The 2014 Border schools rugby season officially gets underway with the annual Border Rugby Day which takes place at Border Stadium in East London on Saturday, 15 March 2014. This is super early season opportunity for supporters to see what talent that the best rugby schools in the region are packing this year. Unfortunately all the best teams at one venue might also attract some unwanted “poachers” to the ground. The highlight match-up looks like it will be the 11h10 kick-off on the main field where East London co-ed Hudson Park takes on King William’s Town’s finest Dale College.
| FIELD | TIME | DAY | DATE | SCHOOL | SCHOOL | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 10h00 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Caltex Rapture | Port Rex | ||
| A | 11h10 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Dale | Hudson Park | ||
| A | 12h20 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Cambridge | Hangklip | ||
| A | 13h40 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Selborne 2nd XV | De Vos Malan | ||
| A | 14h50 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Queen’s | Grens | ||
| A | 16h00 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Selborne | Stirling | ||
| B | 09h30 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | KWT Academy | QT Academy | ||
| B | 10h40 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Stutterheim | George Randell | ||
| B | 11h50 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Westbank | Maclear Academy | ||
| B | 13h00 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | Carthcart | Breidbach | ||
| B | 14h10 | Sat | 15/03/2014 | EL Academy | Alice Academy |
@Playa: I say be worried for Dale, but then again be happy for them because they will be representing all of us Nationally.
With that said though…Dale has a really good side trust me. I predict a thriller of a match between Dale and Selborne.
@Knight_CHS07: @QC86: I don’t know whether I should be worried or happy for the Baboona.
@Playa: coach Phiwe is taking the backs,my mouth hang open,it was a work of art,best i have seen Selborne backs run in 10 years,breath of fresh air.Now we need to get the forwards playing clever.
@Playa: I also surprised at how good the Selborne backline was with ball in hand. CHS08 kept mumbling “nikeza ibhola kwi-backline!”
. On the Dalian team, Courtney Winnar was exceptional yhoo! So was the boy who was playing fullback, and the number 11 winger Roger(Luyolo Khuse) was also good with ball in hand.
@QC86: Ja, fair enough.
Great to hear that Selborne are using their backline for a change
@QC86: I totally agree ey
@Playa: @Knight_CHS07: lets not get a head of ourselves,most of the teams had players in Cradock,and in Queen’s case most from the backline so lets not read into the results to much.Friday will give us all a better idea of the teams strengths.Selborne’s backline looked amazing but the opposition was very weak,but it was really nice to start on a high like that.The u16’s that played did very well,in fact they looked very settled and that was a massive relief to all,may it continue
@Playa: Queens let themselves down. So many ball handling errors….
i was astonished. I think Grens did well to capitalise on Queens’ mistakes.
The Queens flyhalf has a good boot, but was very slow when it came to distributing the ball to the centers. I personally have never seen a poor Queens team like the one i saw on Saturday.
If Queens doesn’t improve SOON
, then i think Dale will give them a klap “the KUDU” in KWT
@QC86:
the Kudu is wounded.
@Playa: just sandbagging,saving ourselves for you guys
@CHS13: The Selborne team that played today had 10 changes to the team from last year. Cambridge missed two players as well as Selborne due to other sports.
Selborne 85-0 Stirling
Dale 16-8 Hudson Park
Cambridge 8) 19 – 7 Hangklip
Queens 15 – 23 Grens (biggest upset of the day)
Port Rex beat Caltex Rapture (not sure about the score)
Selborne 2nd’s beat De Vos Malan (couldn’t keep up with the score)
@GCollege86: Last year these boys beat Selborne. I wonder what happened.
How did Cambridge do against Hangklip? I know the score is 19-7 to Cambridge.
Selborne u15A vs Cambridge u15A @ Grens Festival: Selb 39 – Camb 0
@CHS13: Thanks for the information bud. much appreciated. Hope we atleast beat all the CO-EDs this season. @ Ta Playa Dale needs to beat Hudson Park this saturday!!! I think Queens will have have a tough time against Grens. Selborne should easily beat Stirling.
@GCollege86: OUCH!!!!! Never nice to hear of a young man going out like that.
@Playa: I heard via a friend that Hangklip lost their top player, “Skillie” Stander (He is the brother of Josh Stander who played for QC 2 years ago). Apparently he hurt himself doing longjump and corkscrewed his knee off. He will be out for at least a year.
@Knight_CHS07 I won’t be able to make it to the game on Saturday due too other commitments, but I trust the boys won’t disappoint us.
@Knight_CHS07: YHO! I cant wait.
Cambridge will need to be at their best. Those Hangklip(drift) boys are as hard as nails…and they’d better play away from their forwards. Like Dale, Cambridge has never been blessed with big packs.
