I wanted to throw this one out there for some rational mature feedback because it became a bit of a debate between a few members on my Whatsapp rugby group, starting last night and continuing this morning. It initially revolved around Jan Serfontein, who added the under-20 Player of the Year to his list of rugby awards at the SARU event yesterday. Jan is a bright young prospect and is expected to become Grey College Bloemfontein’s next Bok at some point in the near future.
It was his association with Grey Bloem that sparked the instant messaging disagreement. Two fairly reasonably minded and knowledgeable school rugby followers from the Eastern Cape seemed to take a dim view of Grey College with regards to rugby. The first one suggested that Grey College actually did little for Jan’s development as a player and that all the groundwork for his future success had already been laid at Grey High School in PE, the school Jan attended up until Grade 9 before moving to Bloemfontein. Furthermore the SBR follower insisted that Grey College do poach players and do offer good rugby players bursaries and scholarships via their Old Boys (not the school directly). This was in support of the point that Grey College are not developing the talent themselves but rather importing it. The main controversial comment to back this up was made by the second EC messager. He wrote:
“Grey Bloem do nothing special except for the fact that all these … parents send their good rugby player boys to Grey because it’s the best in the country, why wouldn’t a school that gets about 40-50 u13 Craven Week players in grade 8 not produce Springboks on a regular basis”
Personally I’ve always been a huge admirer of Grey College, believing that they are the leading school in SA when it comes to nurturing rugby talent and paving the way for boys to do well after school . After all they have the Springbok track record to vouch for their success rate. So I was a little taken aback by these comments but like I said above they were from two people who I’ve learnt a lot from and who have educated themselves in the goings on in SBR over the years. For these reasons I cannot help but consider their opinion as much as I disagree with it.
Your input would be appreciated but it has the potential to be a sensitive matter, so please tread carefully if you do choose to comment. How do you feel about Grey College rugby?
comments about DHS and Glenwood moved to here:
http://schoolboyrugby.co.za/blog/?p=1509
@BOG: Bog, not to worry, at your age you have probably lost many things, including your memory. With regards to Andre T’s incident, well that must have been the first time that a cloned card was cloned.
@Prontus: I have lost you there. I have not been in the EC for a while but its pleasing to know that someone is making money there. Until recently, if someone paid with a R200 note, he was immediately arrested on suspicion of forging money. Above, I read about Andre T s debit being cloned in Queenstown. Goodness me, even a thief does not deserve that. Only thing that would beat that in the sadism stakes, would be if he were to become a liver donor.
@Andre T: Don’t understand the question, you must be confusing me with someone from another site.
@Prontus: Why are you a Wynberg fan all of a sudden?
@GreenBlooded: Green, now that is bloody hectic! More gees than I can cope with, so definitely safer here in the Mother City.
@Andre T: Yes, depending on how certain previous arrangements work out I may well pop around, driving from Durbanville side past the Landbou turn-off.
@BOG: You sound like the owner of Eat-Sum-Meat, those boys are coining it along with Farmhouse Enterprizes in Queenstown and the Cold Storage boys in East London, Umtata, Queenstown and King William’s Town.
@Prontus: In Paarl?
Yes, are you also coming through for a day?
@Andre T: Mate not sure if this Yvonne Styger tannie is from the West Rand or not but I’d be careful if I were you – it seems these WesRand tannies have a lot more gees than you might think: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Parents-in-shootout-at-school-prize-giving-20121106#.UJixqsLaQVk.facebook
@Andre T: Suppose with the Spur and golf the only distractions in Klerksdorp, anything will do. You still coming down for the Junior Golf champs in December?
@Gungets Tuft: Ja thanks for that !!
I was at the dinner last week for Jon , great evening that forced a lot of us to put things into perspective !!
however , the entertainment was brilliant with a Q and A sesion with Butch , Craig Joubert , Errol Stewart , Jonty , HD ackerman and many others …very good to see so many guys from many different schools supporting Jon’s Cause with KC and College old boys proving how close the bond is between KZN schools !!
