Sharks Rugby Day / Trials 2024 at Kings Park

21 April, 2024 beet KZN 66

Sharks Rugby Day takes place at Kings Park on 27 April 2024.

Even though there has been a bit of resistance towards it in some quarters, it should prove to be a huge success. Amongst the big positives is player welfare, in that it does not overburden rugby boys with the responsibility of having to play midweek trials as well as having to focus on preparing and playing an interschools match the Saturday. All 10 Kwazulu-Natal top tier schools in action in proper full length matches. The selectors should have a pretty good idea about who they would like to select by now.  However in any given year their are core team selections and fringe player selections. Its usually the latter that are still up for grabs. So its an opportunity for a number of boys to play themselves into or out of contention for either the u18 Craven Week and/or the u17 Academy Week team.

This year’s concerns include hooker which appears to be an open race at this stage. A number of backline players have hit good form which could cause a few headaches. Amongst them Jadrian Afrikaner, Jadewill Koopman (both Westville), Stefan Moolman (Michaelhouse), Jordan van Wyk (Durban High School) and Lizwe Mtetwa (Glenwood). All are still u17 and will probably make the Academy Week team.

Full fixture list

Blog’s selections

TEAM SHARKS CW OPTION A TEAM SHARKS CW OPTION B
1 Rambo Kubheka MC 1 Anele Cele* KC
2 Martin Jr van Wyngaardt Gwd 2 Siyabonga Nyathi MC
3 Aiden Botha MC 3 Bongani Dlamini DHS
4 Lian Terblanche NW 4 Sibusiso Mahlangu DHS
5 Jake Jansen MC 5 Robert Combrinck MHS
6 Chris Cloete Wvl 6 Daniel Ikotela DHS
7 Vuyo Gwiji NW 7 Ethan Macey NW
8 Hanu Pieterse HC 8 Imivuyo Kemka MC
9 Matthew Fick SCC 9 Ryan Pistor Wvl
10 Aka Boqwana DHS 10 Liyema Nela HC
11 Michael Satade Wvl 11 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein MC
12 Duncan Basson DHS 12 Tom Baguley MHS
13 Cameron Veenstra KC 13 Rourke o’Sullivan MHS
14 Rukudzo Madinga HC 14 Kwenzo Dlamini NW
15 Luke Davidson MHS 15 Ivan Jjuuko HC
16 Mahle Sithole DHS 16 Dylan Neill HC
17 Aphiwe Shelembe MHS 17 Unaye Mndau DHS
18 Reuben Vos NW 18 Luthando Buthelezi MHS
19 Naz Isaacs MC 19 Heinrich Fourie KC
20 Khanyisa Stamper DHS 20 Connor McIntyre KC
21 Zander Vorster HC 21 Lian Lochnar Gwd
22 Zingce Simka DHS 22 Nkululeko Sithole MC
23 Zekethelo Siyaya Wvl 23 Unathi Mlotshwa Wvl

* Anele Cele plays tighthead for his school
**Carlyle Hawkins (Michaelhouse) – shoulder, otherwise a firm Option A favourite.

