2013 was meant to be the Kings’ Super Rugby break though season but from a South African standpoint the tournament will probably be best remembered for the achievements of the Cheetahs from Free State.
The positives from that campaign seem to have reinvigorated Free State rugby. 
The Free State under-19’s after a paintball team building exercise.
They Union added to their success on the field by improving their junior rugby coaching structures, coaching depth and facilities for youngsters. When coupled with the opportunities available at the University of the Free State, has seen quality school rugby players from 2013 moving to Bloemfontein to be part of the strongest under-19 group the Free State have put together in years. The sky is the limit right now. There is no doubt that a number of these young men will go on to play provincial rugby and chances are good that there are even a few Springboks in the mix.
Free State under-19 contracted players for 2014
| # | Name | School | Position | Craven Week | SA Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jandre Slabbert | Affies | Flank | ||
| 2 | WP Eloff | Affies | Prop | Bulls | |
| 3 | Erik van Niekerk | Ben Vorster | Lock | Limpopo | |
| 4 | SJ Roux | Boland Landbou | Lock | ||
| 5 | Junior Burger | Duineveld | Flank | Griquas CD | |
| 6 | Wiehan Landman | EG Jansen | Lock | ||
| 7 | Ruan Potgieter | EG Jansen | Flyhalf | Valke | |
| 8 | Ethan Sias | Garsfontein | Wing | Bulls | |
| 9 | Heinrich de Jongh | Garsfontein | Hooker | ||
| 10 | Corne Vermaak | Glenwood | Fullback | KZN | |
| 11 | Casper Fourie | Grey College | Lock | Free State | |
| 12 | Andries Kriek | Grey College | No.8 | Free State | |
| 13 | Andre Swartz | Grey College | Flyhalf | ||
| 14 | Carel Durow | Grey College | Centre | SA 7s | |
| 15 | Johan Nel | Grey College | Wing | ||
| 16 | Stephen Rautenbach | Grey College | Centre | Free State | |
| 17 | Wilandre Kotzenberg | HTS Middelburg | Flank | Pumas | |
| 18 | Carel Jan Coetzee | Jim Fouche | Centre | ||
| 19 | Fifi Rampeta | Louis Botha | Flank | Free State | SA Schools |
| 20 | Ox Nche | Louis Botha | Prop | Free State | SA Schools |
| 21 | Gunther Janse van Vuuren | Monument | Prop | Lions | |
| 22 | Daniel Maartens | Nelspruit | Flank | Pumas | |
| 23 | Christiaan Erasmus | Nelspruit | Scrumhalf | Pumas | |
| 24 | Conraad van Vuuren | Nelspruit | Prop | Pumas | SA Schools |
| 25 | Lorenzo Gordon | Oakdale | Wing | SWD | |
| 26 | Hendri Storm | Outeniqua | Lock | ||
| 27 | Arno van Staden | Pietersburg | Wing | Limpopo | |
| 28 | Ryno Gerber | Sentraal | Hooker | ||
| 29 | Johan Grundlingh | Transvalia | Lock | ||
| 30 | TJ Goddard | Tygerberg | Scrumhalf | ||
| 31 | Jasper Wiese | Upington | No.8 | Griquas CD | |
| 32 | Sechaba Matsoele | Voortrekker (Beth) | Fullback | Griffons | |
| 33 | Reinach Venter | Waterkloof | Wing | ||
| 34 | Nardus Erasmus | Waterkloof | No.8 | ||
| 35 | Morne de Beer | Fichardtpark | Hooker | ||
| 36 | Gerrie Labuscaghne | Die Anker | Utility Back | SA 7s |
@Woltrui: I think when you talk finances quality over quantity usually wins so can’t dispute your points. I guess one thing any RU has to factor in is their ability to get it right first time when picking a smaller group. The Sharks have been blessed in this respect as their recruiters strike rate is very high in converting u19s into seniors. The Bulls do not appear as confident at achieving this so that contract a lot and cut a lot of players. Its far more costly but achieves the same end goal I guess.
The RUs also have to be sure they can attract quality non-contacted players to fill gaps if they offer fewer contracts. Again I guess the success of the Sharks Academy helps the Sharks in this respect. It’s a lot easier to hand out 8-14 contracts per year when you know there are good support players around. Also the Sharks Academy gives out a few contracts and bursaries as well I believe.
Intersting to note that 15 did not participate in the Craven week – confirming the point that the best players ain’t going to Craven week anymore. Nevertheless, these boys must have brains as well – for deciding to go to the Cheetahs. They will receive ample opportunity to play, either at the Cheetahs or at the Varsity Cup’s Young Guns tournament. Also interesting that a number of senior Cheetahs completed their studies last year. Good to see them still being able to study whilst playing rugby. Is this also the case at other unions?