@Prontus: Crikey, Pontius, this is turning me on. Was hoping she’d be finger licken good.
As a matter of fact I’ve always preferred them a little older.
@Andre T: Honestly not sure what concerns me more, the poor performance of the FS this year or Yvonne Styger ghosting through “another” website and flirting with random bloggers. Rather just meet her for coffee though, if she is of the same very mature age than BOG you will not be able to tenderise that chicken, no matter how many times you inject it.
@Prontus: If you’re also interested in ordering those birds, do it well in advance. I’ve been waiting months for my order now. With OFS on the verge of playing Sport Pienaar next year the supplier must have fallen behind and his girlfriend, Yvonne Styger,keeps on nagging me to meet her for coffee. I don’t mind meeting her……but not for coffee.
@Prontus: We have received large orders for those chickens from a mysterious buyer in the Klerksdorp area. And, for the record,no hormones injected into those chickens- they are all “organic” birds. They get all their nourishment as “free range” chickens from around the huts surrounding Butterworth.With the Golden Lions now out of S15, we believe that most of their supporters will switch allegiance to the Kings. So, with this influx, we are expecting a further boom in orders.
@BOG: I trust you read my comment in context, which was with reference to Edwin Sass and not GCB. We are definitely on the same page though, sport is only part of the educational process, not the sum of it. How’s it going with your hormone and water injected Butterworth chickens?
@Grasshopper:
hes in grade 11 this year so if all goes well he will be in matric.
look, no doubt hes very good but i think Webster has got more to offer at flyhalf and is a much harder worker. what more would you want?
haha tell that to glenwood
@Horsie, huh! That seems weird, you and other bloggers were tipping him for success along with Tedder from Kearsney. What grade will he be in next year? I personally don’t like all this movement between schools….
@Gungets Tuft:
yes true but i just got the sense that he wasnt going to start for the side next year.Webster is a quality 10 and Buthelezi is very good at 12 . will be interesting to see where he plays at glenwood and also for what team
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Fly #1 – Of course he is needed. No school can afford to sacrifice depth of any kind – ask College who were down to 4th choice players last year, all of whom contributed brilliantly, but still ….
@beet:
Why so? I did get the feeling that he wasnt really needed though, he plays 10 or 12 and both those positions are already filled by other players who are just as good if not better.
Wish him well though
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Wow! I wonder what Oupa has to say about that.
And even in the Eastern Province schools terams – only one rep in all squads (u18 and u16) – to the academy Week?
u18 Eastern Province Academy (2012 Academy Week)
B Mene (Itembelihle Secondary School)
@Greenblooded, nope I am based in Cape Town but will try and get to all the Easter fesitval games and maybe the OB day game. Will be good to catch up…I probably already know you….
I look forward to reading the blog. Seems like a very nebulous school – although they are involved in a number of tournaments and are probably the best performing “previously disadvantaged” school out there – theys eem to have a great coach who has made some good links (with the likes of Sedbergh School in the UK – who scout for players world-wide – not just in their country – so there is another story that our schools could look into
– makes the schools we are discussing here look lily white 
But even if they play up a league or two – it seems premature to make them school team of the year – so unfair on probably many other teams and codes (hockey, netball, football, athletics, etc.) that have probably played far higher out their league? Really seems like an award a few years too early to me – probably has all the making of being a well deserved accolade (probably with a movie deal somewhere along the line) – but produce the goods first?
And followed by a 26 – 0 loss to Luois Botha at the same tournament.
@Rugger fan: I contacted the Itembelihle coach a few months back regarding the issue of overaged players but decided at the time that any association made to his school would be harmful to the work he does there as far as development is concerned. I think I’ll blog it now but from a different angle.
@Prontus: Go to the FB page of Grey College. Ross Van Reenen, who himself played for the Free State and now a successful businessman, is the author of the book, “From Locker Room to the Boardroom” He addressed the boys about the importance of further study . He is an MBA. Every young schoolboy with rugby aspirations, should read that book. Young players and parents alike, TAKE NOTE!