School lineups

TEAM CLIFTON TEAM NORTHWOOD
1 Njabulo Dlomo 1 Reuben Vos u18
2 Richard Castle 2 Werner van Nieuwenhuizen u18
3 Simphiwe Ngcobo 3 Abu Keleku u18
4 Matt Hammond 4 Kwezi Kunene u19
5 Lukhanyiso Nala 5 Lian Terblanche u17
6 Josh Howells 6 Tersius Bezuidenhout u18
7 Jamie Brown 7 Titas Cesonis u18
8 Bryce Beeslaar 8 Ethan Macey u18
9 Kyle Akal 9 Jed Mun-Gavin u17
10 Nkanyiso Ntshangase 10 Savio Stevens u17
11 Wandile Ngubane 11 Nokutenda Gunda u18
12 Devan Schwartz 12 Bongane Khumalo u17
13 Handre de Bruin 13 Siyanda Nkosi u19
14 Enzo Marcon 14 Kwenzo Dlamini u18
15 Adam Selikow 15 Graeham de Swardt u18
16 Sam Sibande 16
17 Bandile Nhlabathi 17
18 Kego Maseko 18
19 Joshua Fouche 19
20 Khanya Mgabi 20
21 Damian Marais 21
22 Brad Beeslaar 22
23 Matt Farquharson 23
TEAM ST CHARLES TEAM DURBAN HS
1 Lutho Mrwata u18 1 Unaye Mndau u18
2 Marlon Mbewe u18 2 Mahle Sithole u18
3 Christian Allardice u18 3 Bongani Dlamini u18
4 Raphael Ajibade u17 4 Vimbiso Kasvosve u18
5 Reece Curtin u18 5 Thando Luthuli u18
6 Lazola Makaula u19 6 Daniel Ikotela u18
7 Sam Odell u18 7 Bradley le Grange u17
8 Stefan Veldsman u19 8 Khanyisa Stamper u18
9 Matthew Fick u18 9 Marcwin Nero u18
10 Ukhanyo Ntsangani u18 10 Allston Cedras u19
11 Matthew Ludick u17 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane u18
12 Okuhle Peti u18 12 Zingce Simka u18
13 Athenkosi Qumo u17 13 Duncan Basson u18
14 Likuthi Mbalana u18 14 Adriano Jackson u18
15 Salmaan Mohammed u18 15 Aka Boqwana u18
16 16 Okuhle Mbanjwa u17
17 17 Elvino Witbooi u17
18 18 Joseph Udo-idung u17
19 19 Jose Lottering u17
20 20 Inathinkosi Mkhencele u17
21 21 Jaydon Roberts u17
22 22 Jordan van Wyk u17
23 23 Neo Shakwane u17
Coach CRAIG DWYER Coach PETER ENGLEDOW
TEAM WESTVILLE TEAM MARITZBURG COLLEGE
1 Likhona Maseko u18 1 Rambo Kubheka u18
2 Jeshua Ferreira u18 2 Siyabonga Nyathi u18
3 Bandile Mncwango u17 3 Aiden Botha u18
4 Moustapher Gcina u18 4 Bohlale Maphisa u18
5 Rhys Mitchell u19 5 Jake Jansen u18
6 Chris Cloete u18 6 Struan Oosthuisen u18
7 Seth Gwyn u18 7 Naz Isaacs u18
8 Brandon Eke u17 8 Imivuyo Kemka u18
9 Ryan Pistor u18 9 Rayke Maartens u18
10 Unathi Mlotshwa u18 10 James Slevin u18
11 Jadrian Afrikaner u17 11 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein u17
12 Blake Allbon u18 12 Nkululeko Sithole u18
13 Michael Satade u18 13 Swelihle Mbatha u18
14 Jade-Will Koopman u17 14 Reinhardt Jacobsz
15 Zekhethelo Siyaya u17 15 Luyanda Kunene u19
Coach NJABULO ZULU u18 Coach TIM ORCHARD
TEAM MICHAELHOUSE TEAM KEARSNEY
1 Aphiwe Shelembe u18 1 Kudawashe Kachambwa u18
2 Oliver Davis u17 2 Blake Kruger u18
3 Ayandiswa Buthelezi 3 Anele Cele u18
4 Daniel Carr 4 Heinrich Fourie u18
5 Dominic Sesink-Clee u18 5 Ryan Sim u18
6 Rilety Gehren u18 6 Cullum Steer u18
7 Alexander Arde u17 7 Connor McIntyre u18
8 Robert Combrinck u18 8 Qhamani Mlalandle u18
9 Jack Hughes u18 9 Murray Weyer u18
10 Luke Davidson u18 10 Doan Nel u17
11 William Ridl u17 11 Daniel Eagar u18
12 Tom Baguley Bonsma u18 12 Jarred van Staaden u18
13 Rourke o’Sullivan u17 13 Jude Greig u18
14 Aya Mkhokeli u18 14 ⁠Valentino Lenge u18
15 Stefan Moolman u17 15 ⁠Cameron Veenstra u18
16 Jordan Rootman u18 15
17 Koketso Bopape 15
18 Stuart Neilsen 15
20 Anesu Nduru u18 15
21 Daniel Aissing u17 15
22 Connor McAlpine 15
23 Lwandle Nzama 15
Coach JAMES FLEMING Coach NEIL VAN HEERDEN
TEAM HILTON TEAM GLENWOOD
1 Oliver Proudfoot u18 1 Lonwabo Nkaltshana u18
2 Josh Grant u17 2 Martin Jr van Wyngaardt u18
3 Ben le Roux u18 3 Uze Xaba u17
4 Trent Chubb u17 4 Michael Ize-iyamu U18
5 Kieran Hunter u19 5 Tylo Madaat u17
6 Ross Brown u18 6 Connor Barrows u17
7 Stewart Falconer u17 7 Tyler Conyngham u17
8 Hanu Pieterse u18 8 Jordan Hargreaves u18
9 Zander Vorster u17 9 Lian Lochnar u17
10 Liyema Nela u17 10 Juan Viljoen u17
11 Requilme Adonis u17 11 Mvelo Ndwalane u17
12 Daniel Sweeney u18 12 Sisiphiwo Dwayi u18
13 Khazimla Makali u17 13 Lizwe Mtetwa u17
14 Sebastien Gaboreau u17 14 Sthabiso Dube u17
15 Ivan Jjuuko u18 15 Lesedi Khumalo u17
16 Khanya Jekwa u18 16 Zane Kruis u17
17 Dylan Neill u18 17 Ronald Petersen u17
18 Rowan Cox u18 18 Ethanda Maloi u19
20 Oliver Mattison u18 20 Dylan van Rensburg u18
21 Bakana Xola u19 21 Ronan Rankin u17
22 Tristan Uys u17 22 Keaton Coetzee u18
23 Morne Engelbrecht 23 Thamsanqa Ngubane u18
Coach BRAD MACLEOD-HENDERSON Coach DEREK HEIBERG

