IT’S BACK!!!
Scores included as matches are played.
One of the best school rugby festivals anywhere on the planet, the Grey PE fest is back after a one year absence. As always the festival will attract an awesome field. 27 schools in total will be in action.
Match days: 29 March, 31 March and 02 April 2014
Schools:
| # | School | Region | # | School | Region | # | School | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grey HS (& Unicorns) | EP | 10 | Jeppe | Lions | 19 | Nico Malan | EP |
| 2 | Bishops | WP | 11 | Kearsney | KZN | 20 | Parktown | Lions |
| 3 | Dale | Border | 12 | KES | Lions | 21 | Pearson | EP |
| 4 | Daniel Pienaar | EP | 13 | Kingswood | EPCD | 22 | Pretoria BH | Bulls |
| 5 | DHS | KZN | 14 | La Plata | Argentina | 23 | Queens | Border |
| 6 | Glenwood | KZN | 15 | Louis Botha | Free State | 24 | SACS | WP |
| 7 | Graeme | EPCD | 16 | Marlow | EPCD | 25 | Selborne | Border |
| 8 | Hudson Park | Border | 17 | Michaelhouse | KZN | 26 | Westville | KZN |
| 9 | Ithembelihle | EP | 18 | Muir | EP | 27 | Windhoek Gim | Namibia |
Fixtures:
| FIELD | TIME | DAY | DATE | SCHOOL | SCHOOL | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillip | 08h30 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Pearson | 10 | 12 | Hudson Park | ||
| Pollock | 08h30 | Sat | 29/03/14 | La Plata (Arg) 2nd XV | 5 | 53 | Grey Unicorns | ||
| Philip | 09h45 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Westville | 20 | 10 | Marlow | ||
| Pollock | 09h45 | Sat | 29/03/14 | La Plata (Arg) | 31 | 17 | Ithembelihle | ||
| Philip | 11h00 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Pretoria BH | 39 | 8 | DHS | ||
| Pollock | 11h00 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Kingswood | 20 | 23 | Louis Botha | ||
| Philip | 12h15 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Glenwood | 23 | 11 | Bishops | ||
| Pollock | 12h15 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Daniel Pienaar | 9 | 10 | Jeppe | ||
| Philip | 13h30 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Queen’s | 3 | 18 | Michaelhouse | ||
| Pollock | 13h30 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Windhoek Gim | 12 | 39 | Dale | ||
| Philip | 14h45 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Selborne | 20 | 11 | KES | ||
| Pollock | 14h45 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Nico Malan | 24 | 13 | Parktown | ||
| Philip | 16h00 | Sat | 29/03/14 | Grey HS | 23 | 7 | Kearsney | ||
| FIELD | TIME | DAY | DATE | SCHOOL | SCHOOL | ||||
| Philip | 08h30 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Marlow | 29 | 19 | Windhoek Gim | ||
| Pollock | 08h30 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Muir | 11 | 16 | Hudson Park | ||
| Philip | 09h45 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Queen’s | 7 | 27 | Westville | ||
| Pollock | 09h45 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Graeme | 12 | 10 | Michaelhouse | ||
| Philip | 11h00 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Dale | 35 | 0 | Parktown | ||
| Pollock | 11h00 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Pearson | 10 | 55 | Selborne | ||
| Philip | 12h15 | Mon | 31/03/14 | KES | 20 | 17 | DHS | ||
| Pollock | 12h15 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Glenwood | 22 | 10 | Jeppe | ||
| Philip | 13h30 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Kingswood | 14 | 45 | Bishops | ||
| Pollock | 13h30 | Mon | 31/03/14 | SACS | 11 | 27 | Louis Botha | ||
| Philip | 14h45 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Kearsney | 21 | 17 | Pretoria BH | ||
| Philip | 16h00 | Mon | 31/03/14 | Grey HS | 71 | 8 | Nico Malan | ||
| FIELD | TIME | DAY | DATE | SCHOOL | SCHOOL | ||||
| Philip | 08h30 | Wed | 02/04/14 | Westville | 22 | 8 | Louis Botha | ||
| Philip | 09h45 | Wed | 02/04/14 | Hudson Park | 8 | 20 | Pretoria BH | ||
| Pollock | 09h45 | Wed | 02/04/14 | SACS | 24 | 14 | DHS | ||
| Philip | 11h00 | Wed | 02/04/14 | Windhoek Gim | 13 | 13 | Graeme | ||
| Pollock | 11h00 | Wed | 02/04/14 | Ithembelihle | 0 | 41 | Grey Unicorns | ||
| Philip | 12h15 | Wed | 02/04/14 | Muir | 17 | 15 | Parktown | ||
| Philip | 13h30 | Wed | 02/04/14 | Grey HS | 10 | 7 | Michaelhouse |
@Bonthuis: boet, Glenwood play Grey Bloem every year, the whole school does and have been for about 10 years now. We have suffered some big defeats especially in Bloem but also run them close at home, winning once in 2006. Try play Grey in Bloem, it’s like starting 30 points behind. Glenwood also play Affies and Monument as annual fixtures. We may not win many of these but helps the boys see where they need to be to be the best. Re College, we played them at home on the most important day in their history, celebrating 150 years so they were up for it. Most sides would have lost there. Westville played a depleted College side there after a bout of flu. May I remind you Glenwood did beat Boland Landbou, Paarl Boys, Selborne, College twice to deserve their top 20 ranking. Who did Westville beat in the top 10?
Games like Northwood; Glenwood; College to name a few where the doops did not play at all. The Kearsney side had heart; it was a strong year.
Bonthuis; seriously. Don’t park your car in here; leaving it running and smoking everyone out leaving them all miffed with your comments.
Pedantic; the doops only shared the field on 6 out of 19 games last year – that should hush some of the sceptics!
@BonthuisBonthuis: DHS ran KES to the wire, played PBHS and SACS – they could have opted to face weaker opposition at the tournament but gave it their all in the matches they played. Were all teams in the tournament true tier 1 ?
Maybe a little respect where it’s due?
WRT to your other comment about Westville beating College by a larger margin – we all know it doesn’t work out that way, surely an actual match result is more accurate, I.E. Kearsney beating Westville at KP without the Doops
How does DHS get into this tournament against some of the strongest opposition and most prestigious rugby schools in the country. They have not been ranked in the top 50 in the country for the last 10 years and have not beaten a top 5 school in KZN for probably 10 years either.
This really makes no sense, you’ve got a true tier 2 school trying to mix it with tier 1 teams??
@Grasshopper: Westville had one of their better teams last year, so I think lucky is a bit of strong word. We can only play according to the schedule, the Kearsney game was unfortunate due to the weather – I think this would have been very close. We know the issue with Glenwood and glad that seems to be sorted out now.
I think the big factor was Westville giving College 50 points on Goldstones when both you and Kearsney struggled to beat them – College at home are always a great yardstick.
I think Glenwood were very lucky to be in the top 30 after that shock loss to George Campbell.
Yes, we’ll get thrashed by Grey College this year, but, unlike Glenwood we don’t only play them when they have a weaker team.
News from PE….10-7 for Grey PE…MH left everything for the last game it seems!..Lamond Bouwer and No 7 flanker injured for Grey. Bad timing and bad luck 2 weeks before the big Stellenbosch game!
@Magic1: Thanks for the update. Looks like Graeme is a little inconsistent
. After they beat House on Monday, i thought they’d beat Windhoek at least.
Well done to Windhoek for not giving up.
Graeme 13 – Windhoek 13
SACS 24 – DHS 13
Both full time
@westers after two loses to begin with it was never going to be easy but well done too the boys for picking themselves up!! Must admit if this festival was first then the other two games after it could be a different story!! The team looks more settled and the decision making processes are coming together!! KERF is going to be tough but that’s what it’s there for to test yourself against the best
@Magic1: I saw final score was 22-8 to Westville. Well done on winning all 3 games. Have to admit it looked like they had the easiest schedule of all the KZN teams but hopefully getting the wins will give them a boost going into KERF an 2 weeks time. They are going to need it.
Louis Botha 8 – westville 17 halftime
Well for the Border teams there were high’s and low’s again on Day 2 the high’s supplied by Dale and Selborne and the low’s by Queens.
Westville 27 Queens 7
I suppose this match was more about what Queens did not do than what Westville did do. Westville had 5 scoring opportunities and scored with 4 of those which showed they were completely dominate in this game, were Queens had 9 opportunities and only scored on 1 rare occasion it looked liked the more opportunities Queens made for themselves the more mistakes they made and more dropped balls happened. In Queens 4 games to date they have played players like Jerry Danquah in 4 different positions why I have know idea. Hopefully some sense prevails as so far all I can say is shocking hopefully by the next game they would have learnt something.
Dale 35 Parktown 0
Well the oppersite to Queens everything Dale seems to do works and works well expect this team to do very well this year Winnaar the flyhalf is a breath of fresh air and not like the other good flyhalf’s on display at this tournament seems to have the X factor. Although there opposition at the tournament was maybe not the best they came through with flying colours I expect them to get a few big scalps this year.
Selborne 55 Pearson 10
I only watched part of the second half but Selborne will do battle with the best this year they have the makings of a good team.
For the rest Grey PE are good and see them only loosing maybe 1 or 2 games this year at most. Glenwood are solid and do all the basic’s right also expect them not to lose more than 1 or 2 this year.
So far a excellent tournament only thing I would change is I think Grey PE should play stronger teams like Glenwood and co which would make things a lot more interesting.
@Bonthuis: I think Westville were very lucky to be ranked 9th last year, they didn’t really best any significant other top 10 sides and didn’t play Glenwood or Kearsney. A fairer ranking would have been around 15th or lower. Anyway we all know the rankings are not accurate enough more a gauge of relative strength. Good wins by Westville after 2 losses, hopefully they ready for the Bloem juggernaut at Kearsney…
Looks like Westville will be having an up and down year after an awesome 2013 ending no.9 in the country and a very close 2nd in KZN, similar this year in some ways to Glenwood last year who had an unexpected loss to George Campbell. Solid wins over Queen’s and Marlow. Hoping for a good performance over Louis Botha tomorrow to get their season back on track after a freak and quite frankly extremely unlucky loss to Kearsney.
Would really like to see a home and away fixture against Glenwood each season, especially after such a slow start to our season.
Jubila!
@Tang: Kearsney are rebuilding this year after 2 amazing years, so expecting them to win was enough…
Seems like Boys High only woke up in the second half. I bet they used new players and made position changes today.
Boys High generally use the first few games to settle in to the final team.
I expected Kearsney to win by a much bigger margin.
Brilliant display by Jeppe. Had Glenwood very worried in second half to have them bring on first choice front row. Jeppe leading 14 – 12 at one stage. Thereafter Glenwood ran out 22 -14 winners. Young scorers got the score incorrect at the end.
@Grasshoppeer
Yep thanks, Well done Westville and Well done Glenwood .. big ups.
Other scores people ?? please!
Well done Westville for beating Marlow 20-10, awesome stuff! Go KZN go Glenwood!
@Umtata@QC86: Hayibo gentlemen please update us your fellow blogger with scores.
@ Pedantic- thanks mate. In now. Better late than never.
@star: You must be doing something wrong – no picks there for you.
Make your picks, answer the bonus question and click save – easy
Well this is already the all time most popular post and the festival has not even begun. Where will it all end. Also I have saved my picks for the prediction pool but when I check what others have predicted my picks do not come up. I hate to sound like Bog but am I doing something wrong.
@Ploegskaar: I’m well aware what he does, great work! But a little bit of respect from him would be appreciated, that is all we asking. Rugby is played in other provinces outside of the Western Cape…
@Balikibaba: well, good luck to both teams at 12.15 today, may the game be played clean and hard. Also may there’ve no injuries and the best team win. Go Green!
@Ploegskaar: And I am already getting a big head about all this attention Bishops and Glenwood are getting! Lol
@Grasshopper: You should really put your big girl panties on and at some stage move past that one comment that he made, you are sadly missing all the good work he has done and is still doing, reporting truthfully although not always palatable to everyone. To be honest, that comment did reflect the sentiment at the time. This comment about Bishops/Glenwood big heads case in point, as a Bishops OB, had someone said this to him, he would just have smirked and moved on, that’s Tony.
Just imagine individuals or schools wanted to prescribe to him, the only unbiased source of SBR news and stats, what he could and couldn’t write about them and wanted to vet everything before publication. How pathetic would those schools or individuals be, and what credibility would he have?
And for the record, the big head comment came from a KZN private school OB with lots of experience of private schools, Bishops and Glenwood.
The only noise Glenwood makes is Old Boys and bloggers, I have never ever heard a Glenwood coach, teacher, player or the headmaster be big headed or arrogant, but maybe they have been. Let’s just say articles written by Glenwood are usually balanced and give credit where credit is due. The boys are taught to remain humble in victory and defeat. Anyway, let them believe that. Loved it last year when Tony Stoops said Glenwood was overrated and overhyped. Then Glenwood beat Boishaai and suddenly they quite good….gotta laugh!
@Ploegskaar: Not offended in the least. In fact, if Grasshopper gets a big head because Glenwood beat Bishops I am going to get a big head because Grasshopper got a big head because Glenwood. In this way there can only be a win win because in this instance both Grasshopper and I will get big heads and this will make said SBR pundit happy because it will have proved him right x 2!
@Balikibaba: I think it is what we can term an unfortunate comment, but not aimed at you and not made by BHP, maybe based on experience? He’s probably been following SBR for 20+ years, who knows though.
All the best to all the teams!!! May there be good rugby and NO injuries. Please don’t be shy with updates…thanks for the live scores website Beet.
DALE TEACH THEM WHAT RUGBY SHOULD BE!!!
@Ploegskaar: @Grasshopper:
Lol….Hopper,take it from where it comes. Probably from my good friend, Boishaaipa. Hey, I would be honored if you got a big head if Glenwood beat Bishops. It would be a compliment! LOL and seeing I am the only Bishops blogger on here, I can only assume said SBR punter is referring to me.
@Ploegskaar: @Grasshopper:
Lol….Hopper,take it from where it comes. Probably from my good friend, Boishaaipa. Hey, I would be honored if you got a big head if Glenwood beat Bishops. It would be a compliment! LOL and seeing I am the only Bishops blogger on here, I can only assume said SBR punter is referring to me.
@Ploegskaar: Low blow that, so he thinks both sides are arrogant…..well he has no idea of what Glenwood is about then. A few arrogant bloggers does not mean the team is like that…idiot!
Heard an interesting comment from an informed SBR punter yesterday: The Bishops/Glenwood game is a lose-lose situation, someone will have a big head afterwards!
Anyway, all the best to all the Boland Boere and Bellville Lions teams participating at the various festivals this weekend, definitely underdogs by a considerable margin in all their clashes, but enjoy and remember, when its on, give it a crack!
Safe travels and good luck to all the teams! Wish I could be in PE tomorrow….maybe I should fuel up and drive up!
@Mike: Thanks. I guess that is the dilemma that every talented young rugby player faces on leaving school if he has the intellectual potential.
Given the transition rates from U19/21 to the senior pro ranks and the tenuous and short career of a pro rugby player it is hard to motivate the rugby route if you could be a surgeon or investment banker etc. Unlike sports like the NFL, soccer, and possibly even the IPL these days, pro rugby will not set you up for life at 32.
I remember the prop scoring an incredible try against Nelspruit in Grey’s opening game – he had pace for a big guy.
Hey everyone
Tomorrow you will be able to get Grey PE Fest livescores at
http://www.webrugby.co.za/
Less than a day away from the festival. All the best to all the teams !
@meadows: Believe it or not, quite a few of them were academically really good, so a lot of them went on to focus on studies. Michael van Vuuren was also in that side, he went on to play for Stade de France, and is now returning to play in the Kings Currie Cup side. Wade Lotter (the last try scorer in the video) made the SA Schools side but broke his shin before he could even train with the squad. One or two of them are studying medicine, some engineering etc..