They played in the Grey High School Festival earlier in the year – no great shakes:
Match: Graeme College 20 (13) vs Itembelihle 13 (3)
A close fixture, played in good spirit and good sportsmanship.
The scorers:
For Graeme: Tries: Wing Xhanti Mbane, Flank Ethan September Cons: Fullback Siweze Stamper 2 Pens: Stamper 2
For Itembelihle: Try: Andile Williams Cons: Fullback Siya Nyalungu Pens: Nyalungu 2
Old news!
Mbembe Payi, an only child who hails from Port Elizabeth has truly reached phenomenal heights in his short 17 years!. Payi was at Ithembelihle High School in Port Elizabeth prior to starting Grade 10 at Durban High School where he favours the number 15 jersey when playing for his school’s first XV. Payi has played in two Craven weeks and this is when he was spotted and subsequently selected for the squad to tour the Isle of Man to play Sevens in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games
http://rugbynewssa.co.za/home-page/commonwealth-games.html
I found this – but it says nothing – I now know they caome from the Eastern Cape and were in a Bok TV ad???
http://herald.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
Seriously – there must be some merit in the Ithembelihle High School Rugby Team winning the award for School Sports Team of the Year award – no matter what our opinions are on SBR
But howcome a google search/news24/iol etc. brings up zero results? :shock:
Surely there must be some aspect we can look at – like they pulled off a surprise win vs one of the big schools – have produced X provinical players/officials??? What is their claim to fame. I am genuinely interested – it can’t be such a farce that they only won because someone works at Vodacom and flooded the vote line?
@oldschool: Jon is a College Old Boy as well, was there for 2 years (I think) before his folks moved to Durban. I know the parents well from my old Maritzburg days. KC and College got some “All Stars” together for a cricket match last week to raise funds. Very worthy cause.
Hey guys , please have a look at the below link , the sporting community combined with various schools old boys networks have come out in support of this very poular KC old boy …..any support would be apreciated !!!!
http://joncoleedwardes.co.za/
@Andre T: Sad that education is neglected at the expense of a possible (but by no means guarenteed) rugby career. The onus is on the school that reqruits a learner from outside their feeding area to at least make sure they pass Gr.12 as payback for the results on the sports field. Just my opinion though.
@The Beast: Gertjie, how are you?
Andre T, how you dutchie?
No only in 2015!!!
@Prontus: Will he be joining Glenwood in 2013?
@GreenBlooded: Yes, according to my information, 19 in grade 10! I doubt if he will try to get a Gr.12 certificate though, he was reqruited to play rugby in the first place, so hopefully he will be able to make a career out of it.
@Prontus: Just to clarify – he is 19 years old in Std 8 / Grade 10??? i.e. with 2 more years of school to go??
@Prontus: That’s an eight!
@beet: Nope, Gr. 10 (the old Std.8) according to an unreliable source.
@beet: I hope he meant that!! The last school kid I know to be 19 in Grade 10 was Siyabonga Tom – or was he 20?
@Prontus: you mean Std 10 or Grade 12 :smile:
@Grasshopper: I assume that one of the mature players you are referring to is Edwin Sass that played for Tygerberg. Think he is 19 and in grade 10 this year, so this was hopefully his last year at the 7’s and u/19 level.
@Grasshopper: Welcome Home. Are you based in Durban? Would be good to hook up at Glenwood sometime.
Hi all, I am now on African soil for good, so if you wanna meet up in the festivals in 2013 then lets arrange. @Andre, Glenwood are looking to field an Under21 side for this year to compete will all the non KZN sides (especially in the Eastern Cape) fielding under23 sides because they have not conducted an age audit yet. I watched the 7’s this Sat and some of those ‘kids’ playing for Tygerberg and Garsies looked older than me…
@Andre T: No – but I hear that Siyabonbga Tom has re-enrolled there as a Grade 11 and hoping to make the Craven Week side.
@star:
I think old Chad will insist people call him the Something of the year if that’s the case.
