The 10 teams to take part in trials at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg next Tuesday.
| NORTH DURBAN | SOUTH DURBAN | HIGHWAYS | PIETERMARITZBURG | MIDLANDS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N. DOWNES (CLIFT) | 1 | P. MNGADI (GW) | 1 | D. BRITS (GEL) | 1 | T. STEYN (MC) | 1 | C. HOLLENSTEIN (MHS) |
| 2 | J. DUNNETT (GC) | 2 | K. VAN VUUREN (GW) | 2 | J. MEAKER (K) | 2 | B. GREAVES (STC) | 2 | J. EPSOM (MHS) |
| 2 | A. OLIVIER (ASH) | 3 | K. TREDOUX (GW) | 3 | M. MAJOLA (W) | 3 | Z. MNCULWANE (LIN) | 3 | F. MUDARIKI (MHS) |
| 3 | K. PHILERATOU (DHS) | 4 | M. TEICHMAN (GW) | 4 | J. MARTIN (W) | 4 | B. NDLOVU (VOOR) | 4 | C. SCHOEMAN (MHS) |
| 4 | T. EDMUNDS (NW) | 5 | C. KRUGER (GW) | 5 | D. DU PREEZ (K) | 5 | S. BUTHELEZI (MC) | 5 | C. WEISSING (HILT) |
| 5 | D. MARE (DHS) | 6 | R. KAY (GW) | 6 | J. HAYES-HILL (K) | 6 | E. ZULU (MC) | 6 | N. EGBRINK (MHS) |
| 6 | M. DU PLESSIS (ASH) | 7 | W. MAZIBUKO (GW) | 7 | J.L. DU PREEZ (K) | 7 | S. NDLOVU (MC) | 7 | B. DICKERSON (HILT) |
| 7 | K. NELL (CLIFT) | 8 | N. VIDIMA (GW) | 8 | A. SCHRAMM (K) | 8 | G. RAE (STC) | 8 | C. BIRD (MHS) |
| 8 | J. LETHSCHERT (CRAWLL) | 9 | K. KHANYILE (GW) | 9 | M. REESE-EDWARDS (K) | 9 | L. BOOYSEN (MC) | 9 | T. WALKER (MHS) |
| 9 | D. KOEKEMOER (GC) | 10 | J. DUMAS (GW) | 10 | T. TEDDER (K) | 10 | M. HAMMAN (STC) | 10 | M. BOUWER (MHS) |
| 10 | K. WEBSTER (DHS) | 11 | S. NGCOBO (GW) | 11 | D. PIETERS (W) | 11 | M. NGCOBO (LIN) | 11 | T. FABER (MHS) |
| 11 | P. SOBAHLE (NW) | 12 | A. NELA (GW) | 12 | T. SMITH (K) | 12 | B. MANGAY (STC) | 12 | A. RAYNOR (HILT) |
| 12 | L. NDIMANDE (GC) | 13 | N. NCUMA (GW) | 13 | B. ELLSE (W) | 13 | N. MOFOKENG (LIN) | 13 | C. FURNISS (MHS) |
| 13 | N. NGUBANE (GC) | 14 | K. TERBLANCHE (PN) | 14 | T. NDLOVU (K) | 14 | L. NGCOBO (MC) | 14 | S. MNIKATHI (HOW) |
| 14 | M. CELE (CLIFT) | 15 | M. JOUBERT (GW) | 15 | C. LINES (K) | 15 | J. LUYKE (VOOR) | 15 | M. GUNN (HILT) |
| 15 | L. VAN ZYL (DHS) | ||||||||
| C | C. WILKENSON (DHS) | ROBERT WEBBER (GW) | FRANCOIS LUBBE (K) | KYLE LEVIN () | MICHAEL SCHWARTZ (MHS) | ||||
| NORTH | SOUTH | NORTHERN REGION | EAST | WEST | |||||
| 1 | D. SWART (KLOOF) | 1 | T. VISSER (K) | 1 | S. SOSIBO (DEV) | 1 | K. VAN NIEKERK (GW) | 1 | T. MKHIZE (EMP) |
| T. ZUMA (MC) | 1 | S. SITHOLE | 2 | L. MTHETHWA (SC) | 1 | D. VAN TONDER (GW) | T. PICKERING (TREV) | ||
| 2 | V. KHATIDE (MC) | 2 | N. NCANANA (PS) | 3 | E. LATHLEIFF (PIO) | 2 | B. ROBERTS (MHS) | 2 | T. KRUGER (GW) |
| D. RUSSELL (HILT) | 2 | A. VORSTER (W) | 4 | E. BOTES (PIO) | 2 | M. MAZWI (MC) | T. MKHALIPHI (VRY) | ||
| 3 | T. MAGWABA (GW) | 3 | J. GUMEDE (MC) | 5 | R. DU TOIT (EMP) | 3 | L. MDAKANE (TREV) | 3 | R. ZONDI (GC) |
| M. MOLOI (K) | 3 | V. BULALA (STC) | 6 | C. FOORD (PIO) | 3 | E. MARX (PIO) | PIO) | K. MOTLOUNG (NW) | |
| 4 | J. GOUWS (HILT) | 4 | H. GELDART (WEST) | 7 | J. SWANEPOEL (VRY) | 4 | Y. THAMBIRAN (W) | 4 | J.D. EARLE (PIO) |
| 5 | S. VAN DEN HEEVER (GW) | 4 | C. DE CHAMOY (STC) | 8 | N. BUTHELEZI (FEL) | 4 | N. PHEWA (PIO) | D. VENTER (KUS) | |
| 6 | W. HIPPOLITE (GW) | 5 | K. DU RANDT (GW) | 9 | C. RODRIQUES (RBHS) | 5 | M. DU TOIT (K) | 5 | C. BORTHWICK (HILLC) |
| 7 | G. COETZEE (GW) | 6 | M. DE SOUZA (GC) | 10 | J. HEUNIS (RBHS) | 5 | A. HEYSTEK (W) | S. KRUGER (PN) | |
| D. KRAMER | 7 | M. MULLER (GW) | 11 | A. BOOYSE (FER) | 6 | S. KARLSON (HOW) | 6 | J. CONRADIE (MC) | |
| 8 | J. COETZEE (GW) | 7 | M. VAN DEN MESCH | 12 | C. BOTHA (PIO) | 6 | H. THARRATT (MC) | R. BALDWIN (HILT) | |
| 9 | R. MCHARDY (W) | 8 | D. GOODSEN (MC) | 13 | A. NDLOVU (SC) | 7 | R. LE ROUX (MC) | 7 | T. NDLELA (SC) |
| 10 | M. CELE (GREY) | 8 | G. MURRAN (NW) | 14 | G. MADUNA (ESH) | 7 | E. SIBISI (KLOOF) | D. SHABALALA (DEV NKZN) | |
| 11 | C. VERMAAK (GW) | 9 | K. GERHARD (GW) | 15 | J. PRETORIUS (RBHS) | 8 | B. MHLONZI (JRC) | 8 | B. RADEMEYER (SN) |
| 12 | T. BLEWETT (HILT) | 9 | N. SIBIYA (GC) | 8 | L. SCOTT (CLIFT) | A. MDUDI (PS) | |||
| 13 | B. CREMER (K) | 10 | J. KOEKEMOER (MC) | 9 | H. JV RENSBURG (PN) | 9 | J. MAJOLO (GREY) | ||
| 14 | B. ARNOTT (MHS) | 11 | B. NGWENYA (MC) | 9 | J. INGRAM (CRAWLL) | A. LABUSCHAGNE (PIO) | |||