66 Comments

  1. avatar
    #66 Veg

    THE NECESSITY OF TRIALS

    Without trials how does your chap from a small school get a look in?
    Even when you do have trials the chap from a small school has the odds stacked against him.
    A chap who the selectors see often and is playing for a top tier school is given a lot more leeway that your chap from a small school.
    Johnny from a big school has a bad day at trials.Selectors know him so they say look “Johnny had a bad day but we all know he is better than that.”
    Freddy from the small school knocks on once he is yanked off the field.
    Trials aren’t perfect but they at least give the small school chap a small chance (Odds similar to the lottery) and the chance to play with better players and a higher standard.
    You obviously have the issue about the fact that Freddy is shining in lesser company but how do know he wont shine in better company.
    Regional trials then invited to the next level then full KZN trials so Freddy can test himself against the top guys.
    ReplyReply
    28 April, 2024 at 12:05
  2. avatar
    #65 Kaya 85

    @Coolguy (Comment #64)
    Be ready for either option.Bring cash, or your card. Or dress up in your uniform / coach threads…

    ReplyReply
    25 April, 2024 at 11:51
  3. avatar
    #64 Coolguy

    Access to the Sharks Rugby day event, I assume tickets will be sold at the venue only or is it free entry?

    ReplyReply
    25 April, 2024 at 10:58
  4. avatar
    #63 Grasshopper

    @Henkies (Comment #61)
    Yep, my first memories too. It must have been 1990 or something, Naas was playing for Tuks, I think they beat Despatch 22-20, I was in the stands with the Despatch crowd, rowdy bunch…

    ReplyReply
    24 April, 2024 at 13:03
  5. avatar
    #62 Henkies

    @Grasshopper (Comment #55)
    The club champs were great days Grassy. My first introduction to watching matches at Kings Park and those games make an impact on you.Throw Pretoria Police in there as well. Some of those club teams were stacked with future Boks

    ReplyReply
    24 April, 2024 at 12:19
  6. avatar
    #61 Kaya 85

    @Grasshopper (Comment #48)
    @Grizzly (Comment #47)
    Agree with Grizzly 100 % here…rugby is only booming among all groups in SA, more than ever and the scenes during RWC show 100 times more interest, passion and support for the Boks than even 2019…yes some rugby schools have faded totally, but youth club rugby is up…look at Varsity Cup and all the new teams in Varsity Shield, very competitive with packed grounds from Bloem, to Fort Hare…in my view though I think cricket is the sport that will battle most in future…Soccer / Football is the World game, but except for the Chiefs Pirates derby, their club attendance in SA also very low…

    ReplyReply
    24 April, 2024 at 08:57
  7. avatar
    #60 Grasshopper

    @beet (Comment #58)
    Sorry boet, a traditional fixture far outweighs any trials. A game on Meadows, Gillfillan, Van Heerdens, Dixons, Goldstones should be the pinnacle for a schoolboy player, where you represent your brothers…

    ReplyReply
    24 April, 2024 at 07:20
  8. avatar
    #59 Pamos

    @beet (Comment #58)
    I think with regard to the EP comment. We can see how badly this has affected the EP team. If I am not mistaken, last year the trials were held on the same weekend the Grey PE played St Andrews, who are probably the top schools in that region. I know only a few Grey PE players made it, one even being in the second team and almost no St Andrews players made it. Who do you play for? Your school or try represent your province? I am firmly in the boat of playing for your school first.

    ReplyReply
    24 April, 2024 at 02:09
  9. avatar
    #58 beet

    @RuggaFreak (Comment #56)
    :mrgreen: Does that statement include the new national selector from Komani?
    Unfair comment without knowing the selectors. Selectors are the coaches and rugby officials from the schools. Same guys who keep the wheels turning in all things school rugby every day. Several of the sad stories I heard this year were about coaches who are so committed to their schools, the kids and obviously earning an income, that they could not watch their own kids playing sport on Saturday mornings. These guys give a lot.

    About the Sharks Day. Since I’ve come to know about the trials and selection process, one of the first things shared with me was the importance of giving every boy from every school as fair a shot as possible. I think this is mandated by SARU. There has to be a form of trials in every region. Another thing has been the general dissatisfaction with the manner in which the trials process was conducted. It always felt like there was room for improvement. In the last few years I think KZN has been blessed with having people in the right positions who are not willing to sit by and be content with something that can be better. That’s definitely not being lazy. Its being proactive. So each year now there is an attempt to create something a bit better.