@ Beet- Sports star of the year was voted for by the people.Also it included a cool M and a new BMW.Which do you think is better?You Kearsney okes get confused very easily.Maybe it is the air up at the top of the Hill.Also it is always better to be a STAR.
@GreenBlooded: Did you go to Itembihle with Bog?
@GreenBlooded: What is better – being the Sports Star of the year or being the Sportsman of the year. Was confusing for me :???: :smile:
@GreenBlooded: With all due respect, that decision has nothing to do with sport or rugby. If they REALLY deserve it, wonderful, but dont make a mockery of sport.
@Andre T: Blykbaar her-ontplooi na Klerksdorp/Krugersdorp omgewing.
@Andre T: I see Ithembelihle High School Rugby Team won the award for School Sports Team of the Year award last night http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/Chad-le-Clos-named-SA-sports-star-20121104.
Maybe we will see some of those guys in an U15 match sometime in the next few years
@GreenBlooded: Maybe the 2 schools can arrange a game at the National Club Champs?
@Horsey: NW players are predominantly Chelsea, with some from Virginia. KZN sides aren’t an indication, as boys from “non-polo” schools like Chelsea didn’t even get a look-in. Works the same as the rugby – you need to be from the right school! Also, not all Clifton Prep boys go on to Clifton College (same can be said for DPHS).
@Andre T: Westville vs Glenwood not happening in 2013 due to Trevor and Trevor issues.
The Glenwood team at PUK will feature some over 35’s from the Collegians 4th team but we are taking KERF much more seriously and may feature a Sharks player or 2.
@BOG: Enige nuwe talente van Griekwastad in die pyplyn?
Our company is starting a SBR TV show from next year and we’re busy identifying crunch matches so long. Can anyone tell me the date of the Glenwood/Westville Game for 2013? Also will Glenwood be fielding an u/19 or u/23 team for PUK and Kearsney festivals?
How ironic was the 7’s on Saturday? The pale colour of the Garsfontein supporters cheering on the exciting talents from Malmesbury and Mooreesburg running riot. What surprised me the most was the size of all the imports, not those small and nippy wings we got used to anymore.
@Andre T: Speak to them at Louis Botha, Sentaal and JF!
For how long will the Bloemfontein Brigade still ignore the talents from Worcester and Wellington? Or will the Paarl Paddas beat them to it?
@BoishaaiPa: Speculation. A few more seasons like that? Sure, once every five years!
@BOG: Except Rugby?…I do believe they ended 3rd this year. The mere mortals are use to and strive to be at least in the top 10, so 2012 must have been a real shocker for you!..Hang on to your hat Boggie..you are going to experience a couple of more seasons like that in the future!
@NW_Knight:
Wow, some close results there. U14B- we are very pleased to be the only KZN side to beat your team.thank you…
U14A- yeah just your weakest side colliding with our strongest side at the school,expected that.
U15B- this team is juss a bunch of boys still learning their trade in polo so they will improve.
U15A- what a close game it was… Think we mightve won if the game was at DHS, well done to the side though especially considering that they lost 10-1 last year.
1st- hear it was close with DHS pulling away at the end, they can only get better…
Well then that means Northwood will have a very good U14 side next year wont it? Think Clifton will still have the best as 9 boys from its U13 side got chosen for KZN. We also had one KZN U13 boy from DPHS playing for us this year in the U14B side, think next years U14 side will only have 2 KZN players being him and a boy in grade 8 whos only 14 next year…
Also, where does Northwood get most of its polo players? Chelsea? Virginia?Clifton?
@HORSEFLY NO.1: You mentioned above that GCB was ranked 2 at swimming. I know that I may be accused of being stuck on 2007, but that year they were rated No 1 in rugby, hockey, golf and cricket. Obviously it changes annually , except rugby of course(lol) but I would be surprised id any of their other sports were outside 10, probably within the 1st 5. So, if they are “buying”, they are doing so over a very wide front and I must wonder if there are any fee paying learners, if all the stories are to be believed. Oh yes, Beet, I like the face lift you have given the sight. I wish I could have it done to my face.