@Ploegskaar: Jip, from what I have heard Garsies will have a top team in 2014. Some really good players in the team. Franco Naude, the inside centre is imho VERY good. Very good no 8 in Ackerman (Tvl coach’s boy). The team was also well drilled last year. Although everybody spoke about their good backline I was impressed with their scrum and line-out work (good coaching). Everything working like clockwork.
I think Centurion is going to have a difficult season. Florida is known to bring in some outside kids (Western Cape kids ala Elton Jantjies) so they could be a bit of a surprise package. Gauteng rugby Union normally place their pd kids in Florida for exposure.
These boys know what is in their interests- they have “wisened” up, I think. I would imagine that most, if not all, will be engaged in studies and rugby at UOFS. So unlikely that they will be dormant or unused. First year and a bit of beer money for Saturday without having to pester dad. And of course, regular good rugby just over the fence- as a spectator. And also, unlike the rest, clean air and “salt of the earth” people.
@Woltrui: Understood, maybe the last day (2 Apr.) is an option then, first game starts 8:30 and lasts games should end just after 12:00. Any ideas ideas on how Garsies, Centurion and Florida are shaping up this season? Assume Garsies will be quite strong.
@Ploegskaar: Ploeg, I would love to go to Potch for the Pukke festival. If opportunity allow I will definitely head down that-a-way. Some classic matchups there. A pity some of the games end very late.
The road between Potch and Pretoria is a bit like the wild west at the moment. Only brave men would drive on it at night.
@beet: Beet but is it worth it to spent so much money on your U/19 group? To contract 36 of 40 boys must eat a lot of a Unions money. A union don’t have any guarantees that those U/19’s will not go and play for another Union if they are “mature” players. Who remember who won the U/19 trofee 2 years ago? Shouldn’t that money be used for the Senior team. Tuks, Maties and Shimlas also have a lot of U/19 players that can be chosen for their Union’s U/19. For me it just seem to be better to have a small core group which you can nurture and financially look after than these big contracted groups.
@Woltrui: Although a group of 36 seems big, some of these boys may well be fast-tracked into the u/21 squad, while injuries will also take its toll.
I am not privy to the remuneration for new union recruits at the FS or elsewhere, but can assure you that the opportunity to play is a huge incentive at the FS, which probably explains why more boys are prepared to move there and why they could assemble this impressive group.
With regards to my player watch, I can only comment on those that I saw play and that impressed me (just an opinion therefore, which is subjective and restricted by my limited frame of reference, less I be labeled the rugby version of Angus Buchan again).
Hope you will go support the Boland boys at Pukke against Garsfontein, Centurion and Florida this year. Derick Hougaard and Willem de Waal certainly made a huge contribution to the success of the Bulls during their playing days there, so maybe time to return the favour.
@Woltrui: I think 36 is a good number. In the 12 game u19 Currie Cup season a team can easily make use of 30 players plus a few might go up to u21 depending on needs with the senior Currie Cup stealing a few u21s.
With the Bulls in the past, my irritation was that they were not content to get some of the best players, they wanted all the best. As a result some players like their locks from a few years back had more compo in training to make the team than when playing other provinces.
The best thing that can happen in any competitive rugby circles is strength vs strength. A good distribution of top players amongst each of the top unions. 2014 isn’t perfect but it does look a lot better than previous years for the big unions at least.
The Sharks have only got 14 on contract and some of these look destined for u21 action this year, but whereas the FS only have 36, there is an Academy full of players competing for the remaining Sharks u19 jerseys. This could be as many as 60 maybe more players in Durban.
@Ploegskaar: With 36 kids on the list I just wonder if all are going to get opportunities. Personally I think the Charkies has got it spot on. Small core group of contracted U/19’s. 80% conversion rate to Pro rugby. What Union can afford such big groups, except if you pay them with peanuts? We saw what happened with the Bulls last year. Wonderful U/19 group but not enough money to pay the Pro’s. What would be interesting is to know what a U/19 pro at the Charkies get compared to Wp, Bulls and FS with their big groups?
Ploeg you can also put Daniel Maartens, the NHS no 6, on your list of “players for the future”. A class act.
Uitstekende werk deur Andre soos altyd, met die hulpbronne tot sy beskikking in ag genome. OVS is inderdaad ‘n uitstekende opsie vir die wat ‘n rugbyloopbaan wil bou, en belangriker, speeltyd en blootstelling wil kry. Junior Burger, Ruan Potgieter, Corne Vermaak, Stephen Rautenbach, Coenraad van Vuuren en TJ Goddard is beslis spelers vir die toekoms.