News out of Durban North is that Northwood has welcomed several new foreigner students to their school. It’s unconfirmed but believed that as many as five boys from the Netherlands and Zimbabwe stand a good chance of being incorporated into their 1st XV rugby squad for 2015, which if all goes well should improve the school’s rugby outlook for this season.
Understandably Northwood want to keep their cards close to their chest for now. Last year’s preseason under then newly reappointed head coach Grant Bashford did not quite go according to plan, resulting in the Knights entering the regular season undercooked and costing them an away win against Kearsney in a first match in which their rustiness prevented them from turning possession into enough points over the 70-minutes. Included in the wealth of experience Bashford brings on board, is his seven years spent as the Sharks assistant coach to John Plumtree, so one can therefore be certain that “Bashy” won’t be making the same school rugby preseason preparation mistake twice.
Northwood 1st XV has profited from the use of talented foreign born rugby players in recent seasons. Their top achievers have been the 2014 SA Schools prop Ngonidzashe Chidoma (Harare, Zimbabwe), scrumhalf Kuziva Kazembe (Harare, Zimbabwe) who in 2014 represented the KZN Academy Week team and was a non-traveling KZN Sevens reserve and big flank Jonas Mikalcius (Ziquliai, Lithuania) who did unbelievably well to become a regular feature in the Sharks under-19 Currie Cup team during the latter half of 2013. Although David Weersma (Voorburg, Holland) did not cracked the nod for provincial youth week age group selection here in South Africa, the 2013/4 Northwood flyhalf/centre is credited with being the Dutch under-18 captain and is currently pursuing his rugby career at the WPRA along with several other promising former KZN schoolboy rugby players.
The connection between Northwood and the Netherlands might seem a little odd. However according to the Omroepwest website (link), Bashy and former Springbok Brent Russell visited the European country during the 2014 schoolboy rugby offseason, where they spent time scouting for two talented Dutch players to come out to South Africa on scholarships offered for studies and rugby by Northwood.
The two Dutch recipients of the Northwood scholarships would have to be under-18 or younger to qualify to play inter-schools rugby in KZN. Northwood’s use of two under-19 foreign exchange student during the 2013 season prompted a change in the KZN Headmaster’s Agreement (HMA) to close that under-19 loophole. Amongst other things, the wording of the HMA now refers to protecting the integrity of high school sport against artificial strengthening of the teams through unethical practices such as overseas sabbaticals in Grade 12.
Update:
The Dutch players at Northwood are as follows:
2 in Grade 9,
1 in Grade 10 and
3 in Grade 11.
Let me know when you all have upgraded so that I can pass the info on to my “associates” in KZN. If they can help it, they d rather have the latest models I always thought that Scooby was a dog or that thing kids use to plat as a key ring
@kosie: It does indeed. My boet leaves his in Gabarone where he works for 6 months of the year and takes it into all parts of the delta and the Kalahari (Khutse, CKGR, Mabua etc). They always try to stop him going in, then he gets them to check the clearance on their Series landies compared to him, they just step aside. It would struggle in all those places if it starts to rain, but then so do the rest of us.
I’m not really a car person, it’s a way to get where I want to be, so I just want comfortable and reliable, so mine is a Toy. I also need the packing and roof space so the Subaru is too small.
@kosie: thanks Kosie, good to get a view from someone who owns one. Will be heading to Subaru Bryanston later this year :-)
@Gungets Tuft: Lets give the 2 something to talk about. The Forester is not made to do serious off roading and therefore their tires’ bias towards on road driving. But it will surprise a few hardened off roaders with its capability.
@GreenBlooded: Subaru’s are affectionately known as Scoobies…..not sure why
@GreenBlooded: In the UK and SA it is the pet name for a Subaru
@kosie: @Grasshopper:
What is a Scooby?
@Grasshopper: Yes the misses has the cvt. She had the previous auto as well which we changed in September last year. The cvt takes some getting use to but it is a lot quieter than the previuos auto. The new one is also a lot more economical. She does the PTA JHB run everyday and she averages 9.2l/100 km. A lot better than the previous model. This is her second Forester and wants nothing else.
@kosie: Just to irritate ou Boggie and Andre …..
I think Boggie is right, probably 75% of the owners of 4×4’s never use ’em, wouldn’t know how to engage low range or why. The Subaru is nice and easy. The only problem I have with the Subaru is the smaller wheel diameter so in serious offroad, while it has the AWD, it tends to drop into holes that the bigger wheels don’t.
Me, when I get irritated I tend to go to places to get away, so the 4×4 does do some work.
@kosie: Do you have the CVT Scooby? Never driven a CVT but the Mrs needs an auto…
@Andre T: If the irrational irritant is present in all the discussions, it would be a very entertaining past time but due to circumstanstantial eventualities well out of my control, I am unable to continue with this conversation and shall therefore refrain from doing so
@Gungets Tuft: I can comment on both the Scooby and Disco. The misses drives the Scooby and she is very happy with it. The Disco has better prestige and is bigger and can accommodate 7 people, but I enjoy the roadholding of the Scooby. Its far better than the Disco. It even has self levelling suspension which helps a hell of a lot when towing. Then price wise the Scooby is good value unlike the Disco which is getting a tad expensive. The service intervals (10 000) of the Disco is also a let down. Still a good vehicle but the Scooby basically has the same features for half the price.