And yes, I think it is a great achievement for both schools.
U14B NW 4 – 6 DHS
U14A NW 2 – 17 DHS
U15B NW 8 – 3 DHS
U15A NW 7 – 6 DHS
2nd NW 7 – 6 DHS
1st NW 5 – 9 DHS
The U14B result is pleasing, as this side only had 3 U14 boys (the weakest players) and the rest were U13 boys coming to NW next year. This was their first loss this year, having beaten various schools including MH, GW, Hilton etc. The NW 1st and 2nd team next year will be strong, as will the U14 team.
I know DHS 1st side beat Northwood 9-5. Dont know about the other results…
If NW U15 won then it doesnt matter because the DHS side has proven thats its at the very least the 2nd best side in the province. Which means we have two teams in the top 2 in the province. I see that as an achievement dont you?
@NW_Knight:
I just cant seem to find the results, could you post all the ones you have if you can.
@Horsey: U15 Waterpolo
Some scores
College beat St Charles by 80 runs
Northwood beat DHS by 3 wickets with 3 overs to spare
Queens beat Selborne by 7 wickets
Bishops beat Paarl Boys by 25 runs
Garsfontein beat Tygerberg 43-28 in the @Lantic 7’s final. Affies 3rd.
@BOG: Early risers. Ha. Never sleep past 5:30am, there are things to do, I can sleep when I am dead.
One of those casualties is Alexander Road High School in PMB. While Collegians were always scathing about them it was always with underlying respect – some really good friends went through the ranks there. No more. I drive past there on Monday mornings and it is horrible – as you say, no control.
We will see you guys at College this year for the Wildeklawer will we not. If you are going to be there it would be nice to have a pint with another 150 Club member and act superior ..
Good to see clear skies here in durban, hopefully the cricket games proceed*thumbs up*
@Gungets Tuft: Good to see that there are early risers in the “last outpost”, the province of the rising sun.In the last week, I read that the “minister of education” has expressed her concern over the fact that former “model C ” schools are effectively transforming to private schools through their price structures.In Pretoria, there are very ordinary PRIMARY schools which will charge you R20000 per child next year. Where will it end? There is a misconception that the consumer in SA has unlimited resources. On the contrary and here the nice word, sustainability, comes to mind again. As pleased as I am to see that GCB has by and large, gone unscathed by events over the last number of years, I am equally saddened to see what has taken place in some other areas.Where the process (of intergration) was not managed well, the school has been virtually destroyed, or at least the tradition,has disappeared.And Im talking far more than just colour. If you suddenly simply admit numbers, irrespective of colour, with complete disregard to tradition, ethos and discipline, that school is on a slippery slope, to put it mildly. Im originally from the EC and my brother-in-law is an Old Queenian and without being over emotional, it is really tragic to see what has happened to some of the schools there, Umtata High being the worst affected. The “traditional” schools have a huge challenge ahead of them and there will be many casualties. Im just pleased that Grey seems to be doing this very successfully, and in all modesty, there are some schools which can learn from them. And yes, I am familiar with MC s traditions and really do hope that the derby between the two schools is resumed asap.
@BOG: Bog – I will find it and have a read. Ek sal dit lees as dit in Afrikaans is …
I think you will find quite a few of the great schools that have past pupils that feel like that – College is 7 years behind you in the age stakes and has done well in preserving the history of the school. It always gives me genuine pleasure to get to College and to walk into Clark House – the original school building – where my son boards. Bult in 1887 it just seems to echo history. I trust you have been there but I would be happy to walk you around the school if you have occasion to be there. A visit to the on-site museum is worthwhile. The current “archivist” of College used to post on the old blogs but I will not out him even though quite a few people here know who he is. Have a good weekend, off to second the lightie on the Mooi River.
Many of KZNs local scholls are semi-private now with prices going over the roof. I read in the paper that both Westville and DHS were going to be about R31 000 next year.