@CHS08: Do you know what became of most of that Grey side?
They were a very good unit and we know where Kolisi and Coleman are and I am aware that Chuma Faas was told that he had to stop playing after an injury at the Lions but like so many good sides the majority seem to have been lost to rugby.
@CHS08: If only we knew, someone who was travelling to PE from EL tomorrow. :(, i guess we’ll sit this one out mate…
@QC86: I’m still here.
Jee where is everyone,can’t all be traveling down to PE
@Meadows:
Michaelhouse had golden teams in 2007 and 2008! So excited about this Grey Festival. To all my fellow beloved bloggers who will be at Grey tomorrow please try not sabotaging us please update us with the scores. I’d love to go to PE but for logistical reason I can’t make it.
@CHS08: Agreed – it was an outstanding Grey side which is why I thought that clip was a good example of all that is good about schoolboy rugby and the Grey festival in particular.
I watched that game and it was an excellent match that could have gone either way. Grey took their chances better at the end of the day.
The MHS side also improved over the season once they had sorted their combinations out.
Lambie played 10 that day but moved back to 15 with Ruan Combrinck moving to wing where he had played in 2007. Reef Nakin played 14 against Grey but played 10 for the rest of the season (and at CW). Awande Khumalo moved from 13 to wing where he was also selected for CW and a young Pat Howard was converted from loose forward to partner Robert de Bruyn in the centres.
lets hope the weekend brings more of the same
ps I was tempted to also add the link to the 2007 Grey-MHS game played at the KES festival to balance the scorecard.
@Meadows: Grey PE and Michaelhouse had exceptional teams in 2008. Esp Grey PE they were unlucky to lose to Grey Bloem.
@Tjoppa:
I can just imagine BIC and Gilette jumping on that wagon.
English is not the tongue of my mother. Thanks for the education.Sheep Shearing World Cup it is.
Only place in the world, I hope, where they shave sheep. The rest of the world shear them. That explains why Vrede is seen as the hub of new trends. The storie of Vrede beating GCB is after all not so far fetched. Spiese maybe you can involve big business with this new trend. Think Sheep Shaving World Cup sponsored by Gilette. Priceless. Or an ad where The Beast shave sheep with Bic shavers.
@Speartackle: I hear Vrede are top 10 contenders this year…in the Sheep Shaving (not Shagging BOG) World Cup
@Knight_CHS07: I’m happy for them to do well…as long as they stumble on 17 May
@Queenian: Hahahahahaha!
Here’s a little teaser of what you can look forward to at Grey this weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wavoa3mL9OY&feature=youtu.be
An excellent tight game of schoolboy rugby played in good spirit between Grey High and Michaelhouse at the 2008 festival. They ended up ranked 3rd and 6th respectively on the rugby365 rankings that year. Both teams had won their opening fixtures against Nelspruit and Middelburg convincingly and were packed with Craven Week players as well as a few SA schools representatives.
Grey’s Siya Kolisi and Pat Lambie of Michaelhouse have gone on to become Springboks. Other notables that I remember in the Grey side that year were the 2008 SA Schools scrumhalf, Chuma Faas whose career was sadly curtailed by a serious injury playing U21 rugby at the Lions, and Stormers flyhalf Kurt Coleman. Several of that Michaelhouse team have also gone on to play senior rugby.
Grey won a hard fought game 19-11, scoring a try and penalty in the last three minutes.
I remember the 2008 Grey side well for their big win over Paul Roos (ranked 9th in 2008) in Stellenbosch that year. I think that their only loss that season was to Grey College 22-17. This game was also Michaelhouse’s only defeat in 2008.
@BoishaaiPa: Sien dis hoekom ons dit voortydige soek dan is ons almal in automatic en verstaan ons jou stelsel. Groetnis.
@Tjoppa: Metodiek bly dieselfde. Dis die katgorisering van skole waaroor daar somtyds debat is, maar sal dit beskikbaar stel vir Beet sodat almal kan sien hoe dit dit werk. Ek het nog nooit die metodiek weggesteek of geheim gemaak daarvan nie. Niks het ook verlede jaar verander nie..ek het net self n “manual” oordeelsfout gemaak en vergeet van bonuspunte ens wat deur die stelsel bepaal word…
@beet: Its actually one that has to be told around a fire with a few beers…coz there is a big lead-up to it as well!..
@Tjoppa: Cheeky Watson was the last intelligent person to hail from PE.
@Speartackle: How long do you think it will take to find intelligent life. That will be the biggest challenge.
@Speartackle: Maybe thats why all the young boys leave Bloem in such a hurry. Maybe scared.
See Goosen is going to France. Hear the men there are better looking and mannered than the Bloem girls.
@Tjoppa: True yes, I remember back in the days when the Oranje girls preferred us rough Charles Bronson look-a-like okes to those cheesecutter polyester hat wearing trilletjies from Grey.
Jeepers………….452 posts already on this thread…….this must be the festival of festivals and I hardly know any of the schools here.
At least I see scientists have at last discovered signs of life in PE.
@Speartackle: Unfair to expect them to give any attention with their opponents wearing sooo short skirts and bending down the whole time. Not fair. I mean the ladies in Bloem………….
Potch Gimnasuim beat Grey Bloem 1 -0 in hockey.
Take that ……..sports lovers.
@BoishaaiPa: Are you sure he did not say to you Bliksem get out of the way I want to show the next hooker how to through in at a line out. Then instructed the dog to keep you off the field.
PaaiPa kan jy ons asb you metodiek vir vanjaar se ranglyste verskaf. Ter wille van deursigtigheid, jy weet.
@Playa: I hope that’s case this year too bra. If it is…then the Kudu needs to get wounded @ the beginning of each season from now on
.
@BoishaaiPa:
Great story to share.
I have posted all 28 squads for the Grey PE festival here
http://blog.schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=7153
I think people are under estimating Selborne they have the basis of a very good team they should give KES a good run and even maybe come out on top.
Well Doc Craven saw me playing back in 82 at centre for Queens 4th’s and he recons I am the best schoolboy player he had ever seen that did not play for a 1st team said there was a big future for me at international level.
As a Blogger
@Grasshopper: The boys will just tire that pack out by running them all over the park.
@rugbyfan: Be aware of the wounded Kudu.
I think the year was 2012 when QC lost the first 3 games of the season, then ended off with 8 in a row including a win against Grey PE and an emphatic 28-0 win against the strong Dale side at the Rec.Queens are a momentum side, they will rarely give you a great start.They need just one win to get going, it doesn’t have to be riverting and it doesn’t have to be against strong opposition…they got one against KC. Be aware of the wounded Kudu.
@Roger: Thanks mate, she has emphysema so not looking good, too many fags in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s it seems. Yeah, he wanted me to go to KES, but my options were DHS (were my dad went), Glenwood or Kearsney. Glenwood was where all my mates from primary school were going so I followed them. Also had uncles who had gone to Glenwood so was no brainer for me. I was Greg Nicol’s fag so not too bad in terms of international sports star, if he had picked cricket he would be a household name now. Good luck to KES vs Selborne, I genuinely think they will be too strong, but who knows…
In a time where a fullback’s job was to catch and kick, Doc Craven spotted a certain HO de Villiers who defied that rule.He caught and ran.He said he was a future Springbok who was going to change the game of rugby. I stand corrected, I think he must have been 16 at the time. Nowadays, only Heineke Meyer picks a fullback that only catches and kicks.
@beet: He did indeed. Her entrant was magic.
Yes, Andre Jacobs is a great coach and Mike Bayley is there too now. It will hopefully be a good year for us. Best of luck to SACS. Great school.
@CapeMan: Thanks for the compliment. I, on the other hand, did NOT enjoy your winning streak over us one bit!
I sincerely hope that the MHS boys are not reading all these predictions.
The favorites tag against Queens doesn’t sit well and festivals often throw up surprising results. MHS beating Affies at St Johns in 2004 certainly surprised many and on the flip side in ’07 at KES they were relatively comfortable winners over Grey High and KES but were lucky to salvage a draw against Rondebosch in what was supposedly their “easiest” fixture in a game where the ‘Bosch 10 (who I think is the current Ikeys Varsity Cup flyhalf) kept putting kicks over from anywhere in the MHS half.
Does anyone know if the games on Saturday are being televised as they have been on occasion in the past. i’m sure this will be, as always, a great festival of schoolboy rugby and I’m glad to see that MHS continue to support it.
Lee Barnard and Peter Kirsten were pretty handy flyhalves too – if we are talking cricketers here
@Grasshopper: hope your Gran recovers – your Grandfather being such a solid KES old boy, I am surprised you weren’t sent to board at KES. You would have played with Kevin Foote and Joe Van Niekerk if you were class of 1997 vintage – and perhaps even Bryan Habana (as your New Boy) would have polished your shoes, made your coffee in the mornings and carried your case to school
@beet: I too was once singled out by Doc…
…He stopped a Koshuis game and asked me to hold Bliksems leash while he showed the Hooker how to properly throw the ball into a line-out!… 
So we have Vin, Boishaaipa and CapeMan predicting a Bishops win vs Glenwood. Let see what happens, I’m not super confident now with our injury but it’s a festival fixture anything can happen…
@beet: Doc Craven said my uncle was the best wing he ad ever seen but that was back at Craven Week in 1965…
Doc Craven said Bishops fullback Michael Ehrentraut was the best schoolboy rugby player ever.
Oh…Ive never personally watched Gibbs play, but I’ve seen the videos on youtube. He was great. I think the men from Queenstown would beg to differ with you Balikibaba. They would say Darryl Cullinan was the best schoolboy rugby player to have ever played. Even the Grey College 1st team coach said the best player he has ever seen play was Darryl Cullinan.
@Grasshopper The only reason why SACS has been training together since forever is because all 1st team rugby squads do it now days. This team was below average at age group level so no one from our camp is expecting a good year. Hopefully I’m wrong. @Balikibaba Bishops are going to be a top 3 side in the WC if everything ive heard about them is true. Andre Jacobs coming back to the fold is IMMENSE. Definitely in the top 5 for one of the greatest SBR coaches ever in SA. Your result at Newlands rugby day proves this. People seem to have forgotten Bishops. I HAVE NOT. Bishops are traditionally a top 10 rugby school in the country. They are BY FAR the best private rugby playing school. Then St Andrews. I have enjoyed our 5 game winning streak against you guys but I think it stops this year. @Grassy watch out for Bishops, if their backs get good ball, it will be a long day for Glenwood. I’ll be at the festival so I hope Rugby is the winner on the day.
@Grasshopper@Roger: I hear you gentlemen we will see what happens on Saturday. All the best to KES and Glenwood though.
@Tjoppa:
@Roger: They crap in the water if eagles fly by?
@Roger: Rog, we always agree I just like winding you up
My grandfather said he would love to hand out jersey’s to the KES boys at Westville but his wife (my gran) is on an oxygen tank battling to breathe so he does not want to leave her side….good old loyal KES boy there..
@CHS08: you East London boytjies need to get out a bit more – there is life beyond Gonubie! KES were top 10 in 2012 – had a great team. You know what they say about big fish in small ponds 8)
@Grasshopper: heh Hopper – for once you and I agree – May have to change my prediction on the Glenwood Bishops game now 8)
@CHS08: ok, so that explains why people are questioning them being weak. But and it’s a big but, they are all inexperienced at 1st team level, different ball game. Time will tell…2014 could be very up and down…
@Grasshopper: The 16a’s from last year’s were exceptional they lost only 6 games from u14 till their u16 as a group and 3 of those were against Grey Bloem! They had 9 Grant Khomo week players and 3 players chosen for SA 16’s that is Morgan Steyn who will be playing 10 on Saturday. David Brits who will be playing 12 and Lutho Selem who will play 7 on Saturday.
@Balikibaba: they said Bishops have some physically strong players in the pack and slick backs, so will be a good game. Glenwood are not huge in the pack with a short frontrow, but the backs are all quite nuggety and blitz quick. Seems two very similar teams….
@BoishaaiPa: now now, Pa, we had to make a plan!
@Grasshopper: Thanks for that!! That’s how I remember him as well – tough as nails!
His dad was fairly tall as far as I can remember.
I’ll follow his progress. He will be 17 this year and still has a lot of SBR to play
@Grasshopper: What did they say about the game?
@Balikibaba: general feeling here in the burbs today after chatting to some mates who were there last night, they reckon Bishops are now favourites after last nights showing…
@Grasshopper: 2 people have Bishops as favorites and 2 have Glenwood as favorites. Since when did that make Glenwood underdogs? Lol
@BuffelsCM: Marco must be about 6foot2 and about 95kg to 100kg, not huge or buffed up in the gym but hard as nails. He is probably best at flank, but as we have lost our enforcer lock he could be a good option there…watched him play 2nd’s vs Westville, for me the Glenwood man of the match there…
@CHS08: Well, Glenwood beat Selborne 41-5 last year and they had probably only 3 reserve guys returning, Robert Lyons (prop), Jason Steyn (Flank) and Milani Lubelwana (wing). So either their Under16’s were amazing last year or their 2nd’s had quite a few good grade 11’s or something because their side will be young and inexperienced. Not writing them off, not seen them play yet.
I watched Kingswood last week. Nothing special AT ALL even my old school Cambridge would beat those guys. I don’t know why every1 this year is undersestimating Selborne and Dale I’ve seen them play they are good. I don’t see none special about KES the last good KES side in my opinion was in 2011 and even that KES side lost to Dale at the Grey PE festival the same Dale is every1 writing off. Queens on the other hand I agree with every1 they are shocking let’s see if they improve.
Okay there is now a Prediction Pool set up
Click on SBR Prediction Pool
on the menu bar at the top of the page
Liking that Glenwood are now the underdogs, come on boys use this as motivation ;-)
Westville – Marlow – Westville by 5.
Kingswood – Louis Botha – Louis Botha by 20
PBHS Boys High – DHS – Boys High by less than 10
Glenwood – Bishops – Bishops by more than 5.
Dan Pienaar – Jeppe – Jeppe by more than 10
Queens – Michaelhouse – Michallhouse by less than 10
Windhoek – Dale – Dale by more than 10
Selborne – KES – KES by less than 5
Nico Malan – Parktown – Nico Malan by more than 20.
Grey High – Kearsney – Grey by more than 10.
Westville vs Marlow – Westville by 5
Kingswood vs Louis Botha – LB by 10
PBHS vs DHS – Boys High by 5
Glenwood vs Bishops – Glenwood by 5
Dan Pienaar vs Jeppe – Jeppe by 5
Queens vs Michaelhouse – House by 15
Windhoek vs Dale – Windhoek by 10
Selborne vs KES – KES by 10
Nico Malan va Parktown – Parktown by 10
Grey High vs Kearsney – Grey by 10
Selborne were very weak last year and not sure where they going to find senior players from nowhere hence KES should beat them quite easily. DHS is no pushover this year and PBHS will find them tough. Westville will be desperate for their first win and will play well to just get it. Windhoek usually has big forwards and will be too much for the Dale pack. Game of the day will be Glenwood vs Bishops followed by Kearsney vs Grey PE. Go Green!
Westville – Marlow –Westville by 5.
Kingswood – Louis Botha – Louis Botha by 15
PBHS Boys High – DHS – Boys High by less than 7
Glenwood – Bishops – Glenwood by more than 7.
Dan Pienaar – Jeppe – Dan Pienaar by more than 10
Queens – Michaelhouse – Michallhouse by less than 7
Windhoek – Dale – Dale by more than 10
Selborne – KES – Selborne by less than 15
Nico Malan – Parktown – Nico Malan by more than 15.
Grey High – Kearsney – Grey by more than 15.
