Brandon Staples of Glenwood is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s best schoolboy rugby players. The big No.8 who is now under-17 has represented KZN at both under-13 and under-16 levels in the past. He is now very high up on England’s “must have” list. Having just spent a number of months in England as an exchange student at Woodhouse Grove, Brandon made good on an invitation to train with the England under-17 squad and impressed to the degree that they now want to do everything in their power to get him back there. This includes a massive scholarship offer. Brandon’s father has experience of playing professional sport in England, having been a football player himself. This knowledge should put him in a good position to make an informed decision about his son’s future. At this stage, Brandon is currently back in SA but all indications point to him returning to England. Should he decide to stay he will no doubt play a role in Glenwood’s 2014 1st XV rugby campaign.
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Yorkshire Carnegie’s Brandon Staples has been given a 4 year ban after testing positive for the presence of steroids including Dehydrochloromethyl-Testosterone, Metandienone and Stanozolol.
The 20-year-old South African was tested after a training session on 9 August 2017 at his club and his urine sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF).
Staples claimed the AAF was a result of consuming a nutritional drink in South Africa while on holiday in May 2017.
The period of ineligibility has been applied from 7 September 2017 – the date of the provisional suspension – until 6 September 202
@CyndiAtRugby: Isn’t it part of the 3 schools trust, which is Penzance, Durban Girls High and Glenwood. I know the astro pitch is…
@Greenwood: I’m not sure what the official stand point is but Glenwood has been using these fields since my son started there in 2011. There has been talk of an indoor basketball court there for some time too and I know the soccer is played there.
Hopper – I may be wrong here but this is what I was told by more than 1 person
Dokkies main field now belongs to Glenwood –
Watched a cricket game there on Friday (the lightie scored 76 against Westville -that felt good)
Glenwood Signs all over the place at Dokkies – even a Glenwood tractor there – heard anything about this ?
@Valke: I hear you, but yes, let’s leave it there. I agree, the boys will move to where they feel they will get the better exposure.
@Djou: Hi Djou, without getting into a argument about this, I would have to disagree with you on this happening every year.
I am aware of the group of U/14 boys ( I do not agree with this approach from EG, but it did happen ) and as I said before, there might be a couple more that I am not aware of, but in pervious years I am only aware of 2 centres ( one has now completed school and has joined the Lions, the other one was U/16 last year. They both joined in their U/15 year.
There might be others, but I am not aware of them.
The principal can fume all he wants. As long as he prefers not to play in the Makro league, the kids that want to get the exposure will leave.
Believe me, they go everywhere. You will find a lot more Hugenote players at other schools, closer to Hugenote, than you would at EG.
Having said all of that, I do believe coaching at EG is very poor and it seems to me that these days they seem to buy a good player rather than to coach and develop one.
I stand to be corrected, but I believe the 2013 1st team had 20 out of 22 players that started there in Gr. 8. 1 from Hugenote and 1 from Jeugland. 2014 should be about the same, with the other ex. Hugenote centre in the squad.
@Tjoppa: Franco who?
What I know is that Garsies considered their u.16’s of 2013 as the best team they had.
@Valke: EG Jansen’s raid on Hugenote happens every year. The age groups who are raided depend on EG’s shortages. Last year’s 7 u.14’s was not all. I hear Hugenote’s principal is fuming.
@ Valke- ongelukkig is die volledige nu power Tuks 2014 program nog nerens beskikbaar of te kry nie..
@jakes: Hi Jakes, any idea where I can find the Nu-Power fixtures ?
@Tjoppa: Did he compete against this kid or one age group up? http://www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za/athletics-awards
@Djou: Someone somewhere will always have the real truth and all we will have is something inbetween!..
EG Jansen u/16 team 2012 played in both the Nu power finals and the Beeld trophy finals. They had a win against Klofies in nu power semis and lost against Klofies in Beeld final. Lost in the finals of nu power against Monnas but were very competitive. So they will have a competitive team again this year. If they will match the class of 2013, will be a difficult one. Looking forward to their season in 2014..
@valke: Dad a policeman? Then we are talking about the same boy. Hope he finds his happy place.
@Tjoppa: I think we are talking about the same boy.
SA shotput and Discuss athlete.
Seem to recall that his dad played for the “Banana Boys”. A big man.
Son is a very nice young boy and I hope he finds a place where he will enjoy his rugby again, as the last time I talked to him, he was not enjoying it at Eldoraigne.