| 15 | L. SNYMAN (W) | 12 | J. KHUMALO (GW) | 10 | C. JONAS (GW) | 10 | S. PURDON (HILT) | ||
| 13 | M. COETZEE (MC) | 10 | S. POTGIETER (JRC) | JRC) | K. BRAITHWAITE (W) | ||||
| 14 | S. MATHIWANE (GW) | 11 | J. RICHMOND (HILT) | 11 | A. GWALA (GREY) | ||||
| 15 | K. ELDER (MC) | 11 | T. TOBEJANE (GW) | GW) | B. NZIMANDE (GC) | ||||
| 12 | B. BUTHELEZI (DHS) | 12 | L. MBANDA (WART) | ||||||
| 13 | M. PETER (DHS) | 13 | L. YOUNIE (PN) | ||||||
| 13 | K. NGEMA (GREY) | K. NTSHANGASE (GW) | |||||||
| 14 | R. MPONTSHANA (DUN) | 14 | J. WHITTSTOCK (NW) | ||||||
| 15 | B. FORRESTER-SMITH (MHS) | 15 | D. STOPFORTH (GW) | ||||||
| SEAN ERASMUS (GW) | ANTONIE PRINSLOO (GC) | BARRY PICTON (FEL) | NHLANHLA BLOSE (NW) | RYAN KYLE (CC) |
| GLOSSARY | |
|---|---|
| CC – CRESTON COLLEGE | MC – MARITZBURG COLLEGE |
| CLIFT – CLIFTON | MHS – MICHAELHOUSE |
| DEV – DEVELOPMENT | NW – NORTHWOOD |
| DHS – DURBAN HIGH SCHOOL | PINE – PINETOWN |
| ESH – ESHOWE | PIO – PIONIER |
| GC – GEORGE CAMPBELL | PN – PORT NATAL |
| GREY – GREYTOWN | SC – SAREL CILLIERS |
| GW – GLENWOOD | SN – SUID-NATAL |
| HILT – HILTON | STC – ST CHARLES |
| HOW – HOWICK | TREV – TREVERTON |
| IX – IXOPO | VOOR – VOORTREKKER |
| K – KEARSNEY | VRY – VRYHEID |
| LIN – LINPARK | W- WESTVILLE |
@TheGoose: yep, was at Kearsney and saw one of them on crutches and the other only playing cameos. Hopefully they can reach the heights of last year as they will be picked on reputation and being the incumbents…I still think they are locks at this level….
@RBugger: I am aware the Doops were not there, hence saying Glenwood would be hard to beat now even if they had the Doops. I am aware they don’t make the team hence my stance now, Glenwood seem to be moving into 5th gear after some good wins, but we must not be complacent as our biggest rival is this weekend….
@Grasshopper: Its not about the Doops only. Much of this team has been together since U14. Both DP boys had injuries in the early season, and Dan has only just returned from his KERF injury. It is an excellent allround team.
@Grasshopper: The Doops were not there when Kearsney beat Glenwood! The Doops are great great players, but they add to the Kearsney team, they do not make them! If u have watched Kearsney this year, u would have seen the likes of Schramm, Reece Edwards and Teddar really sticking their hands up and being counted!
To those who went to trials…any U16 standouts?????
@RBugger: Also, Glenwood is well known for starting badly and building up during the season to end off well, so it was unfortunate for us that the game was so early on in the season……but you have to start somewhere. Kearsney for me are the best side in KZN this year, just and that just is the Doop factor. The remind me of Nico Breedt but two of them!
@RBugger: Mate, Glenwood lost fair and square in the last few minutes of the game, well done to Kearsney (BMT). But the Glenwood team is a young one and was still building confidence back then, I reckon now they game would be even tighter even with the Doops there. Results against the same opposition are similar. This Glenwood side when the backs are on song are devastating, they have that x factor and can strike from anywhere. The forwards are a little average again probably to do with 3 youngsters in the pack, Van Niekerk, Tredoux and Coetzee but these 3 will be gaining great experience for 2014. I have not seen one KZN front row that scares the living daylights out of the opposition so this is where they could find a player from a smaller school maybe. The Kearsney ‘dream-team’ will have plenty reps this year, 2014 might be a little tougher when you lose the majority of the side. Kearsney beat Glenwood away at Dixons by a point or two, the first local side to win on Dixons in about 3 years, after a long winning streak over Kearsney so in 2014 Glenwood will want to turn the tables on Kearsney, big time! Hopefully they choose Kearsney for the Old Boys day fixture…
@Beet: You are 100% correct, Kearsney do have a number of underrated players and I feel Du Toit and Meaker are both great players. The only issue which both could struggle with at CW, is there lack of size.