@Andre T: As Hopper says, ZZZZZZZZZZ I was going to act unilaterally and send all my modules to all of them, free of charge. Going by the comments, they require therapy desperately. I believe, a good business opportunity in KZN, would be a mud bath/spray for the okes with 4X4s who never go off road. Then at least, they appear adventurous to the outsider
@Andre T: Bog can’t irritate me, I have been irritated by experts … (they know who they are …) 8)
@Grasshopper: Claimed consumption of the D4D is 8.4l/100. You won’t get that, you’ll get closer to 10, but that compares well to all the others. The Subaru will do 8.5.
I can also not afford the Prado. Speak to the rich okes, the Disco people …
…
@BOG: Please start irritating Grasshopper, Gungets, Kosie and Hotblooded with either politics or emigration as with immediste effect.
@kosie: Good idea
@Grasshopper: April will see the diesel Forester here. The outback also to change this year. Do like I do when buying a car. Let the misses choose the colour, they then had input in the purchase and that has positive outcomes at home
@Gungets Tuft: Eish, I certainly don’t have R700k for a Prado and the diesel to fill it……
@Gungets Tuft: Nice, same as my thinking, good to get a few other opinions. Maybe I should go back to Subie for the Outback, they battling to sell it so can knock them down :-)
@Grasshopper: Fortuner – wait till October, new model being released. Fears of hijacking and theft overblown – their theft numbers are higher because their sales are 5x the nearest competitor. All SUVs are on the shopping list.
Pajero – nice vehicle, terrible after sales service from Imperial. Will struggle for spares outside of SA (as you will with anything except a Toyota and a Ford).
Trailblazer – Chev. Eeisch
Nissan Pathfinder – lekker vehicle – deserves a second look.
New Ford Everest – very new but built on the new Ford tech – selling very well. Long vehicle – check your garage.
Unless you are overlanding and need the high vehicle and big wheel circumference (with the attendant instability that comes from high centre of gravity) then take a look at the Subaru Forrester and Outback. Got good clearance, can handle most things, including the type of sand you get at places like Ponto, will get most places on the Wild Coast, not high on the “recycle” list like the SUVs. My boet has a Forester, has taken it to Khutse a few times, Thembe as well, all quite sandy. I have seen them up Sani as well. Not as big luggage wise as the proper SUV’s but still very good vehicles. Buy a small trailer if you need to go on holiday with 500kg of nappies ..
If you have the tin and the will, buy a Prado.
Edit – Kosie – snap.
@GreenBlooded: I got bored of the Glenwood bashing, so thought I would change subject, my 2nd love….diesel cars…
@kosie: Nice, it is on my shortlist, awaiting the the diesel version though….coming later this year. Was close to getting the Outback but the Mrs vito’d that, too ugly she said….hahah
Or we could chat about a little cricket match that took place this weekend……..
Ag nee bliksem okes!! Are we going to talk cars? Like watching the grass grow. Can’t we go back to poaching, emigration, state of the nation or Glenwood bashing? Even British football if we really have to………
@Grasshopper: The SUV with the best aftersales record as well as least complaints and still has 90% of all vehicles manufactured in the US still on the road is the Subaru Forester. It can do some serious off road if you have to. They just don’t break thats why they offer a 150 000 km maintenance plan. If I was looking for a SUV
looks like there are always issues with the Senior Rugby Eastablishment, they never think past their own board rooms
http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scru.com.au%2F2015%2F02%2Fsunshine-coast-rugby-union-expecting-good-junior-numbers-despite-aru-fees%2F&h=DAQFRmVhQAQGuMnbsXwr36k-wwZ3Sq4T9OvywqJq7QviicA&enc=AZPhHvfXD8N3jG3PaZteagbozKBoasxoWY8SvsgQDEuQ4O1g_OSC6BENOBGWoKes51L9wxYyMAEPw4giCUg9RteGP13c1fTnFjeqJnjhp95qayDOclx4IJQuxGtq4rknO6W-jYuFp6AWXo4E41Z8KkDEyxxsZFhZoT8sh8oayhgauQ&s=1
@Gungets Tuft: Ah me too. On that note, any car experts here? I’m liking the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.5D auto 4×4 but then half of SA has the Fortuner or the Trailblazer equivalent. I was told to stay away from the Tuna due to highjack risk and an archaic 4 speed box…..then the Mazda CX-5 2.2 diesel auto looks a great car….not offroading though…
@Grasshopper: Polo se g#t man, I hate cucumber on rye ..
… I got shunned for drinking Castle Milk Stout from the bottle last time I was at Shongweni.
As for the jammie – karrent put roof racks on that Roller – this is much more my style …
http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-cars/toyota/landcruiser/2013-toyota-landcruiser-toyota-landcruiser-pick-up-4-5d-durban-fpa-8a8183224ae9d997014b173d64521179/makemodel/make/toyota/bodytype/4×4
@Gungets Tuft: Maybe with all that extra work now you could buy yourself one of these as a weekend cruiser, http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-cars/rolls-royce/silver-wraith/2014-rolls-royce-silver-wraith-6-6-v12-kwazulu-natal-fpa-8a81839949ae9545014a048fe4c804d8
They should let you into the Polo matches with this..
@GreenBlooded: That’s not rain, that’s wet money falling from the sky …. it’s my Krissmiss, 6 weeks late.
And it’s also perfectly timed for Dusi. Paddled up the river on Saturday, it’s all looking sad daarso, hyacinth blocks 10km upstream from the finish (Silver Pipes), if we don’t get some proper rain we will be running down the Papwa golf course as we did in 2002. Karrent be enjoying that boss.
@GreenBlooded: hahahah, too true! In Durbs if it dips below 20 degrees it’s ‘freezing’. Jokes aside, KXN needs this rain, for me I’m hoping Haslemere dam has a cloud above it raining all day….