Westville vs Marlow – Marlow by 12
Kingswood vs Louis Botha – LB by 8
PBHS vs DHS – Boys High by 15
Glenwood vs Bishops – Bishops by 10
Dan Pienaar vs Jeppe – DP by 3
Queens vs Michaelhouse – House by 20
Windhoek vs Dale – ???
Selborne vs KES – Draw
Nico Malan va Parktown – NM by 12
Grey High vs Kearsney – Grey by 20
@Queens: I hope they surprise us and prove me wrong I support all Border Schools however the last 2 matches against Kingswood and Grens were awful to last. @Roger: I’m an East Londoner so I’ll backing Selborne to beat KES I’ve seen Selborne play they a strong side. No I haven’t seen KES play.
@RBugger: Spot on, Wynberg will be very competitive due to the quality of experienced players returning from 2013. Karl Martin is a class act for sure.
The 9 that was moved to 10 must be Nick Scott, lots of ball and balls as you pointed out.
Will definitely be brave to make a call before matches this year, especially if you add Oakdale and Outeniqua to the mix as well.
@Balikibaba: Eish…Pieterse, Heunis, Stander, Jacobs… One of these days your whole backline will have Afrikaans surnames!..previously you only imported one at the most two to do a Post Matric!!
@Ploegskaar: Thanks !! It is a privilege to take part !
I am really looking forward to see some of the big rugby schools in action !!
Wow everybody has written Queens off which maybe suits them and that Dale will have a easy game at there reunion that I want to see.
Going to be a tough year but hope the boys make me proud.
@Roger: Very true
@BuffelsCM: Good news for Adams, thought he’d be lucky to make the team as the kicking tea…. His belated inclusion in the u18 Elite Squad now also makes sense.
All the best for your 3 games at the Paarl Gym u/16 week and keep in contact, I may well pop in on the last day for your fixture against Marlow and Boland’s biggie against Waterkloof.
@CHS08: your reasons for backing Selborne? Just curious – have you seen KES play?
@Balikibaba: I watch quite a bit of SBR and also try too see as many different schools as possible every year. The stand-outs usually start featuring from u/15 upwards, so you tend to keep an eye out for how they develop up to the opens. Also lucky to have a great network of friends that follow SBR with equal enthusiasm, so players and performances are discussed regularly.
@CHS08: Sorry Nico Malan don’t play Hudson, Hudson other game is against Muir.
@CHS08: Sorry Nico Malan don’t play Hudson I think Hudson’s other match is against Muir
@CHS08: Agree Queens look very disjointed although I think they have the players to develop into a decent team during the year, and I have seen some awful Queens teams do well at Dale re-union. But agree MH should put 20 past them.
I doubt whether Hudson will beat Nico Malan they have quite a good team.
@Ploegskaar: Wynberg look a good side this year! Martin at Full-Back is all class, very Latham like, deceptively fast, big and fantastic field awareness.
The 8 is a massive boy and is surely the biggest 8 in SBR this year, very strong ball runner, but from yesterday, he needs to increase his work rate around the field.
I see they have also moved the scrummie from last year, ginger boy, to flyhalf – looks good in this position, lots of vision and brave on defence.
All in all, this is goiing to be a tough season for all in CT
@Ploegskaar: Thanks Ploegie.
@Balikibaba: Sorry that lock is Sam Mitchell not Matthew le Roux
@CHS08: Although odds are against Pearson…i really hope they beat Hudson
@Grasshopper:Marco Palvie always had a big heart and he was a big boy when I coached him as a very young boy. If he plays lock I guess he is quite tall ?
@Balikibaba: Ploeg is a library of knowledge!! I haven’t come across anybody with so much enthusiasm for and knowledge about SBR !!
I trust Sam Mitchell’s knee is fine. Saud Abrahams is an excellent no 8 !
@Ploegskaar: I guess ‘Bosch will have a fairly small pack this season and I think they’ll rely quite a lot on Zain Davids – brilliant loosie IMO ! It seems that Ashwyn Adams, last year’s GK prop, has been moved to hooker.
@Playa: You playing the Kudu at reunion I’ll be there, u need not to worry about them I’ve never seen them play so poorly and I’ve been watching them for almost 15 years.
I don’t see KES beating Selborne. Dale will beat Windhoek. Hudson Park will beat Pearson. Nico Malan will beat Parktown. Queens look awful Michaelhouse will beat them.
@Ploegskaar: also them. Jacobs sub 11 and Manuel just full of class. Ploeg, how do you know so much? Lol
@Balikibaba: Manuel and Jacobs on the wings?
@Roger: no idea. Think they have a young side. Great u16 side from last year.
@Ploegskaar: Sam and our loose fwds too. Yes, pity about Cornel. Everyone was so looking fwd yo seeing him and Heunis as a centre combo and now we will have to wait a few weeks. Together they will be potent.
@beet: S/Suburbs players to keep an eye out for at the various festivals:
Bishops:
Gerhard Pieterse – 15
Saud Abrahams – 8
Sam Mitchell – 4/5
Rondebosch:
Zain Davids – 7/8
Wynberg:
Karl Martin – 15
Keagan Timm – 8
@Ploegskaar: thanks – KES play them at the KES festival – should be a great game
@Grasshopper: put your prediction up Hopper – lets have a look
@Roger: you would predict a Glenwood loss, how obvious…
@Roger: ‘Bosch only have 3 or 4 1st team players back from last year, but have a great crop of u17’s, so predict they may start slow and get better as these youngsters find their feet. One player to watch out for is loosie Zain Davids.
@Balikibaba: any idea how Bosch are this year?
@rugbyfan: hmmmmm – seen three sets of predictions here and all are backing Selborne over KES and Glenwood over Bishops – interesting! Here are my predictions for Day 1 – (draw means I haven’t a clue)
:
Westville – Marlow – Marlow by 6
Kingswood – Louis Botha – draw
Boys High – DHS – Boys High by 15
Glenwood – Bishops – Bishops by 3
Dan Pienaar – Jeppe – Jeppe by 3
Queens – Michaelhouse – House by 15
Windhoek – Dale – Windhoek by 9
Selborne – KES – KES by 4
Nico Malan – Parktown – draw
Grey High – Kearsney – Grey by 12
@Ploegskaar: Ah sorry, thought he went to Bosch or SACS for grade 8….my mistake. Great player!
@Grasshopper: Marco Palvie was at Laerskool Bellpark in the Northern Suburbs. Boet.
@Balikibaba: You can add Sam Mitchell in there as well, pity about the injury to Cornel, he is a classy player.
@Balikibaba: Well, both teams have lost game breakers then. Glenwood their powerhouse lock Vidima who was their enforcer, now probably replaced with a lighter more jumping type lock in Xaba or Desmore. I would actually like them to play Palvie at lock, great player. Also originally from the Southern Suburbs but at Glenwood since grade 9 I think. Let’s just say Glenwood’s back 3 all run the 100 in under 11 secs so it’s going to be quick whatever happens….
@beet: lol…..I may get into trouble.
Gerard Pietrse the captain and fullback
Cornel Smit the centre, but unfortunately he won’t be at Grey as is out for a few weeks.
Saud Abrahams the number 8
Both wings are very good.
@beet: I know for sure both would have been part of the set up, maybe not starting though. With Andrew it was a case of no one was sure whether he was a lock or a flank, and Grey always had the EP lock pairing and loosies. I remember Sebastian being great at age group level, but I think there are only 2 or 3 grade 11s starting this year and he wouldn’t have put out the vice captain at 12. Must say he is a really talented sportsman all round.
@Balikibaba: Sorry we have 1 Gerard Pieterse
@Balikibaba: C’mon Bali give us some names so we can track these guys. Hopper has at least mentioned the x-factor players by name. For now all I know of is Matthew le Roux the lock and Saul Abrahams the loosie – both top rated but it takes more than 2 to tango. So spit it out – NAMES!
@Mike: Yeah quite unique in that 2 are now resident at KZN schools. I wonder if either would have made the Grey 1st team this year.
@beet: Beet interesting to note. In all 3 of Greys games, they play against boys who were previously their team mates. In Kearsney it’s Sebastian Pau, Nico Malan it’s their right wing, and against Michaelhouse it’s Andrew Vogel who left after grade 10.
@Grasshopper: this is going to be interesting as pretty much at is where Bishops have their good players too. In those positions.
@Queenian: @rugbyfan: I’m sure time will tell. I’ve seen him handle pressure before though. He kicked 6 out of 6 in the pouring rain last year when he was in grade 10 against Paul Roos’ 1st XV, a game Grey eventually won. Also kicked Paarl Gym silly at cape schools week last year where Grey lost by a try in the dying seconds. But the proof is in the pudding as they say, and you’re only as good as your last game. Looking forward to the match up on Saturday between him and probably the SA schools flyhalf this year.
@rugbyfan: going to be close. Would love Bishops to win, but this is a mouth watering schoolboy clash so may that be the big winner.
@beet: lol……..You won’t need to worry about numbers to see Gerard Pieterse. Pity the other star is out for 5 weeks because you would not have had to worry about numbers for him either.
@Grasshopper: They will play in Blue
@beet: Danial Pienaar have a decent team.
@beet: Hehehe was trying to see what re-action I can get out of Queenian still trying to get him back for 1983.
Do Bishops play in white or blue at these tourno’s?
Westville vs Marlow and Glenwood vs Bishops are now must watch games.
Pity the latter clashes with Dan Pienaar vs Jeppe which might also turn out to be an interesting game
@rugbyfan: that would be real fun :-)
@beet: You should draw up a schedule were each blogger can put there prediction in for the Grey PE festival which you keep open till Saturday morning then make it a hard copy that they cannot change after that so we can see who was close on there predictions.
@Balikibaba: 4 Glenwood players to watch, Kenny Van Niekerk, a powerful running prop, Jaco Coetzee a very quick and abrasive No 8, Curtis Jonas a very nippy flyhalf and Morne Joubert a fullback who seems to find space from nowhere. Spam Ncgobo and both wings are lightning quick too. So if Glenwood get enough ball they will play a ‘Bishops’ type game too, run, run, run….will be interesting for sure…
@rugbyfan:
Don’t go jinxing the situation like that man!
Couldn’t we just leave it at Queens are over par and MHS are favourites. No you have to throw in the whole good scrum, lineout, no.8, backline jazz. Shame on you! Now I don’t know will be under more pressure MHS to score 40 or Queens to show that their is something not right in their team
@Balikibaba: He was the misinformed bloke who thought SACS were the only W/Cape team traveling to PE this year. He has since found out that Bishops are also going to be there and has retracted his statement, choosing to rather say that SACS don’t look so bad anymore in relation to the W/Cape contingent
Jokes! Who knows who said what but at least Bishops are looking good which in a way is a headache because of the no numbers thing. Spectators will have to concentrate extra hard to see who’s who in blue
@Balikibaba: Maybe they pull one over Glenwood that would be fun.
@Buffel: not in history, no chance but then again Kearsney only started playing them 80 odd years ago…recently maybe…
Bishops will put 40 points past Kingswood they are a weak team at best, also people underestimate Parktown people up North are telling me they have a good team.
@Queenian: it certainly looks promising. Nice backs and loosies with a tight five who can hold their own. We always knew this year would be back up there with traditional Bishops teams. Right now, I think we will be happy to be competitive with the top schools again, but some friends and I did chuckle quietly when whoever it was said on here that he thought grey could have attracted a stronger school from the Cape as Bishops are weak.
Yes, we got one over Boishaai last night but one can’t read too much into that as only 20 minutes a half and no kicking for poles. I have watched some of the footage though and must say our backs look very slick! Perfect for Bishops rugby. There are 2 or 3 players in our backs which no one in the cape have even mentioned as possible CW players, but let me tell you I see 2 possible SA schools calibre players there. Remember the name Gerard Pieterse.
My predictions day 1 Grey Festival
Pearson vs Hudson Pearson by 10
Westiville vs Marlow Marlow by 5
Pret Boys vs DHS Pret Boys by 15
Glenwood vs Bishops Glenwood by 5
Queens vs MHouse MH by 20
Selborne vs KES Selborne by 5
Grey vs Kearsney Grey by 5
Kingswood vs HTS LBotha HTS LBotha by 20
DPienaar vs Jeppe DPienaar by 5
Windhoek vs Dale Dale by 10
Nico Malan vs Parktown Park Town by 5
@Balikibaba: I always said that Bishop,s would be good have a friend in CT who told me in December that they would be really strong. And I see they pulled one over Boishaai.
@rugbyfan: Anyway I win both ways if Queens win I would be over the moon and then again a MH win with my little cousin playing for them would be okay.
Who is the person who a month or two ago said that he thought the only Western Province school being represented at this festival was weak?
@rugbyfan: Ouch!!!! if you were not my friend I would have to come beat you up.
But sadly I must agree.
Will you be there Saturday.
@Mike: @Queenian: The Grey PE fly half looks great but I also thought play’s a bit like a boxer who has a glass jaw, time will tell how good he is, I thought the Selborne No 10 was a better player on the day.
I might be wrong.
@Queenian: @beet: Sadly I don’t think Queens have a chance against Michael House in fact they could lose by at least 20, and that’s not because I think they a bad team to the contrary when I watched them on Friday against Kingswood I thought they have a good front row/hard working locks/good flanks/great No 8 and a backline if it got going would tear any defence to shreds.
But something just did not look right to me they should have put 40 points past Kingswood so maybe its a confidence thing or a coaching issue but something did not look right.
If they play to there potential and ability ye they would have a good chance.
But my prediction MH 40 Queens 7
@Mike: The Grey fly half is really good the only thing I would like to see is how he goes under pressure.
@beet: Ye agree Queens will battle with both MH and Westville after watching them against Kingswood I don’t rate there chances much either. I said a draw in hope they would do something but I think that’s quite a long shot.
I think Queens season is going to be long and hard with only a few wins in between but never write them off they might be a bit small but they have the talent so lets see.
@Vleis: We had the pleasure of playing them and was billed the game of the festival. Very good side.
@Grasshopper: over the years kearsney has the wood on MHS. That is all I am going to say.
@Beet Many thanks for all the great info,makes following school rugby interesting. When the squads are known for the Grey festival , can we please have them.
@Balikibaba: jeez, Grey PE must have been immense. Ask Gungets how good that 87 College side was and they lost big to Bishops. College had about 13 KZN players, the most ever until 2000 when they started picking big squads…
@Grasshopper: I watched that game. Was playing for the Prep first team in curtain raiser vs Clifton Durban. Yes, Bishops were good that year. Only lost one game vs Grey PE.
@Balikibaba: Last one I have was in 2000, where Glenwood won 19-11. I’ll dig some more….
Yeah, 1987 must have been an epic year for Bishops because they smashed a very very good College side with like 5 SA Schools players in their side..
@Grasshopper: Agreed. Schoolboy rugby must be the winner. The only game. I am aware of is 1987 at St Stithians. Bishops won that one. They had a great side that year. Would be great if you dug up the history.
@Balikibaba: I think we have only played Bishops about 4 times in history, I know we have one win. Will do some digging…good luck to both sides…
@Grasshopper: Hopper, huge respect for Glenwood. Right now I think most Bishops supporters would tell you we will be happy to be competitive this year again. I would still say Glenwood are favorites.
@Roger: yep and Kingswood but they co-ed. St Andrews also up there…
@beet: Beet – I see the premier schools (?) fixtures are out
KES vs Affies
College vs Grey College
Glenwood vs Monnas…………
Not exactly derby matches – how does this work?
@Vleis: when did Helpmekaar go private?