@Playa: hahaha, eish grootman I knew i’d get you excited when i mentioned “Stepping” lol! Dale isn’t Dale without STEPPING…
. Roger(Luyolo Khuse) is an exceptional player bra, he played at wing last week, but i saw him at center(his normal position) most of the time. Nyalambisa is was also good at center, don’t know why he left Dale in the first place.
@CHS13: Thanks mate. Are you also going to watch the Rugby Day games? CHS must stick together
.
@CHS08 Lusanda Badiyana has a shoulder injury. I don’t know for how long though. I really hope we’ll get the 2011 Badiyana when he returns.
@Knight_CHS07 The flyhalf,Sandile Mantantana, is Sonwabile’s brother (last year’s hooker). The kid is talented, i’d say he’s ALMOST as good as Bafo (Yavela Sigenu). He has excellent vision and can control games. Also has a mean step in his arsenal. One thing that might count against him is his size., but overall a good player.
@Knight_CHS07: @CHS08: Hahahaha! I hope azobe ese kwrada come reunion.
I saw la-Khuse against Kingswood last year.Westville yayimfuna shushu, kwanyanzeleka sense icebo ukuze simgcine.
I am really itching to see this 2nd team play. Maybe we can watch them over some gold nectar when I am there.
@Playa and CHS08: That boy who played 15 for the Dale 2nd’s was superb, and the one who played 16 for the 1st team. The 2nd team fullback though…YHOOOO! it was like watching EW Viljoen all over again.
. Whilst watching the 2nd team game, I remembered the words of my best friend CHS08 when he always says: “You’ll always get Flair and guaranteed entertainment when watching Dale”.
@Playa: I’ll be attending Dale vs Queens match as well, maybe CHS08 and I will get a chance to meet ya.
@CHS13: I’m hoping that our center’s will do better than last year. I watched most of Cambridge’s matches last year and in my opinion the backline cost us the most. I hope the forwards can do us proud like the one’s from last year(they totally dominated Selborne last year).
Is the Flyhalf any good? He has BIG shoes to fill (in my books), Yavela Sigenu was my favourite player last year
I’m glad to see Ludwe back, that boy has a good boot.
@CHS13: Thanks for the team sheet bud. How is the team looking? i do not trust this team where is BAD? Is he injured? If so for how long? Those 2 centers cost us last year!!!!!! i hope they have improved this year especially 13!!!
@ Ta Playa: Hayi grootman andizithembanga ezintwana zingamakrwala eQueens against Grens at all, will watch la game. Yhoo your 2nd team was on fire last weekend yeses!!!!! Khona la boy ibidlala i2nds for Dale played 16a last year he left Knight CHS 07 and I SPEECHLESS blistering pace and hands and a good reader of the game brilliant Dale flair at his best. The 1st team didnt impress me that much but la Roger (Luyolo Khuse) was sublime playe d16a last year aswell so Dale should have a good team next year. I think lantwana who played 2nds fullback last weekend should start for the 1st team against Hudson if you want to win iyatshisa laboy.
@Ludz: Uwathembile lamakrwala aseQueens kulomdlalo neGrens?
@DC ARMY: ’97 must have been a good one for Cambridge. I remember the 1st team also battled, won with a last minute try from the reserve scrum half after Nick Eyre came off for blood…eish it could have been embarrassing.
I remember that Selborne under 14A side in ’97. The Dale 14As that year were good, but those Baboona were just superior. I still think it’s the only Selborne team with FAST players that I have ever seen. Even that Chinese prop was blitz. Freak of a team.
@Knight_CHS07:
That’s brought a big smile to my face. I’ll be in King in May. So I will definitely get to see them against Queens at reunion. I should still be around for the Port Rex game the week after. Thanks for the snippet
Cambridge High starting 15 for Saturday:
1. Sphamandla (Stirling High 1st XV 2013)
2. Siya
3. Amvuyile (Cambridge High 2nd XV 2013)
4. Thando (Cambridge 2nd XV 2013)
5. Ntsika (Cambridge 3rd XV 2013)
6. Unathi (Cambridge 1st XV 2013)
7. Devon (Cambridge 2nd XV 2013)
8. Musa (Cambridge 1st XV, Border u18B 2013)
9. Dwaine (Cambridge 2nd XV 2013)
10. Sandile (Cambridge u16A 2013)
11. Xolisa (Cambridge 1st XV 2013)
12. Litha (Cambridge 1st XV 2013)
13. Sapho (Cambridge 1st XV 2013)
14. Sinawo (Cambridge 1st XV 2013)
15. Ludwe (Cambridge 1st XV 2013)
@CHS08: I agree, with your views on the 1st team. But my team of the day was the Dale College 2nd team. Watching the 2nd team today was like watching the GCB Cherries(of 2013) all over again. Running rugby, STEPPING, passing, balling handling, hands..etc PERFECT. Wow! What a team :). Mr Playa…you might want to watch one or two games this year.