@Andre T:
It’s raining here in KXN this morning so nobody is on the beach and hardly anyone is at work except for Gungets. People here don’t know how to drive in the rain so he must be very busy. 13 deg up in Kloof this morning – in Durban summer nogal. Maybe we can start discussing climate change or monotheistic religion vs the rest?
@Andre T: What subjects of irritation, will be your choice today and who are your targets? Politics, crime, economics, corruption or common sense (exclusively designed for Roger) ? I now have modules available on line and for a small fee of R5000, I shall e-mail it to your target. Truth and irritation guaranteed.
@BOG: Will you please be so kind and irritate a few people around here today?
@BOG: The Chelsea Headhunters stab you in the face without flinching …
Anyone who watches English soccer, probably has pointed ears and wears a black leather coat- and they would stab you in the back without flinching.
@Andre T:
For some PROPER sport – make sure you are watching on May 2. Now we are talking entertainment!!
I can sleep well tonight. Sturridge is back and Liverpool are winning. Beautiful.
@Andre T: Laat my weet wanneer jy gereed is vir meer of wanneer jy iemand wil irriteer en die moer in maak- ek is graag akkommoderend
Not surprising……..I’ve always regarded you as a 3rd tier supporter……….but I must admit…………I enjoy your emigration contributions
English soccer. If this continues, Im steering the discussion back to emigration. And Im a QPR man, even if they are in the third league, because their ground is called Loftus Road and two roads going past it, are called Pretoria and Bloemfontein Rds
People look up to legends…………..
Legends look up to Steven Gerrard
@GreenBlooded: Thats embarrassing…….a soutie who doesn’t watch football…….jeepers Hot…….lower your head in shame and Bafana is home already.
Even Bog knows who Daniel Sturridge is
@Andre T:
I watch one soccer match every 4 years – namely the FIFA World cup Final. Most times I switch to the weather channel in the first half. I think when Bafana make it to the final I might watch the whole thing.
@GreenBlooded: We still don’t know who you support…………..I’d guess ……….Ipswich Town
@Andre T:
Had to Google him.
@Andre T:
Welcome back Daniel Sturridge
Results vs Westville, great write up by TK; http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/sports-results-vs-westivlle-31-january-2015
@Gungets Tuft:
You’ll never win again.
@star: Another way to put it would be: Glenwood won with 3 balls to spare. Force yourself.
@GreenBlooded: As that article says, emigration in South Africa, is unlike elsewhere, a rather sensitive issue. That is demonstrated here. I have experienced it when a state fails. It’s not pleasant and I don’t think too many here, realize the full implications of that.@Gungets Tuft: .I don’t have a link, but it appeared in News 24 about two yrs AGO . I remember saying to Andre T that you catch ready made curry fish in the Hennops. So, accept it if you wish and if you don’t, it’s no skin off my teeth. However one looks at things, water in same, is literally, in the sh1t@Umtata: I’m not talking about the informal housing, but the collapse of the existing infrastructure. And make no mistake, I love the Transkei. It’s almost home for me and precisely why it hurts. I can look past poverty-I have been to a few African countries, but when the infrastructure is destroyed as a result of deliberate neglect , corruption and incompetence, I get pissed off. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY CONTRIBUTION ON THIS MATTER
@Grasshopper: I must give credit to a team that comes back from 50/5. I also had some good interaction with some solid GW parents so all good .
Nice proper cricket win over the Ville, T20 ain’t cricket I’m
Afraid. Let’s hope ALL the Glenwood boys behaved or kept their traps shut. The chirp police were out in full force in the leafy suburbs today…
@GreenBlooded: In for the duration I’m afraid, or rather “not afraid”. But not criticizing those that leave either, everyone’s going to make their own decision based on what they need.
My last word as well. Those Jammie’s out there aren’t going to tow themselves, Saturday night in Springfield is like the Lotto
@Andre T: @Andre T: Westville lost with 3 balls to spare.
Is the Wes Rand ready for a gaming operation?
@GreenBlooded: Ynwa …. ???
You Never Win Anything?
@BOG:
I hear what you are saying. I’m not suggesting that everyone should turn tail and run for the hills. I’ve certainly never left these shores other than for a year’s contract work in Malaysia back in 99/’00. But I do think we need to be prepared for a VERY bumpy ride – far more so than most imagine. I wonder how many will hold on for the ride? And how many of those that can will bail out? Time will tell I guess. I fear that most of us have never read the story about the frog in the pot of water.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog
My last word on the matter.
@Andre T:
YNWA
@Grasshopper: Who won the cricket?
Grassy, the only thing you and I have in common is……..we’re both Liverpool supporters………….we’re gonna stick it into West Ham today
@BOG: Very near to Nkandla, but sorry I don’t get any gov contracts as my skin is as white as a lily….so did the Port Natal night series start?
I say again, I simply joined the discussion. Why now attack me? Not that Im afraid, of course.@Grasshopper: Reading what you said about your residence and the growth of your business, it sounds as if you live at Nkandla and have the tender to supply it with toilet paper@Roger: Go back and see where this started, so the less I say to you, the better
@BOG: no town/city is the same as it was pure 1994. The influx of people moving to Mthatha has put a strain on the town. At the moment the biggest investment in the town is from private investors who see a lot of potential in the under developed town. Crime is a global problem and don’t start with stats written by people who don’t even live in this country.
In 2010 Bog predicted that by 2015 SA would be playing Tri Nations rugby versus Swaziland and Botswana.
