayed at the narrow one point victory.  The most rabid Afrikaans supporter would agree that for our fourteen boys to withstand the hammering the Springboks provided today is a feat beyond comparison.   I had a lovely view of the game (after the most terrible and disorganised crush to get in) and can honestly assure you that this was the toughest game of rugger I’ve ever seen.   How our lads stood up to the last 30 minutes I don’t know.  They appeared to have the measure of the Springboks & were harmonising beautifully when Higgins got carried (away) off.  

The Cliff Morgan brilliance was dazzling them so much they looked well & truly beaten when the score was 18-11.  Although we added a goal after that & crossed the line twice without being able to ground the ball clearly, at that score 18-11 we were most clearly superior.   Our forwards packing 7 to 8 were then getting the ball back more often & more quickly than before.  However as the game progressed towards the final whistle the hammering of the Springbok pack wore the boys down & my eyes were darting to the clock every few seconds.  While (that) I couldn’t believe that S.A. could overcome our 12 points lead  in such a short time, I also couldn’t see our boys withstanding the increasing pressure.  The pressure which existed in a most violent form from the first whistle, only to become heavier & heavier as each moment passed.   The S.A.s are most famous for playing the hardest & most vicious rugger in the world.  Today they excelled themselves in playing so hard & vicious a game that their own supporters were stupefied.  Every tackle was given with a stretcher in the back of the tackler’s mind.   These Springboks are nearly all farmers, well-off & University educated   It is my firm belief that before they get to the Universities they are taught that to take the Bulls to the abettoir is a sissy’s was of slaughtering beef.   I am sure that their approved method is to tackle the Bull, & when it is down, twist his bloody head off!   Of such material is the Springbok made!   This was not really a Test.   It was for the rugby supremacy of the world & 15 men in green jerseys knew very well that they would be remembered in scorn by their failure today.  Hence such a beserk performance.   Strangely enough, when we were best was when they played their tight mauling steam rolling game.   It got them absolutely nowhere.   It was only when little Tommy Gentle (a most diminutive chap), their scrum half, opened out the game that they looked dangerous.  When that happened our lads were by then dazed with fatigue & couldn’t tackle cleanly as they had done so successfully all through the game.   One may pause here to wonder why the Springboks can “come back” so effectively & score 11 points after looking like a beaten & demoralized side?   Perhaps it is because true world champions are almost unbeatable.  The impossible ten minutes before the end became probable.   

Van Der Schyff missed a kick   25 yards out & half-way between the touch flag & the posts.  That to him is a stupidly easy kick.  At Potchefstroom in the Western Transvaal game he kicked successfully from far more acute angles & from his own half at the same time.   His great downfall is that earlier on he missed one of the easiest kicks of his career & it upset him because he showed it to every one of the 90,000 spectators by his crestfallen & childish manner as he walked back.   Added to that he didn’t have Alun Thomas kicking into his hands as he did in Potch.   He had Cameron kicking safely to touch - & to hell with distance.  Didn’t I say that would happen?   To me it was common sense British tactics to counteract his ability by a safe short kick.   It was clear to me & many South Africans that his boot would be nullified & that left him just another full back with a shaky defence!    He most certainly cost them the game, as apart from missing a few other really easy kicks, his defence was bad, excepting when he chased and caught Pedlow going for an easy try - or what would have been an easy try for Hayden Morris!

Mind you, I’m writing this one & a half hours after the game, & I am not colouring my opinion with a newspaper in my hand – they are not out yet, & when they are out I’ll still be here airing my private view.  To me, the great Basie Van Wyck(sic) only appeared when Higgins left the field, then Basie went on the rampage, but he was tackled so cleanly and so heavily that “He soon did his Quietus make”(sic).   After that lesson Basie appeared rarely & briefly, but always most ineffectively.   Briers in scoring their first try actually frightened Cliff Morgan.  He stormed down on little Cliff right on the corner flag under my close inspection.   Cliff could have tackled him five yards out, but I’m vexed to say (& I couldn’t forget it during the whole of the game) Cliff funked it!   Instead of going in high, low or any bloody where, Cliff looked over his right shoulder to see if he himself had a covering defence – which he hadn’t -& Briers galloped past him over the line, for Van Der Schyff to kick the goal – making us 8-3 down.  I’d like to say that everyone near me said that if Cliff had tackled that mad charging Briers he’d have gone to hospital.   But there it is all over again, just like W. E. Jones, magnificent, brilliant, & incomparable in attack, but liable to the biggest errors in defence.   However, on his other play he is a must for the next Test.   