Size is not everything, but they both play positions whereby size is crucial. Ask any prop and they will tell you it is always more comfortable playing with bigger, heavier locks.
Du Toit would do very well as a loosie as opposed to lock.
Kearsney do have a fantastic line-out, I know that Schramm spends a lot of time on the calls etc and Meaker is always very reliable.
Moloi to me is very capable, I feel he just needs to back himself more. I have not seen him take a backwards step in any game, but he must work on hitting more rucks and upping his work rate somewhat – but I do like Moloi, he could do well in the right circumstances.
Smith is a very talented player, just a pity he was not a yard quicker off the mark – this is what I feel the KZN team needs at 12, a sharp player who can move off the mark – perhaps the Glenwood 12 can bring that?
@RBugger: I’m not saying either of these players will make KZN but 2 players that are not mentioned who do so much for Kearsney’s cause are Meaker and du Toit. Touch wood but Kearsney has the best lineout game in KZN and Jordan’s accuracy combined with having a viable option in athletic Mitch is key, not to mention the work that these guys get through in the loose. Very underrated players.
I say about Smith that he is technically a really good player in all aspects of his game.
Moloi actually impressed a few scouts during KERF. It came as a bit of a surprise to me but the guys who made the comments really do have an eye for spotting and evaluating players that untrained spectators like myself definitely don’t have.
@Buffel: Kearsney certainly deserve to have a high number of boys in the KZN Team, it would be wrong to get flack for making that statement, they have been the best team in Natal so far.
They beat Glenwood with 2 star forwards missing, and lets be honest, they are very influential players.
I do not want to be bias, but Kearsney could have and should have beaten Glenwood by more, they had numerous opportunities in the Glenwood 22, but would knock on at crucial times etc
I feel Kearsney do not get the praise they deserve, we always seem reserved in being proud of our team. All the talk is of Glenwood and Westville, but let us be honest, Kearsney are the one’s to beat – I keep hearing we only just beat Glenwood this year at home, but last year, just about the same team (many grade 11’s ) beat Glenwood away!!!!
Again, they did not get enough recognition for this result.
Now, I was not at trials yesterday, but I have heard from more than one source, that the Highways Team dominated their counterparts, that team mainly being comprised of Glenwood boys.
This is just my thoughts on selection from Kearsney, but The Doops, Schramm, Reece-Edwards, Teddar and Lines are musts for the squad with outside chances of Moloi, Tyler Smith and Ndlovu.
Some of the 8,9,10 moves from Kearsney, are just sublime – this is where I really rate Schramm, you can see he has played in the backline, just has time on the ball and knows when to pass – now him with Reece-Edwards and Teddar, they just seem to play off each other so well. I have seen Teddar running into awesome gaps off Schramm at 10 and vice-versa. If anyone does not agree, then so be it, but these players from Kearsney should make it!
@RBugger: i think that you are on the money. We could have as many as 7 with the likes of smith joining that group but the competition is going to be fierce.This could be an all time high for Kearsney and it is well deserved. This group of boys at age group level have been dominant and it would be fitting for them to be recognised with selection to Craven week. I am sure I will recieve flack from some quarters but that is my prediction. Hopefully the Westville game is rescheduled so that the winner can have the bragging rights. If they go ahead, my predictions stand.
@Grasshopper: From what I see, Jackson didn’t make it into the trials at all. Anyone know why. Surely if he is good enough, he’d have made one of the 8 teams.
@beet: I think that next year you will see that the kearsney 9/10 combination will be very good and should run the glenwood combination close. Time will tell. Who made it through to the final trials or are they still in discussions.
@Grasshopper: Ya for sure, the KZN team always looks a bit small in the front row. Mobility is important, but you also need the grunt up front. I may be wrong here, but to me, a lot of the KZN props seem intent on just getting hands on ball and running, as opposed to hitting rucks and making an impact.
Anyone who has played rugby, would tell you it is far nicer being rucked out by the likes of a Jean De Villiers, as opposed to a Bakkies Botha or Os Du Randt.
My point being, the KZN side needs disciplined tight forwards who can intimidate at rucks and in the tackle – this to me is where the Bulls ar always so good, the tight five know their job and put in the hits that count and make the opposition think twice..
@Grasshopper: De la Rey is out – surest pick if he wasn’t. Life can be cruel sometimes.
@RBugger: A 128kg tight-head prop, he would add the required bulk up-front. He is not the most mobile but clears rucks well, lifts well and scrums well, for me the primary job of a tight-head. Westville have gone for a smaller more mobile tight head, but for me they would be better with Jackson. Having a boy of that size and he is not fat, just gives the team a psychological advantage straight away…
Ellse is a solid player, very impressive. Who is Jackson? What position?
Ellse for me stood out at Kearsney for Westville, he should be picked. My three Westville picks would be Jackson, McHardy and Ellse in the A team and Paverd, Martin and De La Rey (if not injured) in the Academy side…
@Beet: For sure, they can’t just pick purely on combinations. But in terms of stars, Reece-Mchardy and Reece-Edwards are similar players in my opionion. At KERF, they both looked solid, but I certainly could not say one was better than the other.
Of course the selectors must pick the best players, but if the players are of equal quality, then combinations must be considered.
DHS vs Glenwood, not because it will be the best game but because of the history, rivalry, niggle and pre game shenanigans on Friday night like trying to ring the opposite schools bell, hanging carrots from their poles etc. It is also going to be the loudest derby with competing war cries and possibly the biggest in attendance. Some close match ups at A team level too! Durbans oldest derby always brings out the best in the underdog. I hear Vermaak is out for Glenwood, a huge loss! Go Green! Also go College against KES for the Grogper Cup!
