Westville vs Hilton
This Hilton senior group was very good at u16 level but coming just out of summer sport a week ago, it seems like they are untested in a live match, so a bit of an enigma still. Their caused wasn’t helped by the disruption to preparations of a cricket match on Friday involving a few rugby players.
The match marks the debut of experienced school rugby coach Greg Miller, bought in as Director of Coaching he has lifted the level of confidence at Hilton and generated a great deal of excitement ahead of this game. Although AC Blume is still the Head Coach, many feel that it’s Greg’s adventurous running rugby style that will employed.
Westville coach Grant Bell is a strategist of note and it will be interesting to see where he looks to sets out to compliment what has been an influential pack of forwards with an outstanding back three, that look capable of winning each and every one-on-one that comes their way. The four players in-between the pack and the back three are therefore critical.
A big factor counting in Westville’s favour is their 6 preseason Night Series matches, so of which were very competitive. So look to see what impact this has on the closing 15 minutes if the game is tight.
| Westville | Hilton | |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Els | 1 | Sakhile Nyembezi |
| Hendrik Prinsloo | 2 | Matt MacKenzie |
| Shaun Stoltz | 3 | Adam Holdcroft |
| Zane Heyneke | 4 | Jean Nel |
| JP Pelzer | 5 | Matt Swan |
| Donovan Grant | 6 | Nkanyiso Nzimande |
| Devon Muller | 7 | Nicholas Lello |
| Keegan Nicholson | 8 | Sebastian Desvaux de Merigny |
| Bryce Kitching | 9 | Matt Dahl |
| Craig Schlemmer | 10 | Daniel Hirschowitz |
| Neil Van Rooyen | 11 | Darren McGhee |
| Mpilo Shange | 12 | Keaton Bottriell |
| James Wheeler | 13 | Daniel Loftus |
| Tony Mahlangu | 14 | Nic Brown |
| Shane Ball (C) | 15 | Cameron Badenhorst |
Kearsney vs Glenwood
These two team had quite a close game at under-16 level in 2013. A big difference on the day was Glenwood x-factor Donny du Randt, so look out for his midfield combination with Ruan van Rensburg as part of a dangerous Glenwood line. However dubbing Glenwood as a “backline” team would be incorrect. Their forwards have been ferocious as well particularly at the breakdown. They however need to improve lineout accuracy.
Kearsney has had adequate preparation helped by a trial match against St Charles and two fairly testing matches on a tour in the Northern part of the province. They also received good news ahead of this game with big strong ball-carrier Tristan Dixon being cleared to play after picking up an injury a week ago. Defence is key today for Kearsney. They cannot afford to be leaky. They should get their opportunities on attack.
| Kearsney | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nicholas Luyt |
| 2 | Joshua van Vuuren |
| 3 | Greg van Noordwyk |
| 4 | Ryan Lewarne |
| 5 | Jared Meyer |
| 6 | Robert Polkinghorne |
| 7 | Tristan Dixon |
| 8 | James Miller |
| 9 | Warren Driver |
| 10 | James Tedder |
| 11 | Cian Waugh |
| 12 | Kyle Mertsch |
| 13 | Matthew Watts |
| 14 | Nicholas Hoare |
| 15 | Mitchell Nesbit |
DHS vs Port Natal
This fixture is no longer a given for DHS. Last year Porties beat DHS, the year before that they lost very narrowly to DHS. At the Night Series the two schools won one apiece. DHS has however been showing improvement with each game. If School’s backs can play to potential, it should make the difference on the scoreboard at the end, even without key backs Simo Simpson and Dylan Bryan. The battle of the forwards should be the highlight. Porties play with “gees” and although not the biggest pack, they seem to be able to hold their own against whatever the best in KZN has to throw at them. Porties will be trying a new halfback combo. This crucial link has let them down on a few occasions, as has their exiting – improving both will significantly improve their chances of a win.
