Not to be taken too seriously because real KZN trials start in a little over a week, here are my personal picks based on form in the lead up to Easter.
| # | NAME | SCHOOL | INFO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Els | Westville | He needs to set the highest goals from himself this season. Does well in all facets – Good at scrumming, high broken play workrate, good hands and a natural feel for the game. He could go far in pro rugby as well. |
| 2 | Nthuthuko Mthembu | Northwood | One of the most exiting KZN player to watch because of his passion and intensity. Robust and physical to the nth degree. “Mr T” as he’s affectionately known does however have a huge challenge if he wants to make the Craven Week team as hooker. He is currently NOT Northwood’s lineout thrower, indicating that it is a major weakness in his game. Every match at CW is vital and the lineout setpiece can be the difference between winning and losing a match. |
| 3 | Shawn Stolz | Westville | Surprisingly he wasn’t included in the initial KZN HP squad. He’s turning out to be an outstanding prospect. |
| 4 | Sibabalo Qoma | Westville | Another nice physical player who makes a big contribution at the collision points thanks to his bulk. He must continue to work on his ball retention and mobility. For rugby after school he may have to consider moving to the frontrow. |
| 5 | Jordan Sinsink-Clee | Michaelhouse | A tall lock with good lineout skills and decent work ethic. Would like him to lift his aggression level a bit. Even though grunt isn’t an essential for a no.5 lock, someone forgot to share that script with a number of other leading no.5 around the country. |
| 6 | Craig Glover | Maritzburg College | Plays no.8 for his school but given his build, speed and strength, he could do very well at 6, where Kevin Smit was the leading contender until injury ended his season. |
| 7 | Tristan Dixon | Kearsney | Another full house player who is high up on every rugby union’s wishlist right now. A big player that combines skills, speed and power. |
| 8 | Marco Palvie | Glenwood | It feels like he is yet to produce his best form this season but still very good, particularly as an uncompromising ballcarrier capable of dominating collisions. |
| 9 | Matthew Dahl | Hilton | A classy thinking player who needs to take full advantage of there not being that many talked about scrumhalves around SA this year. |
| 10 | Bader Pretorius | Michaelhouse | A rock solid reliable player and very focused as well. Incredibly strong on his feet. These days there is so much competition for the no.10 jersey in SA but expect BWP to be in with a shot of SA Schools inclusion based on talent alone. |
| 11 | Xolisa Guma | Maritzburg College | An X-factor capable of producing the “wow” moments. Has one of the best lateral movements in the game to go with deceptive pace. |
| 12 | Keaton Bottriel | Hilton | The 1.85m, 98kg centre is surprise package of the season and probably Greg Miller’s first success story since joining Hilton. Very direct like Wayne Smith was last year except where Smith had a yard or two advantage in pace, Bottriel has better distributions skills. Committed tackler as well. |
| 13 | James Tedder | Kearsney | Versatile player who can play all the positions from 10-15. Quick, skillful, able to read the game well and also good on defence. A reliable goal kicker. |
| 14 | Donovan Du Randt | Glenwood | Plays 13 for his school, where he is their best attacking player. Very quick off the mark, an eye for a gap and good ability to penetrate. However still challenged when it comes to linking and forever plagued by temperament issues. Given what happened with Bradley Else a few couple of years back, it might be wise to help the player now, rather than endure the backlash over a surprise omission after KZN trials |
| 15 | Liam Furniss | Michaelhouse | Living up to the promise he showed in 2014. Has good footwork to add to his attacking package and has improved his line kicking |
Challengers that are going strong:
| # | NAME | SCHOOL | INFO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Klopper | Glenwood | Quite quick off the mark to add to his usefulness in the traditional aspects of frontrow play. With Lee Marvin Mazibuko (Michaelhouse) and teammate Khutha Mchunu amongst the favourites to travel to Craven Week, CK has his work cut out for him. |
| 2 | Sam Swanepoel | Maritzburg College | The Craven Week hooker berth is an open race with no clear-cut favourite. SS is the player who probably holds the edge right now. He’s got a nice build, a decent throw and is a useful ballcarrier. Strong compo is likely to come from tough Matt Wiseman (Michaelhouse), the improving Joshua van Vuuren (Kearsney) and Hendrik Prinsloo (Westville). |
| 4/5 | JP Pelser / Jared Meyer | Westville/ Kearsney | Two under-17 locks who have surprised this season and definitely placed themselves in strong contention to represent KZN at a youth week in July. Clifton’s 2.04m giant Andrew Evans will be another who will be out to surprise opponents during KZN inter-schools matches. |