He also predicted that by now Grey College would have been unbeaten for 3 114 days
He also said the price of Brent Crude would be determined by the volume of Durban Roodepoort Deep shares sold by Roger Kebble divided by the days Shabir Shaik spent in prison and then multiplied by the average age of a combat soldier in Vietnam during 1971
@BOG: Do you have some reputable references for the stats that you quote. The amount of sewage into the water supply, immigrants returning to Africa, etc. I have found that 79.31% of statistics are made up when they are needed.
For the rest of the discussion, we might as well talk religion as well, we can then get both unresolvable arguments over in a single thread, then we can move on.
Just a bye the way, spoke to a good friend in Brisbane this morning, they have no power, expected to be out for a couple of days due to flooding from a storm.
@BOG: you must be an absolute blast to hang around with – Do people tend to avoid you?
Agree with Hopper – stick to rugby or go and start another blog where you can natter about the end of the world to your hearts content. Nobody here is really intersted except Greenhopper – so have fun together.
Or after listening to the news………De Zalze sounds pretty safe
You okes have made me so scared now I’m thinking of relocating to Paarl now
@Green Hopper: dude, not sure what you on about. We all make OUR own choices. Let’s stick to talking rugby…
@Grasshopper: well , brisvages , has been home for the last 2-3 years , where teh hell where you over the last 10 years when we where here mate?? You are very selective in what you wish , . also you isolate yourself, behind and in a micro world, not great
@BOG:this is so true, and to supposed live in Ballito/Dolphine coast , ?? i would suggest if you wanted to make a difference try moving to one of these places, asking Dunlop to assist you in handing out brown paper packets to the off rugby academies@Grasshopper: well if you are think or going primitive , well good for you , remember you are selective about issues, I was born in Zim, I have family and friends there and not is as you suggest , for the majority , there are a few and these usually have funds off shore, or business interest in SA , which allows and affords them the lifestyle, very much like I live in aus and spend money in SA , tooo nice , further you forget “mud” island , afforded you the opportunity to establish yourself in SA wouldn’t knock it too much mate , doubt the same would have happened in SA if you had stayed
@BOG: brilliantly articulated
@Grasshopper: Whilst I might agree with most of the issue you bring up , I lived where you are now, 12 years , i know the area , seen , it , and cant agree with what you are saying , in addition havinga UK passport allows you the flexiblity or a possible “out” . If you are truly committed, change to a SA passport and then lets see, your argument doesnt have much substance , I also have UK passport , and its about options,
@BOG: Yep zZZZZZZZZZZZuma! We are all aware of the issues, well anybody with a brain is. We don’t bury our heads in the sand but we have to give the country a chance. I am South African and always will be. Rushing off to live in Brisvegas doesn’t excite me at all………
@Grasshopper: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Thats the big problem in SA
@Grasshopper: Look, Im not prompting you to do anything. You are nice and big to decide for yourself. But I just joined the discussion, and now Im made out to be the “drol in die drinkwater” ( crap in the drinking water) You should consider declaring UDI (Unilateral declaration of independence) Republic of Ballito, with Hopper as president. But just some advice- build a strong army, focused on defense.
@BOG: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
@GreenBlooded: Water, as you rightly say, is the next challenge. A “wise”member of the EC legislature asked why the previous government had built such big dams. According to his “logic”, water would have lasted much longer if the dams were smaller???Its estimated that the equivalent of 1767 Olympic pools of sewage runs into SAs water system EVERY day. Randfontein, I believe, had a model purification system. Study groups from all over the world, visited it. A municipality from Australia came and recruited all the key staff and today, its in a state of collapse with no prospect of reversing it.
@BOG: We have 5 dams, 36 impala, our own fire engine, estate security and a helipad. In fact, we have our own coffee shop, 25m pool, gym, beach clubhouse, car wash, gold driving range and quad biking track…..our own Oranje, but with all races :-)
@BOG: Well for now, SA is right for us. We do have a school in our estate, Trinityhouse. As I said, we are lucky to all have maroon passports if it did get that bad….
@Grasshopper: I also lived in the UK for 7 years, and its not my ideal spot in the world. You will have to develop your little “enclave” further. Build a dam , school, helipad, power station, police force— in your back yard. But, as I said, if climate is your only consideration, go to Somalia. There, you could join a war lord and build a whole estate for yourself.@Umtata: I was born in that region(Dohne) and it breaks my heart to see the absolute and total destruction. After traveling through Aliwal, QT, KWT, EL, Dutywa, Butterworth, Umtata, Mt Ayliff–, I actually said that someone deserves the Nobel prize for science, causing so much destruction without a nuclear device. I gather that you have only been exposed to the region over the last 20 yrs- you have nothing to compare it with. But when I traveled through in December, I noticed that they are now even attaching burglar bars to the traditional huts- thats a new and sad development. Sign of the times.
@BOG: when last did you go to Mthatha?
@BOG: live on mud island for a decade you will see why the sun & good weather is good for your sanity. With regards to electricity plans are already in place to equip the house with solar panels & back up generators. Re water I have 2 Jojo’s full up! A boer maak n plan! Actually sorry a soutie makes a plan!
@Roger: Let me begin with you. If you look back, you will notice that I did not raise this subject- I simply joined the discussion. But very conveniently, you target me for your venom. Get back into bed.@Umtata: You should focus on rehabilitating that town after which you named yourself. If ever there was an example of total collapse, its Umtata@GreenBlooded: You seem to be the only one who woke up with a clear mind this morning. Thats the irony. A few years ago, Eskom had the audacity to express their concern about the distribution network, which of course are the municipalities. They were anticipating a total collapse, due to a lack of maintenance- pretty rich coming from Eskom. And that could also happen any day. We have already seen “short” interruptions- Kimberley (2weeks), Kroonstad (2weeks)—@Grasshopper: Your only consideration seems to be climate/nice weather. Try the Somali coastline- miles and miles of beach front real estate and undeveloped. I read earlier, that even the Zimbabweans are returning home. Now that should be a message. Also the Nigerians and Ghananians. The cocaine market must be saturated.