@Grasshopper: I think he is a field athlete. Unfortunately I think he will not be a rugby player, too small. But if he gets to his dad size he certainly would be big enough. Must admit saw him about a year ago. Maybe?
Here are the 4 Eldoraigne Bulls Under16B players that will get targeted by other schools; Tryston-Lee van Schalkwyk, Vaughn Enslin, Maartin du Toit, Charl Lombaard and Christopher Kloppers
@Tjoppa: Is he a national 400m and 800m runner? If so, always good to build a squad. Maybe he wants to make a go of rugby or train for athletics in Durban with Glenwood’s SA 200m & 400m athlete Sonwabisi Skhosana who has just completed matric with 5A’s…
@valke: If we are talking about the same boy was an excellent player at u/12 & U/13 level due to his size and speed. I maybe wrong but he only made Bulls u/16 C side two years ago. Did not grow much and I would not spend too much to acquire his services.
Eldoraigne unfortunately is losing a lot of children due to reasons other than rugby. But this still affects their sport negatively. But if the doc’s boy and his friends are still there they would not go down without a fight.
@Ploegskaar: Kwagga Loubser is the head coach. Also Craven week coach. They also have a very good coach in Dewald Peyper that joined them from EG. He is the Grand Khomo coach.
I think Oupa is with the U/16 team.
@valke: Thanks, I heard that too….maybe as a replacement for Staples who may be heading to the UK…
@valke: Thanks, will keep an eye out for those players. Is the head coach still Oupa? Hope he doesn’t trip over a ref in Riversdale, the SWD refs do tend to get in one’s way sometimes
@BOG: Ons maak so Oom, bly ons kon die formaliteite vroeg in die jaar uit die pad kry. Net vir die wis en die onwis, was daardie twee woorde iets in die lyn van foda-se caralho?
@Grasshopper: Not really that famillar with the Pretoria schools, although I do know that their matric group of this year was a very talented group at U/14 level. Unfortunately a lot of them left for greaner pastures over the last couple of years.
Last I heard, the number 8 ( bulls U/13 ; U/16 and SA athlete ) was heading to Glenwood. Not sure if that happened.
I do not think they will be in the top 4 in Pretoria, but maybe Tjoppa and Woltrui would be able to give you better info.
@Djou: As far as I am aware the Hugenote raid was all U/14’s. Could be one or two from U/15 as well, since their coach went to EG Jansen and they could have followed him, not sure.
I am not aware of any senior players from any other school that joined EG Jansen.
I could be wrong, as I am not close to their rugby at all.
Maybe you could let me know who joined, as I definitely think they could do with players in certain positions where they will be weak this year.
@valke: Valke, you seem to know the area well. How is Eldoraigne looking?
@Tjoppa: The EG matric group were not bad as U/16’s in 2012, maybe inconsistant is a better description. they did reach both Nu-Power and Beeld finals. In Nu-power they beat Waterkloof in the semi final, although they lost to them in the Beeld final. In Beeld they beat HTS Middelburg in the semi final. They had a big loss against Grey, but did beat Outeniqua and Michealhouse.
@Ploegskaar: Kempies will have a strong team again this year, although I would not expext a lot from them early season. They tend to use the easter tour and Nu Power to test combinations and build the team for later in the season when Beeld starts.
They have probably the best coaching team in our region, so they will definately be competitave and play entertaining rugby. Very good loose forwards and inside centre ( when he is not injured ).
Whatever happens good luck to Brandon. He was going to form a potent loose forward trio with Jaco Coetzee and Xaba. Oh well, the team must move on. Having lost Gouws to Hilton and now Staples the team looks less potent. However, good news via the grapevine is there is a new appointment for a High Performance Manager/Director for rugby :-)
@Ploegskaar: Ag Boetie, ek het werklik groot waardering vir jou besorgdheid en goeie wense vir die jaar. Laat julle jongelinge maar n lewensles hieruit leer. Van tyd tot tyd gebeur dit maar dat n misleide poeppol oor n persoon se weg spoel of waai, wie glo dat sy stront meerderwaardig is as die stront van ander.Vir vrede, moet mens maar hierdie irritasies verduur, hoe eentonig ookal. Mag jy, asook jou plaasspannetjie ongewone sukses en vreugde ervaar hierdie jaar en mag jy persoonlik, vele genotvolle Saterdae in die beesmis baljaar.
