In a case of the challenges schools face to better manage their players, during the hectic April 2023 schedules, Hoërskool Nelspruit opted to rest their 1st XV starters and fielded a team made up mainly of 2nd XV and a couple of 3rd XV players against Menlopark’s 1st XV on Saturday 15 April 2023.
The end result was 64-0 drubbing by the Pretoria school who themselves were in need of a confidence boost following a Noord-Suid festival which saw them lose games 11-71 and 17-62 to high-flying Outeniqua and overachieving Welkom Gim respectively.
For those who were not aware of the team composition, the final score of 64-0 caused an increased shadow of doubt to be cast over what has already proved to be a difficult season for the Lowveld high school’s 1st XV.
The Nellies Rhinos were one of many schools who went into the weekend having played 5 matches in 10 or so days over two festivals.
The decision may have been frowned upon in some circles as match against Menlo formed part of the NWU sponsored Skolesportsreeks, however it was a necessary one under the circumstances.
Nellies are up against fellow Pumas rivals HTS Middelburg in the competition’s playoff for 7th/8th place.
Nelspruit’s 2023 festival results:
| DATE | OPPONENT | FOR | AGAINST | FESTIVAL |
| Fri.31Mar | Glenwood | 33 | 39 | NMI Toyota Menlyn Noord Suid |
| Mon.03Apr | Durban HS | 7 | 35 | NMI Toyota Menlyn Noord Suid |
| Thu.06Apr | St Benedict’s | 12 | 8 | St John’s Rugby Festival |
| Sat.08Apr | Maritzburg College | 19 | 43 | St John’s Rugby Festival |
| Mon.10Apr | Pretoria BH | 24 | 31 | St John’s Rugby Festival |
Wat ń geploeter is dit nie!
NHS met sy huidige spelers hoort nie in ń kompetisie vir Makroskole nie.
Ding mee met skole wat suksesvolle en aktiewe werwingprogramme het en wil dan self nie werf nie? Julle doen die goeie naam van alle vorige spelers wat met trots daardie trui oor hulle kop getrek het skade en ook die Laeveld.
Met die huidige prestasies behoort die Mediumskole in Nelspruit, met gemak, die huidige Rhino spanne te klop.
@Rugbyman: Stem saam, dis asof nugtere denke agterwee gelaat is in die soeke na … wat?
Personally I fail to understand how you can play 5 games in a week. Two at NoordSuid followed by three at an Easter festival straight after. I see this year many schools did that. I am not sure if it is fair on the boys’ bodies. Schoolboy rugby is alot tougher and more physical than even 10 years ago. Just my opinion… now fire away… 😜
… if that was your “decision” @ Nelspruit then stick with the decision and take it on the chin … bad taste making a whoo-haa thereafter.
The idea was right, the execution not….