| 6 | Under Christo Wilkinson’s guidance, DHS players have become lethal at the breakdown, so a player like Luyanda Ndabandaba and his partner in the ball stealing crime Sibusiso Mkhalipi are value-adders. Kelton Thunder (College) isn’t the biggest player but produced a player of the match type effort against Westville. Another not to be overlooked is Ruben Vosloo (Clifton). | ||
| 8 | Sebastian D. de Marigny | Hilton | A noticeable player on the field with a good burst of pace. Behind him are no.8’s Mthokosizi Ntuli (DHS) and Mulalo Sadiki (Michaelhouse) |
| 9 | Gareth Simpson | DHS | A very good halfback who can cover at 10. College’s Kyle Bowman and Corey Rattray have also caught the eye. |
| 10 | Jerome Bossr | Glenwood | On his day he can be absolutely brilliant. |
| 12 | Gert Coetzee | DHS | A genuine ballplayer that’s starting to draw a lot of attention in his new role at centre. Creative touches. Although currently at wing Ruan van Rensburg (Glenwood) made some positive contributions in midfield. |
| 12/13/15 | Matt Kriel | Maritzburg College | Injury held him during the 1st term. Quite a big player who can challenge the gainline with ball in hand and is relatively calm under pressure. |
| 14 | Tony Mahlangu | Westville | An x-factor due to his incredible straightline speed. Lots of compo at wing as well where Craven Week incumbent Ilunga Mukendi (Glenwood) is starting to find form, pacy Victor Foster (Michaelhouse) is looking threatening, strong runner James Wheeler (Westville) seems to get over the advantage line at will and dangerous Darren McGhee (Hilton) would be totally at home in the Craven Week team. |
| u19’s | Excluded from the list are a few u19’s who have excelled so far. Shane Ball (Westville 15), Phiko Sobahle (Northwood 13) and Jack Walters (Michaelhouse 7). Craven Week 2014 player Bandise Ndlovu of Voortrekker impressed over Easter while on a Western Cape tour. |
@star:
Never again!
@star: Well spotted, Morgan definitely a chance of selection, shown decent form even when everything was falling apart around him.
@Playa: Just keeping in real and interesting. How boring would the blog be without letting a bit of moon light in?
I also looked for you in the beer tent but to no avail. Your wife had obviously checked up on our profiles and decided to keep you at a healthy arms length. With GT and GB in the picture I honestly do not blame her. 
I think GT has set out a few ” theories” of his own on potential selection issues. Let us hope that the ” clear and obvious” based on individual and team performance that Beet has detailed and which has not been met with any derision by the local punters holds sway.
@ Beet- JP is out for the season and I am curious no mention of Morgan who won a Sharks bursary.
@GreenBlooded: Good to know St Peter’s is good, it’s next to my offices…
@Rugger fan: Yep, if he is still alive ask if he remembers Warwick Crewe-Brown…
@GreenBlooded: Yep the boys prep is a powerhouse in junior schools, while the girls prep is fast becoming one.
@Vleis:
My brother-in-law’s kids (boy and girl) are at St Peters – only heard good things.
@Grasshopper: Must have been one of those guys my dad had to learn names of – he left in 1944 or 45 (just missed the war)! Was in Hill House (I believe that is long gone)?
@Grasshopper: As you say, it depends where you live and work, but the best school for girls in Jhb (and indeed the country in my opinion) is St Mary’s. Perhaps I’m biased though, as my daughter is there. Kingsmead and Brescia are very good schools re academics and culture, but their sport teams are poor. As far as I’m aware, it is very difficult to get girls into the junior schools, but a lot less difficult to get them into the senior schools – especially if they’re good at sport/academics/etc.
If you’re living in the Fourways/Broadacres/Sunninghill area then I’d opt for either Dainfern Prep or St Peter’s prep for your daughter. I’m on the Board of Governors of Dainfern, so can confirm that the earlier the better as they have waiting lists for grade 0, but not as hectic as the monastics.
@Roger: Sometimes I stop taking my medication so I don’t have to live with myself, I can deal with the “other” oke. At least he drinks …
@GreenBlooded:
In the words of the great Nelson Mandela…”Never…and never again!”. That was the ultimate rookie error. 
@Playa:
Do you mean the great Moon Hoax of 2015?
Hey – what happened to you at KERF? Ou GT and myself drank ourselves stukkend in the beer tent waiting for you. Running around to flea-markets with the missus during a rugby festival is a clear indication that you are still putting the marbles in the jar………
@Roger: Yep, Broadacres to be precise. Just renting there until I can find the best area and buy. I’m working in Sunninghill so it’s a long bumper to bumper trek in the morning. 45mins to do 12km is like London. Agreed, St Stithians or Brescia House seem best, St Stithians easier for both a girl and boy…..but jeez the waiting list is like over 1000…
@Rugger fan: hahah, yeah my grandad turns 90 in August, KES Old Boy. Played in the 1942 & 1943 side, still have his pics too..
