For the first time ever, the DRSU U18 team will take to the field at Ellis Park. Having gone through trials, the team has retained the core that played against Montpellier and are looking sharp. The back line looks particularly good, with Hall, Webster and Weersma combining well. Unfortunately Andre Janse van Rensburg (prop) and Jordan Martin (lock) have been ruled out through injury, but able replacements have been found. The team will play against the Roodepoort Schools Festival Team, which is selected from the schools participating in the Roodepoort Schools Tournament (formally Coke Tournament). Details here http://schoolstribune.com/menlopark-looks-unstoppable-in-rpoort-final-p1022-1.htm on Friday 30 August at 16H00, in the main curtain raiser to the Lions – WP Currie Cup game. They will be travelling to JHB on Thursday after school and will return after the main game on Friday. The DRSU team for this game is:
| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Karsten, Trevor |
| 2 | Janse Van Rensburg, Andre |
| 3 | Thomas, Cody |
| 4 | Binneman, Francois |
| 5 | Kennedy, Shane |
| 6 | Bratos, Tom |
| 7 | Macdonald, Duncan |
| 8 | Papenfus, Dylan |
| 9 | Hall, James |
| 10 | Webster, Kurt |
| 11 | Theron, Kyle |
| 12 | Weersma, David |
| 13 | Smith, Wayne |
| 14 | Gaffney, Chestwin |
| 15 | Kotze, Ruan |
| 16 | Creswell-George, Bradley |
| 17 | Muziwenhlanhla, Ntanzi |
| 18 | Lange, Bradley |
| 19 | Bierman, Leclue |
| 20 | Beetge, Emile |
| 21 | Terblanche, Karl |
| 22 | Khumalo, Jamelo |
A few weeks ba
ck the DSRU invitation team took on French club Montpellier in Durban. At the awards dinner after the match Hillcrest Club and Westville’s Cody Thomas (left) was awarded man of the match by the officials of the touring team and offered a unique opportunity to travel to France in 2015 and be part of the club’s youth set up for a year.
I mentioned to Cody’s proud mom that I was not thrilled about youngsters leaving SA and this was her response:
It is always nice to know you are “wanted” and that someone recognises your passion however we are also realistic and 2015 is a year away.
Cody’s first choice would be to stay in South Africa, however a Gap year in France would also be great… and that’s how we are looking at it. He is only 17 and it feels wrong to make a decision like that right now, but like you say there are so few opportunities here, that we have to keep his options open.
I like the wording that Collegians has used in their letter…
“ Cody was selected as Man of The Match, which is a prestigious award and he has a brilliant opportunity in France in 2015 offered by the Chairman of Montpellier Herhault Rugby Club, should Cody wish to accept.”
The offer is for him to join their u19’s in 2015. They said they would contact me when they finished their tour to discuss the finer details. When I asked them if I would have to pay anything they laughed and said “noooo noooo”. I kept thinking this is all too good to be true. However they made the official announcement in front of everyone at the awards dinner and all shook my hand, Cody’s hand and Andre Beetge’s hand.
Cody is very level headed and is taking one step at a time. He is focusing on his next goal which is to make the DRSU u18 team – Trials are 17th/18th Aug, and then to Make the WBHS 1st team next year. He was in the Westville gym by 6am this morning and he trains up to 5 hours a day on average. Drives me mad but I understand his reasons and I support him.
@Lindenpa: DRSU 31 – Roodepoort 54
Does anybody know what the score was?
@beet – correction, Cody “was” a Hillcrest player for 10 years, but is now at Collegians. He was the first player to receive the 10 Year milestone award at Hillcrest Junior Club before making the move to Collegians.
He is an inspiration to many younger players at Hillcrest and will always make an effort to come along to support all the younger guys – a special character who deserves every bit of success he achieves.
@Lindenpa: That looks like a strong team. I know that this age group at Menlo Park have done very well year after year. It will also help that they make up the majority of the team, so they should be cohesive.
This is the Roodepoort Rugbyclub’s Under 17 team (with schools represented) that will play the Durban youth club at Ellispark tomorrow:
1 Wian Pienaar (Menlopark)
2 Ruan Liebenberg (Menlopark)
3 Ruan Goosen (Menlopark)
4 Rueben du Plooy (Marais Viljoen)
5 Jaques Oosthuizen (Menlopark)
6 Justin Meintjies (Menlopark)
7 Jason Carelse (Linden)
8 Ruan du Toit (Bastion)
9 Stian Pienaar (Menlopark)
10 Kyle Lues (Linden)
11 Dewald Peens (Menlopark XV)
12 Damian Diedericks (Marais Viljoen)
13 Ruan de Beer (Menlopark)
14 Shaldon Marais (Marais Viljoen)
15 Morne vd Berg (Linden)
16 Craig Hume (Trinity)
17 C J de Wet (Menlopark XV)
18 Danny du Plooy (Marais Viljoen)
19 Hendre Saayman (Florida)
20 SW Kruger (Riebeeckrand)
21 Armand Buys (Menlopark)
22 Andel Loubser (Menlopark)
Jaco Booysen Coach (Linden)
Lawrence Herselman Coach
Monty Benadie (Team manager)