To add we have a few mates in Zim thriving and loving it!
Bog certainly knows how to burst a positivity bubble! We have been back 2 years and 6 months, loving SA! My business has grown 4 fold and my little girl loves it here in the beach, in the garden and outdoors. Yes, there are major problems but we had similar things in 1990, brink of civil war. SA has survived it all. We have monkeys in charge, but clever people adapt! Africa has huge potential. Look at Europe in the dwang! UK, Aus, France, Canada are all terrorist targets. I would be scared catching the underground everyday. For once Rog and I agree. I came back to make a small difference, hopefully every little helps. I certainly won’t get the same sort of excitement out of school sport anywhere else in the world…
@Umtata: I agree – Bog you sound like one of those 70 year old whenwees sitting on your stoep hankering after the “good old days”. I have no intention of debating this with you so don’t bother replying but rather stick to the one topic that obviously gladdens your tortured soul – Grey College.
Otherwise – I’m pretty sure you know the way to the airport pal – vote with your feet like your good buddy Bertus
@Umtata: I agree……..this is the land of milk and honey………..braaivleis…….rugby………sonskyn……….meisies kyk en Chevrolet
@Grasshopper:
Ahhh – is it Westville Glenwood today? Though we just played (and beat) them? Anyway – GO GREEN!!!
Glenwood boys – please be on your best behavior. There will be some folk waiting with baited breath for you to step out of line…..
Off topic, good luck to the Glenwood cricketers vs Westville today!
some of you guys are so pathetic.
@BOG: I realize this, not stupid. So what do you suggest people do? Run or stay and help?
@BOG:
I work in the electrical transmission/distribution industry. The generation issue aside – I can promise you that the transmission / distribution networks are also on the verge of collapse due to lack of maintenance. And the inside scoop on what is going on at Medupi and Kusile is far from encouraging. It’s not so much the electricity issue that bothers me from a domestic point of view – although it will obviously be an economic disaster more so that what it already is. What worries me more is the water supply. There is no reason to think that the supply of this vital commodity isn’t going the same way. Anyhow – I can feel that topic monitor breathing down my neck.
@Grasshopper: Unfortunately, you cannot isolate Ballito from the surrounding realities, even with a six foot wall and a 2 foot electric extension above that, around the estate. Ten years? Thats a bit optimistic. Id say, 5/6 years. And even if you try to sooth your mind with exaggerated expressions like “apocalypse”, its certainly no laughing matter. Just looking at electricity supply, do you realize that we are on the edge of a total meltdown. It could very easily happen. Have you ever considered the impact of no electricity in SA for 4-6 weeks? And that is only one of many threats simmering under the surface. On second thoughts, “apocalypse” is not so exaggerated after all. Remember, Zim, after 20 yrs of “independence”, in 1999, was in a better state than what SA is now, and 5 short yrs later, total collapse. Frightening, actually!
@BOG: when should we expect the apocalypse? Should I start packing for the UK soon? Seems like within 10 years SA will be a barren mess…
@BOG: The grass in Ballito is pretty green and fresh :-)
@Grasshopper: The returnees are highly exaggerated and form only a very small percentage of the people who have left. The writer also points that out in the article. In fact, far more have left than what they admit. No one says it’s easy, but a person is either lured away to advance a career, often with the intention of returning. Many left south Africa with that intention, but are now being pushed away by a range of circumstances, which I don’t even have to mention. It’s not a matter of how green the grass is on the other side of the fence, but rather what is happening to the grass on this side of it.
Interesting article, but he forgets to mention all those returning to SA gatvol of their new countries, me being one of them. I lived in the UK for 10 years, it became mundane. We back in SA with our 2 year old daughter and she is loving the outdoor lifestyle. I have quite a few friends returning from the UK, Canada, Australia and NZ, gatvol of battling to fit in and trying to keep their heads above water with the stupid cost of living. Violent crime, dumb ass gov, shocking driving etc are real issues here….it does scare me for the future of our kids but luckily we have British passports and can leave anytime but for now we loving the Dolphin Coast/KZN lifestyle…..far better than our cold, tiny flat in Putney…..
@BOG: I was watching on TV , local SA Television the other day , how the Legends had or where undertaking a rugby clinic the other day , in a township and the whole emphasis was on handing out brown paper packet food parcels a cap and a Rugby Ball, all supported by Dunlop , don’t people see how “cheap” this type of thing is , but getting a few hundred , previously disadvantaged kids , running around and thinking this is bridging the gap, isn’t working and what was once to me a great idea, having seen and experienced a different setup elsewhere, this is pathetic really is , just so degrading for both parties,
@Speartackle: no just good down to earth mates, decent people, drink a beer with you and laugh , listen to your stories, and ask you about your “home” but openly admit , they could live there for security reasons
@BOG: there is so much truth in thsi artical, and its exactly like that , as an Ex Rhodie as well, I can tell people here, there are many there in Perth as well, for the same reasons , just been there a bit longer , its a crying shame really
@Green Hopper: Any serious offenders or just struikrowers?
@Speartackle: many , really good friends ,
@Green Hopper: How many inmates do you know already?