    So the Sharks Day is not too different to Meyer Sauerman in the EP. Its just that its in its infancy. In the EP everyone now accepts that that weekend is for EP trials so generally no other big interschools games are arranged. It does not have to be one or the other. Interschools and a trials Saturday can co-exist. It just needs buy in. There should actually be weekends that are provincial window weekends during the second term. One for trials in April or May and two more before the end of term. All communicated well in advance.

    Obviously a big issue in KZN is that more than half the league wants to shut shop at the end of the second term. That equals a limited number of Saturdays to play rugby and as hinted generate revenue from home games. All the KZN schools that have lost a home fixture as a result of Sharks Day are set to be worse off financially. It might not be the rugby departments problem but guaranteed someone on the management or exec committee now has to find the bucks somewhere else. No one wants to identify 3rd term soccer as an enemy of rugby and better revenue generating opportunities at the start of the third term. But if its the most popular winter sport then so be it.

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 22:30
  10. avatar
    #57 Grasshopper

    @RuggaFreak (Comment #56)
    Agree with you…..it’s a let down playing a traditional fixture as part of a conveyer belt of games in front of a tiny crowd

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 21:56
  11. avatar
    #56 RuggaFreak

    Wait… These schools were set to have traditional derbies and then got approached to all please play at KP on the same day? Definitely not a fan of this. Selectors are lazy as they should be watching every game and have ideas by now. It’s great to have these schools all play in 1 day in 1 venue but never should set traditional derbies be taken away from school grounds to a stadium. Should’ve hosted a rugby day on a free weekend then.

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 21:49
  12. avatar
    #55 Grasshopper

    @Henkies (Comment #54)
    I get it, 15k at a push & that’s when tickets are under 100 bucks. They need a smaller venue maybe in Ballito or Hillcrest. The UK games are always packed & have a great vibe because the stadiums are smaller. Remember it’s clubs here not provinces. It’s sad to see as I used to go often as a kid when the new stand was packed & prior to that at the club champs watching Tuks, Maties & DISPATCH!

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 21:28
  13. avatar
    #54 Henkies

    @Grasshopper (Comment #53)
    Grassy they have to come up with new strategy to attract the spectators. Durban has lost a lot of people over the years so it’s more challenging than it was in the Sharks glory days of the mid 90s. tThey get up to 15000 people which is probably more than Sale, Northampton, Bath, Harlequins. Still looks like a good day out. If the Sharks start getting more consistent results that number will hopefully go up.

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 19:32
  14. avatar
    #53 Grasshopper

    @JongMatie (Comment #52)
    And the stadium is empty! They’ve even introduced a pool for kids to swim in to make it more a family thing, the height of desperation. The surrounding area is horrendous and not sure I would braai on the fields afterwards any longer. When I watch the Sharks I could literally count the number of spectators..

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 17:38
  15. avatar
    #52 JongMatie

    @ForeverHorseFly (Comment #51)
    What is enjoyable about Kings Park rugby – The Sharks are horrendous!

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 12:08
  16. avatar
    #51 ForeverHorseFly

    @KatzRugga (Comment #49)
    If this is to be an annual thing then it makes sense for the rest of the sporting fixtures be played on the Thursday/Friday and early Saturday morning which then allows the kids to go down to Kings Park and enjoy watching rugby the whole day. Kids in uniform get in free so that’s a great incentive to go down and support the respective first teams.

    Also as a parent/old boy/rugby spectator…having a one day festival type day of KZN rugby which also doubles as trials is a good way to spend a Saturday. Most people will only ever attend the schools they support on any given Saturday, this way you can see other schools teams up close play other opposition.

    Not to mention the first team boys themselves having a chance to use the same facilities and play on the field that their local heroes play on is something they are all for if you ask me…for many of them it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity as not all will become pro players after high school.

    This can also be a great fundraising opportunity for the various Sharks CW teams costs of touring to the various youth weeks.

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 11:12
  17. avatar
    #50 JongMatie

    @Grizzly (Comment #47)
    Geen rede om nou meer spelers te kom GAPS in die Kaap nie asb..

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 10:36
  18. avatar
    #49 KatzRugga

    WHO BENEFIT FROM THIS?

    I’m struggling to see how the schools will benefit from this being at King’s Park.
    A homegame, revenue and atmosphere is lost in my opinion.
    If there’s a squad of 21-25 players going some boys end up benching for absolutely no game time whereas they could have played for their schools 2nd team and stepped in as reserve if need be.
    Not even a Sharks game at the end to keep the boys down at Kings Park as a reward or cherry on the top.
    With all the video footage available this could rather be done by invite for the boys that might make it. As shown by Your list/best guess above there’s a good chance that the selectors have already pinned this down by 75-90%.
    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 09:19
  19. avatar
    #48 Grasshopper

