Maritzburg College has a pre-season game against Westville scheduled for this evening at 18h30 as part of the Voortrekker Rugby Night Series. Just like last year a number of players are not available mainly because of summer sports commitment. There are however still good indications of first choices in various positions provided by some of the team selections made for this evening’s game.
Of great interest this year was always going to be where Kelvin Elder, Lucas Booysen and Jordan Koekemoer fitted into the 2013 picture. Booysen was primarily the 1st XV flyhalf in 2012 but there was talk about that scrumhalf was his better position and with Jordan Koekemoer being the highly rated Grant Khomo pivot in 2012, it seemed like the three players would have to compete for two positions this year. With Booysen reverting to halfback, Elder moving to flyhalf and Koekemoer at inside centre, for now it looks like College have avoided any headaches stemming from having to choice between the three talented backs. If it works, Red, Black, White fans can expect to see quite a potent backline in action, considering first-rate Marcel Coetzee dons on the 13 jumper and speedy wing Banele Ngwenya is the other experienced player in the line.
Another positional switch catching the eye is that of headboy Seko Buthelezi. Once a Grant Khomo lock, his transformation to prop results in a short lock to a really big frontrow unit. Along with Njabula “Juice” Gumede and Vuyo Khatide, College could have a pretty decent sized frontrow.
| 1 | N. Gumede |
| 2 | V. Khatide |
| 3 | S. Buthelezi |
| 4 | R. Wiesener |
| 5 | S. Ndlovu |
| 6 | B. Le Roux |
| 7 | G. Geach |
| 8 | J. Conradie |
| 9 | L. Booysen |
| 10 | K. Elder |
| 11 | L. Ngcobo |
| 12 | J. Koekemoer |
| 13 | M. Coetzee |
| 14 | B. Ngwenya |
| 15 | D. Whiteman |
| 16 | T. Zuma |
| 17 | M. Mazwi |
| 18 | T. Steyn |
| 19 | W. Jacobs |
| 20 | K. van Romberg |
| 21 | M. van der Linde |
| 22 | K. Edwards |
| 23 | B. Kayhards |
| 24 | W. Mkhize |
| 25 | S. Culverwell |
@CyndiAtRugby: Agreed. Some of the parents are way out of line. I feel sorry for some of the boys. I remember seeing a KES U15 player shouting at his father at half time. His dad was standing on the touchline hurling abuse at the ref and opposition players. It was obvious from what this kid was saying that this was not the first time that his dad was embarrasing him. You’ve got to feel for these poor kids who just want to have an enjoyable game of rugga. These kind of spectators exist in almost every school.
@Amalekite: I think the off the field ‘niggles’ were more of a concern. There was some serious mud (and other stuff) slinging between parents supporters which I think is very unfortunate … hey, maybe I need to take more photos of the supporters
@Westers: Agreed. There is also a great amount of respect amongst the boys for their opposition. I have not seen any more niggle versus Glenwood on the field than against any other school.
@Grasshopper, Hate is a strong word. Glenwood is Westvilles only decent opposition in Durban accross all teams so there is a fierce rivalry because of this. In my opinion that’s all it is.
@Oldschool, agreed boet! However, I think you will find Westville hate Glenwood more than Kearsney…..it’s a given and the reason why things have been called off.
@Grasshopper: I think all the top tier games will be massive…..even the poofters from Hilton may offer some resistance ….MHS will be good again…..for some reason the Ville absolutely despise KC ….and with all the hype around this years KC team all teams will have a full go at knocking them off the percieved pedestal……i think with all the media hype around school boy rugger and with the seemingly proffesional aproach reaching new heights there is a lot more at stake with regards winning and losing ….so yebo , the College Gwood game will be massive ……Ville college …..KC Gwood and college and Ville ….the privates vs each other ….the Govts vs the privates …..all big games ……cant wait !
@Oldschool, the Highway derby will be a cracker but the game of the season, not sure on that. It’s in the eye of the beholder. I would say the Glenwood vs College game on College Founders Day for their 150th celebrations could be a cracker too. Westville vs Glenwood would also have been a humdinger, with Glenwood being the underdog for the first time in a while. Kearsney vs Glenwood at Kearsney will be big too…
@star: a game of that predicted intensity will be a lot closer than 10/15 points my boet ….i reckon the Ville vs KC will be the game of the year locally…..will be a cracker with loads of niggle and hype……cant wait to sit next to some of my old Ville mates and test the freindship !!
Westville 2nds beat Voortrekker 1sts 21-7 ( I think). My brother-in-law told me that the “unofficial” spread for the Westville v KC at Bowdens is 10-15 points in favor of KC. KC must be the team to beat and their first up game against NW will set the tone for the season.
Unless the imports are U19 in their final year Westville will play NW.Always been the case. Nothing has changed.
@Greenwood: I wasn’t there on Friday. I do know that Westville beat College 10-5 in terrible conditions at the Voortrekker night series.
GreenBlooded
lets see if Westville will actually play Northwood with all their imports – taking last years politics into account
everything points to Westville being a major force in Kzn this year
Lets sit back and see what happens
any news on Glenwoods 2nds at Porties Friday nite ?
Westville beat College 10-5 in terrible conditions. Apparently dominated by the forwards – not much backline work due to conditions.
@Greenblooded, didn’t that front row get bullied at the Craven Week and by KES last year?
Not sure that “Juice” is such a wise choice of nickname for a schoolboy player in these sensitive times……..
Surprised not to see U16A stars Goodson and Tharrat in the lineup although they may be some of the guys still busy with cricket/swmming/polo. That front row looks formiddable!! Looking forward to seeing them against the imported Northwood outfit – that will be quite a contest.