| DHS | Port Natal | |
|---|---|---|
| H. Mpanza | 1 | Sewus Geldenhuys |
| J. Diederiks | 2 | Zayne Wind |
| T. De Jager | 3 | Juan-Lee Noël |
| L. Whitfield | 4 | Jaco Visagie |
| R. Dafel | 5 | Marko Prinsloo |
| A. Ndabandaba | 6 | Koos Kruger |
| N. Makhalipi | 7 | Rudi Koekemoer |
| K. Ntuli | 8 | Louis de Jager |
| M. Everitt | 9 | Wendall Adams |
| A. Noot | 10 | Daniel Botes |
| J. Kidgell | 11 | Frans Janse van Niewenhuis |
| G. Coetzee | 12 | Marchant Geldenhuys |
| N. Mathenjwa | 13 | Armand Marx |
| P. Sithole | 14 | Andre Vorster |
| H. Mekuto | 15 | Riwaldo Linnert |
George Campbell vs Northwood
There were mixed feeling about Northwood’s trial match against a Varsity College u19B/C last week which ended 5-5. The Northwood boys looked fit, had good structure and tried to vary attack while their defence was solid. They have a big pack of forwards. Perhaps the let downs were not enough penetration and urgency to secure ball at the rucks. If Northwood plays like they did at that trial they should win against Campbell. Campbell has shown resilience at times on defence, so they are capable of getting on top in this department. However it’s their attacking game that is lacking in terms of cohesion and decisions made. Handling was also an issue during their last outing against Development. As a result it without major improvement it is difficult to figure out where Campbell’s points will come from to win the more competitive games this season.
| G. Campbell | Northwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Daine Venter | 1 | Gugu Nelani |
| Quinten Jordan | 2 | Vic Hurman |
| Douglas Phillips | 3 | Ngoni Moyo |
| Rian Du Preez | 4 | Craig Trollip |
| Bongumusa Sibisi | 5 | Phillip Jansen |
| Jesse James Rutter | 6 | Daniel Humphreys |
| Siyabonga Thwala | 7 | Zandre Griffin |
| Sisa Sibiya | 8 | Viwe Makhula |
| Wayne Ngubane | 9 | Ryan Symmington |
| Thobani Ngwenya | 10 | Jasey van Kampen |
| Andile Mazibuko | 11 | Jason Daniels |
| Alanas Alasaukis | 12 | Lars van Meijen |
| Innocent Nkomo | 13 | Pikho Sobhale |
| Devon Palmer | 14 | Luyanda Mngadi |
| Anele Nxumalo | 15 | Jadon Stevens |
@Hanzeltin:
greenblooded88@gmail.com
@GreenBlooded: Send me your email address and I’ll mail you.
@Hanzeltin:
Instead of meeting Hopper in private (and I’m hoping you didn’t mean in a dark alley somewhere) why don’t you share your views here where we can all understand what drives this thing? It would be nice to have a viewpoint from a parent who is on-board.
@Grasshopper: I would like to meet up with you to explain why my son is of of the imports like you say it!
@Grasshopper: Very bad for incumbent players. Some of them might be lost for rugby forever!
@Babbelas: OK, so all 3 imports arrived last year in grade 10 to be compliant with the Headmasters agreement, still don’t like it. Those 3 incumbent players now in the 2nd or 3rd team must be irate, also their parents…
@Babbelas: Eish, so are Waterkloof going to boycott fixtures vs Glenwood if they get drawn again? Marne Coetzee was from Waterkloof too if memory serves me correctly..
Dylan Weideman is from Laerskool Wierdapark. He went to Waterkloof and played loose head prop for their u14 – 16 teams. He is in Gr 11 this year.
Actually followed exactly the same route as Kobus Tredoux – Wierdapark, Waterkloof, Glenwood.
@Bonthuis: See the full thread on this that beet posted last yera.
http://blog.schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=9908
@valke: not sure, not seen the other name on the team sheets….
@Grasshopper: Heard a rumour that the other Valke player, mentioned earlier, has left Glenwood.
Do you know if this is the case ? I hope not, as this would be the 4th move in the last 12 – 18 months.
@Bonthuis: honestly boet, what do you know from your apartment in New York? We all know it was a clashed timetable this year hence one year without a double header. Westville only started playing College in about 1987. They started vs Glenwood in 1921, methinks that is far more traditional, over 150 games played between the schools…
Westville and PBHS are the only two double fixtures for College
@Bonthuis:
College play a double against Westville this year. The Glenwood double won’t happen this year but will continue next year. From what I hear this was a time-tabling issue and nothing sinister.
@Grasshopper: Who is College playing a double fixture against this year, my understanding is that the Glewnood-College double fixture has fallen away?
@Grasshopper- Voster was at Hoerskool Pionier last year. Not sure where Weideman comes from.
@valke: He certainly has the physical attributes to be a lock, maybe lacking the ‘grunt’ mentality required, but that could come. He certainly was quick at the kick-off and not too bad in the line-out. I think he needs a lock mentor, someone like Victor Matfield or PSDT to give him some pointers. I see a good future for him if he learns his trade and perfects it..
@Grasshopper: You will be more surprised to here that he was moved to flank for the GK week. Up until then he actually played centre. Played u16 centre for his school just before GK.
He must be one of the fastest locks in schoolboy rugby at this stage. Unfortunately his understanding of forward play will still need to develop a bit.
