April 2024
Grey College will face Selborne are in East London this weekend. Grey are the overwhelming favourites. Although Grey’s biggest win in this intercity derby dating back to the 1990’s is 68-0. In Bloem they have gone North of 50 points a few times. In EL it’s been a much better contest. Selborne has given Grey a hard time on their main field in the past and they are expected to put up good resistance once again.
The dilemma is that the gap between the two big boys’ schools feels like it is growing and this is expected to play out on the scoreboard. Grey are the constant in this equation so that says a bit about where Selborne rugby finds itself at present.
Both schools are coached by old boys who replaced old boys.
Allan Miles has stepped into the pound seat at Selborne after decent stints Grey High, St Andrew’s and Graeme along his journey. He replaced Chase Morison who came on board for another old boy Phiwe Nomlomo. Before that it was legendary Kevin Taylor who it’s believed hails from Alexander Road in Gqeberha.
Grey is headed up by Jannie Geldenhuys who has a splendid team of coaches by his side. He was appointed after top rated Old Grey Wessel du Plessis departed for the Bulls. Before Wessel it was Igno Machts who is of Namibian descent.
Grey’s young lock AJ Meyer, the brother of SA Schools robust flank Lukas Meyer, is officially hot property after his standout performance against Paarl Gim. It was a classic in which Grey triumphed 29-27.
As far as excitement is concerned, the talk of the town remains the incredible centre pairing of Pieter van der Merwe and Ethan Adams. Two players playing close to their peak, who must certainly be in pole positions for SA Schools honours going on current form. There is still lots of rugby to come though and some stiff competition for midfield places.
Some of Grey’s brilliant midfield pairings in recent times:
2007: Robert Ebersohn – Johan van Schalkwyk
2008/9: Francois Venter – Piet Lindeque
2010: Paul Jordaan – William Small-Smith
2011: Jan Serfontein – Dries Swanepoel
2023: Pieter van der Merwe – Benito Goeda
| TEAM | SELBORNE | TEAM | GREY COLLEGE | ||
| 1 | Robert John-Osunkwo | 1 | Dian Venter | u18 | |
| 2 | Luke McGregor | 2 | Liam van Wyk | u18 | |
| 3 | Luke Stegmann | 3 | Danie Kruger | u18 | |
| 4 | Thabo Sonamzi | 4 | Heinrich Theron | u18 | |
| 5 | Andrew de Smidt | 5 | AJ Meyer | u17 | |
| 6 | Adam Schwedhelm | 6 | Xander Smit | u17 | |
| 7 | Gcina Puzi | 7 | Juliun Cosmo | u18 | |
| 8 | Joshua Cloete | 8 | Liam Santos | u18 | |
| 9 | Page Fennel | 9 | Philip McLaren | u18 | |
| 10 | Chad De Beyer | 10 | Alzeadon Felix | u18 | |
| 11 | Anjolauluwa Sogbanmu | 11 | Ruben Cilliers | u18 | |
| 12 | Siyamthanda Sakhela | 12 | Pieter vd Merwe | u18 | |
| 13 | Cole Schonknecht | 13 | Ethan Adams | u17 | |
| 14 | Daniel Breetzke | 14 | Siyabonga Kenny | u17 | |
| 15 | Bungqina Nuku | 15 | Heinz Stockenstrom | u18 | |
| Coach | ALLAN MILES | Coach | JANNIE GELDENHUYS |
@RuggaFreak (Comment #16)
His older brother himself wasn’t shabby
Good effort Selborne 👌
@JeppeZimD (Comment #13)
He was injured. What a unit.
@Palma (Comment #12)
Selborne are never pushovers in East London,they are a proud school and play accordingly….
@Palma (Comment #12)
Low scoring games throughout….
Pretorius Ekeji scores Grey College’s last try as a replacement, FT score 36-7. Where has he been? Injury? Cos he played the 1st game of the season, this is only his second game
14a 0-43
15a 0-45
16a 6-25
Could be worse I guess
All the best to Selborne College.
@OUD ANKER (Comment #9)
Ja nee ek se ook so dis n spesiale game
@Smallies (Comment #8)
Grey vs Grey, it MUST continue forever if possible.
@Palma (Comment #7)
It is not all about Rugby,its about the whole school competing against one another,I personally think this Interschools and Grey high are relatively secure ….
@JeppeZimD (Comment #3)
I have to agree with you. If Selborne don’t turn up we will see an Outeniqua score or worse.
If the score is horrific I wonder if questions will be asked if this derby has ran its course. Some would argue that the other sporting codes are much more competitive and closely matched and that it’s not all about rugby.
@JeppeZimD (Comment #1)
Ethan only started wrestling in Gr 8 to keep busy when there was no rugby. His running style and physical power has always been a part of his game – as a /12 he captained the EP /13 CW team.
@JeppeZimD (Comment #3)
A concern is that Selborne’s current 1st team group in the two previous U16A teams lost 82-3 & 93-6 respectively. They’re going to have to play exceptionally well just to hold Grey.
@Outside Looking in (Comment #2)
Eish. Thanks for these stats. Fixed the venue.
@Outside Looking in (Comment #2)
If Selborne dont switch on, its gona be a 80+ win for Grey.
68-0 was in 2007 & it was at Selborne College. They led 24-0 at half-time & ran away with the game after that. Big defeats in Bloem would be 54-3 in 2000 (Bobby Joubert was a serious headache & this game was televised on SABC 1), 54-6 in 2004, 51-0 in 2006, 61-14 in 2010, 54-5 in 2012 and 62-24 in 2018.
This current Grey centre pairing is lethal. Powerful, dynamic hard running duo who just have a good feel of the game, and compliment each other really well.
Ethan Adams is difficult to stop and this maybe due to his wrestling background, as he loves the twists and turns (no pun) he goes thru when carrying the ball with intent (He is a junior SA wrestling champion u15).
Both are definitely on track for SA schools (or SA Academy, at least) selection