| DATE | TIME | TRIAL ZONE | POSSIBLE VENUE | SELECTOR ATTENDING |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon.20Apr | 14h00 | Midlands Pre | Weston | Quintin Reynolds (KZNRU) |
| Mon.20Apr | 14h00 | Pmb Pre | Carter | Tony Richter (Hilton) |
| Mon.20Apr | 14h00 | Highways Pre | Hillcrest | Noel Ingle/Gerald Pyoos (both George Campbell) |
| Tue.21Apr | 14h00 | Northern Kzn Pre | Vryheid | Quintin Reynolds (KZNRU) |
| Wed.22Apr | 14h00 | South Durban Pre | Port Natal | Noel Ingle/Gerald Pyoos (both George Campbell) |
| Wed.22Apr | 14h00 | Zululand Pre | Mick Kelly | Quintin Reynolds (KZNRU) |
| Thu.23Apr | 14h00 | South Coastal Pre | Port Shepstone | Quintin Reynolds (KZNRU) |
| Tue.28Apr | 14h00 | Northern Region | Empangeni | Quintin Reynolds (KZNRU) |
| Mon.04May | 14h00 | Pietermaritzburg | M College | G. Pyoos (Campbell), A. Prinsloo (Kearsney), R. Dames (Glenwood), T. Richter (Hilton) |
| Mon.04May | 14h00 | Midlands | Michaelhouse | Q. Reynolds (KZNRU), R. Combrinck (Michaelhouse), R. Norris (Westville), T. Pinheiro (Glenwood), B. Steyn (Kearsney) |
| Tue.05May | 14h00 | North Durban | DHS | G. Pyoos (Campbell), A. Prinsloo (Kearsney), R. Dames (Glenwood), T. Richter (Hilton) |
| Tue.05May | 14h00 | Highways | Westville | Q. Reynolds (KZNRU), R. Combrinck (Michaelhouse), R. Norris (Westville), T. Pinheiro (Glenwood), B. Steyn (Kearsney) |
| Wed.06May | 14h00 | South Durban | Glenwood | ALL |
| Tue.12May | 08h00 | Main | Woodburn | ALL |
| Tue.19May | 13h00 | Final | Woodburn | ALL |
| Mon.25May | 15h00 | Training | Woodburn | |
| Wed.27May | 15h00 | Training | Woodburn | |
| Mon.01Jun | 15h00 | Training | Woodburn | |
| Wed.03Jun | 15h00 | Training | Woodburn | |
| Mon.08Jun | 15h00 | Training | Woodburn | |
| Wed.10Jun | 15h00 | Training/Capping | Kings Park | |
| Mon.15Jun | Pumas | Vryheid | ||
| Mon.22Jun | 15h00 | Training | Woodburn | |
| Wed.24Jun | 15h00 | Training | Woodburn | |
| Sat.27Jun | Bondedag | Sasolburg | ||
| Sun.03May | Skills Session | Maritzburg Coll | ||
| Sun.10May | Skills Session | Kearsney | ||
| Sun.26Apr | CD HP Session | South Coast | ||
| Sun.03May | CD HP Session | Dundee |
@Grasshopper: I like the look of the new GW 12 – I think his name is Holthausen. Since he’s joined the backline they have been far more effective. Wouldn’t be surprised if he got a look in at AW.
@Grasshopper: Hi Hopper, I don’t get it either. That tight 5 of Hilton is massive. Very mobile Tight Head Prop and Locks. A number 8 that could be a tight head flank. Maybe Pinhead is getting Hilton back.
The regional teams should be announced soon (plus the selectors XV) as next round is on Tuesday – any feedback yet?
@TheGoose: It was a group of players assembled in January that would attend skills development sessions on certain Sundays.
The initial squad was made up of players who had represented KZN in the past although as far as I know, school coaches could nominate players to join the sessions.
Basically skills development, identifying individual weaknesses and creating a team culture. It would seem some schools did not buy in to the initiative which caused a few hiccups but all in all I think its a step in the right direction.
Any news on trails of yesterday Wednesday, 06May 2015 of the South Durban Circuit that was held at Glenwood ? Any unknown players that stood out
@beet: When/what was this HP squad selected for?
Thanks for the feedback on the U16 trials – I think Jeremy Mc Claren has a great bunch of guys to work with – and the Glenwood team is rightfully probably going to provide a good set of representation into the final U16 GK team.
Will be keen to see the final squads there too.
Brummer is a pretty good ‘fetcher’ but maybe too small this year but still has next year..
@star: In my comment above … “2. Van Vuuren got very little game time while Lee showed enough to get a shot at main trials.”
He really is a solid player and I agree, would make most 1st XV’s in KZN.
@Pedantic: How did Lee perform? He is very different from Prinsloo but will perform the basics very well. He would make many other first teams IMHO.