@valke: you are right, Arnoux Venter from Stoffberg played Valke flank. Gosh he played lock on the weekend. Very tall, surprised he played flank before, must have grown in the last year…
@Grasshopper: I believe the A Venter you are referring to, is the Stoffberg ( Valke region ) boy who played Grant Khomo for the Valke last year.
2 Valke boys went to Glenwood after Grant Khomo. A Venter and M Holtshausen.
I was told that Venter returned, but it seems he didn’t.
@Grasshopper:Vorter arrived in grade 10 but wasn’t playing.
@Grasshopper: One of the concerns I expressed last year re imports is the impact it has on morale through all the teams. I fear that Glenwood may have reaped the “rewards” of this on Saturday with the poor results in the top 4 teams.
This is not to have a go at Glenwood as I think Westville will suffer the same fate if they carry on with their import program.
The private schools generally show what five years of bonding can do to create a team spirit.
The government schools have depth. If only they would plough more into coaching I think they might unearth some hidden gems and actually do better.
@star: Boet, Klopper arrived in grade 10, that to me is fine and within the rules, these other buggers arrived grade 11 for sure.
@Grasshopper:
Glenwood had a game plan??
@Buffel: Surely you will be at the Kearsney/Hilton match this weekend to keep tabs on our bet.
Yes the no 8 and 9 were very good( always have been). I think though that it would be a big mistake to write off the rest of the team. There were some nice big runners in the outside channels ( Loftus ect) who could pose a further challenge.
@ Grassy- you make me laugh. You state how the ” frikken imports” irritate you but in the next sentence wax lyrical about Klopper as a scrumming machine when he himself is an import. I still can’t get my head around the fact that GW won only the 3rds in the top 4. This must be a red( purple ) letter day for K. Well done the one stripes. Other schools will now be hunting you down. No pressure. I would also hate to be GW ‘s next opponent
Does anyone know where Venter, Weidemann and Vorster come from? North West?
http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/sports-results-vs-kearsney-college-1314-march-2015
Humble in defeat
@Buffel: this is true, I think Kearsney were the first KZN side to beat Glenwood on Dixons in like 3 years in 2012. Again as I have stated many times the privates get first option on the ‘cream’ of talent so should always be strong/competitive at A team, 2nd & 1st team level. Glenwood has the numbers but this just provides depth. However the 2nds losing doesn’t bode well for the year, any injuries then they stuffed. I think it’s going to be a long year for the Machine considering the strength of their opposition….it might get ugly vs Monnas, Affies etc
@Bonthuis: KC have the wood on GW. in the last 4 years KC have come out on top on 3 occasions, only last year’s debacle stands as a blight on what was a very good 2014 season.
Remember KC had the Doops and Schramm in the side from 2011 and that was a huge factor in their dominance. In 2013 ,without them KC managed a win on Stott. May the trend continue.
@Bonthuis: where is Quma from? FYI – http://www.saschoolsports.co.za/national/the-best-sports-school-in-sa-rankings.html
Prinsloo outstanding in the first half for Westville. Put in some big hits and was everywhere to be seen. The pack as whole were in top form. Stoltz must be a candidate for higher honours as too Prinsloo. With forward dominance like that it should have been a 25 point difference in the end.
Having a captain at fullback doesn’t work for me. He is too far away from the action and when a decision needs to me made on the spur of the moment you lose momentum or the element of surprise. Forwards play with 70% of the ball so it stands to reason that the leader should come from them or close to them.
Don’t get me wrong, Shane Ball is exceptional and given the freedom to express himself without the burdens of captaincy will see the best of him. He reminds me of a Neil Penrose in full flight that can tear a defence apart with swerve and pace. Will be down at Northwood this coming weekend to lend them my support.
KC, feet on the ground and watch the 8 and 9. Cut them down and Hilton are very ordinary. Good luck to all
Westville have lots of improving to do, not a very convincing performance. Great result for Kearsney over Glenwood, they have to count themselves very unlucky not to have beaten Glenwood the last few seasons, glad for them that the bounce of the ball finally went their way.
Tough start for “Purchasewood” in terms of their national ranking!!
@Pedantic: nope you have tracked some of them from a early age
@h2o: I wasn’t too far off then
@Pedantic: els 121 prinsloo 103 scholts 115 pelser 100 heyneke 95 grant 93 muller 93*nicholsen93* ….. * not to sure …..Quma out with finger injury
@Pedantic: Weideman, Venter and hooker are new, so different pack for sure. Really irritates me these frikkin imports! Klopper is a machine scrummager, doubt he was monstered by Westville. He completely anilated the tiny Kearsney prop! No contest….