@Balikibaba: big win for Bishops – well done – lovely to see them put one over Boishaai
@Grasshopper: big call to leave St Andrews out of your ratings? Historically it would be:
Bishops
St Andrews
Michaelhouse/Hilton
St Johns
Kearsney/St Stithians/St Albans
@Vleis: think he was injured last year. Not sure why he didn’t play Sat – if injured, hope he recovers quick
@kcman: when Grey and KES we’re not pitted against each other at the Grey Fest I thought they would definitely meet at the KES Fest but sadly not to be – not sure why? No disrespect to Northwood and DHS but would rather have seen a Grey KES match up
@Balikibaba: we all know beating Boishaai even in a warm up gain is no mean feat, so don’t underplay it. Bishops now favourites vs Glenwood…
Gents….game over. 10 nil to Bishops. Two tries in first half. Hopefully we do ok vs Glenwood.
Gents, it is now 10 nil to Bishops.
I believe Bishops are leading Boishaai 5 0
@Mike: I just think it makes sense for Grey to play like schools, big boys schools. Everybody knew that Kearsney are never going to be the team they were the past few years, that was common knowledge. It was a perfect time to play Glenwood and KES.
@Vleis: Nope there was never a doubt that he would leave at the end of Grade 7, no he is not the rugby captain but scored mountains of runs this last term.
@beet:
agree Beet, we won at Graeme, but we’re still far from playing well. Based on those 2 performances against Grens and Kingswood I am very worried. I really don’t mind the results this weekend, we just need to get the 1st XV right for Reunion against a very strong Selborne side
Unfortunately won’t be there, got some family commitments this weekend. So so bleak I’ll miss it though. Would’ve love to be there, support the boys and all that.
@Grasshopper: thanks Hopper. Unfortunately I won’t be as active as usual as I am running, but will add value to comments where I can.
@Grasshopper: they want revenge no doubt
@Grasshopper: Yep, I am down in CT at the moment and the weather is very kak! Off to de Grendel now for a bite.
@kcman: I don’t think Grey dodged Glenwood at all. They wanted to play the best KZN team. And Kearsney was rated best in KZN last year and a top 10 side in the country so no dodge there. With regards to Michaelhouse, there has been a long history between Grey and House so this is just continuing. The 1st team must play Nico Malan at our festival because the Nico derby is three days after KES festival four days before Wildeklawer.
@kcman: I thought that he might stay at Grey. Is he still captain of the rugger team?
@Balikibaba: Well they going to want to revenge the losses to SACS last year, I watched the Piley Rees game. SACS were better as a team and deserved to win…
@Balikibaba: Welcome back Bali, we missed your updates from the Southern suburbs :-)
@Vleis: Yep, what I meant was English medium private schools historically and I think Michaelhouse and Hilton would be very close to Bishops if they played annually. They are comfortably the 3rd and 4th best schools in KZN historically behind College and DHS. Helpmekaar did very well last night against Affies, but I believe this is not going to be one of Affies’s great years, still good though probably winning 70 to 80% of their games. Helpies at age group level currently are very strong and would beat most of the big schools A teams. Good luck to Bishops tonight, really rubbish weather here in the Cape. Winter has arrived early. Glenwood vs Bishops is going to be tough as they both don’t know much about each other, unless Sean Erasmas gives Rudi Dames a quick update after tonight. I’m sure there were some Bishops spies at Westville and Glenwood the past 2 weeks. Let’s just say we have lost our most abrasive forward to injury now…
@Vleis: Sid’s son is in his final year at Grey Jnr before heading off to Grahamstown to join his sister who started at KC this year.
@Vleis: I hear you. But maybe just wait and see what Bishops put out onto the field for first team this year. I think they may surprise some people.
@beet: lol…then I guess that makes me a spammer!
@kcman: Yep, I had even forgotten about that festival. A mate’s son played in it and he said every team was trying to dodge Helpies….including the hosts.
How is Sid’s son doing this year? He must be in his final year of junior school at Grey?
@Balikibaba: @Playa: I assumed that Grassy meant the best rugby teams produced by private schools this year. Historically, Bishops is comfortably the top private school (from a rugby perspective) in SA. No contest.
This year; however, I would put cash on most of Helpmekaar’s A teams beating their Bishops counterparts. I base my opinion on Helpmekaar’s recent results and on Bishops’ recent history.
@Balikibaba: I have no idea what the problem is/was, the same programming code as always being used to run the blog, I just just checked it again:
IF USER = BISHOPS THEN SPAM COMMENT ELSE RELEASE FOR VIEW
@kcman: let’s see where they end up this year.
@Balikibaba: I think Vleis saw these boys as u15 side smash Michaelhouse and Hilton at Independent Schools Festival by about 60 points each. They are did look very grown compared to the English lads though.
@ Vleis. Bishops played Helpmekaar last year or year before with an average side and smashed them if memory serves. Where on earth do you come up with the notion that Helpmekaar would beat them? Maybe once every ten games.
Ahhhhh…now I see I am on again!
Rugby season here again so I will post every now and again.
Bishops play Boishaai at Newlands this evening. It’s wet and cold so let’s see what happens. They won the Rondebosch tens over the weekend conceding only 2 tries the entire day and scoring around 30 or so.
No predictions yet but looking fwd to playing Glenwood on Saturday. May rugby be the winner.
Re Gibbs, best rugby player I have ever laid eyes on. Zero debate in my opinion.
Re Swiel. The lad has oodles of talent. 2 years out of school. Give him chance to settle. Sharks supporters will be happy a year from now.
Re Fuller. Good player, but not in same class as dad. Then again, in my opinion, no one is. Lol
Beet is not posting my comments for some reason.
@Grasshopper: In my humble opinion, Grey have dodged the chance of playing Glenwood, I would have loved to see that clash. I think the match-ups could have been done better and I would also have liked to see Grey play KES. Also Glenwood should have got a game against KES.
@Vleis: Weren’t they nicknamed “Helpmeplease” some years ago when they were getting pumped big points by everyone?
Haven’t followed them much, but I suspect Hopper was talking historically.
@CHS08: Eish!!! I was sabotaged…long story…will share it with you over a few pints at the Dale reunion.
@Vleis: Brave call…Best in his generation,maybe??? Darryl Cullinan, Peter Grant/Lionel Cronje, Brent Russell…not disputing your statement per se…but heck it’s a very brave one.
@Grasshopper: Grassy. I’ll assume you mean top rugby playing private schools, or your entire statement is waay out. Even if it is the former, there is small private school that would very likely beat the MH and Bishops 1st teams and most A teams…if not all.
Helpmekaar.
@kcman: A Michaelhouse vs Bishops game would have been tops, best two private schools in the country up against each other….sorry Kearsney and Hilton boys, they probably are but you very close behind…
@Roger: I spoke to Balikibaba the other day and he is quietly confident regarding the Bishops side for this year.
@Roger: Many SBR experts (most even?) think that Gibbs was the best SA schoolboy flyhalf ever…so it’d be surprising if Fuller was even close.
I seem to remember that he was injured for most of last season. Is that correct?
Well everyone thinks Tim Swiel is a great player, I personally think he is very average! He is not Sharks quality…
@beet: watched Fuller play 15 for KES when he was in grade 10 – good feet and hands but was very small. There was a Bishops blogger on here – Balikibaba – who played with Herschelle and went to watch Fuller play just to draw a comparision. His opinion was that he was not quite up to that standard (but who is/was)?
@CHS08: Good call. I think Queenian and Spilly can a thing or 10 from you
For me the Queen’s acid test is will Ludz be in PE to watch them. The answer is a very emphatic NO! This tells you all you need to know about Queen’s chances
Apparently Ludz says he wants to use this weekend to improve his watching paint dry skills, which I accepted as a very valid excuse under the circumstances.
The KZN army is marching on PE and staying North altho closer to the KZN border must feel a whole lot safer for young Ludz.
@Roger: Oh wow! I wonder if Fuller’s injured then. I hope not. Would be nice to see what he’s like on the rugby field.
Yeah I know Jared Meyer well from his time in the Sharks u21 team. If his boet is as good he will make quite some SBR player. So might not be a bad second prize if Fuller not available.
@beet: Agreed Luigi can Jaarsveld was an SAU16 player in 2012. Also can’t wait for the Tedder/Bosch matchup. Two very different but exciting players.
@beet: Beet – he (Fuller) didn’t play against Boys High. Not sure why – he wasn’t even on the bench. The no 10 was young Meyer. His brother Jared played for KES in 08 and 09 and for the Lions at Craven Week. Was contracted by the Sharks and is now playing Varsity Cup for WITS. Meyer and Mjekevu formed a deadly centre parternership for KES and the Lions in 08 and 09. Hope the younger brother steps up!
Having watched Queens against Grens and Kingswood I don’t see them beating Michaelhouse but that is just my opinion. @Tjoppa:
Selborne and Dan Pienaar being favoured to beat KES and Jeppe by a couple of the pundits. Not too much confidence in the GEMS then by the Eastern Cape faithfuls.
For Selborne vs KES, it will be Morgan Steyn opposing Herschelle Gibbs’ son at no.10.
It looks undecided in Marlow vs Westville. Hopefully Westville arrive in PE with a plan get their backline moving. Luigi van Jaarsveld will the big name player to watch during that game for sure.
This Grey High team has produced excellent results in lower age groups so it will be a tough game for Kearsney. The flyhalf matchup between Tedder and Bosch will be one to savour.
@spilly: @Queenian: I think these Queens predictions are over the top. They will be lucky to get a 1st half draw against Michaelhouse
even with Jerry at no.8. This is the Queens team that lost to Grens a few days ago 
@CHS08: No no he is lying Bog. Nobody but your mother and wisdom is missing you.
East London is as hot as satan’s breath gentlemen damn it! @Playa: What happened on Friday we waited and waited for you at Graeme was with Ludz and CHS 07 Knights. @Mike Grey is the strongest team in the Eastern Cape. Haven’t heard anything about Bishops but I like the brand of rugby they play the ball in hand approach. @Bog You very scarce.
@Mike: I guess there is always room for improvement hey. The Grey High 1XV looked impeccable against Marlow. But then again…GCB can sometimes appear to be “immortal” when they play against “impeccable” teams
.
@Grasshopper: Oh no! Let me read the report. Is he in Grade 12 this year?
@Knight_CHS07: Yeah I’d say for the first 30 they played to their potential, and after that the changes were made and things went a bit scrappy. The side that faced Marlow was not necessarily the first choice side I suspect with two boys injured. So maybe some changes in the line up. No doubt GCB will be tough this year, they always are. But you have to take things one match at a time. So yeah I know they are working very hard this week to fine-tune things for the festival.
@Grasshopper: Hopper never good to lose a 1st choice particularly when he is ex-Craven Week but possibly better 2nd jumper lineout option now. But certainly sad for kid to have put in so much in preparation for the season, only for it to end in March.
@Mike: Improve???
! Is that even possible? Considering the fact that they played very well at the GC rugby Day against a very good Marlow Landbou
@Queenian: I wont be able to make it. Saving up on cash so I can stock up on QC86’s biltong when Im in King in May. I’d appreciate the updates.
@Queenian
@QC86: Haha I’m not the one who said 10-20. I can assure you this is a very big game for Grey. No one in the Grey camp is taking this lightly at all. What happens on the field determines the score line. They all know that. The Grey side will want to improve on the Marlow performance from last week.
@Buffel: I am with you on this one,Grey are good but not unbeatable,flyhalf hates pressure,but has a massive boot,sorry mike,should be a closer game than 10 or 20,tell you one thing it will be a cracker to watch,good luck to both teams.
@Queenian: think 10-20 a bit ambitious. I know that they are good this year but they will be up against a very determined Kearsney outfit.
@Roger: Davy and i will be watching,will post up dates,no problem,long intervals will be a good sign that kes is kicking our butts
Saturday I will be there, I’ll update.
Just heard via Beet’s match report that Glenwood have lost their enforcer lock Vidima for the rest of the season, things not looking to rosy now..
Also believe Bishops could be in for a good year have a friend in Cape Town who says they have a good team.
@Queenian: Thanks Queenian, but I”l just follow on Twitter. Was going to try and make it myself but the 8hr drive from Cape Town doesn’t sound enticing even for these games. If Glenwood was playing KES or Grey PE then I would have made the journey…
@Playa: You going to be around for the Grey Fes if not I will keep you updated.
@Roger: @Grasshopper: @Westers: Give me your numbers and I will sms you updates on the hour if you want for Saturday.
@Roger: I should be there on Saturday not sure about Monday or Wednesday yet.
@Grasshopper: Agree I think Michael House must be clear favourites to beat Queens they have a big pack and some good backs so it must be there to win or lose I think.
But we hope the Kudu stands tall.
I have noticed on Twitter SACS have been training forever and doing alot of work, maybe something is brewing there too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nick Mallet is assisting in some way at Bishops. Is Jake White’s son still there?
@Queenian: @spilly: he, he, he – happy to take the underdog tag!
Who will be there to update bloggers?
I think Marlow will take Westville – those farmers sons from Cradock are tough nuts.
Don’t underestimate Jeppe and Parktown – they have a lot of returning players
Agree on Bishops as well. Anyone know what Rondebosch is like this year?
@Playa: Yeah, something is brewing under the mountain. They announced 3 professional coaches last year so who knows what to expect….where is our usual Bishops blogger for some info…
@Playa: Oh and KES
@spilly: @Queenian: I’d be careful to write off Bishops, Michaelhouse, Jeppe, Marlow…and dare I say it…the brewers from Windhoek. Dale will need to be very disciplined because those okes tend to come out with flyhalves with big and accurate boots.
@Grasshopper: I share that sentiment. After 3 bad seasons, people seem to have forgotten about the Platinum Blues.I haven’t heard any mention of them in the Southern Suburbs…scary!
@Roger:
I think people are underestimating Michaelhouse, big pack and solid backs….might surprise Queens. Also, no one is talking about Bishops…that scares me a little…
My predictions day 1 Grey Festival
Pearson vs Hudson Pearson by 5 to 10
Westiville vs Marlow Westville by 5
Pret Boys vs DHS Pret Boys by 10
Glenwood vs Bishops Glenwood by 5
Queens vs MHouse Draw
Selborne vs KES Selborne by 2
Grey vs Kearsney Grey by 10 to 20
Kingswood vs HTS LBotha HTS LBotha by 5
DPienaar vs Jeppe DPienaar by 5 to 10
Windhoek vs Dale Dale by 5
Nico Malan vs Parktown Nico Malan by 5
@Roger: KES vs Selborne will be interesting I think it depends if Selborne pitch or not they have a good No8/10/12 so it will be interesting, KES got off with a win against PBH so they look good so anybody’s game I think.
KES vs Queens I think been played at KES own backyard should make them the ones that come out on top but if KES try and play a loose game I think Queens have a chance.
My predictions day 1 Grey Festival
Pearson vs Hudson Pearson by 5 to 10
Westiville vs Marlow Marlow by 5 to 10
Pret Boys vs DHS Pret Boys by 10 to 15
Glenwood vs Bishops Glenwood by 5 to 8
Queens vs MHouse Queens by 5 to 8
Selborne vs KES Selborne by 5 to 10
Grey vs Kearsney Grey by 10 to 20
Kingswood vs HTS LBotha Kingswood by 5 to 10
DPienaar vs Jeppe DPienaar by 5 to 10
Windhoek vs Dale Dale by 10 to 15
Nico Malan vs Parktown Nico Malan by 10 to 15
first of the Grogper Cup games this w/end – c’mon Jeppe, PBHS and KES
My predicted standings – 3-1 to the Vaalies after the GREY PE festival!
where’s Vleis and Andre T – need them in my corner
@Playa: @Knight_CHS07: don’t mention the war
It was one of those days – KES were worse than horsesh#t but still had 80% possession and territory – gave away two interception tries on the opposition line (length of the field stuff) – and lost by 3 I think
At least the beer afterwards was refreshing
Kudos to Trinity though – they really wanted it and the players and supporters went tilt at the final whistle – was a pleasure to see what it meant to them.