    @Grizzly (Comment #47)
    Good point but I see most schools number of teams reducing, not expanding. The exception is Affies which has about 40 teams but mostly white kids. If what you say is happening then great stuff. I’ve always said the focus should be at Club level, not school level. Not sure local tribes have the same physical attributes of Maori’s but certainly powerful and quick. Naturally there isn’t many very tall local groups, but the tall Afrikaners (ex Dutch) can cover that eg RG Snyman. I really do hope it does pick up with the majority, I just don’t see it in KZN…

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 09:04
  20. avatar
    #47 Grizzly

    @Grasshopper (Comment #46)
    Die spel rugby is teen n geweldige spoed besig om onder swart spelers te groei.In Pta se club ligas is daar geweldige groei onder daai spelers met as ek skat 40% gekleurde spelers.Die ander ding wat my op val is dat hulle baie goed is.Fisies,klip hard,vinnig en baie sterk.Hier was n plasing op die blog van NZ se maories en ek se jou nou,daars n moerse surprise wat wag op wereld rugby en ons teenstanders binne die volgende 10 jaar.Die ding is daars n siklus voltooi wat swart spelers groot geword het met die game.Hulle love dit,kan nie weg steek nie.Die rivival en groei vernaam in club rugby in Pta gaan gedryf word deur swart spelers en hulle onder steuners wat by die horde groei elke naweek.So nee wat,ek sal nie panic nie,ek dink rugby oor die bree spektrum het gegroei oor die af gelope dekade dabksy SA se sukses by WB.

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 08:59
  21. avatar
    #46 Grasshopper

    @Kaya 85 (Comment #45)
    This is a sign of the times, a dying sport globally. Rugby with it’s head injuries and very seldom deaths, is not something parents want for their kids. BUT the main reason is the elitism in the schools, focus on A teams and not getting the lower teams to do the basics right, so more injuries. If I was the Head of Rugby at a school the focus would be the best coaches in the D, E, F &G teams, get those kids all up to best basics. That is how Maritzburg College used to do it, same style, calls and basics, hence why their lower teams used to smash other schools. Give recognition and exposure to these lower teams, with the 1st team supporting the U14Gs. Overall down the line win rates should be the focus. Also, the conversion to pro is so low, why put so much effort into it at school. I also think the laws have made the game confusing, laws changing all the time. Lastly, in pro rugby there is just too much rugby, it feels games have no real meaning any longer, just another game. Less is more in this case and go back to tours. The demographics in SA naturally mean football (aka soccer), basketball, hockey and athletics will be more popular & safer. I fear visiting KZN in 20 years and their are no poles up on the fields :-(

    ReplyReply
    23 April, 2024 at 08:29
  22. avatar
    #45 Kaya 85

    @Skywalker (Comment #44)
    Can confirm that basketball is also booming in the Gauteng boys Schools as a summer sport. One top school converted one of their cricket ovals into 6 brand new basketball courts. For a school its a more efficient use of space, because instead of keeping 22 cricketers active + 2 scorekeepers, that space can now provide at least 60 – 80 boys space for playing. And more teams can get game time in an afternoon than cricket. A pity the green field is gone…but the school has others.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 21:56
  23. avatar
    #44 Skywalker

    @JongMatie (Comment #27)
    Something I mentioned in a previous post, but two reasons.
    1. Rise of hockey as a major sport in KZN. Look at current rankings across all age groups, even going back 10 years…KZN schools are always in the top 10 in SA, often in top 3. Maritzburg College, Hilton, Northwood, DHS, Kearsney, Westville are up there consistently each year. Boys are playing hockey from as young as 4 years old at clubs in KZN. It’s far more professional and recognized as a sport now and seen by many as less dangerous then rugby so many in KZN choose it over rugby for winter sport. Hence why in KZN a lot of rugby boys are boarders, because they are from out of town.
    2. We can’t underestimate that in KZN we have the 2nd largest Indian population outside of India. These learners traditionally don’t play rugby, simple. So you can have 1/3 or more of your school who simply don’t play the sport. Again means rugby boys need to be found elsewhere.
    Basketball also a big sport now in KZN. NW currently no.1 in SA. SCC, Maritzburg College, Kearsney also up there. If boys are prioritizing that in 1st term they are not playing rugby.
    2.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 21:35
  24. avatar
    #43 Grasshopper

    @Jakkals (Comment #42)
    Schools are putting out like 14 to 20 teams in term 3 now, it’s blasphemy! It’s basically knocked athletics to random event in Jan/Feb and means most of the big KZN high schools don’t play 3rd term rugga. I reckon basketball and football will take over, maybe by 2050. That will be a very sad day indeed…

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 21:30
  25. avatar
    #42 Jakkals

    @beet (Comment #41)
    Really Beet? You really think Soccer will overtake Rugby in KZN schools and even cause it’s demise? I really don’t enjoy that round ball game so maybe that’s why I’m so ignorant about it. I can’t imagine a school like Maritzburg College not playing Rugby and instead playing soccer…..I will have to move to another Province

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 21:24
  26. avatar
    #41 beet

