Former Springbok flyhalf Braam van Straaten has been appointed as the new St Charles College (Pietermaritzburg) fulltime Rugby Specialist with immediate effect. The positive vibes already coming out of St Charles, who’s rugby is set for another spike over the few year, speaks volumes about van Straaten’s potential to do an outstanding job as he’s made the great impression in next to no time at all. The 44-year-old former Wonderboom High School student is just one of many personal changes set to reshape the fairly small KZN Tier-1 rugby scene, which has a bit of a reputation for it’s high turnover of 1st XV rugby officials.
Prior to the Braam announcement, the lead story following the conclusion of the 2016 season, has to have been the news that yet another coach with recent 1st XV rugby experience was jumping ship at Westville. Roland Norris, the now former Westville 1st XV coach, became the fourth such coach in under a year to let it be known that he was terminating his services. Fortunes can change overnight in schoolboy rugby and Norris is definite proof of this. Just 12 months back a man who continues to be one of most likeable officials in SBR, was also considered a bit of a hero in Westville circles, having been promoted to the 1st XV assistant coaching role during the season and having an immediate impact that contributed towards a turnaround in playing form of the 2015 team. This no doubt added weight to his successful bid to become head coach and his star really appeared to be on the rise, as he was also “promoted” to the KZN Craven Week assistant coaching position ahead of 2016. However Westville’s 2016 campaign proved to be a disastrous one, their worst season in over a decade. Compounding the misery was that there were high expectations for the team before the season kicked off. After just a season in charge, Norris has thrown in the towel.
There is no real news to report back on who will be the next Westville 1st XV coach. The last official word received was that “nothing has been decided yet.” All along u16A coach Dirkie Strydom seemed like one of the strongest contender but the complication is that he’s already the director of rugby and although being dedicated to both roles can and has been achieved by many others, it is much trickier balancing act than those outside the school rugby structures generally assume or are willing to give credit to.
Norris on the other hand is all set to join Glenwood neighbourhood based primary school Penzance (Chad le Clos’ old school), where he’ll team up with former Westville Boy’s High marketing man Hennie Havemann, who recently became the principal of that co-ed.
Primary School headmasters are a bit of a theme this offseason.
Maritzburg College who are one of the schools that was serviced by a director of rugby slash head coach in the form of Kevin Smith, have made the move to split the two functions. They recently advertised their Head Coach position, leaving the path clear for Smith to focus on shaping College’s rugby as whole in the form of an organizer of teams and the coach of the coaches. The successful head coach applicant was none other than Ryan Kyle. If you blinked for too long, you might have missed it and not realized that Kyle had even left College for a very short while. He actually went back to Port Shepstone to become the headmaster of Creston College’s prep. Without knowing the details, it obviously did not work and the MCOB looks set to be welcomed back with open arms, providing College with a very clearly defined job spec’d rugby focus, beginning in 2017.
The Glenwood Prep headmaster appointment is unlikely to have a direct or immediate impact on the province’s 1st XV coaching scene, but it does offer the hope of better Craven Week performances down the line as well as creating some buzz around who will be KZN’s next high schools’ rugby chairman. From a Craven Week perspective it would be ideal if the successor could be someone with the vision, leadership and hands on experience of what it takes to drive an effective programme, but one can’t ignore the reality that this appointment might have is a lot more to do with popularity than a solid track-record or the right rugby credentials.
After a disappointing Craven Week, KZN head coach Rudi Dames looked like his position might be under threat. However recently he along with all the other KZN coaches got the nod of approval to continue on in their respective roles in 2017. Next year Dames looks set to take charge of a very strong KZN under-18 team and although expectations will be proportionately high, it’s a good opportunity for him to lay down a marker and simultaneously restore some lost pride to the province who even before he came on board were looooong overdue for a better 3-match under-18 youth week performance.
On the Glenwood front, there is also no confirmed news about who will occupy what coaching role in 2017. A guess would be that Dames could move into the position of director of coaching, while assistant Mike Vowles makes the step to head coach, a high school rugby position he is well acquainted with, having performed the duty at Westville a few years ago. KZN Academy Week coach Jeremy McLaren may also be elevated from the Green Machine’s u16A to 1st XV coach or assistant. However this is all still speculation at this stage and things could shape up a lot differently. It’s probably best to just wait for the official announcements.
KZN Grant Khomo under-16 coach Sam Mofokeng will complete a full circle move when he returns to Michaelhouse. After leaving House, Mofokeng spent short spells at St Alban’s in Pretoria and then Kearsney. From a rugby perspective this should prove to be a great move for the teacher and up-and-coming coach. Earlier in the year, mention was made of how he was the only non-1st XV coach in a KZN youth week leading role but from next year that will no longer be the case as he is set to assist with the 1st XV in Balgowan.
@coach: Yes that is true. Moving yo Jeppe. Mzeke Nkosi is taking over from him as head coach at KES. Mzeke also second coach for CW team 2017
@Riempies: @Riempies: @Riempies: My mate in Gauteng tells mean that former KES coach, and current Craven Week coach, Carl Spilhaus, is on his way across the divide to coach at Jeppe in 2017. Sounds like a huge scoop for Jeppe.
@Rugger fan: Steve Botha is the best rugby coach at College. A proven track record at this level but sadly overlooked. Simply cannot believe the stupidity of not appointing him.
Is there any confirmation that Hans Coetzee is joining Noordheuwel?
@BoishaaiPa: I can like to skeer my gat af for your response with regards to your tenses with relations to Braam.
Mooi man????
The English translation ala Google for the souties from KZN and for Spiesie who is also in the last outpost now!..
“Wonder if Braam now going to take his son from Grey College and along St. Charles is taking. He is / was 0 / 15A team flyhalf for SCI”??????
Wonder of Braam nou sy seun uit Grey College gaan neem en saam St Charles toe vat. Hy is/was die 0/15A span losskakel vir GCB.
@Andre T: Windgat I say Mr T??
@Buddy:
Me
@Speartackle: you referring to?
That’s a big signing for SC. Their rugby has been improving a lot and this will be the next step.
Grant Bashford has certainly helped Northwood’s cause and has also helped to attract better coaches.
However it is still a looong road, and take times and money to catch up to the likes of Kearsney, Glenwood, College etc.
I wish him and SC all the best
Sharks rugby sitting with one of the most knowledgeable okes in SBR and they ignoring it.
@Rugger fan: Sounds like Steve Botha will be working with the u14A’s along with MJ Smit
@Rugger fan: Good news for College, the intense heat and dust storms of the Emirate probably not to his and his families liking…
Other news at MC is that ex Director of Rugby is also back on staff after a sojourn in the UAE (Abu Dhabi / Dubai) which included time running the Sharks UAE Rugby Academy and teaching.
He is sure to bolster the coaching staff and support where needed.
http://www.news24.com/archives/witness/from-greytown-to-dubai-steve-botha-on-nurturing-rugby-talent-in-uae-20150430
http://sport360.com/article/rugby/12080/steve-botha-hunting-uae-rugby-talent-sharks-way
http://www.saschoolsports.co.za/rugby/kwazulu-natal/steve-botha-maritzburg-college-director-of-rugby.html
I would love to see a similar article for what is happening at Lions and school level here in Gauteng.
The grave vine is filled with coaches moving from the one school to the other.
Have the 2016 CW coaches contracts been extended for 2017, or should they look at some new blood?