Port Elizabeth high school Pearson might have something to offer by way of competitiveness when they take on local rivals this season. Most of their 1st XV that did duty in 2014 is back for this season’s action.
Pearson has a big tight-5 with two frontrowers of 130kg and 122kg respectively together with a 108kg hooker, some tall timber in the locks with the one at 2.04m and the other standing 1.95m and tipping the scale at 110kg. Two of last year loosies are also still in the mix.
At the back, the full backline gained 1st XV experience in 2014.
Pearson is also pretty much a home-grown outfit. Of the 22-player 1st XV squad, 18 boys started their school career at Pearson in grade-8 , 2 more joined in grade-9 and the last two 2 to arrive in grade-10 are on previously disadvantaged scholarships. There are no new faces in their 1st XV.
If they can keep their starting fifteen fit, they should enjoy a good season.
Here’s a couple of interesting extracts about Pearson’s history taken off their school website:
1966-1976: The enrolment rose to over 800. As there was no room for expansion in Bayview Avenue, and, as a result of 2 fires in the 1970’s, the school moves to Summerstrand in July 1976, its Golden Jubilee Year.
We have enrolled a record number of grade 8s in 2009 – 175!! Our total enrollment also reached an all-time high since our move to Summerstrand – 765 learners! New classrooms were created within the existing building to accommodate this growth in numbers. The Olympic-size Waterpolo Pool – the most ambitous project ever tackled by Pearson has been completed; 6 new cricket nets have been added and the tennis courts have been resurfaced. Most recently the go-ahead has been given for the upgrading of the pavilion which will include a new Old Scholars’ Clubhouse and Gymnasium. The Astroturf remains a future dream.
Pearson are now a school of 1100 learners with 12 rugby sides. This has doubled from 2012 when they could only put 6 teams in the field.
Their main goal is to get 20 rugby teams on the field by 2019 with anticipation that strength will come in numbers if all goes according to plan.
Pearson’s efforts have resulted in 17 boys picked for EP sides over the last 3 seasons.
The school feels they have become way too strong for their traditional co-ed rivals and have therefore over the last 2 seasons changed their fixtures a bit as they become more competitive in relation to the traditional rugby schools.
Pearson squad:
| # | NAME |
|---|---|
| 1 | Luthando Fini |
| 2 | Marais Ellis |
| 3 | Francios Burden |
| 4 | Xolisa Matshoba |
| 5 | Tristan Brown |
| 6 | Herman Dorfling |
| 7 | Gorga Adonisi |
| 8 | Temba Boltina |
| 9 | Litha Jinikwe |
| 10 | Devon Groom |
| 11 | Kyle Scott |
| 12 | Emile Du Plessis |
| 13 | Jade De Koning |
| 14 | Robert Van Onselen |
| 15 | Duwayne Baartman |
| 16 | Cayleb Schoonraad |
| 17 | Connel Probert |
| 18 | Jonathan Weyers |
| 19 | Daniel Trask |
| 20 | CJ Jooste |
| 21 | Jason Ellis |
| 22 | Ivan Joubert |
@Rugbyfan: Good enough to tame the Kudu next week and just how good was this team coming up the age groups?
Pearson have a really good team and they should surprise many this year.
These guys have been pumping a lot of money into their sport.They also have a Tennis academy run by Yvonne Vermaak if I am not mistaken.
Big pack means nothing. Grey Bloem don’t always have the biggest packs but they certainly are well drilled, coached and conditioned. 130kg schoolboy prop is overweight in my opinion. Anyway, good luck to them…
that sounds like a big pack, I saw some of the boys on their way to Gill this past weekend. @Queenian: QC has been a bit quiet do you know what their team looks like?
I’ve added to the blog. Pearson now have 1100 students and 12 teams.
Their 2015 team sheet shows they do not have a former DHS player in their ranks.
One of the DHS boys went to Grey PE after he joined his family in their move to PE.
No wonder they have Queens worried with those big forwards.
@rugbyfan: I will see if I can get the team sheet from the school.
Beet do you have there squad because when I went round there a few weeks ago I saw at least 2 boys who I had seen playing for other schools 1st teams in the last year or two so home grown I doubt very much.
And I think there is a DHS boy there now as well.