Remember the name “battling Bryn Meredith!  When we were leading 23-11 Higgins had been off 15 minutes, when Bryn, with only six men behind him, hooked and hooked repeatedly.  When he could have been most easily forgiven if he “coasted” awhile, decided it was time he too had a try for his own record!  Twice he nearly succeeded!  He made my heart hammer!!   Only when one realises what he was enduring in those scrums & loose mauls which were not loose, but hellish mauls, (& he was always there) can one appreciate the courage & determination of this boy!   On another occasion in a line out, he punched out twice at an “offside” Springbok forward who was all ready to barge Bryn.   Bryn got away with it because the ref penalised the Springbok after the throw & Cameron almost kicked the penalty!   Boy he’s tough!   He soon looks “All-In” but he gets more and more like a three-quarter as the game progresses.   Our three-quarters showed their fatigue at the end more than our forwards, in that they tackled, but could not bring their men down like they did earlier on.   There seemed to be time for the tackled man to place his pass correctly to his team mate - & therein lies the reason for the closeness of the score!   Both of those last two Springok tries could have been prevented if the centres had been held by our centres, once they had tackled.   At one stage we were 11-3 down.  Honestly, the way the game was going I wasn’t worried.   Early on we were not getting the ball back.   To any man of normal intelligence it was obvious that the striking power of the Lions was so superior that we must triumph.  My one big conscious worry was “Penalties”.   Potch was so clear in my mind, Van D S and his infallible boot.   The awful thing for S.A. is that V.D.S. HAD the penalties & “balled them up”!  He could have won the game with his boot and made it look so easy!   Here I must tell you that these people the Afrikaans panic so easily it is quite unbelievable.  I see it in my work every day.   The tension was so great with 90,000 roaring Afrikaners that boy just panicked.   

He must feel awful tonight.   The roar of an Afrikaans crowd cannot be repeated unless it be with a full orchestra.   It’s full throated & seems to tear the vocal chords asunder.     Just a lion-like roar, without words & quite like a jungle sound.   It not only chilled my blood, I felt a horror creep over me at its bestiality.     When the Springboks are pressing they start up a chant, roaring  “NOU; NOU; NOU;” The ferocity & menace in their voices is a part of sport beyond my ken.    It actually made me quite afraid for the boys in red.   It was an inhuman sound that suggested that a defeat of S.A. would lead to a slaughter of the innocents – The Red Innocents!    All around me were Afrikaners from every walk of life who were openly admiring our play  - but when they gave voice it was too awe inspiring.   The wild high-pitched shrieking crescendo of sound that comes from the Arms Park on an International day is to be admired and envied.   This deep-throated angry roar was in a far different category.  They seemed to be 90,000 Boris Karloffs letting themselves loose in their favourite orgy of bloodletting!     In this world, Power is sport & Power in Destruction is playing an increasingly important part. Since I’ve been here I’ve become aware that the South African is struggling for recognition.   He is made up of many European nations and is split asunder by the claims of the separate European nations, the Dutch, the German, English etc. etc.   Basically they are already what they dream to be – A Nation Complete and entire to itself.  

Unfortunately for them they only realise this most important fact when they see their Springbok boys on the rugger field.   There they have been supreme for 60 years or more, playing a hard fast gruelling game of rugger (which is so like their nature) & which no one else can match.  This is their one and only claim – at the present moment – to the World supremacy they feel as human beings. I don’t mean that in a belligerent way.   The Afrikaner is a kind lovable person.   However, when his rugby supremacy is challenged he realises he is in danger of losing his all.   Then, whether he is a player or a spectator he is out for blood.   I realise it now as I never realised it before the Test series, although we have won the first one, is going to be terribly, terribly difficult.   The battering our boys had today was so terrible I wouldn’t be surprised if half of them were not fit for the next Test.   Provided they are all fit & provided they put Hayden in for Pedlow I still think we’ll win.  There is always a proviso.  Injuries. 

Viv, in 80 minutes play, with our boys being hounded all over the concrete-like field, how can we hope to finish with 15 men – although they be 15 tired men?   Also considering that last 10 minutes burst from the Springboks!   I say in all sincerity that only 15 Welsh men could be backed to do it. All the faults today on our side came in the last few minutes, when strength was gone, when fresh three quarters, who had not been used, were thrown against tired three quarters who had played themselves out.  Davies & Butterfield just did not have it. Needed there was that fervour that gives us Bryn Meredith, Billy Williams (I’m bloody sure he fixed Du Plooy) & Courtney Meredith.  

It’s a point of significance & a matter of pride that 5 Welshmen, 1 Irishman and 1 Scotchman (sic) in that pack brought 8 Springboks to a standstill until they were so tired they just had to open up the game to save themselves & that is where they scored their greatest show of the game.   Ruddy ironical “I calls it”!  Not one Welshman in the side even had any sign of a bruise – although I will never forget Cliff’s momentary lapse from his usual perfection.  Shame on me that I should mention it a 2nd time!   Suzanne, take heart dear, he is still the man who gave us Victory!   Baker could not have given us that.   Cliff was our Star, our Secret Weapon, our most brilliant & portent striking force.   He won the Test for us.  They have no answer to Cliff because they have never seen his like before.  He finished the game fit & fresh. As I said before, all our boys were heroes, but I honestly feel Hayden must come in next time for Pedlow.   One of Briers tries he would have prevented & the time V. D. S. stopped Pedlow, Hayden would have been past him & under the posts.  I was with Hayden Friday night & Saturday morning.   He told me he had had 4 boils, two on each side of his right knee.   He’d had injections for them & the boils are now disappearing.  

