This one will come as a huge surprise to those outside the Kearsney circle of rugby interest. The highly respected and humble Barend Steyn, Kearsney’s head coach ever since 2001 and by far the longest serving KZN tier-1 head coach, has made the decision to step down and allow his assistant Francois Lubbe to take up the reins.
Barend, a teacher by profession was into his third 5-year term as head coach (just Kearsney’s third coach since the 1980’s) will still serve as Director of Rugby for the coming 3 years. He hopes to use this time that will now be freed up to work a lot closer with the College’s other teams and coaches. In the interim he will also stay on as 1st XV forwards coach until a permanent replacement is appointed.
Earlier this year, SA Sports Illustrated named Barend as one of the 5 Best School Coaches in South Africa. Any award of that nature is subjective but it was based on research which if it did nothing else, illustrated the huge value adding contribution Barend has made to school rugby at Kearsney and in KZN.
Barend has already been reappointed as KZN Craven Week head coach. Although it is preferred, it is not a pre-requisite that the KZN Craven Week coaches be school head coach as well.
Francois Lubbe a man of equal modesty to Barend, has been the Kearsney assistant coach for three seasons. As testimony to his own coaching acumen, he was appointed as the KZN under-16 Grant Khomo head coach earlier this year.
@Buffel: like
@Buffel: I think you are right, they will be a surprise package and they will be desperate to build on the fantastic season KC have just had.
It will be awesome being under-dogs this year, just imagine the emotion and joy should KC beat the likes of Glenwood and Westville – going to be a great season
KCOB-I think we will be the surprise package of 2014. A fairly large centre pairing in De Cramer and Richie- an understanding at half back with a combined 6 years playing together. A seriously talented full back who can cut any backilne in half and a mobile pack. Going to be a real challenge against College,Glenwood and Westville but think we could hold sway against the rest. The Westville clash going to be extremely interesting as we ran them close in u16 and we do have home advantage. Roll on rugby season.
15.Harris-14. Masuka-13.De Cramer-12. Richie -11. Crockart/Vorster-10.T Tedder-9.Hall-8.Dixon-7. S Tedder-6.Quinet-5.Rich-4.Jones -3. Luyt-2.Bam-1.Visser — On the fringes-Brown(hooker) J Tedder( center) Maddock( tight head) Waugh(flank) A mobile pack with Dixon jumping at 2.
@Green Hopper: I am not too sure how many of this years u16’s will slot in. The 2014 year has some tough candidates. Perhaps boys like; James Tedder, Tristan Dixon, Front row Luyt otherwise the age group guys who were forced to play seconds and thirds last year due to a very strong 2013 age group, may come through now? Buffel; thoughts on the possible team?
Well this year will be then the most part the u16 team that did o well, lets se how they do this year
@kcob: dont blame the iphone-blame your KC ENGLISH teacher. Barend a top man . Leaves the 1ST team in good hands and am sure he will assist Francois when needed. I am sure that the 2014 boys will be a match for most schools. New faces from the u16 age group and the core of Grade 11’s will make the school proud. Tedder,Visser,Tedder,Rich,Masuka and Hall have all had 1st team experience with 2 having played Craven week. The real test is going to be those pre-season games and festivals before we enter the local school programme.18 games-phew!
Geez writing on iPhone is poor…sorry.
Colleges loss is definitely KC’s gain. FRancios brings everything which is good about a boarding school and he has instilled the typical core values a boarding school needs; shiny shoes, smart, greeting, traditions, tidy beds, lockers role call, and all that good stuff. The guys enjoy his passion for the school and it filters through.
As got this years side; they have never beaten Glenwood, College and Westville. So in KZN they will likely middle peg which is fine; but their tests see those big tour games; phew!
I’m also keen to see what Francois Lubbe has to offer. No doubt a very challenging season ahead but I have a good feeling he’s grab the bull by the horns and quickly build up a lot of confidence amongst the support base.
Barend isn’t lost to Kearsney but it’s still worth saying a BIG BIG THANK YOU for all he’s done so far. Kearsney rugby is in a good place now and he has played a significant role. He has proven to be a great acquisition. My memory is not the best but I think former headmaster Mr Owen Roberts has to receive a big of the praise from bringing him in (as a teacher).
Going on my own personal experience Barend is a man of great integrity, always friendly, always helpful and while he loves the job of coach he never seemed to care much for the limelight. He is the type of person who could turn a neutral into Kearsney supporter.
@HM: Schramm played 2 yrs, doops three. How is this a reflection on his term of over 11 years. He’s been impressive as far as coaches go. How can he not be in KZN top 5 coaches if he coaches the CW team?
Top 5 coach in SA? Not a chance. He might be a good guy but not even a Top 5 coach in KZN. Kevin Smith, Kearsney was better at school and Craven Week level. The Doeps and Schram had a huge impact on the results of late and it will be interesting to see how the next couple of years go. Good luck to him and the new coach but very wise to get out while on top.
@Tarpeys: could not have said it better. What a great guy. Francios is equally a well respected bloke. KC is in good hands!
Top top top man is BS and I’m glad he’s stepping down on a high of last year and hopefully its on his terms and no pressure from else where. Good coach and even better human being.