@Westers:
@Playa: Really? KES lost
? wow! But to be honest i don’t see Hudson beating PBHS. In my opinion Selborne should’ve got the PBHS fixture instead of Pearson.
But then again like you said….”Festivals can produce some crazy results”, so i guess all we can do is wait and see.
@beet: I wonder why that was?
@Knight_CHS07: Yeah that’s a huge mismatch. 50 plus, easily for the Baboona. But hey, who could see Trinityhouse take food away from KES’s mouth last year (sorry Roger
). Festivals can produce some crazy results.
@star: Sorry that game has been changed.
I will update it.
@ Queenian- thanks for the input. The Westville pack is actually not too bad. It is just that the backline is very unsettled and so it will be strength against weakness and I should imagine that if the game is loose then Queens will come into the game by taking advantage of the opportunities presented. We are also come off a bruising derby against Kearsney and there are at least 5 boys taking concussion tests the results of which will have a bearing on the games to be played.
The game against Hudson will be interesting bearing in mind the 2 Hudson players now at Westville.
@Queenian: how’s Selborne this year – KES Selborne looks to be a good match up?
KES also play Queens up at the KES festival – should be a cracker
@star: Westville should beat Hudson with ease but will find the going against Marlow hard they play structured hard Bulls type game but are not that big this year so I would see a Westville win there.
Against Queens I would say Westville will be favourites to win, but give Queens ball and things will change.
@star: As far as I know Queens played Westville in 1976 which Queens won 16-3 and again in the 1990’s which as far as I know Westville won 18-9, I do stand to be corrected but that’s all I know of.
Queens will battle with any team this year that has a big strong pack but the backline is good also the No 8 is really good but I am not sure what Westville’s pack is like so I think the answer lies there.
Michael House have a big pack so Queens will have an uphill battle all the way there.
Why is Selborne playing Pearson??? I take nothing away from Pearson, but i think Selborne will be too much for them (like they were against Stirling at Border Schools)
With the Graeme Day over it seems a bit clearer who is who in the EC zoo.
Grey HS seems the one to beat and will be challenge for House and Kearsney. Here is hoping that a KZN team prevails and puts a marker down.
Westville play Queens which could be a first( anyone got any history) and they seem a bit up and down with their loss to Grens.
Finally I think there are 3 Grogper matches at stake being DHS/PBHS, GW/Jeppe and Kearsney/PBHS. I think we(KZN) might we down by one at the end of the festival
Some mouth watering clashes here:
Glenwood vs Bishops
Queen’s vs Michaelhouse
Selborne vs KES
Grey vs Kearsney
Queen’s vs Westville
Kearsney vs Pretoria Boys High
Glenwood vs Jeppe
Muir vs Hudson Park (That’s no mistake)
Grey vs Michaelhouse
@Queenian: @rugbyfan: Sorry guys.
There have been changes. JeppeRugbyFan mentioned it a few days back so I got the final final fixtures from Grey PE
No Jeppe vs Westville on the last day.
Grey Unicorns playing a couple of games.
Muir had 2 games on the last day, this error now fixed
@Queenian: Good question I see Beet keeps reposting it?
What has changed
Star & Rhino
The Glenwood – Westville game is going to be huge and Glenwood will have some international support in the stands
My daughter lives and works in England and is getting married in Kzn a week after the big match in March – She is marrying a Canadian and there are relatives coming from Ireland ,Canada , England and Wales – about 30 of them -jokingly known in our family as the “United Nations” and they will be at the match – I told them watching a SBR match of this magnitude is something to behold – Although with 3 months to go I can already feel a tingle of anticipation………
@HM: I’ve not heard anything, beet?
@Roger: Last I heard was about 8 years ago and about 30%. I know MHS has made a concerted effort to ensure they retain their farming stock applicants and ran a weaned scheme with local OB farmers to fund OB’s kids from the farming community. I think the intention was to keep the balance of OB’s kids and city vs rural kids.
Is it true that Sean’s replacement has been appointed?
@Roger: Gauteng does have a much bigger population so makes sense to spread the talent around….
@McCulleys Workshop: met him on the aeroplane and we chatted for a while – they are specifically targeting JHB English speaking prep schools (much bigger and more lucrative market than KZN – not my words
) – I guess there is not enough to go around in the Last Outpost.
BTW – do you have any idea of the percentage of boys from Gautend at House and Hilton
@Playa: also very sad – such a talented player and lost to SA rugby
I see that the GW/ Westville game is at Westville. A bit of deja vu from 2 years ago when there was a bit of history coming in and it was also an early encounter. Just hope that emotions are kept in check and that the outcome is a fantastic day of rugger with similar results
Glenwood 2014 fixtures released, going to be another long and tough season!
http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/sites/default/files/RUGBY%20FIXTURES%202014.pdf
@Grasshopper: Good man!
@Roger: on reflection, apologies for the comment about Quinny’s intellect, that was a low blow. Sorry, he seems a great respectful and talented kid, a great future Protea!
@Roger: Roger, Well I suppose the machine had to pick some USP, and that seems a plausible one if you are selling the concept to yourself! Or your OB’s who would most certainly believe it, in fact you could probably raise funding off that pitch, so if you sold 100 raffle tickets for R5 each to win a years supply of Label would make perfect economic sense.
@Roger: oh yes, well done to your kid De Kock, a good little player there. Doesn’t seem the brightest maybe just camera shy. Hopefully the likes of Zondi, Chetty and Subrayen are given chances too…
@Roger: nope, we would never avoid a tough fixture. Glenwood play 8 top 20 schools a year. KES is certainly not a bigger challenge than Affies, Grey Bloem etc. Not sure what they doing in Gauteng, good luck to them. Fair game at grade 7 level, but why would they want soutie Vaalie soccer playing boys when they can get tough Pretoria Afrikaaner rugby playing boys…..something seems amiss. Maybe Glenwood are going to focus on soccer, tiddlywinks, underwater jukskei, clay pigeon shooting etc….
@Roger: Very interesting! I must admit, he has done himself a huge favour here. All the best young man
Beet – you and I have debated this before but it looks like the Sardines have ruined another one
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Mjekevus-future-with-France-20131211
@Grasshopper: or perhaps it should be said that the Green Machine are avoiding KES
I believe you Hoppers are currently doing a roadshow/book building exercise at many JHB Prep schools touting Glenwood as a viable option for JHB boys wanting to board in Natal. The hostel size is/has been increased and the jist of the presentation is that Glenwood is a cost effective alternative to Michaelhouse, Hilton and Kearsney (where very many talented JHB boys go) – the very best of Bristish luck to you
@McCulleys Workshop: Walker has a case on it. A throw back from our PREP days. Another will be fine. Let me know your poison. So far KC 2 cases MHS 0 . From this year’s u16 side there should be a couple of faces in the 2014 side. Going to be interesting to see how the boys gel.
@Buffel: Buffel, you have a case on it or you want a case on it, no problem if it is the latter. Everyone I have spoken to says MHS should have a reasonably good side, but they said that last year
I watched the u16 game this year and it was run close, I though K won by a point?
@McCulleys Workshop: should be a fair side and will produce good running rugby. Cannot wait for the KC/MHS game as it has been a close run affair at age group level. U15 kc won in the dying seconds and u16 came from behind to draw the game in the last movement. There is a case on it and I believe that BW thinks it is my turn to return the favour. Going to be a cracker-founders day and all that good stuff. On to the festival, some great match ups and testing games to say the least.
@BOG:
no not at all. Mine is a result of a colonial ‘mishap’. Both parents are as Xhosa as they come
@Playa: You not that guy who was on TV, are you? I think he is now spokesperson for the SAPS. Mac Intosh Mc Farlain, I think his name was, but he is Zulu. He was adopted by a white family, or something like that.
@BOG: Remember it was a great settler who start GCB so I think as historical ties go GCB would form part of the old Border/NEC/SF block.
@BOG: As they say about the EC and KZN we all settlers some came in the 1500’s others came in the 1800’s.
@Playa: You a settler in my book a proud EC settler of honour. Just a pity you lost your mind and went to Dale and not Queens
@BOG: We just want to show the wannabies from KZN what rugby is about.
@BOG: I’m an honourary settler as I have an English surname
@Queenian: Are you suggesting that Playa is a “settler”?
Picks of the festival:
Glenwood vs Bishops
Selborne vs KES
Queens vs Michaelhouse
Queens vs Westville
Grey vs Kearsney
Kearsney vs Pretoria BH
Glenwood vs Jeppe
Jeppe vs Westville
Grey vs Michaelhouse
Those should be crackers. Hoping for clear weather
@Queenian: EC will definitely take it!
Considering the tough games ahead for Dale at KERF, I really don’t mind these fixtures.It wont be easy, but at least Parktown and Windhoek are in our league.
5 games between KZN vs Eastern Cape schools that should be interesting maybe we should have something similar to the Groper Cup here also 1 or two at other tournaments I think 8 in total.
I see a EC win here we can call it the “Settlers Cup”
KES manage to avoid the Green Machine again! Happy with Bishops and Jeppe too though. I think both are expecting good years in 2014..
@Grasshopper: Good stuff, now get yourself together!
@ McCulleys- I will speak to my contacts and revert. I seem to remember Tarpeys being very bullish about next year and that the trophy will ” come home” to the Meadows. Maybe he can give some motivation.
@star: Any view on next years team? Finding it hard to get any reasonable comment from parents, who are all rather gun shy after this years results.
@ McCulleys- given their 2011 season and the fact there were no big name players , I think I was the only one on the blog to tip them pre-season. I need a bit of credit here.( although I did have some inside information
)
With regard to tipping the car guards, it is now my second biggest expense
@star: Ya but it was hard not to tip them, I hope you gave them more than the average car guard!
McCulleys’s- What do you mean I don’t sincerely acknowledge the achievements of other
When I tipped House last year it did not come naturally to me. : 
I had to hide the white jersey deep in the closet.
@Grasshopper: That’s the spirit!
@Jordaan: I apologise for my ‘attacks’ on Westville and will be routing for them against KES and at the Grey PE festival as I was at Kearsney last year, great game vs Framesby.
@Bonthuis: 60 or 70 bursaries or scholarships a year, case closed…
@Grasshopper: As a so called respected blogger, you’ve clearly lost a lot of respect on this post with your somewhat childish attacks on Westville.
You starting to do a bit of a disservice to the Glenwood supporters with your unsubstantiated nonsense.
We can almost smell the jealousy over the web
@Grasshopper: So Westville have bought their success, what a load of BS!
To me it seems like a case of blind jealousy given what Westville have achieved in recent times, with you now trying to tie success to tradition. So only a school that’s a hundred years old have earned their success, the rest have all bought theirs – lol!
You are seriously blinkered, especially with anything that relates to Westville.
@Grassy
Cool – it is kinda fun at times.. i really didnt post that though this time to wind u up.. ;-) truly.
I sit here in the UK up in the north west ( near liverpool ) and this is my only way to feel attached to home and all so i enjoy this site even though u and others can annoy me at times but i say that in a good way :-) love a banter and all. i also stir the pot at times i know lol
Oh and i am Liverpool all the way… you must hear them dig at each other up here alll day every day its hilarious…
@Grassy
Cool – it is kinda fun at times.. i really didnt post that though this time to wind u up.. ;-) truly.
I sit here in the UK up in the north west ( near liverpool ) and this is my only way to feel attached to home and all so i enjoy this site even though u and others can annoy me at times but i say that in a good way :-) love a banter and all. i also stir the pot at times i know lol
Oh and i am Liverpool all the way… you must hear them dig at each other up here alll day every day its hilarious…
And wind up others which I seem to do occasionally on here ;-)
@Rhino: yes Ryan, I am blinkered too, it’s like trying to convince a Liverpool supporter to like Man U and vice versa. No point, they will never see eye to eye. It’s a childish debate anyway, got plenty of Westville mates, by the time you almost 20 years out of school it doesn’t really matter, all just banter and pulling each other’s chains. I love to get wound up….
@Grassy
what you on about dude? dont be like that… who is blinkered? look in the mirror as you type bro… ;)
@McCulleys Workshop: Nope, just tired of the debate with blinkered bloggers (not you of course). I might go into hibernation until the 2014 season kicks off….
@Grasshopper: Ok so now the one-eyed trouser snake is feigning death, only to live and strike another day.
@McCulleys Workshop: OK, guys you right, I got it wrong.
@Grassy
Hectic day at work so wasnt able to check the replies till now… and boy those were some replies..lol .. making me laugh as gosh that seriously brought out the true inner feelings lol…
My post wasnt to irritate or bleat.. i just showed it as felt proud. You are always digging up figures and facts so why cant i. i could have added more but i didnt as just felt those were relevant.
The age of our school or the age of your school does not mean you should have more respect… come one guv think before you ink.
I personally find most of us very humble saying we should learn to be is hogwash.
@Grasshopper: And if you think that being a member of the association is a reflection of being the best school in Africa, you are wrong, it is totally unrelated. These are schools and educationalists that adhere to a certain educational and world view and or collaboration, not stating that they are better than. Neither do the Westville supports state that, competitive – Yes, proud – Yes, able to sincerely acknowledge the achievements of others – Yes (except Sun), but your guff is parallel to Alice in Wonderland. As they say in the classics, in the land of the blind the one-eyed trouser snake is king.
@Grasshopper: I have a mate in CT who is a good shrink… He specializes in something called projection – which is projecting ones own disposition and actions on others. He may be able to help, just saying
@star: I wasn’t clear was not referring to the speech, but the PR is general. Anyway, I love braai’s with my family and winding them up, imagine how boring it would be just talking about how good Westville has become. Honestly nothing against Westville’s success just about the blowing of ones own trumpet part. Good on them…..
@ Grassy- as you are throwing around your usual incorrect assumptions allow me to give you the full picture. In 2009 Westville was contacted out of the blue by the Association. Westville did not make an application. The reasons given for our selection were as follows:
1) they had done their research and had noticed Westville’s ranking in the 2009 Sunday Times survey.( the last major survey done on SA Schools)
2)More boys were doing core Maths and Science than other schools( including the independents)
3) they factored in the great extra-curricular programme
4) more representative of the population than the privates
5) looking for a school that the Chinese schools in particular could learn from( especially about the interpersonal benefits of extra-curricular activities.) Also the fact that the top Chinese schools are public created a connection.
THEREFORE we were selected( only school in Africa), we did not buy our way( there is no joining fee) and it had nothing to do with our Olympic success as Chad and the boys were still at school in 2009. I really think you should skip those braais with your Westville family and friends as it has having a major impact on your sense and sensibility.
@Westers: Westville and it’s Old Boys just need to learn to be humble and not bleat on so much about how great they are. We all know how well the school is doing, well done. Great schools are great without all the PR and blowing of ones own horn. If Westville toned it down a bit there would be less animosity.
@Grasshopper: Your analogy is poor. Respect is earned. It does not come with age. I respect many people younger than me for many different reasons. I also don’t respect many people older than me because of what they say or how they act.
But you need to go back and read the article again and also read McCulleys posts. I don’t see why you raise the respect issue because of this article. Or the issue of bought success.
@Grasshopper: Hehehe…such hate! Relax mate.
@Bonthuis: Boet, you don’t know the details. 7 best friends & 2 brother-in-laws went to Westville, so around the braai they like to bang on about this success in the past few years. It’s bought success like Chelsea and Man City, not earned….so in my opinion not on a par with schools that have earned that respect over years and years of great performance. I was brought up in a school where you earned the right to be the ‘big-wig’, so 2nd formers were the lowest and through 5 years you earned the right to be the ‘main guys in the school. Westville is the equivalent of a great sportsman in 2nd form but they need to respect the matrics…..get the analogy. They seem to think they are a private school when in fact they are the same as any other Gov school, nothing more. Anyway, it’s all banter and it sparks debate. I’ll leave them for now and maybe go back to KES bashing or any other schools that thinks they are mightier than though…
@Grasshopper: Read the article again. Doesn’t talk about Olympics. Doesn’t talk about bursaries. Doesn’t say anything about best rugby school. Doesn’t say anything about other schools in SA. Doesn’t say Westville best at anything or better than any other school.
