Wilf was a very good centre; he had the speed, flair and body sway. But initially we were not happy about his tackling ability. We were staying at the Queens Hotel in Cape Town before the second test against the 1955 Lions at Newlands and Stephen Fry said to me: "Doc, you've got that tackling machine out at Stellenbosch. Can't we bring it here so that Wilf can be taught how to tackle properly?"

I replied: "Stephen, you know today is a Friday and the test is tomorrow, and we' never practise on the Friday before a test."

He insisted: "I'm sorry, Doc, but we must."

So the tackling machine duly arrived and I handled it myself and we put Wilf through his paces. The next day he tackled Davies right out of the game; Butterfield and Davies were at that stage regarded as the best centres in the world. Wilf certainly proved himself as an all-round centre that day and he continued to give his all for South Africa until he left the Rugby Union for the professional code.