Picking best players. Guys, I do not believe for a minute that the KZN selectors are not aware of this. It sounds like a very good panel of conveners/selectors. It sounds like they have years of experience between them. I also believe they too would like the best players in each of the fifteen positions and doubt that they would prejudice decisions because its “easier” to select a combination. Like the school boys they selecting, trust me, their ego and reputation is also under the microscope in selections and success if the CW teams. I think it’s easier sitting where we are with our preferences, when they have to try funnel all this talent, some here say, into a team they place their reputation on. It’s no easy task picking so few from so many.
As for preference to their schools, some stats prove the contrary, I think was by Meadows, that Hilton, mhs, and others generally have little or no representation when their schools were not performing, but more when they did; eg Richter, Steyn etc.
As for combinations, well I agree it can’t solely be that however the talent would need to to be significantly superior to break up the combination and produce a better one. This could be said for centres, hooker & jumpers, loosies, scrummy & fly and even the back three.
So, who’s the big game this weekend???
@beet: You are right about owing it to the boys to pick the best team. For a large percentage it will be the pinnacle of their rugby career, and they know it. It’s what they are playing for at school and most know they will not be furthering their rugby careers beyond school.
@RBugger: I really really hate the idea of picking combinations for CW. I see the benefit of it but I detest it. I know Bog will come here and attempt to smack some sense into me and to an extent he is right about the devalued CW. That said it still remains the goal/dream of many schoolboys to compete at CW. Wherever possible the selectors owe it to these kids to try and pick the best possible player in every position and then work harder to make a bonded and competitive team out of these talented individuals.
What goes around comes around. This year Kearsney have a great 8-9-10 combo. Next year it might be Glenwood or College. Where will that leave the outstanding Kearsney individual?
McHardy and Reece-Edwards will make the squad for sure! Webster and Tedder will be the flyhalves maybe with Jonas as a bolter!
@RBugger: McHardy has a problem in that Westville have been playing him at fly half and he has been outstanding in that position as well. It is a real pity the Kearsney vs Westville game did not happen on Saturday as it would have been interesting. I have not seen Reece-Edwards play this year but IMHO he will be playing out of his boots if he gets in ahead of McHardy. There has not been one opponent who has got the better of him this year in any of the competitive games, including Wright from Hilton who he outplayed on the day. This is a kid you take with when you go to war. Never says die and fantastic ability to go with it.
@Buffel: Just a quick one Buffel, having watched Kearsney this season, would it be fair in saying the likes of Reece-Edwards, Schramm, Teddar and Lines should make the CW side? Obviously the Du Preez’s are a must…
I just hear a lot about Reece-Mchardy at scrumhalf, but the combo of Schramm, Reece-Edwards and Teddar seems really solid to me…
I think in future, don’t send all in sundry to trails just to make up the numbers. The best in the region must go and if that means that all the glenwood 1st xv make thier zonal team because they are the best then so be it.There is a reason that a boy is playing 2nd xv rugby. he is not the best in that position so he should be excluded. That will make for very competetive final trials at woodburne and you will get the cream of the crop being selected for KZN CRAVEN WEEK and the next best for the ACADAMY side and so on. Looking forward to see who is selected, combinations etc. Kearsney and Glenwood should make a strong representation in both teams with a sprinkling of Westville, DHS,Hilton and a couple of surprises from the unfancied schools.
@star: As good as Cameron is, he can’t do it on his own, they must have some players in there that are better than Glenwood 3rds players (no disrespect to Glenwood, it’s just logoc – even in the 18 from College there have to be questions asked). It might be a cosmic coincidence that the rest of the Hilton players are all in positions already taken by the McHardies, Wrights, Doops, etc of the world, but what are the chances. Hey, I don’t know the answer, burreye have tooo many questions :-)
@Grasshopper: Good point, but then they would have had to get some serious medical opinion on the injuries – yes?
I think the point, to me at least (and others I know), is that for the 22nd player from Glenwood to make it, the 7th best at Northwood, or 3rd best at Voortrekker are denied a shot. Don’t know if the replacement 1st team prop from Northwood got a look in, but he was pretty damn useful from what I saw of him.
On another note, chuffed to see the midfield combo of Campbell in there. They impressed me on Goldstones. The 13 was full of running, big fast hunk of muscle daarso, elusive. Put him behind a winning pack and a decent #9, #10, eeisch.
@meadows: Not sure the quota’s make a big difference at Open level. I have seen planty of “PDI” class in the last 2 years to think that too many people can feel aggrieved. I feel differently at U16, I just think that there are some talented black kids who need another year to get up to speed. When they do, they hold their spots. JMO ..
@beet:
IMO the selectors – Garth Giles, Barend Steyn, Ryno Combrinck, Tony Richter et al are all sincere rugby men who do the best job that they can in less than ideal circumstances. My experience of them has never given me any concern of bias towards their own schools. Hilton has had very few Craven week reps in recent times notwithstanding Tony Richter and Hilton OB Garth Giles roles as selectors.
In fact the 2007 & 2008 sides coached by Richter and Barend Steyn (Kearsney) had no players from either of those schools. Similarly, Ryno Combrinck, had one MHS player in his 2006 side. He did have three in the 2005 side but few would contend that Pat Cilliers or Mike Rhodes were not there on merit.
The quota requirement also hampers the ability to pick purely on rugby merit and the squad makeup, remembering that every player in the squad has to start a game, comes into play with the result that some who should have been picked miss out and others who do go struggle.
@star: The way Maseko played against Glenwood adds to my belief that he is a Craven Week must, unless as you say he is u19.
@Gungets Tuft: I think Michaelhouse have quite a few injuries so maybe their picks are injured but included based on last years form? Not sure…
@ Gungets- you must remember that Cameron Wright is the main play maker for Hilton and he is not eligible for CW as he is U19. That might distort the picture somewhat. I am surprized not to see the No 8 Maseko in the mix. Maybe he is U19 as well.