DOES say Westville CURRENTLY only African school. That can and may change.
@Grasshopper: Chap, what is your beef with Westville, it seems like from previous posts that there are sour grapes somewhere along the line. You may be a respected blogger, but, you never seem to be able to resist having a dig at the school and the Westville bloggers. You also seem to relish in downplaying the success that the school has had over the last 15 years by thinking it can be attributed to one specific thing, like having the best coach or because the school has money. There any many different elements that go into becoming a successful school and producing world class athletes, I think you need to start seeing the macro picture.
@Westers: I could of but do you honestly think Westville is that far ahead of Grey Bloem et al that they shouldn’t be there, they certainly should as the best rugby school in the world…
@McCulleys Workshop: Yes, chosen as it was SA’s turn or they wanted to find out how a school produced so many Olympians in one year, easy answer hire the national coach give the best swimmers bursaries and there you go….simple as. Nothing really to do with anything else. Anyway, I did genuinely say that it’s a great honour for TH, something more to add to his CV. Hopefully he was well received…
@Grasshopper: In your reply to Rhino you should have stopped at the end of the first sentence. It would have been much nicer and at least sounded more sincere than the way you really meant it.
@Grasshopper: No it doesn’t, re-read the article, it says Trevor Hall was chosen to make the key note address, it doesn’t say Westville was chosen to be an affiliate school of the body. Membership is based on application and thereafter a vetting process by their board.
@McCulleys Workshop: Ah so the truth comes out, the articles makes out Westville were ‘chosen’, but in fact they applied and got accepted. That means you are right these other schools need to get off their backends and apply. Maybe a large fee is applicable hence them not applying. Westville just need to go down to the mosque opposite and ask for a donation and it will be sorted…
@Playa: Glenwood used to participate nationally at the big Pentagular in 90’s. This involved PBHS, KES, Maritzburg College, DHS & Glenwood. Not sure what happened to that great event. I know that Affies is usually very strong too.
@Grasshopper: Queens have historically been somewhere at the top in the country in athletics…and that has been stamped by the fact that unlike most schools, they actually participate nationally.
@Grasshopper: I’m not sure where “there” is, either presenting a keynote address to the World Leading Schools Association or like Westville being a member? If you are referring to being a member as Westville is, the schools mentioned above would need to get off their proverbial and apply, as membership is by application. Well done to Westville management and TH for their foresight in engaging and collaborating with schools and educationalists globally. It can only result in a improved education and opportunities for staff and pupils.
@Rhino: yep saw that on twitter, well done. I bet the exposure came from Chad Le Clos. We all know there are quite a few other schools in SA that should be there eg Grey Bloem, KES, Grey PE, Glenwood, PBHS, College, SACS, Rondebosch….etc etc.
@grassy
Lets talk about this.. not too shabby from a leafy suburb school huh..lol
http://www.wbhs.co.za/?p=2683
also fyi some accolades i am proud of .. 2nd in SA for cricket rankings and top in Natal for Football(soccer)……. feel proud.
@Playa: tops in EC yes, you can’t say SA until they have competed against all of the best in SA. In my day we had guys running 10.6 on grass, jumping 2.20 in high jump, 7m in long jump, 70m in javelin, 16m in shot, 50m discus, 14m triple jump, sub 50sec 400m etc etc. I looked at the Glenwood results last year and the standards are no where near that. There are about 3 athletes doing well at national level, a 200m sprinter especially. http://www.saschoolsports.co.za/athletics/kwazulu-natal/athleticssensational-sonwabiso-skhosana.html.
@badboy: Hahahahaha!Gotta love (or hate) how we are forced into being ‘politically correct’ in SA. Don’t worry rugbyfan…’black boys’ is perfectly ok
@Grasshopper: QC athletics have been tops for as long as I can remember. In my day (1990s), the only event we thrashed them in were the sprints. We were untouchable in the EC in the 100m, 200m and respective relays.QC took everything else.Something in the Stomberg mountains maybe…
@meadows: I totally agree. Kids are led to a one dimensional life way too early with these ‘junior’ contracts.They do not learn balance,but most importantly, are not led to realise that not only is a sporting career not a guarantee, but is also short lived.
@rugbyfan: ok fair point! I just know DHS and Glenwood are the best in KZN, with College. Unfortunately athletics at KZN is not where it used to be in the 90’s when I was at school. In my day Glenwood had 3 or 4 national champions. Maybe this is only a couple now and only done by those interested..
@Playa: Thanks for the feedback. I wonder how many talented rugby players are lost to the sport in the pro era when choices have to be made around education and/or other sports.
it is unfortunate IMO that rugby requires a full time commitment from the moment an aspirant pro leaves school. All in pursuit of a potential 10-12yr career that is unlikely to leave many of them financially secure. A tough choice if one has the academic nous to be a neurosurgeon (for eg).
We could learn a lot from the NFL and College football’s role in their structure.
@rugbyfan: A friend of mine son was at that athletics meeting for GCB and he was mentioning schools like Affies/Waterkloof were also there.
No racist intent meant by the following saying but he says that nobody had a chance against the black kids from Queens so they must be good. I remember from my schooldays 15 years ago Queens athletics was really good then as well.
Grey got 7 medals so not to bad.
@Grasshopper: The athletics thing is always hard to gauge who is better than who but meeting like the Jim Fouche meeting in Bloem does help separate the good from the really good, schools get invited to this meeting ones a year on the basis of how they peformed in there provinces I do know that Kes was there a total of 22 schools get invited yearly usually 2 or 3 from a province. There are a total of 94 medals on offer which as far as I know Menlo Park won 28 and Queens won 26 which is half the medals just from 2 schools hence my saying they most likely the 2nd best this year.
@meadows: Kritzy took his cricket more seriously than rugby (explains his brilliant ball handling skills).He had a few call ups to the WP junior side, but declined due to either cricket commitments or academics depending on when the calls were made.
@beet: so true, I get the whole teamwork ethos but it’s so hard to see who is doing what without knowing the kids themselves. How does the ref and assistants pick up who’s done what, it’s a ploy ;-)
Man! Why can’t Bishops just put some numbers on those jerseys! #wishfulthinking
@Ploegskaar: I’m not sure about Francois v Coke’s year.
I know when Nic Koster’s side played at Bellville – I’m not sure if it was his 1st or 2nd year – a very good Bishops side lost against Bellville. At the time Bellville had an excellent first XV
I’m pulling your leg about Bishops Ploegie!! It was too tempting not to have a go at you
@Ploegskaar: I hear that the youngster you refer to is very talented.
A special side however needs a few stars to come together in the same year which doesn’t happen too often at the smaller schools. That 2007 MHS side produced five players who went on to play Super rugby and another three who played U19 – U21 Currie Cup – ie good enough to get contracted from Craven week.
An interesting point on talented U16’s is that of the eight mentioned above only two played at Grant Khomo Week. Lambie, Ruan Combrinck and Mark Richards were among those who did not.
@BuffelsCM: Likewise I can also recall a very good Bellville side that moered Boland, SACS and Bishops, if I recall correctly, a few years back. A certain Francois van Coke from Fokofpolisiekar may have been the scrummie in that team, and but for a broken wrist, would have played for the WP CW side, not? No problems with the Bishops boys though, but supporting a Soutie SBR team would really be a stretch for me
@meadows: Kritzinger was really very unlucky not to make the CW side that year. That 2007 MH side was indeed special, but you may yet have a similar year in 2014 or 2015 if a certain very talented 10, coming up from your u/16’s, spark the rest of his mates…
@Ploegskaar: Hi Ploegie – is it a coincidence that you know so much about Bishops ? Don’t they wear white jerseys too ? Showing your true colours ……hmmmmm ??
@Ploegskaar: I remember Kritzinger. Very talented as a schoolboy – I saw that he was playing Varsity Cup for UCT a few years ago but didn’t make the step up for what ever reason.
For the sheer entertainment value I would have paid good money to see the 2006 Bishops side play the 2007 MHS side with Lambie, Ruan Combrinck and Mark Richards as the back three, Ross & Guy Cronje at 9&10 and both the 2007 Craven Week centres.
@meadows: Yes, Turner was playing on the wing. That was an exceptional team, with Martin Muller at lock, Nick Koster at 8 and the silky Adrian Kritzinger at 13. Indeed all the ingredients in vital positions for that style of play. I stand to be corrected, but think they beat Boishaai that year and put 70 past Rondebosch home and away!
@Ploegskaar: I agree – you can only play the “Bishops” way if you have the skills, pace and fitness to keep it up. I watched a very good Bishops side in 2006 at the ISRF at Kearsney run every opponent they met off their feet including the hosts. I seem to recall that Mathew Turner the England 7’s player was in that side.
The support lines that they were running could have come straight out of an Izak van Heerden coaching manual from the 60’s-70’s.
MHS employed a similar approach in 2007 when they were lucky enough to have the backs to implement it.
@kcman: In my experience having had one of each sex in a single sex school there where none of the negatives you experienced or view as possibles. They went to primary school in co-eds and high school in single sex schools and were never giggly nor intimidated by opposite sex. They came into daily contact with other school’s pupils so unless you lock them up I doubt if non-exposure in a classroom environment only will have such a huge impact on the pshyce toward opposite sex. In co-ed schools boys and girls are also seperated in dorms so their social interaction is not much more than those in single sex schools! I totally agree with Player and his views.
@Playa: The Bishops of old will have to adapt to the rugby of new first. Running it from everywhere may have worked against less organized defenses, or more specifically with special players like Gibbs, Koster, Swiel and Kotze in the past, but even the Premier B teams spend more time on defense than attack nowadays. Starving Bishops of the ball (multiple phases close to the rucks; precision kicks) and flooding the breakdown has been the blueprint for their successful opponents the past few seasons, so I certainly don’t envy the new coach who will have to deal with the uniquely Bishops pressure of not only winning, but winning pretty.
@beet: You heard correct.
@Playa: I think the head coach and assistant may have been asked to vacate their positions, but I am speaking under correction. I feel for SBR coaches though, sometimes you have to play with the available intake, which in the absence of a structured/aggressive rugby recruitment program, is an obvious lottery, with good and bad cycles.
@beet: WOW!Good for them if that’s the case. We may be seeing the Bishops of old sooner rather than later.
@Playa: Somewhere along the line I heard the name Mike Bayley, old WP fullback and Boland coach come up in connection with the Bishops job.
@Ploegskaar: Has Dave Mallet resigned as coach?
@beet: With the change of coaches and a couple of key players in Sam Mitchell (lock) and Saud Abrahams (8) back next year, I think they will be more competitive. They also have a great prospect in Smit (13) from the u/16 ranks who will impress in the future.
@Dale College Per Ardua Ad Astra: Courtney Winnaar is a great prospect and was certainly one of my players of the tourney at the Cape Schools Week. His kicking and distribution was very good, but the amount of times he got over the advantage line and passed his players into space was what really impressed me. Also not scared to make tackles on all runners, big or small, either. One to place on your watch list for the future.
@beet: Eish!
Oh well…that’s how the cookie crumbles I guess.
@Playa: I get a feeling his name won’t get ticked on any Dale class register today. Might be added to a KC boarding house roll call tho.
@Queenian: SJ played Craven Week this year, so he’ll be turning 19 next year. I thought he was in matric, surprised he’s still in Grade 11.looks like he’ll be staying at the Graveyard.
@rugbyfan: based on what? KZN Schools like DHS and Glenwood are strong in athletics. KES is pretty strong too in Gauteng…
@Queenian: I see Queens came second to Menlo Park at the Jim Fouche Athletics meeting in Bloem the other day so that would put them second in SA for the year.
@Playa: How old is AJ as far as I know he must be close to over age for first team rugby.
Hope he stays at Dale and does not pitch up at Grey or Kingswood.
@Grasshopper: I hope Kearsney get to play Kingswood since we are brother schools and don’t ever seem to play these days, while Kearsney plays St Stithians, another brother school every year. Kingswood should have a good team next year, so this will be quite a game.
Historically Bishops are stronger than the KZN schools but one can never tell these days. They play an attractive brand of rugby so KZN teams can’t write them off even in a weak year. Matches against Kearsney and MHS could be interesting contests if Bishops are below their average.
I pray for Bishops vs Kearsney, Bishops vs Michaelhouse, Glenwood vs Grey PE and Glenwood vs KES. Any Grey PE organizers reading this please put these up!
@Dale College Per Ardua Ad Astra: I’ve also seen the flyhalf play. He looks like a good prospect for the future for Dale. I look forward to seeing the final fixtures of this festival.
@beet: @Dale College Per Ardua Ad Astra: I suspect there may have just been a case of broken telephone here.
@Dale College Per Ardua Ad Astra: With Bosch there + 2 other boys returning who have played 1st XV flyhalf, it’s hard to believe that Grey PE is/was pursuing another flyhalf. Have to agree tho, from the game I saw on TV, the Dale 10 looks like quite a prospect.
@mike and @playa, this info comes from a reliable source within Dale and i stand to be corrected. The fly half is 16 and is an incredible prospect, any school would die to have him. Im not too sure about the strength of the scrummy. Anyway, the point that i was trying to put across in mentioning this was that as old dalians, we are trying our best to hold onto our key players. In this instance, an old boy came to the party by matching the bursaries.
@playa, yeah i agree with u and that last thing dale would want is for him to be unhappy there. I think the fact that griffy spoke to him and helped convince him to stay speaks volumes of how much the boys look up to him. But i do think that the pressure that kings academy, robbie kempson, is putting on him and his family is also evident. That said, dale needs to step up to the plate and raise our level of academics and efficiency of school managment.
@Dale College Per Ardua Ad Astra: Not arguing just sharing thoughts
Lovely to hear about SJ!I only hope that he genuinely wants to stay.I would rather he left than have an unhappy boy in a place he doesn’t want to be in.
Yes, things are starting to happen, and about time too. We in CT have been engaging Stuart on some issues and trying to get a proper plan of action in place.
You may have the poaching story incorrect.Our scrummy and flyhalf were linked to Maritzburg College & Westville as far as I know.With College later not going through with their offer.
@Mike: My records are not fully inclusive of teams played outside of KZN, but I have found two results vs Grey High (PE);
1991 – Glenwood 10 – Grey PE 15 – Lost (Heard it was a cracker and one best games of the season, even though we lost)
1992 – Glenwood 8 – Grey PE 7 – Won (Again a very tight game of running rugby in wet conditions, just won).
This shows the schools have been close in the past, with a win apiece. Maybe other Grey PE or Glenwood bloggers have more results…
@Mike: 9 starters and 6 reserves, so not bad. An average under16 group coming through too which I think will be the 2nds and 3rds. We have played Grey PE, a few years back. I’ll dig for some results…
@Mike: My ideal fixtures for Grey would have them playing against Glenwood, Pretoria Boys High and Bishops.
@Grasshopper: I would also love to see that. I’m not sure Grey PE have ever played Glenwood. I know that we’ve played Michaelhouse a couple of times at our own festival as well as College. How many players are Glenwood retaining for next year ?
@Grasshopper: would be a very interest game to see hope the organiser just as they are called organise a Grey High vs Glenwood game.
And plus the Glenwood potential 2014 team is looking good
@Grasshopper: Grey beat them 45 point to nil
@burra: yeah, Glenwood gave Selborne a hiding at Kearsney this year, 40 odd points. How did Grey do against them?
@Grasshopper: I’d also love to see a Grey High vs Glenwood. It will also give us an idea as to which province is ahead since Grey is the EC powerhouse school and Glenwood being 3rd this year will be representing Kzn. That game will settle the score between EC schools and KZN schools.
