What started as a promising 2024 season has turned into a nightmare for Outeniqua from George.
The Kwaggas’ massive 8-60 defeat to SWD rivals Oakdale was the third time they have conceded 50 points in 2024. Last year, the Kwaggas ended the season as the fourth-best rugby high school 1st XV in South Africa. This was one of three top-5 national finishes dating back to 2010 for a school ranked 10th overall in the land over the same period.
Adding to their agony is the lack of fixtures. With only 13 for the third successive season, it is one of the shortest programmes of any major school in South Africa. It’s been ages since Outeniqua played Paul Roos, and losing top-notch annual matches against Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Gymnasium has been unfortunate but hopefully reversible.
The effects of the 2020 and 2021 Covid years which saw bursary cuts are taking their toll now. Without resources being ploughed in, the next couple of seasons could be a vulnerable time for Outeniqua. Their top junior players are likely to receive good offers from WP schools amongst others. However if they can get through this intact, the quality that exists in their current u14 and u15 groups along with the promises of more high-calibre players to come from the 2025 Grade-8 intake, should see them churning out very competitive top-end 1st XVs in a few years time.
@Email Received (Comment #7)
Thats very sad to hear from Grey as the have weak fixture list hope they can change their minds next season.
@Email Received (Comment #7)
Speel hulle Nico Malan
@Email Received (Comment #7)
Noted
Don’t know what they have already, but could be great for them to establish a full-blown interschools, as Affies & PGim have, with a similar co-ed, maybe one of the Pretoria co-eds. Boys and girls, wide array of sports, cultural evenings, academic trivias, old boys/girls golf etc.. As soon as Lanseria/George resumes, its an easy (costly though) flight.
Morning I see guys are commenting on a Grey High fixture, this is the 8th year that Grey High has been approached for a fixture, still nothing.
It seems like they don’t want to commit to a tough fixture .
Oakdale has also been asked for home and away for the past 3 years but they don’t want one.
Dates with WP fixtures is an issue as they can only play so many out of their league dates.
Marlow has also approached last year. They chose to play Duineveld on the date rather than the Kwaggas.
At least Framesby is back for 2025. And a new fixture vs Pearson is on the cards.
I read all these bloggers comments but I don’t think they are educated on detail and fixtures.
Makes 100% sence to me
@jules (Comment #1)
I hear they have cut Dale fixture for this
If it was up to me, I’d do the following:
1. Play Oakdale twice per annum, as KES does with Jeppe and Selborne, Dale, Queens, etc.
2. Add Grey and perhaps Marlow Landbou to the fixture list. This would benefit all three schools.
3. Only attend festivals that host all their age group A teams such as Wildeklawer and Noord-Suid. Then, the age group B/C, C/D and 2nd/3rd, 3rd/4th teams should play the other local school’s top teams such as Oudtshoorn, Kynsna High, Oakhill, etc while the Outeniqua top teams are at the festivals.
@jules (Comment #1)
I agree, I think Grey needs to let go of some of their fixtures. Instead of Muir they should play Outeniqua atleast. More teams will be able to play too
I’m no genius whrn it comes to fixtures but yes travel is a pain but a an Outeniqua Fixture list could include: 2x North South 2x Wildeklawer 3x Easter Fest. That’s 7 after tours.
Then the rest of the ‘local games’ should be made up. Of Drostdy, Stellenberg, Boland Landbou, Paarl Gim, Oakdale, a annual home rugby day. Maybe even a few EC based games vs Frames by, Grey High to try get the 12 / 13 up to 15
GREY FIXTURE