@pongola: Hilton and Westville have to wonder how they get 10 each in with their current form, and House get 13, when they have been beaten like red-headed step-children this year by Glenwood and Hilton.
As a bye-the-way, I thought that the House 2nds and 3rds were very good value at College. 3rds won nicely, 2nds perhaps a little unlucky to draw to a converted try 1 minute from time. Perhaps thats where it comes from, but still, Hilton …???
@meadows: I think SARU also needs to look at structures for the junior compos as well. I think the Gauteng and W/Cape could do with an additional representative team each in the u19 + u21 compo. Either this or allow the big union B-teams to play in the B-section.
@beet: The Bulls strategy is clearly starting to put financial pressure on the franchise if stories of salary cuts for senior players are correct. Not only do they recruit the most players but they also pay more for their juniors.
It cannot be in the best interests of our rugby to have 40 young players with the potential to play at a higher level sitting at the Bulls and not developing.
I’ve long thought that a system based on the US NFL draft and a Currie Cup expanded to include, for eg, Pumas, Leopards and EP would strengthen our player base.
The structure could also ideally include a Collegiate system based on US College football that fills the space between U19 and U21 age groups rather than the current U19 and U21 Currie Cup with players only eligible for the draft to the pro ranks post College or Varsity.
@wakker akker: Ja die outjie maar ‘n vreemde wese. Maar die blog reels bepaal ons mag nie persoonlik raak nie, Bog die uitsondering.
@Tjoppa: Dankie.My seun was amper by bulle maar WP BETER OFFER en ten minste is hy nog nader aan huis.Bulle praat nou glad nie met my ,,waar hulle voorheen baie nice was ignoreer hulle my nou heeltemal.Wys jou maar net.
@wakker akker: Ek dink die top juniors word wel daardie bedrae en hoer betaal. Maar dit moet eerder gaan oor die ontwikkeling van die junior speler. Hy moet game time kry en blootstelling. Volgens inligting is die Sharks op die stadium die beste met Pukke en WP kort op hul hakke.
Die Vrystaat en ander kleiner Unies is egter my keuse aangesien kompetisie minder is maar blootstelling dieselfde. Maar jy as ouer gaan tot op 22/23 nog aktief jou seun bystaan veral finansieel.
Moet egter beklemtoon my mening veral gevorm deur die “mislukking” van die Bulle se manier van dinge doen. So lees ons ook elke dag van ongelukkige ouers uit ander streke. Daar is ook sukses stories by die Bulle. Maar ek weet wat ek weet en sal nie my seun na die Bulle stuur nie.
@pongola: The Bulls academy and Tuks is the same venture. Had a interesting discussion with senior manager regarding the academy and it seems that the whole academy is falling apart. Price being dropped for next year and apparently more than half of the current coaching staff is under threat to loose their jobs. The Tuks agreement, worth 10 mill per year, is also being re negotiated. I think the divorce of TUKS and BB can only be good for rugby in Tswane.
@Djou: It will be interesting to see a list of those young players in the under age groups at the BBs who are not being used. We will all be in for a shock. You have touched on something which I have not thought of. Loosing to Affies today, is causing me so much pain that Im now wondering if the loss was not deliberate strategy to stop the “bigger” unions from poaching Greys players. There must be SOME reason for the loss
@Tjoppa: They boys should go to the Cheethas. They don’t pay the best, but they will almost definitely get a chance to play. Currently they lose most players from Grey and is therefore on the lookout for other talent. It is a real pitty though that the management of big rugby unions don’t care about the boys – after all they are human beings and should be treated as such.
@Tjoppa: Wat van WPse stelsel. Wat dink jy .Weet jy miskien wat behels so n kontrak min of meer.Ek gehoor daar was al tot R15 000 per maand aangebied vir n speler na skool.uitgesluit verblyf ens.
think sa rugby must start something like a draft for players at unions not getting game time and send them to griffons and smaller unions to get vodacom exposure. i’m a bulls supporter but i think their recruitment is more of i don’t want this player playing against me someday so i’ll give him a contract from school and if he doesn’t make it too bad bad and if he makes it at least his contracted. think the bulls academy is busy joining tuks because a lot of the contracted players play varsity cup and varsity young guns.
@beet Pionier Hoerskool
This problem goes far beyond SBR. I have, on many occasions, said that professional RUGBY NB, not just SBR, is in a crisis in SA and then, I am accused of being negative (As with my prognosis on SA in general) I repeat: There is a strong possibility, that in a few years from now, the “Three Nations” will consist of SA, Zim and Namibia. And then SARU wants to bid for the WC in 2024? Eleven years in SA rugby (and SA in general) is a VERY long time and I dont think, even SARU, has come to realize that.
@beet: You hit the nail on the head. At the Bulls they simply do not give a f%$k. Your son is a piece of meat. This is shown how they work with their juniors all the way through. It is shown in their CW selections. I watch a game of SBR of the big schools last night and saw at least three players that is good enough to make Affies, Waterkloof and Garsies 1st XV. When asked how did it go at the trails the one dad said he refused his son to go as it only creates an expectation that is going to be crushed. When offered a trial after school in France he wanted to sign immediately. And this flyhalf IS GOOD.
@McCulleys Workshop:
I think one needs to separate this argument into elite players and fringe players.
Elite players are destined to make it to the top aka a pro contract to play senior rugby
Fringe players are 10:90 at best. 10% chance of making it to the pros 90% chance of not having a future as pro player.
In terms of those elite players – if they come to the Sharks Academy you have a close to 100% chance of making it. If you go to the Bulls, where they overstocked elite players, their is a chance they could fail.
In terms of fringe players – because the Sharks offer so few contracts (8-12 per year), a player has a shot of being that 1 in 10 player (10:90 rule) because their are places in the team available.
At the Bulls, a fringe player has zero chance.