On Friday night I was also with Abe Cramer, a famous Transvaal R.U. selector & referee. He came into the Carlton about 8.15pm .   He had just left Danie Craven & the Springboks in their hotel – The Grand National.   Abe said the picture of gloom among D.C. & the Boks, he was glad to get out – but not before telling D. C. that the side he had picked was lousy, & he’d have to scrap most of them before the 2nd Test.   I think I also told you that didn’t I?   Abe & I were dead right.   I’m hoping my golfing pal at Potch, Newton Walker, gets in next time although for our sake he’d be better off out of it.   He is a superb forward & his inclusion in the last Test might have given us a different result.  When Abe got to the Carlton lounge that night before the Test it shook him to see the boys all sat around, relaxed & cheerful, enjoying every minute & not a bit perturbed over the Test.  He told us what he’s just seen at the G. Nat. & immediately forecast a win for us.  Well, as I said to you weeks ago, barring injuries we’ll walk away with these Tests but I’m afraid that the injury bogey is far bigger than you can possibly realise.  In no other country would you find circumstances & conditions so conducive to injuries to our boys.   O’Reilly was knocked out every time he was tackled – a battering, smashing, crashing tackle - & yet he always got up.   Once two defenders sandwiched him & the three of them went down & out.  O’Reilly got up first - & trotted back!   

There is a lovely photograph you’ll have later of the three of them on the ground.  O’Reilly”s body looks lifeless & pathetic at that moment & indeed it was, but yet inside 10 secs he was up & away & the ambulance men were attending to the two Springboks.   I was so proud of our Welsh boys when I heard an Afrikaaner say something about “Valers” in Afrikaans (prounced Varlers) that’s Wales .  I asked him what he said & he repeated in English “If it wasn’t for the Welsh we’d win by 30 points”.    Of course he was quite correct.   The Welsh have dominated this British Lions side all through the Tour.  They have soft peddled Cliff all the time because of his Test winning potentialities, but I feel that if they let him loose to play hell as he can, the South Africans would never let him out of the country.  He could have all the Gold in the Rand to stay here & coach the young.   Cliff is so hard to capture with the ball that it is only a late tackle that can cause him injury.  There is a strong feeling here that a Welsh side should come out & tour the country.  I asked Vivian Jenkins how he thought Cardiff would fare out here, & which he thought they’d do very well,, he wondered if they could find enough top class men to have as spares.   I think they could.  No Welsh or Cardiff side will ever come out here you can be sure. The BRU will see to that.

I suppose you are wondering why I didn’t go to the Dance at the Wanderers Club tonight.  I bought my Dinner suit cost price Fourteen Pound Ten Tuxedo.  It’s quite nice.  Shirt, shoes & sox.  But I had a heavy week, travelling down to Kroonstad for a couple of days. Had recurrence of my tummy trouble.  I knew that after the match I’d be exhausted, so I didn’t try to get myself a partner.  (Don’t be fright, Dear, your bald headed old husband is quite safe.)  To dance attention on some female for a whole evening would be too much for me.  There is also the certainty that she wouldn’t be able to dance to suit me or would probably want to jitterbug.  If that happened to me I’m sure I’d look as indignant as Clifton Webb.   Instead I’m sitting here now getting quietly & pleasantly tipsy as I casually bring my thoughts down at random.   Harry & Doug came in in their tuxedos looking very smart, had a drink with me & have gone off to get their partners.  I felt lonely for you for a while but its passed off.   I’ll finish this last drink & get off to bed.  It’s been such a wonderful day one if tempted to prolong it & not go to bed because then the day becomes just a memory whereas if one could only keep awake it would still be today.   Does that sound crazy? I’ve had the feeling this weekend I wouldn’t be any other place in the world but here to see this triumph of British sport, to be among these people who are quite loveable & beg to be understood by Britishers & the rest of the world.  For a while last night I was with five wealthy farmers from Zululand .  All middle-aged ex-Varsity men, kind, courteous - & again I say it – loveable, it’s the perfect word.   Men with farms as big as English counties.  Big, heavy, but light in heart & humour.    I was also with a Nicholas Cronje (pronounced Cronyeer) whose grandfather was the famous General Cronje who surrendered his army to the British in the Boer War.  Nick is the S.A. rep for Smiths Electric [– a veritable “pat” of Duggy Davies. (Whatever did happen to Pat Barnes?)] 

Hell, Darling, S’all for now.  I’ll write soon.  I didn’t get a letter from you today – hope it comes Monday.

All my love to you, & Suze.        T o m.