@Mike: would love to see a Grey PE vs Glenwood game at your festival…
@Dale College Per Ardua Ad Astra: I’d love to know who approached those players ? 3 boys who played who played flyhalf for the 1st Xv this year will still be at grey next year. Curwin Bosch, Richie Bryant and Garrick Mattheus. Why would grey need another flyhalf ? Not to mention the grant khomo flyhalf from 2012, Ruan Knoetze. Be careful of people within your school grasping at straws when it comes to bursaries. 15 grade 11s and 1 grade 10 played 1st Xv this year, there is no need to recruit in those positions you mentioned. So please substantiate on the poaching issue with some fact.
oh and did i mention that 3 weeks ago, grey high school approached our 1st team fly half and scrummy with a bursary. We were able to hold on to them
By the way, as old dalians we realise that dale has slipped in many areas over the last couple of years. The ODU is now initiating a bursary program as well as a trust fund! CSA has got involved in dale now, pumping money into both schools as well as coaches. We have appointed griffy as director of rugby, also looking at creating a PRO position in the near future. There is also potentially very exciting news, which im not able to mention yet, but could bring dale back into the forefront of top schools around the country. We are bringing about change
This is a silly argument
both have the pro’s and con’s!!!!!!
Anyway, news on the jho saga is that griffy spoke to him and he is staying at DC!
@Grasshopper: @Playa: Its amazing that I was exactly the opposite and so is my son, we were both in all boy Jnr schools but Kingswood for high school. I
@Playa: Totally agree with you, I was exactly the same…
@kcman: It would be a dull world indeed if we all shared the same views.
There are strong arguments for both forms of education, as there are cons for both as well. I think one has to know their child very well in making the decision. My own experience is that when I was in a co-ed school, I was a distracted young boy.Wanting to impress the girls, competing with other boys for girls etc…in all, just didn’t focus because what girls thought of me seemed to matter more. This is the case for a lot of adolescent boys (and girls). My folks then sent me to Dale in Standard 5.Totally different ball game.My marks improved dramatically, and so did my sporting abilities. I learned that there are plenty other ‘constructive’ things to compete in besides girls, i.e. sports, culturally and academically.
Discipline is another argument for singe sex schools. Boys require a different form of approach to girls where discipline is concerned. Yes, if these are not properly executed, they have the potential of giving a kid the wrong perspective of the real world.
I’ll tell you one thing though, from my years at Dale, I came to UCT with no illusions of the world out there. I didn’t know it all, I still don’t, I’ll die not knowing it all, but every time I am faced with hardship, I am grateful of the environment that first taught me that the world owes me no favours.
Then again I am still a newboy in this parenting thing. But as things stand, my son will go to a boys’ school (maybe spend the first 4-5 years of his schooling at a co-ed school)…and God willing a government boys’ school at that. Just my preference.
@kcman: Agreed! My family teachers say that the girls at the co-ed schools drop their standards in high school as they seem to feel it’s uncool to be clever with boys around. My mom saw a girl go from mid 90% to mid 60% because she didn’t want to be seen as a geek. When it’s just girls the girls seem to perform better….boys just don’t really care in high school….
@Grasshopper: That’s the beauty about a co-ed school, no wild testosterone as at boy schools. The girls have a calming influence over the boys and as much as the girls do or can irritate them at Kingswood, I know the boys do appreciate them.
No silly giggling girls either like at all girl schools, ask me my daughter is at present at an all girls school and I see how the girls are with boys, all googoo gaga.
There are many arguments for both cases but I for one know that my son who was at an all boys school on junior school is way more mature when it comes to normal behavior with girls than his mates who are still at an all boys school.
The one fact is that co-ed schools will always battle to compete year after year against big one sex schools. They might have the odd great year but to keep backing it up is very difficult, especially if there are only just over 400 of both sexes combined.
@kcman: Yep, life would be boring if we all agreed. I certainly wouldn’t want my daughter around hormone driven boys at 13/14, so for me my girl would go to an all girls school like her mother. My boy on the other hand, not sure…..probably boys only but to mix with the local girls school on weekends…
@Grasshopper: The question is how many kids from the Class of 2013 will go onto sport as a career, percentage wise? One just has to look at the success of Paarl Gym as a rugby school, they are co-ed, I know there are many massive co-ed schools around the country but none tend to compete as well with all boy schools as Paarl Gym does.
We all have hugely differing opinions but Kingswood took the decision in 1973 to become co-ed, it was frowned upon by many but today the College is a forward thinking school which gives many great opportunities to boys and girls. Yes our sport is not as strong as it was then because the number of boys being accepted has had to come down in total as the process unwound. Kingswood had about 280 boys and 100 girls when I matriculated mid 80’s and now its at 225 boys and 200 girls. I hear there is talk of them wanting to take the number of boys back up to the 275 mark but I am not sure of that, just so that we can compete better on the sports field.
Is it not great that we have differing views on things.
We all come from Diverse backgrounds and its good to understand why other people don’t think the way u do. Each ones circumstances are differs.
If we all had the same background, same facilities, same kids, same schools to choose from lived in the same town or city and same income we would still disagree on curtain things.
Our diversity should be respected and cherished. It make South Africa such a great country.
All the schools discussed are great educational institutions with their own unique problems. Its good to see that everyone believes that the decisions they made best fit their own diverse circumstance.
@Playa . Yes and Thanks. Dale College enables him to partake in all the sport he like and the coaches provide great support.
@kcman: ok I used the verb instead if the noun, sorry. My personal opinion is the same as yours, I came out of school not knowing how to talk to girls and saw them as objects of desire rather than people. I would have preferred to have gone co-ed but then the level of sport is diluted, it’s tough. Also, my studies might have been affected with the presence of girls. Maybe massive co-ed schools with 1000 boys and 1000 girls is the answer, depth in sport and co-ed….
@Grasshopper: By the way, it is “advice” and not “advise”. From a non-teacher
@Grasshopper: Like I said, my matter of opinion. We all have preferences, me just prefer a fully rounded education where boys and girls learn to actually become friends.
So I respect their viewpoint but I don’t really care for it, as I have my own.
Seems like you missed your calling.
@kcman: Advise and opinion from 4 teachers in the family, one a headmistress at a private girls school, one Head of Maths at a private girls school in JHB, one at a co-ed gov school in the UK and the last one a primary school teacher at a gov school, concensus is keep kids under 13 in co-ed schools and then to single sex schools in high school…..over 100 years of experience between them, I’m sold when it comes from those in the thick of it daily…
@Rockspider: I dont know if I should start laughing now or later at your points.
Boys only schools were great ideas, as you can see, I say ‘were’ great ideas, they were great ideas when women stayed at home and were not a force in business, industry and politics, unfortunately for all the “boy” followers this is not the case anymore, so that means of archaic thinking that boys only schools are the best are long gone, it is not only a man’s world anymore.
Co- Ed schools prepare boys and girls for the real world, a world where men and women are equal. Times have changed, embrace change or go back to the 19th century.
A boarding school also teaches a kid independence as such and its amazing how much better on average children from boarding school do when they go onto university because of them not having mom and dad to do their projects and homework for them.
We all have our opinion, that was mine.
@Rockspider: I hope that means HO is not going anywhere
. Your son is a talented young man.
Only a very, very small percentage of the South African population can consider Kingswood and other Independent Schools as a schooling option. Only this small group can send kids to these prestigious boarding schools.
Some parents have lost trust in the education system and discipline of kids in Government Schools. Independent School become the only reasonable option.
If someone asked my advice I would tell them:
1.It’s in your son’s best interest to live in a home with his natural parent.
2.It’s in your son’s best interest that his parents spend as much time with him as possible.
3.It’s in your son’s best interest that his parents support him in all aspects of schooling and growing up.
4.It’s in your son’s best interest that his parents takes the responsibility for his upbringing and not delegate it to teachers or anybody else.
5.It’s in your son’s best interest that discipline and respect are learned from the example u as parent set at home.
6.It’s in your son’s best interest that that he attends a school that can proof that they provide development pathways to boys
7.Boys only schools are preferred by Boys so consider one close to home.
8.Do not send your 13 or 15 year old talented and rugby mad son to another school with the thoughts he will make the 1st XV.
9.You’re hard earned school fees will likely pay for rugby scholarships given to boys coming from Government Schools poached to keep your lad out of the 1st XV. Piped to the 1st XV because someone is brought into the school? They would be aggrieved and would be able to question the schools integrity.
10.It’s in your son’s best interest to school, play and do sport within a school representing the population of South Africa. We don’t receive individual or preferential treatment at University or in the workplace. Sometimes kids need to get used to reality, sooner than later. Remember the fairy tale stops after grade 12. Hallo real world.
11. Its in every parents best interest to make time for your kid. It will run out and you can not turn back the clock.
SJ and the Jho famaly will be missed at Dale. His a true blooded Dale Boys.
Im not convinced that its better for kids to grow up away from your parents.
@kcman: Thanks for clearing that up.
By the looks of things he has been unhappy at Dale for some time now, as there were rumours of him landing up at Queens earlier this year.Hence I didn’t jump into conclusions wrt poaching.And rightfully, that is something for Dale to look into.
My only issue is the involvement of unions in recruiting high school boys and placing them at schools, and contracting them while still at school.I voiced this in the Fortuin case with the Bulls and have continued to voice in every other instance.A school can offer a bursary to a boy, and if he wants to leave, he can.Or if a boy is unhappy at a school, he must move.But these union affiliated moves….that is something I can never support.I don’t care even if the kid was to be placed at Eaton College.
@Playa: I have spoken to the First XV coach at Kingswood, these are his points.
1. Kingswood did not approach the child, the child was not happy at Dale and wanted to move.
2. EP Kings were going to school him at the Hill College or Damelin,
3. EP Kings are paying a share of his fees at Kingswood after deciding thast Kingswood would serve the child better..
4. He wants to come to Kingswood and pass Matric. Kingswood has a fine academic record.
I think Dale need to look where they went wrong here and not that Kingswood tried to poach this kid in anyway.
@kcman: If the boy (and his father) feel this is the best decision for them, more importantly for SJ, then I would rather he went for it instead of staying at Dale.
I think what beet (and I who agrees with beet) is that this will be his matric year.His focus should be on attaining that certificate at the end of the year.Whether he does it at Dale or KC is not an issue.The issue is that he has to do a roundtrip (whether 260km or 500km from King) to NMB Stadium several times a week/month.Something has to give,and that may just be his academics.
@beet: First of all, the round trip is 260km unless Grahamstown has moved overnight and secondly members of staff would transport the lad through for any of his practices, etc.
Bit quicker to NMB Stadium from Grahamstown than from KWT as well, maybe not as quick as from Uitenhage or Summerstrand but I know where my choice would be if given, so a no contest I would say.
@kcman: @kcman: I’m not questioning the benefits of a Kingswood education. Just saying that this youngster was a student who played rugby, now he’s about to become a union backed player very much like a semi-pro. His “employer” will be a 300km round trip away from where he’s based. Where is studying now going to fit in to his new schedule. 1st priority, last or somewhere in the middle.
Anyway I’ve always maintained that if parents have made good decisions for their kid all along, they should be allowed to continue to determine what’s in their minor’s best interests.
I’ve also said along the way that I think it’s time to declare SBR an amateur sport. Varsity Cup has taken some steps to ensure that players are now students that play rugby and not pros that register for a few courses. SBR may soon have to address the matter kids that join new schools and earn money as a result of making the move.
My dream clashes at the tourno;
Glenwood vs KES, Glenwood vs Grey PE, Glenwood vs PBHS or Glenwood vs Bishops, I will make the drive up to watch any of those…….haibo! Exciting stuff…
Seems like another ‘wood’ is in trouble
@beet: He will be in a well disciplined environment with knowledgeable professional people looking after him, unlike at many state schools in the EC.
Don’t worry he will improve as a rugby player as well.
@beet: Where would you rather be educated, Beet?
@QC86: Shame that would be sad, but Kingswood never did any of the approaching!!!!
@beet: Agreed. I don’t see how being in Grahamstown (150km away from PE) solves the problem of being closer.Especially to make academic sense for him.This could be my ignorance speaking of course.
@QC86: @Playa:Union involvement in SBR when it’s to the detriment and not the improvement of the school game is irritating at best.
This SJ case is a difficult one to decide on tho. The u19 year is so vital to a player’s development. Kids that miss it find it hard to recover and catch up. However so is getting a matric certificate. And being based far out in Grahamstown hardly sounds like the idea situation for a player to benefit from the conditioning and other daily training of a rugby academy. If the Union is going to contract a schoolboy, I would have though the idea place is having him right on their front doorstep???
@QC86: This could be very very sad!
@kcman: i spoke to a local Dale old boy this morning and if SJ goes to Kingswood it could mean the end of the Dale Kingswood fixture,so be warned.Schools buying players from other top schools could end up playing against themselves.
@kcman: WOW!
@Playa: I think when Border voted against the EP Kings getting into Currie Cup A Section they help slit their own throats with EP Rugby. So basically the EP Kings are recruiting from the Border now.
I have it on very good authority that SJ will be in fact be starting at Kingswood next week, it was either going to be one of the local government schools but then somebody decided his future would be better served by ending his schooling at Kingswood.
@beet: Absolutely disappointing if so. Kings raping one of their own???
Let me have a look at what I can find out on this
@kcman: I heard from a very reliable source that SJ is about to start at his new school.
Are you able to share any details of the transfer and how the Kings are involved?
@Queenian: That birdie was wrong about Muir or Pearson.
Praying for the ultimate Grogper Cup clash, ill fly to PE to watch that win or lose….
@QC86: Haahaha!My heart almost stopped.
That is the best news I have heard in a loooong time!
@Playa: has just been confirmed he is back permanently,but going to Selborne,only kidding Dale,
@QC86: He’ll be helping out in the pre-season as far as I know. Nothing definite about him staying permanently.
@Queenian: @beet: I thought Somila Jho was in Grade 12 this year?
Dean Carelse, the former Grey PE first team coach is heading to Westville. Looks like he might coach u16A there
@QC86: It would be good for Dale if Griffy goes back to Dale
@beet: A small birdie told me Jho will be joining either Muir or Pearson.
I also hear that Jack Thomas the brother of Jason Thomas who is currently at the Bulls is leaving Die Brandwag and going back to Muir for Grade 12 were he was until Grade 8.
@beet: Would be really nice for Dale,eastern cape needs many good strong competative schools.
@QC86: Quite interesting news.
I hear that Dale’s centre Jho has been signed for the Kings juniors and will complete his schooling a little closer to the NMB Stadium.
@Playa: A little bird told me Griffy is on his way back,what do you know?
Looks like a good line up. Jeppe are scheduled to play 2 games at the festival from what I understand.
Wonderful!
I was wondering why Dale wouldnt attend.
This is one big festival!!!! Love to be there
@Queenian: Nice!! I am hoping we play Dale or Selborne at Kearsney to get a real nice EC/Border flavour in our fixtures…….
Looks like Queens are playing DHS and Glenwood so lets see what happens.
Well I wont miss this good to gauge the teams at the beginning of the season.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Thanks Horsie, not heard of many of those I’m the team, just Wissing and Pearce. The team did well to come back and beat St David’s and St Johns. DHS had a good tourno, so close to beating KES, hard luck. The DHS vs Glenwood game, if a fixture in term 4, will be very interesting. Looks like Michaelhouse, Westville and College are the teams in KZN to beat. We really need Andile P back, he is our strike bowler….sorely missed!
@Queenian: Very good question
Why were Dale and St Andrews left out anybody know.