Players and their parents should also have a good look at what the Free State and Pukke have to offer. There might not be big money to spend on juniors but there are excellent opportunites to play against the best and get good rugby development.
The issue I have with the Bulls is that they stockpile good schoolboy players. Not all of them are then able to get a chance to develop to their maximum potential. As a result SA Rugby is weaker because of this.
@Grasshopper: Stop defending the selection of so many Glenwood players. All it proves is that the selection system is totally flawed. Yes, there may be a few boys in the 2nds who are good enough in a group of 170. But 32 is absurd.
Westville have 10 players. Of these, there is one who I don’t think has played a competitive game for the 1sts (only pre-season friendlies), one who has not yet been picked to start (until today) and one who has only made one start. So effectively seven 1st teamers and three 2nds. How does that work.
The selectors need to get off their big fat —– and go and watch games around the province from the start of the season. If they were worth their salt they would be able to identify the talent to make up a short list of eight teams for the first round of trials which would have already taken place last week. Narrow it down to four teams for the second round and then pick your teams. It cannot be that difficult.
Or are the selectors too involved in coaching their own schools and cannot get around to see all the other schools?
@McCulleys Workshop: Yes they purchase 40 odd u/19 players then only 25 gets to play rugby. At the end of their 2 year contract they get spit out having played 20 or 30 minutes rugby for the two seasons. That is junior rugby at the Bulls.
Then their academy is a farce costing R 65 000 for a year. It is such a success that the Bulls are considering to close it down. I stand corrected but six coaches was canned in the last month.
None of the players at the Bulls or Academy is allowed to play anywhere else where as the Sharks send their players to clubs to compete/play. When requested to allow these kids to play in order to kickstart junior club rugby it was ignored. The big clubs excluding Tuks is struggling to get juniors teams going.
And I can go on and on and on. Bulls do not care about their amateur setup as long as the money rolls they do not give a sheat.
@Tjoppa: is that what you think? Who got Pollard? Where is Gallant going? Sharks gave a contract to Reece Edwards after KERF! I think the Bulls are way ahead.
@BOG:And that by only one scout operating in SA.
@beet:Well put Beet.
@McCulleys Workshop: And the Shark’s academy is seen as the best in the country?
The Sharks? They dont need a coach- they need a miracle. Maybe the Chinese coach, Win One Soon ! Sorry, I just could not contain myself so early on a Saturday and after the Cheetahs dished up a mixture of crap and brilliance, not really justified. There will always be controversy and disagreement around selection and it applies to representative teams in SA as well, including CW. But here we have issues like quotas which has a profound impact on the composition of the team, the players who were undeservedly included and those undeservedly excluded. Young players are leaving SA in droves- my adversary,Tjoppa mentioned something like 46 this year- to France, Italy and the US.. But there seems a sensitivity to openly discuss this issue and a few years down the line, we all wonder what has happened to this or that player who played SA schools. Why surprised if most of us know that most of those who have disappeared were not supposed to be there in the first place. My concern is more for the talented player who is overlooked. Conversely, you have a player like Mc Culleys Workshop mentions- given false hope and financially exploited by academies.
@beet: Glenwood 2nd’s beat Voortrekker 1st’s 45-5 and in the holidays vs strong opponents did pretty well.
vs Waterkloof: Lost 10-13
vs Monument: Lost 17-24
vs Garsfontein: Won 38-26
I believe they are unbeaten locally for about 3 years now. The same can be said about the Westville, Kearsney and College 2n’s sides, so agreed maybe too many Glenwood players there. 2/3rds won’t make a team so maybe unfair to others……I can’t wait until Sean is not involved and then the finger pointing can stop….
@pongola: I’ll organise it. What school Pongola?
@McCulleys Workshop:
If you look at the way trials are structured, one has to assume that College and Glenwood will get the most boys in irrespective of their form relevant to other Tier-1 teams. In relation to their opposition in their regions, their second teams would beat all. This as opposed to Highways where you have Kearsney + Westville = 24 players and South Durban consisting of Campbell + Northwood + DHS = 19 players and in the Midlands Hilton + Michaelhouse = 23 players.
Questions at this stage are firstly is the Glenwood 2nd XV that much better than the Port Natal 1st XV to suggest that the whole Glenwood 2nds + a couple of 3rds go to trials and only 4 Porties players?
Also what about quality from the competitive regions? For example I know of a couple of Kearsney + Westville 2nd team players that I believe are better that some of the Glenwood 2nd team players at trials. I’m convinced that the Kearsney 2nd team scrummy James Hall could start for Glenwood 1sts and that big Westville prop Matt Jackson is a lot better than a number of props who are going to trials. The idea of spreading the net wide is a good one. 170 kids at semi-final trials works provided it’s an attempt to invite the best 170 kids in the system.
Finally what really concerns me is that 600km up the road the 2012 unofficial Craven Week finalists are about to play warm-up games. They have already identified their core players for Craven Week and are getting some form of cohesion going. Recipe for success stuff. We are probably a month behind them in preparations. Its a worry.
@beet how do you get a jersey?
@beet think the sharks would need a high profile coach because i don’t think the player have respect for the coach at the moment so you need someone to get their heads in the right place. hopefully all get sorted because it’s gonna influence the boks also
i think with john smit as ceo he can get the coach they need think they have a lot of respect for him. if you listen to nick mallet on supersport he knows his stuff and i hope for their sake he would be willing to take the job. i think your best player should play his preferred position and plumtree moves jp to centre? isn’t lindeque a outside centre why play him on wing if you look at the game you can see he didn’t belong on wing. what about the handling of the professional rugby players 17 knocks in one have?
White and Smit have a good relationship, but White on too good a contract and won’t move.
Mallet front runner at this stage I’ve heard, which province has bought Strauli?
@beet: Or Brendan Venter?