@BoishaaiPa: Bwahahaha……..okay dit maak sense.
Australia use to be the natural destination for criminals. But SA now has the title. And there are unlimited opportunities”.But it’s good to see that eyes are opening. But here is a good and very objective article by Bertus de Villiers Why I emigrated why-we-are-white-refugees.blogspot.com/ 2010/ 01/ anc-stole-my-dream- why- i-emigrated.html
@GreenBlooded: should have been more clearer, firstly , was waiting for you to send me sheep from your flock , 2nd the expensive part @Grasshopper: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/australia/, they own cars and homes, they have access to free higher education, dont stress like we do, as we were talking about “balance” earlier, its about that , i admit wont suit all , but certainly the majority
@BoishaaiPa: Hahahahaha
@Speartackle: That’s short for “Inmate”..Thats how they use to greet..”Hello Inmate”…Now its just “‘Ello Mate”….
@Green Hopper:
The sheep part or the expensive part? How many sheep do you own?
@Green Hopper: been there 6 times, my company is based in Melbourne. It’s exorbitant!
@Grasshopper: misconception , depends where you live ,
@GreenBlooded:
Ja okay………Haysie is also allright
@Speartackle:
John Eales wasn’t too bad.
I wouldn’t go to sheep shagger country if you paid, most expensive place on earth!
@Green Hopper: Rather keep the Umbilo accent
@Speartackle: to rattle some cages
three years now
@Green Hopper: What’s with this ‘mate’ ???
You’re hardly there a year or 2 and you’ve got the struikrower slang already.
@Speartackle: Bindi , normally has lots to say , quiet verbal, has opinions and not scared to tell leaders how to get acts togther ,http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/bindi-irwin-expresses-frustration-over-hillary-clinton-editing-181111253.html
@Speartackle: no , not yet , trying , its hard work that mate ??? to many safety rules, , yip QLD
@Green Hopper: So you’re in Queensland……..are you the snake handler there?
@Speartackle: well i see steve irwins wife and kids often live right by us
http://www.zapiro.com/cartoon/2525579-150129mg#.VMuU7y5JqVA
@GreenBlooded: Yes…..and Mark Taylor that chappy-chewing ex captain and Shane ‘Rubberface’ Warne And every friggen Aussie except Crocodile Dundee and Steve Irwin
@GreenBlooded: good one, @GreenBlooded: don’t know if i would want to be a target in SA? Might need an armoury. i am not in the same disciple of “light” you are. BUT , you certainly need “currentcable” to perform, and that is where the issue is
@Andre T: my concern is more that the AllBlacks win the World Cup Cricket coming up, possibly SA will choke again, we always seem to do it in the cricket
@Andre T: David Warner reminds me of the slimy little doos that always used to draw the curtains at the Summit Club in Hillbrow.
@Andre T: @Speartackle: hey, went initially for fun, and now staying, still will see where things are in a few years , but more involved in SA than most of you might know, green blooded, knows, but it’s about options, they one thing you coach boys in rugby , just take it into life a little, for me i had the options before , family didn’t , so hoping to create that , been an experience and more positive than negative than I thought it was going to be ,
@Andre T:
Ian Healy. Eish!!!!
@Speartackle: Just seeing or thinking about David Warner wants to make me puke………..and most other Aussie sportsmen………must be the most irritating international sportsman since Wayne Ferreira
@Green Hopper:
Fortunately – I’m in the ‘lights’ business. The more you okes run away – the more target rich my landscape becomes, specially in the current economic climate.
@Speartackle:
When GreenHopper went there, on his application where it said “Criminal Record” he wrote “I didn’t think it was still a requirement”.
@Green Hopper: No jeepers Hops, you’ve disappointed me……..why there?………what do you want to do there with all the struikrowers (don’t know what that is in english)……….
@Green Hopper: Stay there boet……….this is no country for old men
@greenblooded: i think you know me better than that : i never run,
i attack, you know this 
@GreenBlooded: no not running , never ?? just no future , this might not be the case in 3 years, just not willing to gamble , just remember , you know, where i am presently ?? lights might not be on forever mate
@GreenBlooded: It’s overrated anyway
@Speartackle:
No boet – I haven’t got HIV.
@GreenBlooded: Sometimes it’s in your blood
@Green Hopper:
Sometimes running away isn’t an option.
@Pedantic: @GreenBlooded: https://www.google.com/search?q=kawana+aquatic+centre&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=8GzLVKSkFeWG7QbR0YGgBg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=655#tbm=isch&q=sunshine+coast+university.https://www.google.com/search?q=kawana+aquatic+centre&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=8GzLVKSkFeWG7QbR0YGgBg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=655#tbm=isch&q=sunshine+coast+university+rugby+.https://www.google.com/search?q=kawana+aquatic+centre&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=8GzLVKSkFeWG7QbR0YGgBg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=655#tbm=isch&q=sunshine+coast+school+boy+rugby
@Pedantic: @GreenBlooded: time to look at places like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Coast,_Queensland.https://www.google.com/search?q=kawana+aquatic+centre&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=8GzLVKSkFeWG7QbR0YGgBg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=655.https://www.google.com/search?q=kawana+aquatic+centre&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=8GzLVKSkFeWG7QbR0YGgBg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=655#tbm=isch&q=mooloolaba
@Pedantic: yes, loving it , daughter started water polo last year , a sport they both played, she was approached by ex-Australian player, now a coach, to join the HP Sunshine coast team, so she is into it , just got back from school gala today , 1st in breast , 2nd in all the rest , water sports a big thing here, Club and School,
Rugby growing , Club and Juniors , Uni helps and facilities are great , they want t to grow, hear a new team in the league this year , was difficult the 1st year for him, but the rugby boys , and uni ( many foreigners from Sweden etc ) he is coaching again this year , they have asked him to do the rugby now for u15 , and he is going to start playing water polo this year
There is a big drive from the UNI , I am mates with the Head coach , they are now actively sourcing players and CV’s for school boys for teams this year and going forward, chances of scholar ships, visa, and UNI education degrees, for boys looking at coming across, busy working on it to expand it ,
@GreenBlooded: Very good point. The optimist in me has had hope for the last 10 years, but things are not looking good – the rot is however, a worldwide phenomenon and not only on our patch of land.