@Grasshopper:
http://www.schoolsportsnews.co.za/cricket/team-lists-michaelmas-week/
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/656907.html
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Do you know if Callan Pearce is playing? I know Andile Phehlukwayo is sorely missed for his bowling and batting. He scored 39 for SA Under19 today vs Australia…
I think most schools matrics are playing at the moment Grassy.
But the dhs team only has about 3 or 4 in the whole squad.
Glenwoods strong side is their U15A side, so they’ll be waiting for them to mature and bring them some good results.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: The Glenwood 1st team cricket are battling a little, lost to Affies by 8 wickets and St Davids by 5 wickets. However, Hilton lost to Affies by 8 wickets too so maybe just an average year for us…I wonder if matrics are playing. We also probably don’t have our SA Under19 player playing…
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Well done School! Also just drew with Grey PE in the pool :-)
@grassy
Interesting that St Johns is 1st in pool B after an average Clifton tournie performance where they finished 9th and only just beat DHS 9-8. Loving the 2 chukka format though !
@BOG
DHS 1st cricket side beat grey by 29 runs. DHS batted first and were 189 all out .Grey only managed 160 all out which wasn’t at all bad considering they were 12/4 at one stage
@HORSEFLY NO.1: If it contributed to your revival, then good. But at what did they beat GCB? Waterpolo, I presume?
I’m assuming top 4 in each pool go forward to quarters and the rest play for 9th upwards…
Standings – Pool B:
1. St John’s
2. Grey PE
3. Bishops
4. Wynberg
5. Pretoria Boys
6. Michaelhouse
7. Selborne
8. Maritzburg
9. DHS
10. Jeppe
SACS standings Pool A;
1. SACS
2. St Andrew’s
3. St Stithian’s
4. Paul Roos
5. Glenwood
6. KES
7. Rondebosch
8. Westville
9. Northwood
10. Grey College
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Horsie, you alive!!!! Welcome back! :-)
well done to School for beating Grey College at Michaelmas and keeping a 100% record thus far
Next years Grogper will be coming home to the land of the green hills and banana! Can’t wait to move up to Ballito and watch the KZN games!
and Kearsney and Northwood go down to KES at the Michaelmas festival too – dear oh dear
@Roger: Good Roger- its one area where they can give snotklappe. GCB have an above average waterpolo team every 3 years and a good one every 5. This is guess work, but not bad, considering its the only school in the FS which plays the game. But from what I saw in Spain recently, SA is miles behind some of the NH countries. We looked like the “japan” of waterpolo.@Grasshopper: Did Grey not come second in that swimming contest? Only beaten by WBHS? I know that PBHS beat them marginally in Pretoria, but it was reversed at WBHS in Durban. Surprized to see how FS “disappears” so often
@Roger: I never said that about waterpolo. It’s a small sport at school so St Stithians, St Johns, Clifton, Reddam etc with small numbers can be more than competitive if they have 10 good players. Far harder to be competitive in a sport like rugby that needs 450 players. It’s like KES’s springboks in underwater hockey, table tennis etc…..Glenwood have a few of those too. It seems only PBHS is competitive in swimming and polo.
My oh my – KES give Glenwood, Westville and Grey Bloem a snot klap and yet lose to Saints 8 duck. These weak Jhb schools heh
Alan Burt Gala 2013;
WBHS – 291
Pretoria Boys’ – 234
Glenwood – 205
Clifton – 193
Kearsney – 182
St Stithian’s – 153
St David’s – 149
KES – 105
DHS – 89
Parktown – 43
@Roger: Just to add this year is rebuilding for us in waterpolo. Our lower age groups are strong and will improve our polo in the next few years.
@Roger: Yep, well done. How did you go in the swimming vs Glenwood earlier in the year?
Would love to know what the fixtures for this festival will be. Anyone know which kzn sides are looking good for next year and retaining players ?
Oh dear – KES beat Glenwood again. SACS water polo tournament KES 4 Glenwood 1
@GCollege86 Thanks for the info by the sounds of things, Selborne will build next year, have 9 or 10 players back in 2015, plus 5 or 6 players from this years great u 15 side , all points to a potential very good side in 2015.Also great to see good prospects from Queens and Dale .When rugby is strong on the Border, it offers enjoyment to spectators and players.
@GCollege86: Dale has 10 returning players (hopefully all 10 will be back). If the majority of Selborne’s under 16s make the 1st XV next year, they may just be the top side in the Border in 2014. Dale may have the experience, but the talent is better at Selborne. But no one should write QC off.Their under 16s showed a vast improvement this year, they may just be a surprise package, if not next year, but definitely in 2015.Watch this space.
@spilly: I think there wont be much between the 3 teams. Selborne might have a young 1st team next year with the majority of boys from this years u/16 team. Selborne’s u/16’s were tops in the Border area this year. They are still unbeaten against all the Border teams from u/14 level only loosing to Grey Bloem, Daniel Pienaar and Rondebosch since 2011. Dale’s u/16’s only lost 2 games in the Border this year, against Selborne and QC had a poor start to the year but showed some potential to the end of the season. Border Grant Khomo representatives: Selborne 10, Dale 6 and QC 0. I think the most first team players returning next year will be at Dale. Only two 1st team players for Selborne nl. Lyons (lock) and Steyn (flank) back next year.
Looking forward to the 2014 season any idea as to the prospects for Queens Selborne and Dale next year , who had the strongest U16 division.
@BoishaaiPa: No, Buks was in matric around 1945 – about 10 years after me.@meadows: You right, the only time that schools played outside of the province , was on “school tours”, normally just before or after CW.But, lets not deny it- it was good, just like the proper international tours that came here for 6 weeks and longer and covered the whole country. And personally I believe that economic realities will force rugby to return to that. Perhaps not exactly the same, but certainly a program which will see a reduction in expenses. Among the schools, we have seen big changes- not only ito demographics- and sadly, mostly not for the better. I believe we will see a few “Centres of excellence” (my term) and we can see that already- that they are positioning themselves to accommodate the privileged- ie business. But what about the rest- your average decent child who does not have the financial means, intellectual capacity or the athletic ability to gain entry into those centres/schools? Stuck in a dysfunctional education system.!! And there are so many who blossomed only after school, but that will change.
@BOG: @meadows: the 1992 Randburg Hoer team won the Admnistrators Cup (now Beeld Trophy) and was captained by Hennie Wiggett. Hell he was a good player – really sad he got injured.
@BOG: I thought you would have known Buks personally as you were probably in Bloem at the same time at school!…
@BOG: i guess in GCB terms a “bad patch” is losing 2 or three games a season
The most striking thing for me is the extent to which the school rugby landscape has changed. Media and technology have had a huge impact with the advent of national comparisons and rankings, as has changing socioeconomic demographics on the fortunes of some schools. fixture lists were shorter and generally teams traveled less, if at all, out of province
@BoishaaiPa: The only one I dont remember, is the first. Nelie was elected along with Piet Uys to go on tour, Goosen, I remember, was in the military, Piet Greyling, along with Jan Ellis and Tommy Bedford, formed a very formidable loose trio (Greyling did the hard word and the other two got the credit) and Krantz (a doctor) was an average reliable player
@BOG: For your benefit..The Sentraal Springboks.
DebutYear Player Position
1949 Buks Marais wing
1963 Nelie Smith Scrumhalf
1965 Piet Goosen lock
1967 Piet Greyling flanker
1976 Edrich Krantz wing
8) Beet, Eight !!!
The face should read (no 8)
@meadows: In the first half of the 90s, GCB went through a bad patch. Other schools which beat them, were Dale, Queens and Selborne. Thankfully I was outside the country and unaware of this painful carnage(no internet then) Only the Queens victories were faithfully passed on to me by my brother-in-law, an old Queenian. The 1987 side which you referred to, was of course captained by the late Hansie Cronje ( no 8) and that side eventually produced 5 Springboks (as the 1981 side) And yes, the encounters with the other Bloem schools, were not a stroll in the park. HTS Bloem is now LB. A school like Sentraal have produced several Springboks. These are large schools. And if I remember correctly, there were more than 500 applications for admission to Gr 8 next year and they could only accommodate around 240. So, perhaps the other schools will benefit by this
@CapeMan: @BoishaaiPa: I know the history of Bishops, hence the strategic deployment of “possibly”. But given the arguments I have had here, Id much rather see LB play the sides from the EC and KZN- to settle the score and hopefully put some bananas in a few mouths
@CapeMan: I agree – the 2006 Bishops side was outstanding. I wouldn’t judge them on the last couple of years.
@BOG:
I’m sure you are aware of this link – it provides a comprehensive history of Grey’s results over time. A couple of things that I found interesting;
– how the fixture list has evolved to the point where it is now dominated by inter provincial inter-schools. In ’92 for example Grey played and lost to Randburg High. Other fixtures were against Hugenote, Sentraal, Louis Botha, Sand du Plessis, Fichardtpark and Middelburg. Sand du Plessis and Sentraal were played twice with Sentraal winning one of the fixtures. other schools who Grey played back in the 80’s included JMB Hertzog, Sandveld, Kruinsig, Estcourt, Roodepoort, Welkom Gym, HTS Bloemfontein, HTS Welkom and Voortrekker amongst others.
It is also notable how competitive the Maritzburg College were in the past – for example in ’85 MC won 10-4, Grey won 24-20 in ’86 and 13-12 in ’87 – close games all.
Also interesting is that Monnas beat Grey in ’91,’92 and ’93 – I wonder how many other schools have done that
@BoishaaiPa: @BOG: Totally agree with you BHP. Bishops have only been poor these past two seasons. They will rise again. They are traditionally a top 10 side. So to call them weak is really harsh. At the 2011 Grey Festival they beat Maritzberg by over 50points if memory serves correct. They had SA schools flyhalf Tim Swiel in that team. The last time Bishops played Grey Bloem it was in 2006 at that Grey festival. Very tight game. 22-16 to you guys I think. Evidently that Bishops side beat Paul Roos who were number 1 in SA that year who beat you guys in bloem. Point is dont underestimate Bishops. Even Paul Roos have been poor these past 2 season according to their high standards but you would never call them weak because they are a powerhouse traditionally.
Funny sitting in Knead in Palmyra junction in Cape Town now, Justin Kemp, Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher and friends sitting here scheming a business deal….small world, KES like a rash :-)
@beet: I don’t need to comb their site they are so loud on twitter I can to put earplugs in…
Glad to see Ithembelihle stepping into the big festivals too. Will be interesting to see them up against some distant opposition too. Will be good to see them developing and seeing if they can maintain their momentum.
@BOG: Yes Bog – the boys from the countryside should rather stay away from the sea
@Gungets Tuft: In this instance it was not the bravado factor. The Leopards U/19s played Border Friday at 11.00 after which the U/21s played. Then all the players went down to the sea. I spoke to the conditioning coach (we coached the same team last year) on Saturday afternoon while they were still waiting at the airport.
He went into the sea himself but he soon realized that the currents were way too strong and he got out.
Soon a number of players were in trouble. Fortunately 2 guys on kayaks could help them. Unfortuantely the late Kwena was too heavy (128kg) to lift onto one of the kayaks. The 10 players that were in trouble managed to hang onto the kayaks while the 2 other guys swam back to the shore with Kwena. When they’ve reached the shore they tried to resuscitate him but couldn’t save him.
If it had not been for the 2 men on the kayaks more lives would have been lost. Apparently he was highly rated as a loosehead prop. RIP Kwena
@BOG: I would love to wager a bet with you if LB ever comes up against that “weak” side from WP…Dont be fooled by one seasons results!..
@Roger: Hopper is usually the one who fine combs the KES website, so good on you for beating him to this info
@Roger: Thanks Roger
@ Beet – Kes Festival teams for 2014 are on their website:
Graeme
Grey High
Hentie Celliers
Marlow
Eldoraigne
MenloPark
Northwood
Parktown
Queens
Rondebosch
Trinityhouse
KES
@BuffelsCM: There is the bravado aspect as well. The young lad that drowned at College during their 150th had shown the day before that he could not swim. His mates teased him so much about it that he was determined to prove them wrong and dived in. When he didn’t surface others around him got him out but it was too late.
As for the ocean .. eeisch. Over my years involved in lifesaving I have seen the most thoughtless behaviour around the ocean. It got to the point that I could see the potential drowning victims before they even got to the water. Sad though, it is the second time in 18 months with rugby players – 6 guys drowned last year at Blue Water Bay.
@Grasshopper: They have in fact played them, I believe, more than once over the years, and I think things are about even. You know that Auckland Grammar is a “brother” school of both Greys- established also by Sir George Grey? They have produced the most ABs in NZ.@BuffelsCM: Tragic, really. I did not know this but generally speaking, people from up country think that the sea is a dam- often with tragic consequences. I know the sea and even I have encountered problems with currants and back wash.@BoishaaiPa: That is elementary but it still tells a story and in the absence of anything else, that must suffice. Bottom line, is that I am looking forward to any encounter involving LB and an opponent from the EC or KZN. The sole rep from the WP, is possibly to weak.
Looks like some great teams here. Hopefully Grey will get a game against Glenwood or Kearsney or both. Looking forward to it !
This is an outstanding festival – I’m glad to see that MHS continue to support it – hopefully they will have a decent enough side in 2014 to be competitive. MHS only loss in 2008 was at this tournament to a very good Grey side that included Siya Kolisi, Kurt Coleman and 2008 SA Schools scrummie Chuma Faas
@BOG: You have to put it in context. To measure the result of one game against another is like trying to compare The Boks performance against Argies vs the Argies against NZ….We put 70 odd past the Argies..NZ could only beat them by 15 and not get a bonuspoint either..So to use your logic we should have klapped NZ by at least 50 points!..That didnt happen did it?…Each game has different dynamics!..Cherries are a very good second side..thats it!
@BOG: Hi Bog, I believe the young player of the Leopards that tragically drowned in East London, Kwena Moreni, finished school at Louis Botha last year.
He then went to Rustenburg where he worked on the Platinum mine. The Leopards spotted him in a club game. They brought him to Potch and the mine gave him paid leave. Sadly he was the sole bread winner of the family.
@BOG: I’m not asking them to move. Maybe Grey should play a down the line fixture with Auckland Grammar from NZ to get competition…
@Grasshopper: And the problem is that they will not move- even if they are in the Third or 4th team. That in itself, tells a story.
How sad is it that some of the best schools in the countries 2nd teams are considering a 50 point loss as not bad. Far too much talent focused in one place….
@BOG: Glenwood 2nd’s lost 59-9, so by 50…..not bad in comparison and away from home….
@McCulleys Workshop: Funny that you should raise the subject and progress of second teams. The closest match the Cherries (GCB II ) had this year, was against Louis Botha I. They, the Cherries put more than a hundred past Grey High, 80 against Boishaai , 80 against Selborne, 47 against Affies and Hopper will tell you the score against GW. And LB just marginally lost to Klofies I.
Lekker line-up Grey High, well done!
I wonder why Dale does not feature here.Also thought Maritzburg College were regulars
@McCulleys Workshop: nice bit of sarcasm there
In all honesty and not being arrogant the Glenwood 2nd team for the past 2 years would most likely have beaten the lower 1st division 1st teams eg DHS, Northwood, Port Natal, Clifton. The Glenwood 2nd’s are unbeaten locally for a few years now, beating Affies and Monnas 2nd’s along the way..
@BOG: BOG, I’d like to see them play against Glenwood 2nd’s who are renowned in our province for having the ability to dominate most schools 1st’s sides.
@BOG: ah, that Grey Bloem ain’t the only team in the Free State, haha! Yeah, I’m aware of that as they only lose by 40 to Grey so should beat most KZN sides….
@Grasshopper: Im looking forward to Louis Botha playing some of the KZN and EC sides- to settle an argument.
What a great mix of sides! Maybe my dream KES vs Glenwood match up will happen. Glad to see Glenwood there. Maybe even a Grey PE vs Glenwood game too :-)