@BOG: Gits Oom, dit blyk iets of iemand het jou werklik omgekrap so vroeg in die jaar. Nieteenstaande wens ek Oom ‘n geweldige voorspoedige 2014 toe en vertrou dat GCB se bulspan Oom hope rede tot vreugde sal gee.
@Tjoppa: I assure you that I do live my life to the fullest and that despite a louse crossing my path from time to time. I certainly do not have an obsession with academic discussions, but one needs to retain contact with reality too.Ill be the first to admit that I enjoy talking crap from time to time, particularly during the silly or off season and its preferable to idle chatter about shallow “rugby” matters”, sounding more like old ladies in a knitting club. What is more boring than the usual regional handbag fights, but I tolerate them. I acknowledge their right to do so. But what really pisses me off, is if an individual thinks that his crap is intellectual manna, which would “bless” all of humanity.Hell, I dont care if Pietie who lives in Bellville , decides to commute to Parow for schooling, but yet again, I just bare it. Its in such cases where Im grateful for a good upbringing and schooling which restrains me from responding very briefly with two short words, the first having a sexual connotation.
@Djou: Just repeating the noises coming from the different holes in Tswane. But Garsies building towards 2015? Really Franco and his friends will kill you for that statement. But must agree Monnas my no 1 in Transvaal with a close 1st or 2nd in the good old RSA.
@Woltrui: Don’t know where you get your info, but mine is somewhat different.
I repeat, watch out for Monnas in the Noordvaal-region. Waterkloof has a good bunch of last year’s team still available. And Affies will be good, really good. Garsies is building towards 2015. They should have a good team then. And EG Jansen has a good team after the raid on Hugenote.
@Tjoppa, by now you should now that Menlopark often produce very good and monstrous u.14 and u.15 teams, who start to fade at u.16 level and when they are in the 1st team, they are on par or below the other schools they used to beat at under age levels.
@Woltrui: Yes but fortunately the Mother is in the Western Cape mostly. My pick will be with Monnas, but you know where my heart is. We must also not discard Menlopark. This is the year of their dream team.
@BOG: And from a senior citizen’s dark/confused mind I can promise you this. In the smoke filled, aaptwak do sometimes influence some, garage of mine at poker nights the boys do no remember the Varsity days for their academic achievements but rather the rugby, sonskyn, braaivleis and Volksies. And we all agree our success or lack thereof may or may not be attributed to our academic success. But our success in living life is mainly attributed to varsities contact sport/s. Lighten up en live your life to the fullest in dark Africa. It is the place to be.
@Tjoppa: Tjop I heard Garsies got a Mother of a first team. Think the top team in Noord-Vaal will be between Garsies, Monnas and Kloof with EG Jansen and Affies just behind them.
@valke: EG matric group this year not that impressive during junior years but Monnas and Waterkloof the pick in Transvaal.
@Woltrui: Wollas stop om twat te praat. Geen groter vyande as daai nasie wat lyk soos mense maar wat praat soos Eilanders. Bolanders praat dalk die Taal asof hulle ompad op ‘n sinkplaat pad ry, maar hul bly onse mense. So gedra vir jou.
@valke: How will Kempies be shaping up this year? I look forward to seeing them play at the Oakdale Festival, as I hope to attend at least one of the festival days. A match-up against either Diamandveld or hosts Oakdale should be entertaining and competitive.
Any idea where I can find the 2014 Nu Power fixtures ?
@Woltrui: No worries WitWol, Boland has many supporters and even more friends, irrespective of my opinions, which are my own after all. Boland has a tough season ahead, as is the case for every top SBR school in SA every year, BUT, fortunately (unlike 2013) they are blessed with quality and depth for 2014 and the foreseeable future.
By the way, Affies has 17 matches scheduled for the 2014 season
and I think all the neutrals really look forward to the Affies/Garsies game scheduled for the 14th of June, with their games against Monnas, Waterkloof and HTS Middelburg similarly mouthwatering.
Judging from u.16 two years ago and last year, Grey College should be back at the top in 2014 – where they belong!
Affies, Monnas, EG jansen, Waterkloof and perhaps a school or two from the Cape to be there as well. Don’t know about KZN schools.
@BoishaaiPa: This is not criticism but a fact cleared up after talking to the dad. He went back to Garsies (and definitely did not go to Boishaai on own accord as you claim; and he was definitely part of Boishaai’s plans before he got injured). And he is in Grade 12 this year.
