Figuratively speaking, EG Jansen captain Ruben Beytell has made two big statements this weekend.
Statement 1: School over SARU camp
While several of his main contenders for the 2017 SA Schools flyhalf berth were in the Cape at the SARU under-18 Elite Player Development camp in the Western Cape, invited and airticket booked EG Jansen captain Ruben Beytell opted to stay home in order to play in his team’s in the Tuks-Reeks group decider match against Garsfontein. The timing of SARU’s under-18 Elite Player Development camp has drawn its fair bit of criticism from those with interests in schoolboy rugby outside the Western Cape.
Beytell was not the only high profile player missing from SARU’s camp. Those who watched Saturday’s FNB Classic Clash of Kearsney versus Northwood would have seen Dylan Richardson showing his ability and value to his school, while St Stithians’ tighthead prop Nntlabakanye Asenati stood out in their Schoolsportslive streamed game against Jeppe.
Statement 2: 24-point haul difference-maker in the winning effort
Beytell’s scored 24 out of his team’s 34 points on the way to a 34-28 victory over Garsfontein. This contribution included a hat-trick of tries. The scoreboard does not always tell the full story of how the match panned out but in this case all who attended seemed to be in agreement that the exceptional and pacey no.10 was the key player in the match, utilising the good platforms his forwards created to almost maximum benefit. The match itself lived up to its top billing and came down to the wire with Garsfontein camped on the EG tryline and close to the seven-pointer they needed when the final whistle blew.
Geen twyfel oor Ruben se rugby talent. Weet iemand dalk hoekom het hy onttrek?
Het EG nie ‘n groot geleetheid gemis om ‘n ander speler te toets vir as Ruben dalk later SA Skole speel en dit bots met 1/4 eind Virseker ? Sekerlik kan hy nie dan Nee sê vir SA Skole nie!
@Jansie1: Dankie Jansie, ek is seker hy was oorspronklik in daai supergroep destyds as n 9
Hy is eintlik is skrumskakel, as ek reg onthou het hy 0/12 en 0/13 Cravenweek op 9 gespeel en was ook 9 op 0/16 Grant Khomo. Maar dit lyk of 10 in sy bloed is.
Was Beytell nie eintlik eers n skrumskakel of nog altyd n 10?
Ruben, what a brilliant, versatile player, and yes I agree that he will indeed play professional rugby. Yes he did withdraw from the SARU camp and everybody has lots to say about it, but what is wrong with loyalty?? Rumours are that if you withdraw you won’t yet a second chance… There are also a lot of other good players that also decided to play for their respective schools on Saturday, if SARU decides to penalise these boys they really are a circus! Sorry just my own opinion.
Ruben is a well balanced young man he will definitely make it as a professional rugby player. Wish him all the best for the future.
I had the privilige of attending the match. Was an exciting game to watch. Gatsies never gave up. Despite Garsfontein not winning their lineouts and in my opinion not being on top of their game they almost managed to rob the game from EG after the hooter. I think the intercept try scored 10mins before the end was the deciding factor. Had it not been for that I think the result might have been different.
EG deserved the win, and beytel was the difference for sure. It was clearly a revenge match on last year’s Beeld final. Well done to EG! They are a tough bunch!
Just a sidenote: If any team in this country writes of this garsies team they will make a massive mistake!
Ruben has been a great player from primary school and always works hard. He will become a professional sooner than later. Also a very good leader. Sterkte Beyts