Here is the initial KZN HP. Some changes were made along the way
# Posi Name School
1 1 F. Hendriks Ferrum
2 2 N. Mthembu Northwood
3 2 P. Keeve Vryheid
4 2 H. Prinsloo Westville
5 2 C. Botha Glenwood
6 3 K. Mchunu Glenwood
7 3 A. Pretorius Glenwood
8 4 S. Quma Westville
9 4 T. Dixon Kearsney
10 5 C. Jacobs Pionier
11 5 D. Muller Westville
12 6 K. Smith Westville
13 6 N. Xaba Glenwood
14 6 A. Brummer Glenwood
15 7 M. Sadiki Michaelhouse
16 7 A. Atembe Maritzburg College
17 8 D. De Marigny Hilton
18 8 M. Ntuli DHS
19 8 M. Palvie Glenwood
20 8 C. Swanepoel Pionier
21 8 C. Glover Maritzburg College
22 9 M. Dahl Hilton
23 9 L. Muller Maritzburg College
24 9 S. Dubizane Glenwood
25 10 A. Alasouskis George Campbell
26 10 B. Pretorius Michaelhouse
27 10 G. Coetzee DHS
28 11 I. Mukendi Glenwood
29 11 T. Mahlangu Westville
30 12 X. Kriel Sarel Cilliers
31 13 S. Sibisi St Charles
32 13 K. Munangi Maritzburg College
33 13 J. Tedder Kearsney
34 13 D. Du Randt Glenwood
35 13 M. Kriel Maritzburg College
36 14 X. Guma Maritzburg College
37 15 J. Morgan Glenwood
@Pedantic: I get what you are saying. I am not saying any of those names ( except a few ) have been penned in. Of course I am just speculating, regional teams haven’t even been finalized just yet. This is just based on form/ reputation at this current point in the season. And in all due respect half of the names you gave wouldn’t be suitable.
@vlei: With due respect, there is a lot of speculation there .. for almost every position I could give you an alternative name that could be argued for to get the spot in the final team.
1. Els (Klopper – who is a loosehead as far as I know)
2. Wiseman (Prinsloo)
3. Mchunu (Stoltz)
4. Sesink-Clee (Evans)
5. Qoma (Meyer) – I think Qoma will play 4 though.
6. Xaba (Mkhalipi)
7. Dixon (Muller)
8. Palvie (Ntuli)
9. Dahl (Vorster)
10. Pretorius (Bossr)
11. Guma (Mchlangu)
12. Tedder (Holthausen)
13. Du Randt (van Rensburg)
14. Mukendi (Pau)
15. Furniss (Kriel)
16. Mthembu (Swanepoel)
17. Mazibuko (Chikwezvero)
18. Klopper (Holdcroft)
19. Sadiki ( lock/ flank/ 8) (Gumede)
20. Simpson (Kitching)
21. Bossr (Nesbit)
22. Foster (Morgan)
The bracketed team would result in these numbers:
GW – 5
Westville – 5
DHS – 2
KC – 4
MC – 3
Clifton – 1
Kloof – 1
Hilton 1
PDI – 7
So as you can see … a lot can change quickly and nothing is guaranteed.
@beet: It’s what I always look for at trials … those fringe / unknown players that step it up.
At certain stages today I thought Westville’s van Rooyen was one of those players, but seemed to lose his way at times – at 10 there really is no room for error and consistency one of the most important factors that will come into play. Interestingly enough, he seemed to play better with Vorster as his scrumhalf as opposed to his team mate Kitching … strange dynamic.
Gumede has been noticed before … in 2009 he played KZN Under 12 as either a hooker or a prop if I recall correctly.
Last year he was very much in the mix at final KZN 7’s trials but got pipped at the line by another Kloof player Eli Sibisi.
It would seem Jeremy Mclaren is not only having a positive influence on his team results but also developing individuals in their own right. I sincerely hope they give this guy a chance at the main trials.
@beet: i would be seriously disappointed to see Foster or Furniss not make it due to quota.
@vlei: Mthembu is an yster but he is having difficulty with lineout work. Northwood were using Vic Hurman last time I checked. I think Mthembu’s best chance might be as a prop.
@Pedantic: Gumede sounds like a good prospect. It’s always exciting to come across an unknown players that rise to the occasion at trials.
@vlei: it’s a very good question Vlei. No I don’t think he is a fetcher at all. Even if he gets to the ball fast enough he does not possess the body shape or low centre of gravity strength to worry anyone. Like Pedantic says not much choice in this dept. It will be great if one of the small schools could provide KZN with one. For me Palvie would make the best 6 then Dixon could move to 8 but I doubt they would do this even if it provided better team balance.
