Maritzburg College teacher Tim Orchard has been promoted and will effectively replace fellow MCOB Francois Lubbe in the 1st XV setup. Lubbe is leaving for Australia at the end of the 2015. Orchard will manage the forwards while another Old Boy and former 1st XV player Kevin Smith will continue in his dual role as 1st XV Head Coach and Director of Rugby.
College rugby coaches for 2016
1st XV: Kevin Smith and Tim Orchard
2nd XV: Ruan Lombard, Cameron Fraser and Bruce Henderson
U16A: Bruce Collocott and Darren Sheriff
U15A: Ryan Kyle and Ruan Lombard
U14A: Joe Morgan, Chris Luman, M-J Smit
Director of Rugby: Kevin Smith
Master in Charge of Rugby: Ryan Kyle
About Tim Orchard – a true Red Black White blooded College man
Tim’s rugby career started off like so many Midlands youngsters, by participating in the ‘littlies’ world cup that was played on Snows , with the parents all sitting absorbed watching the College 1st XV engaged in varied titanic struggles on Goldstones. Tim started playing rugby when he began at Merchiston in 1993. He played A-team rugby and finished off in the primary school 1st XV in 1995. He played both lock and prop at school. At College he played A-age group rugby starting with the U14A right up to playing for the Under 16A. His under 14A coach being the legendary MCOB Dave Anderson. At under 15 level he was selected for the Natal under 15 Elite squad. In the open section he played for the 4th and 5th XV’s.
After school, 2001 – 2004, he studied at the UKZN campus for his B.Ed and PGCE qualification. He played under-20 and 2nd team rugby there. He graduated from there in 2004 and took up a teaching post at Maritzburg College, teaching geography and history there where he still teaches. In this time he continued playing rugby for UKZN Pmb. 1sts and gained selection to the Natal Duikers. He retired from club rugby after playing for Noodsberg. He has coached teams all over College ranging from the U14C, u15B, u16B to the u15A where he coached for two seasons before becoming the 2nd XV assistant coach in 2015. He has his level 2 coaching certificate and would love to be able to go the level 3 qualification. He has been involved in coaching at UKZN Pmb rugby as well.
Info provided by a family member
@beet:
Well you just wait and see…I’ll enjoy seeing that smug on your face gradually disappear 
@GreenBlooded:
I’m running the Two Oceans on the 26th. Unless I can miraculously be at Botha’s Hill for the Thursday games then fly back out to CT that evening/following morning…but that’s highly unlikely.
@GreenBlooded: Bwahaha. The best thing about flea markets is that they give others an excuse to have an extra beer or 7.
@Murrayfield: Hi Murrayfield. Are you able to tell us about what sort of working relationship you will have with College?
@Playa: Well spotted Playa. I have changed it from 2003/05 to 1993/9 5and decided that the best way I can reward you is by letting that whole EC Top 3 thing just slide when August rolls around and I’m right. I’ll go on record now that I won’t be making a big deal about it or rubbing your face in it in August. That won’t happen…. in 2016
@Playa:
Flea market?
@beet: Got a bit confused by the timeline there beet. I presume he was at Merchiston from 1993 to 1995, and not 2003-2005?
Great to see some young blood coming through the ranks, especially for his alma mater. Looking forward to the clash against College at KERF…too bad I wont be there to see as planned.
@GreenBlooded: Good luck to Maritzburg College and their coaching staff. Looking foward to meet them!
Great news – Orch is a rugby man and a College man to the marrow. And just an all round good bloke. Hope he has a great season.
Great to see Tim working his way up the rankings. I’m really happy for him. I don’t think it could happen to a nicer guy.
@Rugger fan: Yeah 2 passionate coaches who would take a bullet for their school. Not exactly great news for any opposition.
Good luck Tim and Kevin – good to see some “new” blood in the coaching set up. Wishing them well as an loyal OB.