@Vin: @Rugger fan: dodgy food, dodgy refs, dodgy water and dodgy College old boys – sound like fun!
@Rugger fan: I agree wouldn’t be caught dead with them. I’m traveling down for the college/KES game, really looking forward to it.
@Grasshopper: Our resident star conspiracy theorist is probably making a link between your move to Jozi and the sudden land grabs in Ballito…and shucks maybe even the xeno attacks in kwaMashu
What happened?You of all people moving up there?Did you swop the Durban poison for the Swazi stuff perhaps???
@Grasshopper: Dodgy characters from KES
—– my old man was an OB – really looking forward to the college / KES game in a few weeks – I just found a photo of my old man’s rugger team at KES from the 1940’s
@Grasshopper: sounds like you have settled in the Fourways area and , without knowing where your offices are, I wouldn’t go beyond Brescia, St Peters or St Stithians. Kingsmead, Rodean, St Marys and St Andrews are just too far!
Otherwise you have your new age schools like Dainfern and Herronbridge
@Vin: My wife went to St Andrews for her first 6 years of school (ex Senderwood resident), just a little too far. Also St Mary’s and Rhodean are too far…actually St Johns & KES are not in picture as they border Hillbrow ;-)
@GreenBlooded: I think I will actually. Does the cameo ref have a cut thumb :-)
@Gungets Tuft: really crap – properly sh#t – hate it here!
@Grasshopper: Welcome to the big smoke Hopper, all the good girls schools names there except my 2 favourites – St Marys and St Andrews. I can get you application forms to a little piece of heaven in Houghton if you are interested for your son, we know there is a bit of Red in that blood already.
(and by the way congrats).
@Roger: hahah, the Sharks need their old boys like Warren Whiteley and the Michaelhouse twins back…lacking leadership….
@Roger: Yep, unfortunately the lure of the measly Rand dragged me kicking and spitting up to the Land of the Minedump. Hopefully for not too long. Had to put my daughters name down at like 6 schools waiting lists which are hundreds long. Luckily my sister put in a little word at Kingsmead. The buggers up here want R500 just to put a name down. So waiting for Brescia House, St Peters, St Stithians, Kingsmead, St Theresa’s & Dainfern to confirm yay or nay! Nevermind my little boy is due in a month…probably need to get his name down now….
@Roger: How sh#t must Chunnisbeg be that we would all still rather be here.
@Gungets Tuft: its all falling apart down there – land grabs, looting, rioting, foreigners fleeing – and to top it all the Sharks can’t buy a win!
@Roger: You’ve been inhaling diesel again I assume ..??
@Gungets Tuft: how’s life in Durban North ol Gungets – a touch better, I’ll wager, than life in Umlazi or KwaMashu ?
@Grasshopper: well done Grasshopper – did you finally realize Jozi is where its at business wise – or did the EFF try lay claim to your home in Balito
@Gungets Tuft: @Gungets Tuft: I wish you were wrong…
@Grasshopper: Expect a few foreign players to have finally learned to pass to their right so they should be a shoo-in for final trials. Expect a few surprise Westville and College exclusions, backed up by the usual homilies that the final choices were better than them anyway.
Bones will be thrown to schools that have been thumped by tier one schools, but those schools having a bizzare representation on the selectors panel.
Expect a nice explanation of why the rule (instituted when Ryan Strudwick applied for a selectors postion) of why it is suddenly OK to have a selector or coach that is NOT a teacher. Strudders was excluded on those grounds.
Living in the Big Smoke – eeisch. You must have committed some grievous misdeeds in a previous life to deserve that.
@Grasshopper:
Pull in to PBHS when College come up. 1st May. You might see a couple of guest referees in action………..
Where is old Roger, I would like to tell him I’ve moved up to the big smoke, not enjoying the traffic jams on William Nicol, but hey ho. Might pop into KES, Affies and PBHS for a few games….
@Gungets Tuft: OK, so will it be a Glenwood thing or a College/Westville exclusion thing. Just trying to work out what you are expecting…
@Grasshopper: The selections will still be lopsided. There is way too much horsetrading going on in the background for that to not happen. Selector and coaching positions being traded for votes, expect a few extremely dodgy invites to final trials and a few obvious exclusions from either trials at all, or final trials.
The selections for trials will involve selecting boys based on what is vaguely defendable (I’m not talking about the really obvious ones like Palvie and Dixon), then reward schools who have supported the status quo in the selection and coaching hierarchy. Once again you will have boys selected who would not make second teams at other schools.
I would love to be proved wrong, but I doubt I will.
Beet, looks a good 2 sides that, although I believe a few more boys are in the mix. Palvie and Dixon are certainties in the forwards, bar injury. Personally I think Dixon is a lock at this level. In terms of 1 school getting all the picks, that won’t happen this year, the schools are all too even to have that.