1. Els
2. Wiseman
3. Mchunu
4. Sesink-Clee
5. Qoma
6. Xaba
7. Dixon
8. Palvie
9. Dahl
10. Pretorius
11. Guma
12. Tedder
13. Du Randt
14. Mukendi
15. Furniss
16. Mthembu
17. Mazibuko
18. Klopper
19. Sadiki ( lock/ flank/ 8)
20. Simpson
21. Bossr
22. Foster
House ; 7
Glenwood; 7
Kearsney; 2
DHS; 1
Northwood 1
Westville ; 2
Hilton 1
College 1
@Pedantic: Wiseman is a decent fetcher, don’t think Van Vuuren is good enough just yet. Zander Prinsloo and Walters from MHS are both u19 and are both fetchers.
@vlei: Better question … do we have a fetcher in KZN ? I would like to see van Vuuren there.
@beet: Is Xaba a good enough fetcher?
Had a brief look at U16 Highway trials … all I saw was Dylan Richardson, absolutely outstanding young player!
@beet: Tough job being a selector! They are going to have a hard time picking this team.
@vlei: Cool now you have to arrange those choices to accommodate 4 props, 9 PDI of which 5 must be on the field at all times barring injury. So you have to give thought to your Day 2 team as well.
@star: From what I saw today @ Highway trials – just my opinion, so don’t shoot it down:
1. Els
2. Prinsloo
3. Stoltz
4. Gumede (although he was at 8, I think they should try him at 4 – good trial!)
5. Meyer
6. Geldhart / Croshaw / Grant (no-one really stood out)
7. Dixon
8. Devon Muller
9. Vorster
10. Ritchie / van Rooyen (shows patches of great play and then destroys it with some diabolical decision making)
11. Wheeler (Played 13 but is a natural wing)
12. Tedder
13. Watts
14. Pau
15. Nesbit
Of the others:
2. Van Vuuren got very little game time while Lee showed enough to get a shot at main trials.
8. Miller (KC) has another year but might get a shot.
9. Kitching – Classy, but seems to be frustrated and not playing his normal consistent game.
Mahlangu – was played at 15 today and didn’t take to it well, hoping they take him along as a wing.
Might have left some out, but that’s all I can think of off the top of my head.
My predictions per school:
House : 6
Glenwood: 5
Westville: 5
Kearsney 2
College 2
Hilton 1
DHS 1
@Pedantic: agree with you 100%.
@beet: Foster’s defense is unbelievable as well. Dubizane can have his chance next year.
@beet: I personally think Foster will be more of an asset to a CW team than Du Randt – he has the same pace and elusiveness with superior skills, I would go as far to say he one of the best backs I’ve seen in KZN this year along with the likes of Tedder and Bossr (when he’s on form).
@vlei: Yeah Saturday not a game for Greg Miller’s CV. I’m not sure you can rate many HC players apart from their props based on the way the game unfolded and the game plan adopted. But vs KC Bottriell had a far greater impact than Anderson.
@vlei: Walters has had his chance in 2013 and 2014. You now have to measure him against boys playing Young Guns and provincial u19.
@vlei: You can include Foster in a strongest possible KZN team at the moment but to include him in a CW team means you will have to leave out another PA player
I still don’t get how Glenwood would automatically get more reps…..Dames and Pinheiro surely can’t have swaying vote. In my opinion Pinheiro really shouldn’t be there at all, he doesn’t even coach a 1st team. On merit Glenwood should get Klopper, Mchunu, Xaba, Palvie, Bossr, Du Randt, Morgan and Mukendi in either the CW or Academy side, I don’t think many will argue with that. Dubizane is an outside choice based on PD requirements…
Walters (u19) would be my first choice 6.
@vlei: Bottriel did nothing on Saturday. Anderson ( who didn’t even attend Midlands trials ) handled him easily.
@beet: I still think Foster must play considering he is brilliant at fullback or wing. That way he can back up both positions and Bossr wouldn’t be needed since Tedder can back up 10. Dahl is a classy 9, and I am sure him and Bader have a chance of SA schools. They might possibly do what they did to Bader last year and send Bossr to AW? This team has potential
@Pedantic: Please give us your impression of the trials and who stood out for you.
@beet: Glover was immense at PBHS, easily the best player on the field. Attack and defense.
@vlei: I’ll take a bash with quota considered
1 Els^
2 Wiseman^
3 Mchunu*
4 Qoma*
5 Sinsink-Clee^
6 Xaba*
7 Dixon^
8 Palvie^
9 Dahl^
10 Pretorius^
11 Mukendi*
12 Tedder^
13 Du Randt^
14 Mahlangu*/Guma*
15 Furniss^
16 Prinsloo^/Swanepoel^
17 Klopper^
18 Mazibuko*
19 Ntuli*/Sadiki*
20 Simpson^
21 Ndabandaba*
22 Morgan*/Bossr*
But for me Stolz, Foster very good players. Have not seen enough of Kriel this year.