@Woltrui: I have also been watching the re-runs which seem to be constantly on Supersport 208
Watching CJ Velleman and Marius Louw (one Grey PE the other Bloem) such blady hot players – we are very spoilt for talent in this country, especially in the forwards.
One thing i did notice though, our backs are not as strong, very much like the Bok team against the All Blacks – besides Viljoen, Gallent, Linde, and wing for SWD Big Guy, we do not have nearly as many stars in the backs – am I over-looking players perhaps?
@Ploegskaar: Two or three blogs and Ploegskaar made enemies from the “valley at the foot of the Westville empire” through the “Central wastelands” up to the “Attack machines” in Gauteng. Shame, poor Boland Landbou, whom urgenly need some friends and support if I look at the depth and quality of their opponents (stoopstats), are going to be the most unpopular school in the history of SA school sport before long.
@BoishaaiPa: I watched all the reruns of the Premier interschool and Classic Clashes over December and January(some of the games more than once). For sure we are privileged with the passion and commitment inside our school sport set up. Would be wonderful if we can have more of the same in 2014.
@Woltrui: The Monument 2013 U/17 age group won Nu-Power as U/16 in 2012. They beat EG in the final.
I guess that would make them very competitive in 2014, when including the 2013 U/16 team
@BoishaaiPa: Cynic is such a strong word, kermgat or klakous has a truer ring to it. Jokes aside, there is no doubt that the Premier Interschools initiative has certainly been a resounding success to date and I once again look forward to whatever games will be on offer this year. As far as surprises go, I think there will be plenty, on and off the telly, during the 2014 season.
Clearly,the Cape Doctor has come early and has impacted some in the Cape more than others. Hopefully, if it blows long enough, it will blow into his one ear, cleanse the grey matter and out the other. Or is it the green stuff coming in with all the migrants from the E C, that is becoming more affordable to the farm workers? And will we, in the year 2014, have to listen to a continuation of excuses? Probably, and hear repeatedly about the migration of school boys from the Northern suburbs to the Southern suburbs , Paarl and beyond and vice versa.
@Woltrui: That should read old (certainly in the case of BoishaaiPa), hated AND vastly superior enemy. On matters relating to rugby, will Affies be avoiding the taxing Beeld Competition against the Noordvaal Powerhouses again this year? Will they in fact play more than 13 games the entire season, or once again carefully select mostly “traditional” opponents that play for fun and love? Will they almost be the best team again, or will (Orwill?) they once again be the bridesmaid to Paarl Gym, or more probably GCB, in 2014? Most importantly, will they have more of those Attack Machines in the 2014 side to bully and assault the mostly Afrikaans players, from the English Medium Government School, situated in the valley at the foot of the Westville Boys High Empire?
@Woltrui: Hate is such a strong word…you may dislike us, but I think is more a case of jealousy than anything else!
@Ploegskaar: Fortunatly for the cynics like yourself there will be a few surprises on telly this year!…all good things come to those who wait!..the concept was succesfull and now everyone wants a piece of the pie!
@BoishaaiPa: @Ploegskaar: Hate to admit it but I am actually glad to hear from you’s Mountaingoats, the old and hated enemy, again
Apparently the most magnificent/extraordinary/exceptional/unbelievable/peerless/wonderful learning institution in the history of mankind and the rest of the yet uncharted universe will have a very strong team this year and are early favourites to top the Mega/Macro/Powerhouse SBR elite come the end of the season. Unfortunately though, for those that thought the old one-eyed know-it-all fart that hails from the Central Wasteland of SA was just about bearable in two supposed lean seasons for his Alma Mater, an immensely taxing 2014 lies ahead.
At least we can look forward to 150 Premier Interschools and FNB Classic Clashes matches on telly, featuring only GCB, Paul Roos and Boishaai though.
@Grasshopper: Good point. It just proves another. You can study for a few years and much of what is learnt, even under old Sampie,soon fades away with time if not relevant to practice.@BoishaaiPa: With my Econ. II, which included Economic History under Sampie, nogal, Im the last person who would try to impress even a fly with “economic jargon”
Where can I find some truly in depth rugby discussions ?
@Grasshopper: But..you can keep an eye out for our u/16 lock coming through this year…Ruben De Villiers…tall, athletic and quick!…
@Grasshopper: No.. that lock was never really part of the setup…he came down from Garsfontein in his Gr 11 year (2012) out of his own accord. Apparently his dad was friends with an Old Boy and needed a change of environment for the lad. He was injured most of 2012 and only played a game here and there in 2013. He went back to Garsfontein during June holidays last year and matriculated there.
