A very brief Glenwood correspondence sent to the media today mentions how privileged they are to have boys chosen to represent various KZN youth week teams. Listed are the names of the 21 in total for the under-18 and under-16 age groups. Full stop. End of media message.
Glenwood is once again KZN’s top contributor to under-18 provincial youth week rugby, with 14 representatives split down the middle between the Craven Week and Academy Week teams. Making it a truly remarkable achievement is that no fewer than 6 regular Glenwood 2nd XV or lower players are included in the mix. The players are K. Blose, S. Maduna, A. Pretorius, Q. Vorster, L. Cele and S. Dubazana. In other words, the Glenwood 2nd XV is the joined third largest team contributor to KZN at under-18 level, beating out just about every other 1st XV in the province except Michaelhouse who has 8 players.
| Team | u18 Representatives |
|---|---|
| Glenwood 1st XV | 8 |
| Michaelhouse 1st XV | 8 |
| Glenwood 2nd XV | 6 |
| Westville 1st XV | 6 |
| Kearsney 1st XV | 3 |
| Maritzburg College 1st XV | 3 |
| DHS 1st XV | 2 |
| Hilton 1st XV | 2 |
| Westville 2nd XV | 2 |
| Clifton 1st XV | 1 |
| Kloof 1st XV | 1 |
| Pionier 1st XV | 1 |
| St Charles 1st XV | 1 |
| TOTAL | 44 |
@Gungets Tuft: I had the same experience after the Westville/Kearsney game. I thought the ref had had a solid game( no unnecessary talking points) and so I approached the ref and his assistant as they were leaving the field to congratulate them. Their initial response was please keep your distance but they warmed up when their efforts had been acknowledged. I don’t why people are scared of me. I am such a likeable chap.
Also very happy my team Newcastle escaped the drop. 
@McCulleys Workshop: Liverpool se ma se 6-1 boet. I definitely walk alone most of the time, but especially when it comes to BPL.
@Gungets Tuft: Great stuff. +1 _+1 +1
@Gungets Tuft: Its that Liverpool handshake of yours.
@GreenBlooded: It’s not really a laughing matter, but I have taken to, if I get the opportunity, thanking the ref for his work after matches. On two occasions (PBHS and then Northwood yesterday), the ref almost recoiled as I walked towards them. The relief when I just shook their hand and thanked them for coming out was evident. The oke yesterday – poor bugger, he was walking up the steps next to the pavilion, I called him, you could just see the panic on his face. Shouldn’t be like that …
@Gungets Tuft:
I’m going to convert the serial referee critics even if I have to do it one oke at a time…………
@Grasshopper: Unfortunately the no 8 will be under 19 in 2016
@GreenBlooded: Early last season I decided to put my perceptions to the test with AN. I kept a track of all penalties, what they were for and where they were awarded on the field. By the end of the first half College were well down on the count. I was feeling all vindicated. By the end of the match they were all square (opposition had 1 more), there was no pattern whatsoever.
Testing your bias when it comes to reffing is a great idea.
@umbiloburger:
And often experience goes a long way in a crucial game – and he has loads of that. The ability to keep a cool head when the pressure is on where a fitter, faster lighty would get rattled.
@Pedantic: I don’t anyone will challenge AN what with those biceps
. I like his refereeing, not always spot on but always consistent. He is also always open to chat after the game.
@Grasshopper: Holtzhausen of Noord-Kaap is u19
@beet: The Noord Kaap No8 looked good, not sure his age though. Palvie in 2016 is going to be a beast!
I watched the Klerksdorp vs Lichtenburg game as well. Interesting comparison was Edmund Rheeder, the current SA Schools no8. He’s a smart player and I rate him. He had a good game. However on current form Palvie definitely looks better and more influential at the moment and with the exposure must surely be a leading candidate for SA Schools this year. There is also Ncusane from Boishaai and Len Massyn from Monnas to consider and I’m sure a few other top prospects will pop out of the woodwork at CW, one of them might be Affies Eduan Lubbe, who I think makes a really good flank as well – the same can be said of Rheeder.
A real pity Gimmie Muller Uys has picked up an injury. He could have been right up there as well.
I’m not applying for criticism immunity but the article is not a bad one at all.
Ignore who wrote it and then re-evaluate. I think it’s factual and informative, pointing to a record that’s been established.
There is no attempt made to hide the Westville info which is not a record.
@GreenBlooded: Does that mean AN is going provincial soon? Thank goodness, we might get a break at SBR level.
@McCulleys Workshop: Nonsense – ask the College guys how much they like AN. In fact, ask the house guys also while you’re at it.