    @JongMatie (Comment #30)
    Soccer is big in the KZN schools and growing. I’m sure it will overtake rugby in the province and never look back.
    By the year 2040 I wonder how many schools in KZN will still be playing rugby at a level anywhere close to what they will have in regions like the Eastern and Western Cape where rugby is part of those communities upbringing and culture. In KZN I’m sure the next generation of headmasters may not appreciate the cost of rugby in relation to the marketing benefit and may see huge potential to commit available sports funds to pursuing success in soccer instead.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 20:43
  27. avatar
    #40 beet

    @wanza_15 (Comment #34)
    The Westville 10 Unathi Mletshwa like the rest of their backline is in really good form at the moment. It felt like it was just a few weeks ago that I thought the only way Westville could makee meaningful ground gains on the field was if they won penalties and kicked for touch. They have turned a corner. Now they look red hot with ball-in-hand and can strike from anywhere. Westville had a centre named Likhona Finca who had so much unrealised talent it was frightening. I thought Unathi’s school career might be heading the same way. He is a tremendous athletic player with good footballing skills but found himself playing on the wing a lot of the time. So I take my hat off to his head coach Jabz Njabulo who backed Unathi at 10 for that big game against Monument, in which Westville played so well and won.
    I think the trust the coach placed in him as paid off big time. He is playing so well at the moment. He is a pleasure to watch.
    The scrumhalf Ryan Pistor, may not be the player I turn to for a structured approach but I give him his dues when play opens up after a few phases or gets looser due to a change in strategy, he seems to come into his own and is really good at reading situations and making the right calls. Its not so easy to coach those qualities. It comes naturally to some while others never develop anything close to instinctive characteristics.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 20:35
  28. avatar
    #39 Grasshopper

    @Kaya 85 (Comment #38)
    That’s not correct, but if that is what you want to believe then so be it. It’s the FIFA Football World Cup, the largest sporting event in the world. They do not call is soccer in Ireland or Wales, I lived in both countries. Only SA, Australia and USA call it soccer…

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 19:25
  29. avatar
    #38 Kaya 85

    @Grasshopper (Comment #37)
    Those words quoted in ‘French’…so in other languages where they don’t have other Football codes, the English word Football stands for Soccer…hence Fussball (directly translated into German), Football (used in French)..similar in Portuguese I think, but in the English speaking world Soccer is Soccer, even the Welsh and Irish call it that. If you’re in England knock yourself out, say Football. But as rugby’s iconic referee Nigel Owens said, this sport isn’t “Soccer”.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 19:21
  30. avatar
    #37 Grasshopper

    @Kaya 85 (Comment #35)
    FIFA = Fédération internationale de football association. So it’s the Football World Cup…

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 18:50
  31. avatar
    #36 Kaya 85

    @Beet
    Who are the teams selected for Urban Tier 2A and 2B…? How many of those guys ever make it to CW or AW?

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 18:45
  32. avatar
    #35 Kaya 85

    @Grasshopper (Comment #31)
    Football is a name that belongs to many different variations…e.g. Australian Rules Football, American Football, Gaelic Football…and no less Rugby Football. The round ball game is overwhelmingly called soccer in all of the English speaking countries, except England, where the working class called it Football, and those self-appointed guardian types want to insist that everyone everywhere calls it Football. Keep your Football, I’ll call it Soccer.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 18:43
  33. avatar
    #34 wanza_15

    I’m not nearly as qualified as any of you to speak on the KZN climate but I really thought the Westville right winger with the scrum cap that scored the opening try against us, as well as the 10 were exceptionally good. I see neither of them here, that should mean these 4 boys are really good – will definitely catch up on Sunday.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:47
  34. avatar
    #33 Grasshopper

    1975: Eastern Province vs Natal, 46-13 in Pretoria
    1987: Natal vs Transvaal, 22-22 in Paarl – arguably Maritzburg College’s best side of all time – 4x SA Schools players (Grant Reid, Brendan Cattrell, Warren Wilson, Udo Goedeke), I think it was like 11 or 13 in Natal Schools…
    1990: Natal vs Northern Transvaal, 16-8 in Durban
    2017: Golden Lions vs KwaZulu-Natal, 45-18 in Johannesburg
    2018: Western Province vs Kwa-Zulu Natal, 47-8 in Paarl

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:45
  35. avatar
    #32 Grasshopper

    https://rugby365.com/schools/craven-week/last-matches-at-craven-week-1971-2019/

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:39
  36. avatar
    #31 Grasshopper

    @JongMatie (Comment #30)
    I hope SA finally calls it what it should be called, football…

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:38
  37. avatar
    #30 JongMatie

    @Grasshopper (Comment #29)
    Our soccer is picking up – the future of school sports in SA.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:36
  38. avatar
    #29 Grasshopper

    @JongMatie (Comment #27)
    Soccer/football in winter PLUS Surfing ;-)

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:30
  39. avatar
    #28 Grasshopper

    @JongMatie (Comment #25)
    To a degree, DHS has the biggest purse strings in KZN and has gone out to recruit the best possible. So it’s a combination of that concerted effort and decent coaching over a period of 7 years since Tony Pinheiro took over as Headmaster leaving Glenwood and having missed out on the SACS job…

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:30
  40. avatar
    #27 JongMatie

    @Grasshopper (Comment #26)
    Noted – but then what do the kids do if they dont play rugby?