@BoishaaiPa: OK it’s lame then, I didn’t use any jargon that was other bloggers, read the above again….
Good luck to SE with the Paarl Boys, should be interesting…….is your massive lock back again? Think he played against the Kwagga’s and then went missing…
@Grasshopper: Did not miss any points..Did my economics back in the early 80’s under said Prof…Point is trying to impress other bloggers with economic jargon is just lame!
…Of wat se jy Woltrui?
Ek het vir eenkeer geen idee hoe HJS Paarl vanjaar gaan wees nie..Nuwe coach kan impak he, paar spelers van verlede jaar is terug, maar wat die impak van die res gaan wees tesame met die nuwe coach is n totale mistery vanjaar!..gaan maar net kyk hoe hulle jol en sal hopelik verras word!
Any news on KZN school recruitment for 2014? Hearing a few rumours in the leafy suburbs, down at the docks and other places….
@Woltrui: Should be a tough game for College at Wildeklawer. I think that game is televised.
@All Black: Monnas u/16’s of 2013 were one of the top 3 u/16 sides in Gauteng in 2013. Winning the Nu-power tournament in the process. Although I am not sure how strong there u 17 age group were last year I suspect they are going to be very competitive. IMHO they also have one of the best SBR coaches in the business. I think they are going to be a very good outfit in 2014. Monnas, Garsies and Kloof is in my opinion the favourites to win the Nu-power and Beeld trophies.
Anybody know anything about Monument for 2014?
Was watching highlights/replay of the Boys High/Gimmies match last night. Who has better squad for 2014 based on age group results? Erasmus may have his work cut out if Gimmies have lots of boys back from 2013. Good side.
@BoishaaiPa: That is the point you missed completely, economics is not obvious it’s not a science or a maths, it’s actually very fluid with many factors just like our ranking systems….flawed!
Please move this conversation to http://www.economics101.co.za where Prof Sampie Terreblanche will happily engage with you at the ripe old age of 80!..stating the obvious makes no-one the wiser!
@All Black: Well, give us an uplifting and exciting “rugby” story. In case you did not know, this is silly season and we were talking about the economic prospects of a RUGBY PLAYER.@Djou: Agree, yet again. Im just not that optimistic about prospects in 3rd world countries ( SA ). Everyone is talking of the high growth rate in Angola, but it means NOTHING for the goyem- the man in the street. All the wealth created by this “growth” is directed to the “futungos”, the ruling elite and their families, 3% of the population. In SA, its no better. To the dismay of All Black, that concludes my economic contribution !
@BOG: Agreed, we just need to ask the Greeks!
@All Black: OK, it was getting a bit bleak too. I think the Port Natal and Voortrekker Night series start in a month :-)
@Bog: You are 100% correct on all fronts. Fortunately we can roll the debt over until the exchange rate improves somewhat or until inflation erodes most of it. But as Grasshopper points out, it confirms that Staples should not at all think he will experience a better economic future in the UK. In fact the developed countries’ economic future is bleak. Staples might have a better rugby future there though, but that also lasts only a decade or so, whilst the economy is non-stop.
@All Black: Sorry bru, I would rather pick up on the skills the bloggers provide so freely – as it affects your financial position as well, more than you might think. And don’t worry, just a couple of weeks, then the rugby season will be in full swing.
Eish. Please gentlemen. Back to rugby. You are boring the hell out of everyone.
@Djou: @Grasshopper: I was not suggesting that England has a rosy economic outlook. They too, have mountains of debt and SA is trying very hard to catch up. I was merely talking of their university qualifications which are generally highly regarded. Im certainly not an economist- for me it was merely a supplementary subject at II nd yr level.But I believe that in 2006/2007, the world crossed a rubicon, politically socially and economically and that we should be very careful not to try and explain or justify current events and trends by using economic models from pre 2006. In SA, the debt is supposedly “manageable”, but as things stand, its costing the country R80 Billion pa just to service its bond issues. Eskoms debt shot up from R180 billion to R350 Billion.What about the other parastatals ? If the Rand falls, and I have no doubt that it will, our foreign debt (in dollars) will increase proportionate to the reduction in value, ie if the value halves, our debt doubles. We will be sitting with our finger up our a-r-s-e-s so deep that it will be coming out our mouths. Add to that the impact it will have on the social stability and you have DISASTER. And then I have not yet got to the political consequences, and on that, I can write a book.