I dont know about westville but i do understand why dhs has done it, so well done to grey for their prices.
But then agaiin lets not forget that a 3rd of their school is in. The BE.
@BOG
Haha if any of the kzn schools had to put in those kind of admission structures they would be dog hounded by the government immediately!! LOL! Guess we work on somekind of a different system than you guys do.
@Gungets Tuft: No, as I said,its unlikely that they would privatize,but if things continue on the present path of a downward spiral in education, it is an option nevertheless. Sadly, there are many things around us which are not sustainable(the watchword nowadays) and education is one of the many.A piece about the school, its ethos, traditions ect, was written by an old boy, Bertus Preller. He summed it up very nicely in a few paragraphs. If you can find it, read it- it is in English.
@Braveheart: Amen and Amen!!As I have often said, on rare occasions, Grey occasionally gets less points than the opposition, but Grey NEVER looses (LOL) Please, I have exchanged a lot of information, 2nd hand, and if its not all 100%, feel free to correct me.I left a half a century ago, and my name stands for BAIE Oud Grey, en gewoonlik, nie dit wat ek praat nie (LOL)
@BOG: They are lucky that they own the grounds and buildings – privatising is a “small” step, but would certainly result in the fees increasing. I can’t see Kearsney making much money from their R125K a year per student, it is an expensive business. “Model C” schools are all under siege to an extent, lotsl of schlupping up has to happen to the department to get them to bedaar I should imagine. Whatever – good luck to them. The culture and ethos of our old traditional schools is the lifeblood of education, long may it continue.
@beet: True. I dont think that a “complete” player at U18, is necessary a guarantee of success and there are countless examples. Im not in denial about recruiting or whatever other name you wish to call it, but I dont think that GCB does it excessively. I read for example that an old boy paid the fees for a child whose father had passed away. He happened to be a player of colour and a talented rugby player. Johan Goosen came from Burgerdorp. He probably would have gone to Grey even if he did not play rugby and thats the point Im trying to make. Those areas have sent their kids to East London, Queenstown and Bloemfontein, and not only Grey, for decades.I dont think that they have the problems you have in KZN of poaching by surrounding schools- firstly because they are Freestaters, people of honour and integrity and —–(LOL-just joking_
@Gungets Tuft: This is what I understand- the 70$ thing. I should just emphasize that I dont live in Bloem or even the FS and that my info is second hand.But there is such a demand for places that they must have a strict screening process. The government there is also weary of the school, I think. It enjoys such prestige in the FS and beyond that I think the Dept/Govt is very careful not to interfere. I dont think that it would ever happen, but if the point is ever reached where the interference becomes unbearable, they could privatise. They really have an exceptional academic record. Apart from the top 10 position in maths and science, their pass record is top drawer. A few yrs ago, the stats that Im familiar with, there were 220 matric candidates- 100% pass, 40 with A aggregates 97% University exemption ( Taking into account of course the declining standards)If you google top schools in Africa, it is rated number one, but one would not know how accurate the assessment is. Personally, I disagree of course- I rate it the best in the world (LOL)
@BOG: I actually loaded this in the hopes of getting some support. To me the suggestion that a boy is a completed product at u15 level that is guaranteed to succeed after school sounds preposterous.
I also feel that success drives success and by the same token, downfall results in eventual failure. If it was just the players and not the rugby program driving GBC’s success, this school would have been found out long ago and struggled to attract the quality it does.
As for recruitment, we KZN bloggers have been working our way thru the same issue. There is a strong feeling that it is not acceptable practice to recruit after Gr.8 and luring players from a fellow KZN school is still a big no-no! Yet just about every school in KZN is actively involved in recruiting. Is it even worth it for any school to continue denying being involved in this practice?
@BOG: How does Grey College get away with being a government school yet setting a 70% entrance requirement. I am pretty sure that schools in KZN would never get away with it. College has been taken to court because they declined for better reasons than the kid was not clever enough. Even more difficult when it is possible to pass with 30% in Maths Literacy !!!