Bader Pretorius at no 10 is really a good player, he was at PRG u 14 & 15, he actually captained this strong group of players at PRG that’s now in grade 12, he’s also a very good golfer, not sure whether still plays though!
http://www.wbhs.co.za/?p=4503
I ALSO FEEL DONOVAN MUST MOVE TO WING IT WILL FORCE HIM TO RUN
A STRAIGHT LINE. I ALSO FEEL RUAN VAN RENSBURG MUST STAY AT 12 FOR GLENWOOD PLAYED REALLY WELL AGAINS KEARSNEY AND M/HOUSE.
PLAY BOSSR AT 15 AND NOT AT 10 HE IS A 15,AND A REALLY GOOD ONE.
THE BOY DO NOT WANT TO PLAY 10.
@Pedantic:
“I wonder if this is the year we will see an evenly distributed team and not 12 or 13 from a single school, I certainly hope so!”
Unfortunately I’m not going to hold out for this
On the thread of the KZN trials it has to be noted that all selectors only have to be at one regional trial, which in itself might say something.
A lot I would like to say about this without offending the schoolboys, parents officials and old boys who are not part of this, but honestly without a complete restructure of the Exec so that the top high schools in KZN have a say, things are unlikely to change. That said all the schools on the outside of the circle know what they have to do and if they are prepared to sit back and do nothing, well that’s their indaba then.
@TheGoose: @GreenBlooded: @Pedantic: Personally my feeling is Prinsloo is an outstanding player and should be targeting CW selection this season. Apart from finding more consistency with his throws, I would also like to see him looking to either run into space because he has a bit of explosiveness that is underutilised or meeting to the collisions with as much go-forward momentum behind him. A few times I’ve seen him stop and try to fend off defenders in tight loose situations, a bit like Bismarck du Plessis tends to do but unlike Bissie, HP often gets dominated in these situations. With his speed and 100kgs, I think if he could have turned those cases into frontfoot ball for his team.
@TheGoose: No need to rush or put him under pressure this year, it’s quite clear he is destined for the pro ranks and I’m pretty confident he will be wearing one of the B&W jumpers this season – CW or AW.
I’ve watched this guy throw amazing lineout ball in the past so the ability is definitely there.
@beet: Sorry, was an oversight on my behalf … forgot Guma was at wing.
Just thinking out aloud while trying to balance the required quota with merit players.
@Pedantic: I watched Guma vs Westville and thought hell he is good nick. Just a pity he didn’t get quality ball otherwise he might have had a field day. But that said he is definitely not a banker this season. Tony Mahlangu might be the leading candidate after the holidays. Lets see what Guma and Mukendi deliver this weekend.
@beet What I find interesting is how evenly distributed your choices are in terms of their schools.
This can be seen in the results too as it’s seems it’s a pretty even season in KZN across the board.
I wonder if this is the year we will see an evenly distributed team and not 12 or 13 from a single school, I certainly hope so!
The other challenge for the selectors that you haven’t factored in is the quota requirement of 9 / 22.
With that in mind and with only seeing the players at KERF I would say Mchlangu and Mukendi (with a year experience) are just about shoe-ins, with Mukendi’s form improving drasticaly recently both these players could earn their positions on merit while making the quota issue easier for selectors.
A quick count on your list above …
Probables
Westville 3
Northwood 1
MHS 3
College 2
Kearsney 2
Glenwood 2
Hilton 2
PDI 3/15
Possibles
Westville 3
MHS 4
College 6
Kearsney 2
Glenwood 5
Hilton 2
DHS 5
Clifton 2
PDI 9/29
@Stripes: There is really only one out of place in the backs – the Glenwood 13 who is on the wing. The 12 from HC has been there for 5 games now and the 13 from KC played that possie the whole of last season and featured at trials in that possie. Kriel is another big lad and is expected to make a strong bid for selection. But there is a lot of rugby to come and one can’t discount other contenders.
@GreenBlooded: There’s no doubting du Randt’s attacking ability. I nice defensive test coming up for him on Sat where he could be matched against Kriel.
Westvilles Mahlangu is a revelation – he was exciting every time he touched the ball at KERF and put in some suicidal tackles. He will be a strong CW contender. I’d prefer to see Glenwood’s Du Randt at 13 or 12.
@TheGoose: Agree. But once again, he needs to work on his throwing.
Interesting choices, looks good. Your opinion seems to have included a number of players out of position in the midfield? I also think we need a bit more weight in the midfield if we are to compete with the bigger players from the Free State, WP and Pretoria.
Hooker Hendrik Prinsloo (Westville) was very impressive at KERF.
3 Tightheads in the final 10 minutes of against Menlopark changed that game for them. He’s big and strong too.