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:29
  41. avatar
    #26 Grasshopper

    @JongMatie (Comment #22)
    Rugby proper only starts in grade 8 for 90% of school kids, so we playing catch-up from the beginning. The semigration to the Cape and Ballito means it’s spread even thinner. If you looked at the number of kids playing rugby per province, I would guess KZN has the fewest. We only have 10 schools who can compete at a decent level, maybe two for top 20. My uncle was in the first & 2nd Craven Weeks in 1964 and 1965, where they beat WP…..

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:26
  42. avatar
    #25 JongMatie

    @Henkies (Comment #24)
    Seeing that you are from DHS – Peter Engledouw must be one of the most underrated coaches out there at schoolboy level. What he has been able to achieve at DHS is nothing short of a miracle.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:18
  43. avatar
    #24 Henkies

    @JongMatie (Comment #23)
    It would be interesting to see the history of the Sharks at Craven Week. I could be wrong but they have seen a number of years where they win 2 games to advance to the main game but get pipped at the final hurdle. 2017 and 2018 were strong Sharks Craven Week sides and last years one was also pretty potent. I think they gave WP a good run

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:13
  44. avatar
    #23 JongMatie

    @Grasshopper (Comment #21)
    Looking at these ‘final’ scores – probably only made the final because they were on the ‘right’ kant of the draw? :-D

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:02
  45. avatar
    #22 JongMatie

    @Grasshopper (Comment #20)
    Let me rephrase – why then does the KZN schools barely have a team in the top 10 in SA – year after year.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 16:00
  46. avatar
    #21 Grasshopper

    @JongMatie (Comment #19)
    My bad, time going too quickly, 2017 and 2018;
    2017: Golden Lions vs KwaZulu-Natal, 45-18 in Johannesburg
    2018: Western Province vs Kwa-Zulu Natal, 47-8 in Paarl

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 15:58
  47. avatar
    #20 Grasshopper

    @JongMatie (Comment #19)
    Didn’t they make the final 3 years ago? With like 1 team in the top 10 each year, I would say they doing OK…

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 15:55
  48. avatar
    #19 JongMatie

    Why are the sharks so massively under performing at CW level? – year after year..

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 15:50
  49. avatar
    #18 beet

    @Bush (Comment #17)
    Yes 100% agree. Ethan Macey is his name. Very useful player. A good lineout option. He could fit right in at CW.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 12:36
  50. avatar
    #17 Bush

    @Beet, who is the Nr6 for NW? Saw him at the House game. That oke would be in my team. Could play him at lock or Nr8. Big Lad 👍

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 11:24
  51. avatar
    #16 Grasshopper

    @Pamos (Comment #15)
    St Charles pumped Clifton 50-15 on the weekend, a bigger margin than Glenwood. I’m worried about that fixture for Glenwood. They are top 10 in KZN for sure. Clifton Wooden spoon then the battle is between St Charles, Glenwood & Kearsney for the other positions outside of the top 5.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 11:02
  52. avatar
    #15 Pamos

    @beet (Comment #11)
    Yeah, There is a boy playing for SCC – Raphael Ajibade. If he was at a Top 3 school he would have been a shoe-in for CW. Big,Tall, fast and Athletic.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:47
  53. avatar
    #14 beet

    @Grasshopper (Comment #13)
    Yeah and Northwood lost a top lock to Garsfontein ahead of the 2023 season. He would have been invaluable.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:43
  54. avatar
    #13 Grasshopper

    @beet (Comment #11)
    Locks have been an issue for KZN since time began, we just don’t produce 2m+ 100kg plus locks, maybe Al Hargreaves was one. Unless you know of more since him. These 1.90cm flanks at lock just can’t compete at CW level…correct on the hooker…

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:34
  55. avatar
    #12 Pamos

    @beet (Comment #8)
    I agree, who would you be picking to Captain the Sharks team this year?

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:32
  56. avatar
    #11 beet

    Lineout work will be critical with the first game being WP.
    I think the top 12 WP lock options would all walk into the Sharks CW team.
    They have so many combos they can go with.
    Kody Nel + Ruan Viviers (Boland Landbou)
    Truspe Schoeman + Riley Norton (Paul Roos)
    ⁠Dian Smal + ⁠Jayden Joubert (Paarl Boys’ High)
    Quintin Potgieter (Paarl Gim)
    Tom Barnard + Josh Neill (Rondebosch)
    Jaythen Orange + Aden de Costa (Wynberg)
    Sebastian Johnson (Stellenberg) if fit
    Possibly a few other 2nd XV players as well.