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Indeed, unbeatable value for money. They do not advertise for learners, yet if you do not enroll your child at birth, you have a slim chance of getting a spot. I believe that an average of 70% is now required for admission, so Im grateful that this was not a requirement in my time. I recall reading Allan Donalds book, “White Lightening” where he regarded being refused admission to the high school, as one of his biggest disappointments. He said that the school pointed out that his academics was not up to standard, particularly his English. He is married to an Enlish(as in Pommie) girl and was doing commentary for Sky Sport. So, the school does get it wrong- very occasionally. I notice that Beet has gone into hiding since stirring with this article.(lol) The campus/school grounds is on 61 hectares, a “small farm” in the centre of Bloem. Its in the unique position of being “semi private”. The teachers are paid by government, but the property/ assets are privately owned- the Jock Meiring Trust, if I remember correctly.
@BOG: Grey’s school fees are comparatively cheap against other “big” schools, around R14000 – R15000 per year, so maybe that’s the incentive to go there.
I think Grey buys juss like everyone else but attract many. Boys because of their rich rugby history. Yes, they do offer scholarships to boys all over the country but who doesnt these days??
Grey is a great school, not juss for the rugby and well done to them for promoting soccer with their tourno.
Also, remember, they are the 2nd best swimming school in the country!
@BOG
I read in the paper that Grey is around R15 000. Pretty cheap compared to what all the other schools cost.
@BOG: you are a brave man,when ou baas gets back iam logging off, for a week,think i should go fishing on the wild coast while hurricane sandy[andy] clears
@QC86: Dont lend your ears out to him. His understanding of golf is Putt Putt or when he really gets adventurous,Mashie. He requires a walking stick to get around the course.And Altzheimers is beginning to set in, so he often finds himself in embarrassing situations because he forgets to take his Viagra and his anatomy is no longer able to keep up with his thoughts.
Oh yes, an important matter which I may have overlooked- the role of the primary and pre-primary schools as wonderful feeder institutions. The traditions of these two schools are amazing, and from what I can understand, only a handful of primary school boys are accommodated in a house(very small hostel). Not only are the academic, sport and cultural facilities exceptional, they are acquainted in the schools traditions from a young age. Check it out. And contrary to (ignorant)opinion, many boys who began their schooling in Gr1 at Grey, actually go on to represent Grey 12 yrs later. That reflects continuity! To use the very good rugby side of 2007 as an example, I think out of the team, 7 were at Grey from Gr1. To conclude- both Allan Donald and BJ Botha were at Grey Primary, but have you ever heard that Grey claims them as THEIR products? And , has anyone ever seen Grey advertising for learners? I dont think so.
Ah ha, this is my bread and butter and if I may say so, a feeble excuse for Grey(College) bashing. But one must accept that the highest trees do catch the most wind. Starting with Jan Serfontein, has anyone bothered to ask HIS opinion about the matter as he always seems to be the one used as an example.Not mentioned in the report, is the fact that he moved, as I understand it, from PE to Bloemfontein WITH HIS parents, His mother is/was a teacher at Eunice for girls. Was his parents expected to leave him in PE? (Personally, I find it difficult to understand how anyone would want to live there EVEN with their parents) And I too, migrated to Grey College (half a century ago) from the EC, by CHOICE. Ludz, your info is incorrect. As far as I am aware AT LEAST, the fathers of both Paul Jordaan and William S-Smith, are Old Greys. Grey is currently 157 yrs old. Throughout its history, the school has traditionally attracted boys from Bloemfontein,rural FS, the North Eastern Cape(Barkley-East, Maclear, Ugie,Elliot, Lady Grey, Molteno, Burgersdorp), all the big cities and even abroad, and this is not a new or recent phenomenon.And with the decline of education in the rural areas, particularly in the EC, one could expect this to increase.It has been going on for 157 yrs. Currently, there are around 1200 boys in the secondary school, of which roughly 400(one third for those who have only done maths in recent times)are in hostels. Two of the three hostels are historical monuments and the other one not only because I believe it was rebuilt(Leith House)I have seen examples been given of boys who were supposedly “bought” and then they play for a C or a D team at Grey. What will be achieved by doing that? A minor detail being overlooked as well, is Greys, versatility. It achieves in all sport-not only rugby. And the “other” matter, academics? The school has been in the top 10 for Maths and Science. I hope that I did not come accross as arrogant in trying to present the “other side” of the coin- its my personal view only.I have no mandate to do so, but nevertheless VIVA LE GREY!! I also sense that old boys here from other schools with a rich tradition, seems to have a far greater understanding of the matter.