@Grasshopper:
I wonder how many of those schools will still be around in their current state of excellence in 13 years time? I get more and more despondent with this place by the day – not even a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel anymore. Bad times ahead mate…..
@Grasshopper:i think one needs to bear in mind, what your son wants and not want the parents do , to some extent, one needs to guide, It was never on our radar to send our Son to GW , it was his , so allowing him his opportunity we followed him, we had a great 5 years at GW , yes there where issues, but during that time, there were issues at KC , HC and PMB , there will always be issues at schools, the magnitude of issues at KC in 2010 where dramatic, and then College had theirs , so to openly state , that one school is more balanced than another is taken form the eyes of the beholder and if that year or grade are good boys and how they are performing , nothing more, no school, no school, will automatically give a school, leaver and advantage, what will be his attitude , and the individuals that he has had contact with both negative and positive and the guidance of his parents. Its never an easy choice , but money doesn’t make a school, or who or want went before , you need to sense it for yourself
@Green Hopper: Great to hear the lightie is doing well, is he in Aus with you?
@Grasshopper:i need to agree with GT and his comments , even though i might not have articulated them here, needless to say , TK and TP , are one affected by the “madam” of the school, and that starts with a B , what i can say having had two year to cool down from my 2012 year with this Bunch , I can honestly say Karma is a bitch
and I could and did email, the trio highlighting the errors of the discussions of the “Marne-gate season” and the discrimination suffered , by my son, concluding with his achievement of both Rugby and the leading /coaching of a waterpolo side into the unbeaten “grand final” winners , as a leader of young men, and impact of assisting the Open Rugby team of the uni making the Grand final ,
however took TK two months to right back , with a tongue in cheek response, was so good to sit back and extract an old email from him , whereby he doubted these facts , haa haaa
@Grasshopper: I concur with Pedantic. Great all round school where the individual is still important and kids can follow their dreams in a comforting environment.
I have fond memories!
Let the little Hopper play tennis…….at least the little bloke will have a better physique than his dad then
@Grasshopper: If you looking for balance, invest early – both financially and in your boy’s interests – I have an all rounder at KC in matric and can honestly say it’s been a great investment, the “balanced” approach has benefited him greatly.
@Grasshopper: dont send him to Ashton, how is that Cura school, doing , Club rugby there a real no no , was good when it was run corrctly , i hear they might try and re open Juniors this year u6 etc , but dont know who is running it and the level of commitment
@Grasshopper: Marne-gate season no one cant forget that season , what was supposed to have been a great year , was a shocker and i think much fall out occurred over the following year . maybe why there is a new coach , but there continues to be fall out , schools not playing and all sorts , i agree , totally , with the concept of what you outline
@Gungets Tuft: True, but I was there in the days of Maher, a balanced man he was. Not so focused on sport but more the allround kids and to cater for all. I just want a more allround approach, that is all. Good to hear your thoughts on Northwood, maybe it should go up a few pegs in my ratings. I do know they are very good at academics quite a vital part of school for me :-)
@Grasshopper: I have no axe to dring with personalities .. well, actually I do in some cases but it’s not the point, I think you need to be careful about attaching a school philosophy to a person. You may have an issue with TK or TP, but don’t underestimate the depth of support among Old Boys for their results and therefore the way they go about their business. Remember there has been a changing of the guard at Northwood which has not changed the philosophy of the last 4 years. From what I know of Bashy he’s not one to approach things lightly or thoughtlessly, so perhaps the recruiting at the top is being backed up by more good work at Grade 7/8 level, I am no longer privy to that because my boy is not in Matric. Bashy is a Durban North boy, very much in touch with what’s going on in the area, so I would be surprised if he doesn’t firstly have a vision, and secondly communicating that well amongst the people that need to know. In short – as critical as I have been above, I am hopeful that the clever okes in the mix are doing something. My affection for Northwood as a school remains, right now it would still be my second choice (third choice if I thought there were going to be enough stukkend cars on the road for me to afford Michaelhouse which I really like). It’s academic of course, for the next 20 years or so at least, till the next generation of Tufts might be looking for a high school.
5) Northwood
6) Clifton (if money allows)….
Glenwood No1 if TK, TP and co have left..
@Gungets Tuft: Too true, living in Ballito and with a boy on the way, High school is 13 years away but time flies so you need to plan now, save money etc. Northwood is the closest gov boys school but on current feedback I wouldn’t send him there. I worked our TK is 54 this year, so will have to retire in 11 years, just in time for my boy. So based on current performance and feedback I have had the school shortlist would be as follows;
1) Maritzburg College
2) Kearsney (if money allows or bursary/scholarship)
3) Glenwood
4) Westville
……
@Slam: By the end of 2009 Northwood were doing a great job of getting the school right by marketing it in the North Durban area. They had just had their 3rd year in a row of 100% in-area kids. They had some brilliant parents on the Governing Body that were doing the rounds expplaining the school strategy. My son had been accepted and was going there until I made the mistake of taking him to the College Reunion Day match. In the car on the weay home, after witnessing the pre-match war dry with 5000 Old Boys and the school, he was quite plain about where he was going.