@Rugger fan: That’s only when MHS or Hilton beat Kearsney.
@GreenBlooded: Seems like just a few weeks ago everyone was having a go at the poor refs from the Midlands
@McCulleys Workshop:
Fact is: Midlands have produced far more provincial and international level referees than most societies in SA. Craig Joubert and Stuart Berry in recent times with the late Ian Rogers being the other well known candidate with a few other lesser known examples. So despite all the criticism – they must be doing something right and that something is coaching and assessing. As UB says – they set the standard.
@GreenBlooded: Simmo didnt have his greatest game yesterday, but isn’t he a 10? Also why are DHS playing their 10 at 15 and then playing Simmo at 9? Their backs were nowhere yesterday.
IMHO the player of the day was the DHS U16A 9. Don’t know who he is, but he was good.
@GreenBlooded: Dont mention this to Roger or Buffel
@McCulleys Workshop: 14A won 56-0 (stopped early…very early) 15A won 34-3 and 16A won 20-13. The U16 was a close game but GW were off the boil. Set pieces were sloppy, but the 3 week break wasn’t what they needed. The game was refereed very well.
@GreenBlooded: GW were missing some players yesterday…..the score would have been close to 60 when you consider the number of conversions missed in the wind.
As for the referee, like in the earlier game with Lichtenberg and Klerksdorp I think it was, he was more concerned about the assessor than the game. His scrum management was very weak and he was way to close to the tackle. All classic clashes are SARU appointments whilst the M&F are local appointments.
Midlands Refs have always set the bar in terms of growth. I hear from Koos that there are over 30 school boys reffing out of Midlands. Brilliant stuff. Keep it up.
The way I read the article it is about the number of 2nd team players that have been chosen. I am sure there are 2nd team players from all schools that should be playing first teams (and then possibly been chosen for higher honours) but selection is subjective to selectors and individuals. This should make players more determined to prove these selectors and individuals wrong.
For whatever reason Glenwood doing things better (in rugby) than other KZN (national) schools. The other KZN schools need to improve in all spheres to compete. This will not change overnight.
@Grasshopper:
For me, Bossr was on fire yesterday. When he’s on form he is awesome to watch. Gareth Simpson is also a classy player – known him for many moons from club rugger. One has to wonder what could have been if……..
@Gungets Tuft:
I’m sure they do use that, among many other achievements, for marketing purposes. It’s widely accepted that rugby is top marketing for schools – so why shouldn’t they?
What bugs me about articles like this is it’s selectivity. If the issue is 2nd team players at trials, then make it about 2nd team players at trials and include the Westville okes (and others). Ou Beet does a great job of keeping a lid on it, but I guess every so often the safety valve blows and we get a pressure vent……
@umbiloburger:
Ja. I think they could learn a lot from Midlands when it comes to coaching and assessing. It’s pretty non-existant for the guys at the bottom.
I was a little disappointed that a home grown guy didn’t get the main game yesterday – I didn’t think the chap from Joburg managed the scrums very well.
@McCulleys Workshop: yes, that was my personal opinion. By saying 20 I’m meeting halfway. No meds required!
@Grasshopper: You haven’t taken your meds this morning – read your posts on the KZN trials thread – you were outraged and felt only 10 at best should have been sent to trials
Watched the game on TV yesterday, missed the first 10 due to load shedding. I thought Glenwood looked rusty, 3 weeks off. But DHS played with passion. I rated their scrummie. No8 looks a little old but who knows. Palvie on fire again! Looking forward to the big Durban derby next week!
@Gungets Tuft: of course they use that, it’s showing they give as many boys an opportunity as possible, especially PD. I don’t have an issue with that if within the rules. KZN rules should maybe change to say schools can only send 20 players max to trials and be equal for all…
http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/sites/default/files/SPORT%20RESULT%20VS%20D.H.S%20MAY%202015.pdf
@Grasshopper: Not a crime of course, but it does contradict slightly what ou Umbiloburger said here —> @umbiloburger:
And I don’t know too many schools that would claim credit for the selection of boys that have left Glenwood. As in —> http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/glenwood-players-selected-numbers
I remain unconvinced that the number of boys sent to trials and then invited back to final trials is not used for marketing. Without wanting to get ou Greenblooded’s conspiracy eyebrow twitching (
), opportunities abound ….
@umbiloburger: How did the 14/15/16 A sides go
@GreenBlooded: Durban Referees….They have a serious depth issue. One poor lightie had to ref the U15A and 3rds back to back. To comment on his ability…he blew his whistle to restart the games after each try!