@Djou: nice work there, agree on all fronts. The UK economy is in dire straits, saw for myself…a gov cutting spending is stifling their growth…
@Grasshopper: @Gungets Tuft: @Bog: Normal Keynesian transmission path economics suggest that a weaker currency should benefit exporters. Important however is the mechanism through which it must happen. And in this case the mechanism needs a condition. The condition is that we need to produce more for the export market. Currently we do not have sufficient electricity, skilled workers or railway lines to benefit adequately from the weaker rand.
Econometric analysis also suggest that only 20% of the rand’s weakening find their way into higher prices. When demand is absent producers and retailers simply can’t increase prices. SO although petrol will see a price increase, the full increase will not translate proportionally into higher prices.
And England is not in a much better economic position than SA. In fact their current improvement in economic growth stems from inventory accumulation (unused investment) and as such the young Staples should not be optimistic about England’s economic future.
@BOG: Agree with Gungets and Bog, that is in line with my experience acquiring a B.comm Honours in Econometrics and Economics in 1999, well done guys. Our main universities are fine, UCT’s MBA is in the top 100 globally…
@Grasshopper: Im fairly familiar with currencies. I was in a discussion this morning, where I pointed out that the dollar/Rand exchange rate in the mid 80s, was around $i-40 to a Rand (No its not a typo error) You work out the percentage swing and that was a strong dollar. And today, against a weak dollar? A country needs to improve its productivity, not devalue its currency, but that is wishful thinking. But, when we pay R25 per litre for petrol, you will know what I mean. Break-even for the gold mines is around $1200 per ounce- they are close to that.@Gungets Tuft: I was not suggesting that all qualifications from SA are questionable, but there are countries (or professional bodies) which are beginning to insist on “entrance exams”. My nephew and god child, completed his medical studies in 2012 and he wants to emigrate to one of the more popular destinations after his community service. But he tells me that he must sit an exam, which is essentially a repeat of his final exams- because these countries have become aware of “upward adjustments” in marking. And he was not at Walter Sisulu. But I agree, many qualifications are still highly regarded- at this stage.
@Grasshopper: The problem is we only export resources in any sort of quantity, and then have to import the plant to mine it.
I did a 3 year course in economics – and I know that unless you have a well rounded mixed economy your currency sliding it not great. Even locally manufactured fuel is priced on import prices.
@BOG: “attend a decent university with internationally recognized qualifications”. Our universities are still very well regarded and our qualifications are accepted world wide. I am not talking about Walter Sisulu Uni, but the big 7. You say that as if all SA uni’s are poor???
@BOG: The currency was always over valued, it was bound to drop. In fact it’s good news for local exporters and manufacturers as their goods are getting cheaper. I think people automatically conclude if your currency is weak it’s bad, not the case at all. Will need to do a 4 year module on econometrics and economics to explain.
Get used to it- I have said that this would happen. SA has a mickey mouse currency and sliding. And who says it is only about rugby. Perhaps he will have an opportunity to do A levels and attend a decent university with internationally recognized qualifications. Rugby will be a bonus.
had a look at the Pics of UK Woodhouse School rugby team
Change the pants to white and it’s like playing for the Green Machine
The Poms may have better technical development skill etc but this does not seem to filter down to English International Rugby ………………
@beet: Spot on,England u20’s are very good and massive as well.
@beet: A great stat would be the English conversion of players to professional level, I bet it’s a tiny %……
Having watched a few u18 and u20 internationals it seems to me that the technical development of younger players is better in England than here in SA for those youngsters lucky enough to be part of the England elite squad.
Chances are good that our u18s and u20s will play against England in the coming years and come up against a technically superior player in BS. After that however, the systems seem to switch places for senior rugby. England with 12 premiership teams is still inferior to our set up with at best 6 competitive teams – the whole quality over quantity concept at play.
So the SA guys he might dominate as part of a cohesive England unit are likely to gain the edge come senior rugby. However like All Black mentioned above there are waves in European rugby at the moment. English and French clubs are unhappy and who knows, SA rugby might be part of a new system in Europe in the coming years.