Then the school was hijacked by rugby – boys that had been at the school for 3 and 4 years were suddently not good enough, imports were brought in and damned fine Durban North families were alienated. Trust built up over the previous 5 years was killed, and the word gets out in a very social Durban community. That’s the fine line walked by those doing wholesale recuitment in Grade 10 upwards. Parents of talented kids are simply going to approach schools that show loyalty to long serving kids. It’s a cautionary tale …
@Speartackle: On a serious note, no, ‘Kaans no longer compulsary. You need a second language but you do not need to pass to get a Varsity entrance.
@beet: I think you may find the Dutch players will be U17 and probably G11 this year.
@Andre T: Nope, but he did fly into tackle with his shoulders only aka ButchJamesStylie…..many a penalty given away. Good runner with the ball but it had to be given to him and not passed….hahah
@Grasshopper: Did he play with those steel shoulder pads and ski pants?
What would happen insurance-wise if one of these international kids breaks another kids leg or severely injures a properly registered kid? This all seems a little too much. In my year we had an American footballer on the wing but he was a proper student from grade 10, due to parents immigration…
There are many FS schools with international learners- from Lesotho. And Im sure that Vrede might be one of the culprits, which explains their declining standards. I would think that an appropriate name for a side from Vrede, would be “Vrede Demons”
Looks like the Schoolboy Rugby is becoming something like a Foreign Legion IPL with boys travelling internationally and playing in global leagues weather permitting.
My company would possibly be interested in buying a school franchise team in the various playing countries. In the off season players can play either for the Rotterdam Redlighters whilst on loan from the George Campbell Galaxy a la Frank Lampard
@beet:
As long as they don’t beat too many KZN opponents I don’t think anyone will really care. It’s recruiting AND winning that causes all hell to break loose. How much whinging was there about the other Northwood Intertnationals?
@GreenBlooded: there will definitely be a challenge to the bona fide school student status if they are not registered for the prerequisite number of matric classes and if in matric they must surely have to registered for final exams as well – altho that deadline seems to correspond with the end of the KZN season. Under the circumstances maybe Northwood should be asked to provide commitments that these kids will be at the school until year end.
@GreenBlooded: I’m now worried about you because if Bog can even write stront in afrikaans and you’re telling me you struggled with it then we have a serious problem……….they say after english and Urdu, afrikaans is the easiest language to master
@Speartackle:
We had a few Zimbo’s when I was at school. They did “Immigrant Afrikaans” which was much easier that the 2nd language Afrikaans we did. Most of them could read and write Afrikaans better than me when they got to matric.
@GreenBlooded: It has a new meaning but use to mean a “Tuckshop”. Now it means any person that snoops around for info.
@Speartackle:
What is a snoepie?
@GreenBlooded: Will they be working in the snoepie?
@GreenBlooded:
@Speartackle:
They aren’t going there for school.
I left school in 1963………is Afrikaans still compulsory in all schools?
If so………the dutchies might not struggle so much…..but what about the Zimmies????
Not sure how DHS and Northwood can get any stronger without importing when all the rugby talent heads to Glenwood or Westville in the Durban area. There’s only so much of that can go around. Maybe those 2nd XV kids at Glenwood who end up make representative teams or are involved at trials should be playing 1st XV rugby at Northwood or DHS
@Greenwood: agreed but prefer the bottom up approach myself. Playing Northlands and Beachwood in the late 80’s / early 90’s they both played a very distinctive brand of rugby – Northlands big and physical (especially in the pack) and Beachwood a more high temp apporach with quick loosies and decent backs. Seems that the merge didn’t translate in marrying these two playing styles. They have a good coach now so interested to see how they progress in 2015.
Seabass
when Northwood were known as Northlands many years ago they were very strong at Rugby – not too sure what changed that
Durban at this time does need stronger Rugby Schools – only GW & “Ville are competitive with the privates and College so lets see what happens with the overseas imports
@Grasshopper: its a pity that a school of 1200 boys needs to import foreigners to boost there 1st XV rugby…
Thanks Northwood !!!
This is great news – the heat has been taken off the Green Machine
We will look forward to play yet another United Nations team this year
I know I’m a broken record regarding buying etc but surely a very important trait or quality to install in our kids is ‘loyalty’, it’s fundamental in building personal & business relationships. This ‘throw it away’ mentality is not breeding loyalty. By bringing in kids to fill an area of ‘weakness’ is disloyal to incumbent players. Standing back and looking at all the schools it seems only really the privates have a policy of staying loyal to boys there since grade 8, which I like a lot. Building great teams with weaknesses to me is better than throwing 15 great players together, time & time again a good team of players who know each other well will beat a team of great individuals. Michaelhouse 2013 is case in point. Glenwood should have learnt that too in the Marne-gate season, forget the year. Like in relationships you need to work through issues, compensate where you can….no one is perfect! Team mates cover for each other. Sorry my 2 cents worth early in the morning…..
Eish, this is just ridiculous now, not even South African boys. Why don’t they just bring in half of Auckland Grammar or Gisborne to compete with Grey Bloem….out of hand now. A couple of exchange students fine, but this is taking it too far…..
Well there is a new barbarian team in town which makes GW look a bit benign. Why only 5 players? Surely a bakers dozen has a nice ring to it.
I wonder if the existing boys/parents have bought into this model.