I really like Glover of MC as well but as a 6 and although he had a quite game vs MHS Bottriell of HC is big, strong and direct with decent hands.
Also Mr T of NW is one of my favs but have not seen enough of him
@Gungets Tuft: What do you think of Tonny Mahlangu?
@vlei: You didn’t see Guma against PBHS. He’ll be there, or I will go into a 12 month sabbatical on all sports commentary.
@vlei: To be honest I expect all the 50:50 calls with regards to u18 selection to go the way of Glenwood.
Under different circumstances I think Bossr’s ability to play fullback is what he’ll depend on to get selected, otherwise Tedder would be backup 10. My view will be to play Pretorius in all 3 games.
If however they go with Xaba as captain or Day 2 captain , it could mean that Pretorius sits one out like T. Tedder did last year and makes Bossr’s selection an easier decision. So I think Xaba pretty much in.
I think based on current form Furniss and Foster are the best 15’s in KZN but Morgan is a useful player and might get the nod as he will help satisfy the PDI requirement.
I think Tonny will give incumbent Guma a run for his money but the SA Sch selectors may pressure for Guma to be in as he was shortlisted for SA 7’s last year and must figure in their long term plans. Mukendi has been in good form after a slow start to the season.
The Westville props deserve a consideration but trials will probably not be too kind to either Westville or College kids.
I love watching Pervelle and Klopper play. They are both exciting grafters. Perhaps a AW berth for Pervelle. Klopper with a realistic chance of CW.
Mchunu probably a definite for CW
Hooker anyone’s guess. Botha being at Glenwood probably has the inside track to one of the slots. Wiseman, Swanepoel and Prinsloo could all be choices. All have plenty to offer.
Meyer a surprise package this season and holding thumbs that he makes it. Evans of Clifton not bad but I’m not sure the other private schools will want Clifton to be able to market that they have a CW player. Sinsink-Clee and Qoma must be the hot favourites.
Dixon and Palvie pick themselves. I can’t see a place for de Marigny in the CW team unless one of two above are injured. SDdM has excitement factor but might be a luxury with so few slots available and the CW team really needs to have a fetcher type player in the mix. Ndabandaba would make more sense as a Day 2 loosie but KZN might want his teammate Ntuli for his size or even Sadiki.
Dahl easy first choice. Simpson has to be the frontrunner for backup. Nationally there is a shortage of good 9’s so we are lucky.
Tedder a must at centre. Not sure what Kriel’s form is like. Can’t see Du Randt being left out either – he has x-factor. If the selectors are still looking at players during trials, centre could be a hot contest berth for prospects.
@Gungets Tuft: With Foster in the form he is in I can’t see how he won’t feature which makes it between Mukendi and Guma?
@beet: who would your 22 be at this point in time?
@vlei: Add Guma (definite) and Swanepoel.
@vlei: The squads are still 22.
This is a problem to work around as the other requirement is 4 props compulsory.
I suspect the reason for not increasing the squads to 23 is to do with quota which is 9 and would possibly been upped to 10.
@Grasshopper it will be very interesting.
Is it 23 or 22 per squad? Tony and Morgan will definitely go to Academy week. Possibly Bossr to get more game time.
@vlei: Good side that, what about Mchunu from Glenwood? OR is he under19. He smashed the College front row and is great in the loose..
@vlei: Can’t argue with much of that, but we need 9 PDI.
Others to consider .. Morgan from GW, Mr T from Northwood, Tony from Westville, Ndabandaba & Ntuli from DHS … a few more but I’m rushing off now to Highway trials
I also think the Westville front row are easily the best in the province and will have decent representation.
Possible craven week team 2015 :
1. A Peverelle (Hilton)
2. M Wiseman (Michaelhouse)
3. C Klopper (Glenwood )
4. J Sesink-Clee (Michaelhouse)
5. S.Qoma (Westville)
6.N Xaba (Glenwood)
7. T Dixon (Kearsney) (VC)
8.M Palvie (Glenwood)
9. M Dahl (Hilton) (C)
10. B Pretorius (Michaelhouse)
11. I Mukendi (Glenwood)
12. J Tedder ( Kearsney)
13 D Du Randt ( Glenwood)
14. V Foster (Michaelhouse)
15. M Kriel/L Furniss ( College/Mhs)
16. C Botha (Glenwood)
17. L Mazibuko (Michaelhouse)
18. J Meyer (Kearsney)
19 S De Marigny (Hilton)
20. G Simpson (DHS)
21. J.Bossr (Glenwood)
22. M Kriel/L Furniss (College/MHS)
Please share feedback!
@Rugger fan: U16 trials are on the same days as U18 as far as I know.
Not sure about U13
Thanks beet – is there any news on the U16 and U13 trials for GK & Jnr CW?