Pleasant enough chap, but he should never have been appointed to that level.
Is it now a crime to promote the number of selections a school gets? All schools do it. Yes, some of the Glenwood ‘2nds’ (actually 1st as have a few caps) got picked in the Academy side and maybe a bit ‘lucky’. I also thought 19 hockey provincial picks was quite good…
This weekend will give us a very good indication into how good the Glenwood 2nd team is, when they take on Westville.
Do not be surprised to see a few changes in the Westville 1st team even after beating KES today.
HP had a brilliant game today, the stand out forward player for Ville today.
@Grasshopper: not sure about that. There is also a Hunt and Jooste at 9. Both are brilliant. Should be interesting.
@Goldstones: Same old same old….I wonder how many GW boys would have made it had it not been for the color issue.
@Pedantic:Swanepoel got a raw deal – that is the best way to describe it. It happened last year with Goodson and now with Sam. He deserves an academy place all day long. I do like Lee as a hooker but if you had to choose between the 2, Swanepoel would be my first choice- no disrespect to Lee. Has scored a couple of memorable tries this season, 1 against Westville from 40m out and one against KC from a similar distance. Against Parktown ran one in from 50 for College to win. I think one will find him popping up at a union with at least a bursary or maybe a junior contract when his schooling is done.
@GreenBlooded: At 7 he stands a really good chance. Remind me of a combo of J-L DuPreez and Schramm. Has pace,hands, is physical and puts in some real bone crunching hits. He is top class and the best part, humble. Have had the pleasure of the families company during our years at KC.
@Grasshopper: I agree with Bossr but Dubizane is not in the ‘great’ category ,IMHO. He has a lot of work to do. His pass is average at best. Still ,Glenwood will be the team to beat in 2016
and with Rudi at the helm will get the best out of the diminutive scrumhalf.
Ahhh. Should make SA this year….
@GreenBlooded: No, the HVJR 10 year plus bugger.
@Pedantic:
Our common interest? HP? Selects himself no question. Should be SA next year.
@GreenBlooded: I’m scratching my head at it also … as far as I know, all schools have advertised their provincial selections – it’s what they do
Swanepoel was unlucky, it appears his regional trial put him on the back foot and he couldn’t recover from there – he was in a weak main trials team – it happens. Our common interest had a similair performance in main trials and had to work really hard to get back into contention at the finals.
@Pedantic:
Do you think Lee would displace Swanepoel in the College team? I think not!
@Pedantic:
Yes I know that! But then why the need for this article?
@Grasshopper: Bossr oozes class, I think they need to work on his mental toughness – once that’s sorted there’s no turning back. I find it strange coz he’s a top cricketer which as we know requires huge mental toughness.
With those U16’s coming through and players like Bossr, Palvie and Smit in G11, GW are going to be formiddable in 2016.
I think Blose & Dubizane are great players, Blose adds some grunt at lock. He would make most sides at flank or 8. Dubizane along with Bossr are going to be the Glenwood half backs in 2016, potentially the KZN halfbacks. Although I hope they play Bossr at fullback, he could cause havoc from there…
@McCulleys Workshop: 4/6 for GW 2nds and 1/2 for Westville 2nds.
@GreenBlooded: The Westville 2nd choice hooker is a top class player and was the best lineout thrower at trials – he would make most 1st XV’s. Remember at Westville he is up against probably one of the most exciting U17’s in KZN at the moment.
The 2nd XV Westville wing made it ahead of the 1st XV Wheeler who was one of the unfortunate victims of the quota system along with Kearsney’s lock Meyer who was way better than Blose.
More things at play than what school one comes from unfortunately.
Also, to give some credit most of the Glenwood 2nd team picks have at least 5 1st team caps too, so are actually 1st team players….nearly all played at Kearsney Fest…
@McCulleys Workshop:
The Westville oke isn’t!!
What I would like to know is how many 2nd XV players that made the cut are PD.
@GreenBlooded: HAHA
In the interests of fairness it also needs to be pointed out that a certain Westville 2nd XV player also made the cut ahead of other 1st XV players – most notably the lamented College 1st XV player who got left out in the cold. Maybe he hit lots of rucks…..
Howzit I’mbelowburger – Just when we thought it was safe to go back onto the streets at night and all was cosy in KZN, the GreenMarketingMachine strikes back … Get a grip, you knew it was inevitable
And therein is the question, “are Glenwood’s 2nd XV really better than most other KZN 1st XV teams when they have lost to some the other school’s 2nd XV teams?”