Great opportunity, but he is going to ‘lose’ out on the unique pride and passion of schoolboy rugby in SA, playing 1st team against local rivals and derby games. I wouldn’t give that up for any money in the world, experience and memories etched in my brain. England schoolboy rugby has virtually no following, lacks passion and becomes club by 17. I remember watching a big school derby there with about 50 spectators….sad! Interesting the lock is called Henrik Ek, South African or with Dutch/Danish/Swedish heritage?
@Grasshopper: Article doesn’t say it’s Woodhouse stalking him, just that is where he went on exchange. I see it as England wanting him, they will place hims somewhere. Can’t for the life of me imagine him going to a school ranked 30th …
Look for a school close to the England HP Centre, wherever that may be … Twickenham?
Opportunity to set yourself up at that age to earn pounds? No brainer. Play rugby for 5 years after school and come back and retire in SA. Our rand is worth nothing and getting worse. With the Super 15 set to change in a few years you may find he is playing against SA teams anyway. Great opportunity.
Wow – what a fantastic opportunity for the kid! If it was my child, the choice would be quite easy to make
He won’t feel too out of place since their jersey is also green…see the article below
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2522700/Woodhouse-Grove-claim-inaugural-Daily-Mail-Schools-Trophy-victory-Lancaster-RGS.html
David Denton from Kingswood College comes to mind. Dominated by Vermeulen and Alberts recently though…..but who wouldn’t be by those two animals…
@Gungets Tuft: Yeah, sad loss for SA rugby if he does go. Academically it very different there but it may suit him better. Yeah, the Poms will be a big adjustment, but hopefully at a private school like this there will still be discipline. What is bizarre is Woodhouse is not a big rugby school in the UK so he will be a big fish in a small pond with no real passion around the game. Wellington College, Dulwich, Radley, Ellsemere, Stamford, Marlborough, Bromsgrove etc would have been better. I think Woodhouse is only ranked 30th in the Dailymail Trophy…
Wow, that backfired badly. I know Michaelhouse encouraged him to apply while he was still at Highbury and he chose to go to College. Not many players get poached from Glenwood. Now they’ll know how schools like College felt. I’m sure the show will go on at Glenwood without him like in any other school where the same happens. He’ll make it in England.
I think the same happened to Hilton with the late Kevin Curran’s son. Got lured to England for cricket after an exchange of some sort I think in grade 11 as well.
I think it might become a regular occurrence in the near future. South Africa is just laden with talent that the rest of the world dreams of and for now anyway, South Africa can afford to lose one or two. The numbers may escalate soon to more than just one or two.
@Grasshopper: Bru – why would it affect me in the slightest – but no, I am not happy at all, why would I be. It is a talent lost to South Africa. He was already lost to College – made my peace with that long ago.
My quip about pocket money is simply due to the noise that is ALWAYS made when a kid leaves one place to go to another – there’s not a spook under every bush.
The big adjustment is going to be coping with the Poms – eeeisch, it is a different story over there, you must know having lived there for a while. We hosted some kids from there not long ago – hard work.
@Gungets Tuft: Seems you happy about it….go figure ;-). Yeah, at 17 to 1 pocket money will be nothing. Schools like Wellington College are 25k pounds per annum…big adjustment to academics though…
@Grasshopper: He survived 2nd Form boarding at College. No issue with being away from home.
I am sure the school will make it possible to travel home .. might even throw in some pocket
money
Yeah, what was an opportunity for Brandon to stay rugby sharp, fit and experience another culture has turned into a great opportunity for him. He obviously has a British passport so can easily qualify for England. Let’s hope he stays to complete matric and go at Under19 level. Time will tell. Moving at 17 to another country is not as easy as it sounds, huge adjustments to be made and no contact with mom and dad for a while…
IMO Send any above average SA SBR player to England on exchange and the chances are the same would happen – I have seen so many outstanding local players over the past year — Glenwood has had a couple of games against UK schools 1st teams in past years and it was no contest in Glenwoods’ favour
We take it for granted but we probably have by far the best schoolboy
players in the world – seen some NZ SBR teams play here & they cannot compete with our schools
If oppertunity comes knocking!!..Cant really blame him!
@Grasshopper: Who would pass up that opportunity? Glenwood sent him there as an exchange student to only lose him. Seems Karma has played it’s part and the wheel has turned. He was ‘poached’ from College to now be ‘poached’ by England. Very sad scenario where we losing players to England so early on now…
WOW! Just WOW!!!
@Grasshopper: Yip latest indications are that he will go back to England.
He is gone then…..oh well, yet another one gone…