@pongola: Here is another example for you, Kyle Cooper played second fiddle to Shaun Malton. Shaun made SA Schools, now Kyle is the starting hooker for the Sharks and Shaun is playing in Northampton because the Sharks didn’t need him any longer. Same case for John Allan, he was not a regular in the Glenwood 1st side but went on to play for the Boks and Scotland. 2nd team players are sometimes there because of parents involvement and bias. My good mate played 3rd team and they had an 80% win rate when the 1st’s had a 20% win rate back in the 90’s. He was the best flyhalf in the school but due to the teacher not liking him he never got a chance. He ended up playing Natal Duikers after school and then for Hungary in Europe. Also, remember the Glenwood boys are not only from Durban they are from all around the province, the best from some of the rural areas placed in the Boarding establishment. I think our SA schools lock from a few years back was from Newcastle. Glenwood is mix of kids from everywhere so pooling the talent in one place. The same can be said about the other big schools. This is not to say there is no talent outside of the big schools but the boys playing in the big schools 1st teams have earned their spots due to competition for places, have great coaching and play against the best schools in SA. They have learnt how to play against the best and that sort of experience can’t be bought. Unfortunately for the smaller schools their stars have to really shine to be noticed. A good mate of mine was KZN schools material but was at Grosvenor on the Bluff, lost in the system. If he had gone to a big traditional school his life may be different now. Life is about choices….
@pongola: Nick Mallett said after his Bok stint that he would never coach in SA again, thats why he resigned when WP wanted him to move down from Director of Rugby to Head Coach a few years back.
Unless he makes a 180 on that decision, it won’t be him who takes over as coach.
What about Dick Muir?
Personally I would not mind getting Nollis Marais from the Bulls
Have you heard that?
they must get nick mallet.
Have any of you heard of the imminent changing of the guard at Fortress Kings Park?
@Sir Pius: Sir Pius, who too seem to be reading the wrong hymn sheet,
Glenwood 32
Maritzburg College 18
Kearsney 14
Michealhouse 13
Westville 10
Hilton 10
Are you telling me that MC and MHS have produced the best rugby? Or that Glenwood has produced twice the quality of rugby of Kearsney? That MHS who have won 1 domestic game from 4 starts have the quality or depth of Westville?
@BOG: I have a mate with a son at the Sharks Academy, nice kid, didn’t play Craven Week, didn’t play in a consistent position at school, but got scouted and invited for an assessment for an academy ‘ticket’. Guess what, he was privileged enough to be one of the 60 + players who get drafted in each year at a cost of R60,000 plus. He battled to make his club B side, and from my observations does not have a future in rugby as a top league player, but his Dad is a R60,000 contributor each year. Cynical, yes very.
where can u get the kzn craven week teams of the last 10 to 15 years
@BOG: No Bog, I am wholeheartedly in agreement with you!
Grasshopper just like you have a team in your head so does the kzn selectors.
the point of craven week teams is too chose the best in kzn so if you are not the best in your school how can you get invited to see if you are the best in kzn. doesn’t
Greenblooded doesnt mean if their 2nd and 3rd can win smaller schools all their players are better, the smaller school can have one guy that much better than the rest of his team.
marcell coetzee for example port natal would have lost by a lot of points to glenwood but doesn’t mean he’s no good?
kzn will never win the craven week if one school is over represented.
Gents we can moan all day these teams will not change. The selectors know what they are looking for, so let it be. The problem I’ve seen with some of the comments is that they are biased. The 3 schools with most players deserve it because they’ve played the best rugby. Once the teams have been announced support the boys and stop this moaning. Just think KZN rugby and not Glenwood rugby or Westville rugby or Kearsney rugby.
@McCulleys Workshop: Not sure if that is a swipe at me, but have you heard something called “TRUTH?” We should never avoid it by talking in circles or otherwise pretend that sensitive issues do not exist. Otherwise its no better than all the junk and crap called soapies Once we compromise truth and honesty, we are playing into the hands of social engineers and will become no better than them.
@Grasshopper: Potgieter is u19. I assume he is injured. Harmsworth seems to be out of 1st XV favour at his school. He is fit but was released to the Sharks Inv team for Wildeklawer while Glenwood played. I would have guessed that selectors would have wanted to see what a 1.97m 102kg lock who’s actually played 1st team and is in a province where locks are seldom taller than 1.92m, has to offer. But it seems like he is no longer considered 1 of the 32 better players at his school.
Congrats to all the boys! Glad to see Reece McHardy made it – he has to be the best scrumhalf to take the field this year and has shown great versatility in slotting well into the flyhalf position for Westville. Is there anything this lightie can’t do?
Do any Glenwood supporters know what happened to Joseph Potgieter and Matthew Harmsworth? Not expecting them here just wanted to know…
@Grasshopper: watched him, big, but not exceptional in the loose for his size, didn’t see him hit it up more than a few meters, not a presence for his size. Possibly good at scrum time.
@Grasshopper: For me there is one that I picked up so far coz I had him in my mock team:
Nqobi Maseko – the Hilton no.8
He was meant to play for the KZN Academy last year but did not play rugby in the last weeks of the termn before Academy Week and missed the event altogether.
Interestingly he is in the Hilton starting line-up for tomorrow, so possibly just an admin omission by the selectors
@McCulleys Workshop: Hollenstein is a must!
@GreenBlooded: take time to read the comments carefully. You will notice that I said MHS don’t deserve 13 players at trials after 3 thirty plus losses in the last three weeks. I’ve only watched one MHS game (there were a number of players out to injury) and I don’t see any CW players in their side, maybe one or two will step up when playing in better company. The world just isn’t green machine, cuzzie!
@Grasshopper: no problem with any of those, or with the first team players at the trials. There is no suggestion that GW shouldn’t be well represented.
@McCulleys Workshop: boet, lets make it very clear I don’t like that Glenwood has more than others in the squads, it smacks of influence and insiders. I would prefer if only 10 of Glenwood’s best were there and all got picked in either the A or Academy teams. This gives fuel to those like you and others who think Barend and Sean pick Glenwood players ahead of others. They want to win too for their own careers so won’t pick weaker players. Honestly think Vermaak, Joubert, Nela and Spam Ngcobo are certainties with Kay, Mazibuko, Van Vuuren and Coetzee as outsiders…Kay may get in to cover lock and due to experience….5 in 22 is about fair….