@Westers: Work it out with estimates:
Els – 110
Prinsloo – 102
Stoltz – 100
Qoma – 105
Pelzer – 100
Grant – 80
Muller – 100
Nicholson – 90
Close to 800 (790)
@Tang: I’m not sure the GW pack of yesterday was the same that played at Port Natal – stand to be corrected though. Westville didn’t dwarf the Glenwood pack but certainly out scrummed them – Stoltz at tighthead was excellent.
An interesting stat from yesterday – the Glenwood U14A front row was reported as over 300 KG, bigger than Kearsney’s 1st XV front row
@Grasshopper: KERF programme usually has player weights so we will get a better idea in a few weeks time. If they can be believed.
@Tang: rumors abound the Westville pack is 850kg! Glenwood about 780kg
@Pedantic – The scariest thing about your post is: According to previous reports, the Westville pack dwarfed the Glenwood pack.
@Galaza: I have no idea, 122kg….there certainly wasn’t any kid of that size yesterday….maybe chubby ones lower down
@Grasshopper: Is there any truth to there being some 122 kg bloke brought into the school and made a prefect
@Pedantic: I put it down to complacency. The GW boys must have thought it was going to be an easy win, just pitch up. Now this is where coaching kicks in, never under estimate your opponent and treat every game like it’s your last. I wanted to get up and walk on the pitch to G up each of the Glenwood players. It looked like they were stuck in neutral. Hopefully this is the sort of result that wakes the boys up….
@GreenBlooded: What are you suggesting? That there where big celebrations last night ?
It was just another day of great SBR … ok I lie, maybe it was better than just another day
@Pedantic:
Good afternoon! You must be hanging like a fruit-bat??
@Grasshopper: That big Glenwood pack dwarfed the Kearsney pack but was like a huge diesel engine that just couldn’t fire on the day.
Glenwood supporters can look forward to the season as the talent in that side is evident, they just came up against a team that refused to lie down and submit to the form book – the effort every member of Kearsney put in was evident in the number of players suffering with cramp in the last 5.
Ironically, the decision to take a scrum when awarded a penalty in front of the posts resulted in a try – this against a pack who was dominating all day – a brilliantly executed set piece move showing the self-belief the Kearsney boys had.
Glenwood never looked close to creating a try scoring opportunity – the only time it came close was against the run of play when van Rensburg made a huge run towards the corner. Personally, I think the pressure placed on them was just too much, both by the Kearsney team and the obvious expectations of their supporters.
We will graciously take this win and the result will be a highlight in our boys’ memories forever but Monday it’s back to the grindstone to prepare for what will be a big challenge from Hilton next week.
@beet: I think Hopper got the penalty count wrong – if you look at the live text commentary the penalty count was around 15 in total for the game with both sides conceding equally, Kearsney got a yellow for repeated infringements with 12 minutes left to play. There were however short-arm penalties against both sides, still I don’t think the count was anywhere near 35.
The referee for the Kearsney vs Glenwood match was Marius Jonker.
If the penalty count was 35 like Hopper suggests perhaps he is being to strict for for an SBR level game. I don’t know but that seems like a very high count.
@Grasshopper: When you find out let us all know please Hopper.
Another question, who are Venter, Weideman & Vorster, never seen or heard of them before…
@Grasshopper:
Worth adding that the penalty count against Glenwood was justified – very poor discipline by GW on the day. Also worth mentioning that the numerous errors were forced by a Kearsney side who were never going to roll over and take it. They ran on to Stott field yesterday to avenge last year’s embarrassment and they did that to a man – loads of passion and heart. They also shut down the space very effectively. Combine that with a very slow and inaccurate pass from the base and the backs just had no room to move.
GW will not struggle this year – they had a bad first day back at work. They will be sore today – and looking to never let a day like yesterday happen again this season.
@Galaza:
15 J.Morgan
14 G.Lubbe
13 D Du Randt
12 R Van Rensburg
11 L Mukendi
10 J Bossr
9 S Dubazane
8 M . Palvie
7 K . Xaba
6 A. Brummer
5 A. Venter
4 D . Weideman
3 K. Mchunu
2 Q . Vorster
1 C. Klopper
Is there any chance of posting a Glewood team list , not even one on their web site.
Just returned from the Glenwood vs Kearsney game, very disappointing from Glenwood going down 11-13 to an average Kearsney side. Both teams are to struggle this year vs outside of KZN teams. Glenwood were just making error after error, the end penalty count must have been about 10-25 in Kearsney’s favour. Glenwood lacked motivation & looked very complacent. Kearsney wanted it more. The Kearsney pack was getting pasted but still they somehow won….will do a detailed write up tonirrow