    The Sharks need to make good picks in this department and make sure the hookers who have to throw in are boys who can deliver accurate throwins.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:31
  57. avatar
    #10 Pamos

    @beet (Comment #5)
    I think concerning this, The sharks Cravenweek teams are mainly picked from u18s and academy u17 unless the u17 player is really good. So I think Fick will be the front-runner. On form the two younger players are above him, big decisions to be made at 9

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:28
  58. avatar
    #9 Grasshopper

    @beet (Comment #6)
    Maybe, I can’t see playing at KP with max 5,000 spectators spread thinly across the stadium is that exciting. I mean even the upper tiers are closed now, covered in advertising. What sort of crowds watch the Sharks now, probably 15,000 average max. I would prefer to play on Gillfillan with OBs, warcries and the fresh midland air. The bowl type nature of the field is awesome. Anyway, I’m old school, maybe things have changed. Also, yes the build up with lower teams is missed…

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:23
  59. avatar
    #8 beet

    @Pamos (Comment #1)
    I think the name that sticks out on that list is Bradley le Grange. Easy pick for u17 AW and someone to consider for CW based on the workrate he puts in every game but think the target mix makes it more difficult to find a place for him. He would need someone like his teammate Mhlangu to press hard for CW in order to open a door for him.

    Props in KZN definitely a good standard but hard to make a team unless u17 or injuries to the u18 props

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:22
  60. avatar
    #7 beet

    @Skywalker (Comment #3)
    Really hot competition for on the wings. I really think the selectors can only afford to take two specialist max and so those that cover other possies like Michael Satade who is in excellent form for Westville at 13 at the moment improve their chances significantly.

    MHS’s Aya Mkhokeli is another who has youth week colours at different levels and is playing well. So cannot write him off either.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:17
  61. avatar
    #6 beet

    @Grasshopper (Comment #4)
    I tend to agree. For example it would be nice to honour SCC’s 150th by allowing them to host next year’s Sharks Day where they can create a lot of atmosphere that KP won’t be able to mimic. But the DHS vs Rondebosch match earlier this year was proof again that playing on KP is a special privilege for the boys. I think the coaches who are more in touch with the kids feelings identify strongly with this. The only pity is that its a regular interschools day for other age group teams across KZN, so the schoolboy support won’t be on hand at KP.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:13
  62. avatar
    #5 beet

    @Pamos (Comment #2)
    Both Zander and Lian are very good at kicking from the base as well. In spite of having played CW last year and being quite a good presence for SCC, I don’t think Matt Fick has that 9-jersey quite nailed down yet. Even Marcwinn Nero of DHS could get into the mix

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 10:08
  63. avatar
    #4 Grasshopper

    Not a fan of this being played at Kings Park. The traditional fixture at Gilfillan or Dixons is special. This will lack the atmosphere and the boys will know it’s for trials so might play more individually. Surely the selectors can go and watch a few fixtures for each school during the season, I’ll pay their petrol money. Sad to see only two Glenwood players in the mix, gone are the years of like 10 players in each side. Probably a better mix BUT Glenwood should aim to have 3 players in the A team every year. Another goal should be to rank 4th in KZN on average each year, that is one above their historical ranking behind College, House, Hilton and DHS over 100 years plus.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 08:45
  64. avatar
    #3 Skywalker

    NW

    I think Dlamini from NW could be in with a shout for CW on the wing. He represented KZN at u16A and last year was in the Academy Week team. I see he didnt play against MHS though and was probbaly injured, so I hope he gets to play on the weekend.
    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 08:22
  65. avatar
    #2 Pamos

    After this weekend one can say that Lian Lochner who was Glenwoods player of the match has thrown his name firmly in the hat behind Matthew Fick.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 04:25
  66. avatar
    #1 Pamos

    Loads and loads of talent here in the KZN region. There are so many boys who have put up their hands that were not in the picture at the beginning of the season. I think the Hooker problem has been solved with Martin Jnr from Glenwood being the front-runner. The CW A and B team have alot of players out of positions, I know that the selectors would like to play the players in the positions that they play in school week in and week out. But you’d also want the best players playing.

    Boys that are very close behind these names are :
    Loose-heads : Sphe Ntshangase (Northwood u17), Lonwabo Nkaltshana (Glenwood captain u18)
    Loose-forwards : Tyler Connyngham (Glenwood u17), Bradley Le Grange (DHS u17)
    Flyhalf : Juan Viljoen (Glenwood u17)
    Center : Bongani Khumalo (Northwood u17- Might be “too small” for inside center), Daniel Sweeney (Hilton u18)

    This years CW coaches will have loads of headaches ahead of the team selections.

    ReplyReply
    22 April, 2024 at 04:24

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