@Grasshopper: Hahaha – nothing gets the anti-Glenwood bandwagon rocking like a good crop of Glenwood boys in the representative teams – the most vocal critics surprisingly coming from supporters of teams who are grossly under-achieving this season. Well done to the Glenwood boys for making the teams – all 32 of you. GO GREEN!!!!
@Grasshopper: your green shades are looking good, at least to you!
@Grasshopper: yes, the Westville and Kearsney 2nd teams.
Are there any glaring omissions? I don’t see any, so why so many getting their knickers in a knot. If there is no rules on numbers going to trials why not send as many as you can. Some boys in the 2nd teams might shine. Remember there is huge politics in school rugby where there is favoritism and some 2nd team guys deserve to be in the 1sts. In the end this gives the guys good experience at trials, especially those in grade 11. In the end the team picked will be the best Barend Steyn wants, probably going with combos. I think this years side will have a good mix of schools and will do well…
This is a complete heap of rubbish. Unfortunately some school think if you send 30 to trials…10 will make it, you send 15 to trials only 5 will make it…..its the same with cricket trials, Glenwood have 15 boys going to KZN u19 trials…….go figure?????????????
@McCulleys Workshop: do you mean Mr B Steyn?
@BOG: what a crock, Glenwood 2nd team players, honestly, Glenwood first’s are hitting their straps, and proving that they are a good side, but NOT a great side, but to include 15 second team players and 2 third team players (unless they have a dedicated 1st bench?) and then 13 MHS players after 3 thirty point plus losses in the last 3 weeks?? Mr Erasmus what are you up to?
@grasshopper
Think Webster will start at 10 while DHS no.5 Dayne Mare will fight VERY hard to make the side…Lerouux Van Zyl shouldn’t be forgotten too
Surprised not to see the big Northwood props here. Well done to the DHS boys… Not many at all but all 7 are quality players. IMO Mare,Webster,Leroux and Peter will hold very strong cases for KZN
I am developing an inferiority complex and loosing all my confidence in my ability to convey a clear message. When will the people realize that CW has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the selection of teams on merit? Players must be told and prepared, in order to avoid disappointment and confidence in their abilities. CW is a festival and players are contracted to the franchises during the Easter WE festivals- even before. In fact, I wonder if the agents even attend CW still. I just think that we should stop debating the issue as if merit is an issue at all, because by doing so, we are giving credibility to an immoral indefensible process, IMHO of course.
I think it is excellent that some 2nd team boys get a crack – and also that many of the 2nd and 3rd tier schools are represented.
Now we just trust that those guys have an equal crack at actually making the final squad if they perform – and not written off automatically into the development squad merely because they are not in MC?GW/MHS etc. 1st team – are not of the correct colour – are not of the correct pedigree (right coaches or parents) etc.
I think it is excellent that there is a large group – but it is sad if the guys go there knowing they have no hope of progressing. It then cheapens the exercise.
The Glenwood 2nd team is unbeaten in KZN for a few years now, If I am not mistaken so they are obviously trying to cover all bases. In fact last year many thought the Glenwood 2nd’s would beat the 1st’s. Saying that I think 32 is overkill though. The cream will rise to the top though. Here are my picks;
1) Hollenstein (MHS)
2) Van Vuuren (Glenwood)
3) Gumede (College)
4) Wiessing (Hilton)
5) D Du Preez (Kearsney)
6) Mazibuko (Glenwood)
7) J-L Du Preez (Kearsney)
8) Schramm (Kearsney)
9) McHardy (Westville)
10) Tedder (Kearsney)
11) Vermaak (Glenwood)
12) Nela (Glenwood)
13) Ellse (Westville)
14) Ngcobo (Glenwood)
15) Lines (Kearsney)
16) Khatinde (College)
17) Reece-Edwards (Kearsney)
18) Van der Heever (Glenwood)
19) Webster (DHS)
20) Kay (Glenwood)
21) Joubert (Glenwood)
22) Arnott (MHS)
I know Glenwood heavy, but I have not seen every player on these teams so will be biased. i think this team would do us very proud at Craven Week though…
The problem with this round of trials is its clearly a case of quantity over quality.
Who are the KZN selectors? they need to pull finger and travel to all 4 corners of the Kingdom of KZN and identify the talent
I cannot believe that the Hoppers have 32 players and MC 18 players involved in the trials. Suggests that the selectors have not done enough homework. If they had put the graft it then they would have a better idea who should be involved in the trials therefore the number of teams could have been reduced.
@pongola: Because some schools 2nds 3rds and 4ths are better than other schools 1st teams.
not to step on toes or anything but how can a school have more than 15 players at the trail doesn’t the kzn selectors trust the school rugby coaches ? And how is it that 1 school has representation in different teams don’t the have regional trails and pick a regional team.
mc has a player in the north east south and west team ?
some clarification would be appreciated.
ferum 1
felixton 1
empangeni 2
john ross college 2
dundee 1
wartburg 1
port shepstone 2
hillcrest 1
kloof 2
crawford la lucia 2
Richards baai Hoerskool 3
Glenwood 32
Maritzburg College 18
Kearsney 14
Michealhouse 13
Westville 10
Hilton 10
George Campbell 8
Pionier 8
DHS 6
St Charles 6
Northwood 5
Clifton 4
Port Natal 4
Greytown 4
Linpark 3
Sarel Cilliers 3
Voortrekker 2
Treverton 2
Vryheid 2
Howick 2
Development 1
Eshowe 1
Suid Natal 1
Just as a matter of interest, I thought Dan Du Preez would be playing blindside at CW – I see he is down at lock in the trials team, does this then mean he will be playing lock at CW?