@Greenwood: when tiger gets back into that office after his round of golf there is going to be a sh.. storm,delete comment NOW,for the sake of all of us,please
@Ludz: if Andre had his reading glasses on he would have seen that you are not wearing his jumper,old age : :???:
Andre T the one with the white shirts that got beaten by the school with the green shirts at Kearsney ?
@Andre T: I also belong to a school that plays in the white jersey, a school far greater than Monnas could ever hope to be, this school is called Queen’s, QUEEN’S COLLEGE
The Tech schools steal from the Platteleand then the bigger schools steal from them. But a school with no woman sounds faggy to me.
@Andre T: you sound grumpy,hope your caddy does not get a putter around the ear
@Andre T: do they import in u16?,if so, that goes against what i have seen and heard
I’m going to pop out of the office now and pop up onto the golf course. At least the course here doesn’t look like the moto cross tracks they call golf courses in Bloem. It only rains in Bloem when they have to play Affies with a Grey ref.
@Ludz: Why are you wearing my jumper?
@QC86: So the ones replacing the small u/13 imports at u/16 level just pop up there from Tempe or Signal Hill?
@Andre T: only Small Smith has a pop there
@Andre T: are you saying it is greys fault that he did not grow?,alot of youngsters are good in u13 because of their size and then get overhauled later on in their lives,thats why i say grey do it well,because there is always risk of a player not following throw and then they still sit with that kid and they accept it like that,where they could easily buy later, and not have the risk, but dont.
@Slam: Yes ou Slammie but you forgot that they’re all Greypops.
Their pops and pops’ pops and pop’s pop’s pops went there.
You see my pop went to Vrede so I went there as well but my pop’s pop never went to school and so my son is also hardly ever at school.
@QC86: Except when the u/13 CW lock is still the same size in grade 10.
Players that did not start life in Bloemfontein. Evidence that Grey College have a decent scouting network
Paul Jordaan – born in Somerset East, EP U13 in 2005
William Small-Smith – born in Johannesburg, Golden Lions U13 2005
Johan Goosen – born in Burgersdorp, Border U13 2005
Niell Jordaan – born in Newcastle, Pumas Grant Khomo 2008
Kevin Luiters – born in PE, Border U13 – 2005
Neethling Fouche – born in Rustenburg, Leopards U13, 2006 and U16, 2009
Ruwellyn Isbell – Born in Graaff-Reinet, EP U13 2006
Dries Swanepoel – Born in Delareyville, Leopards U13 – 2005 & 2006
i think they are one of the few schools to get it right,they bring in their talent early,grade 8 and then leave everybody elses players alone,most of the players that go to Grey later do so of their own acord
my belief is that a talent like serfontein would have developed anyway , grey pe wouldnt have made that much difference , sounds like sour grapes as they didnt get to recieve the benefits in the latter part of his SBR carreer !!!
Grey Bloem is a great Rugby factory and lets hope it continues to produce these machines !!!
@Greenwood: I wouldn’t say it’s so much blaming the parents, but rather pointing out that a number of parents who having promising son, particluarly junior provincial reps choose Grey making it hard to argue that they produce their own talent, Grey’s most recent Bok played u13 Craven Week for Border in 2005
can’t blame any parent who would want to to send their sports mad kid to Grey – not sure if Grey
has a policy where they suss out propective rugby player at tournaments – sounds like they dont need to
Heard they’re now focussing on producing refs.