They are fit and conditioned, not that big but I was very impressed with the u16a players from last year who played for the 1sts and 2nds today.
@CHS08: how is the Dale 1st XV looking in terms of size and fitness?
College!
Dale beat De Vos Malan 53-0
Dale 1st team 22-0 half time score.
@Umtata: 2nds were impressive they looking good will be definetly be competitive against Grey and Selborne.
15a won from Dale won 26-0
@CHS08: thanks for the updates bud appreciate it. Do you think those forwards will be big enough to compete with Grey and the baboona forwards?
Dale 2nds won 71-0. Match stopped .
Yhoooo the Dale 2nds are pacey and have got flair and hands even the forward run the ball
14az won 47 – 5 match stopped midway 2nd half
At Dale College watching 14a’s coaching staff are tellíng me 9 players are back from that unbeaten 13’s the other 6 are at KingsWood and Glenwood.
@Umtata: Ndikhona kanti buthi wam, qha bendilinde le-season ide iqale, kodwa noko ngoku andizunqaba kakhulu. Ndiyavuya ubona sibanintsi singamaxhosa apha
@Umtata: I know of 1 kid Yamkela Nyalambisa played 1st team at Hudson Park last year number 13, he will be starting for Dale tomorrow at 13. It seems like Cambridge has given Dale quite some problems over the years at junior level, not bad for a co ed school.
@CHS13: in which positions are the players from Hudson?
Kwatsho kwancono xha kukho abantu abazosi nceda ngama nqhaku emidlalo, eMonti nase Qhonce, uLudz watshona emboneni.
Same here @Playa, this defies logic Dale is doing the samething they did a couple of years back when for 2 seasons they played Stirling twice, i hope they end this madness and yeah you right a fixture against Graeme or Die Brandwag will do.
As Cambridge Playa at least you guys survived on that fateful day in 97 we didn’t, Cambridge beat at 14 A’s, a week before playing the unbeaten Selborne team and let’s just leave it at that.
As for tomorrow one thing i know for sure De Vos will bring their A game as they have the last couple of seasons, even that fantastic 2012 team had a torrid time againt them at the Graveyard. De Vos must be rating themselves lately, even though they playing Selborne 2nds at Border day, they do have a proper Sat fixture against them later this year.
@star:
eish touchy subject. I suspect you guys throw in a catalogue of Zulu women in your prospectus when recruiting these boys. We have a weakness for Zulu women you know. 
@BOG: Interesting story from the swinging 60s there BOGGIE. Very similar to me and Afrikaans qha ke (but)without the UK.
@Rockspider: I still don’t understand why Dale plays Hudson twice a year. Wouldn’t it be better to replace one of the fixtures with the likes of Graeme. Surely this is not a difficult thing to do.
@CHS08: Ungayityhafeli iCambridge ingasothusa sonke. Is the coach the same guy from last year?
Selborne is my tip to top the Border…if Griffy doesn’t pull miracles
As for Selborne and their size…well I hear they are sponsored by Mabovula in KWT…all thanks to QC86 who has a son at Selborne. Lucky Baboona.
@Playa- and I thought all the decent Xhosa speaking rugby players were in KXN.
@BOG:
I love your sense of humour BOG, I will never ever forget that 2007 Grey Bloem first team as long as i live. I doubt those okes even managed to knock any balls on. They thrashed a very strong Selborne side 68-0. That is the best school rugby side i have ever seen in my entire life but my word last year’s Cherries are a close 2nd they were absolutely brilliant i didnt know that its possible for kids to be that good in rugby what do you do to these kids in Bloem 
? @Ta Playa hayi grootman iCambridge andiyithembenga this year like i mentioned above so I am just hoping for the best. Selborne had brilliant u16’s last year though.
Historically schools that don’t normally meet each other in the normal season played each other.
This year the organizers made some changes and drew Dale College and Hudson Park against each other.. They will face each other on another two occasions in 2014 during the normal season. Dale to take all 3 in 2014.
Cambridge vs Hangklip will be a very hard game with Hangklip having a very good less than 16 Group coming through. Cambridge can always surprise and on the day can compete with any side in the Border. This game will be very hard and to close to call this early in the season.
The Queens vs Grens game will also be a close affair. Grens believe this is the magical group that will bring back fame to the schools rugby fields. The Grens side will tour Argentina later this year. Queens should however dominate this fixture if history repeats itself.
Caltex Rapture side is made up out of a few schools that don’t compete at A league level exp. Marryfield, Gonube, Lilliefontein etc. Port Rex will be to strong for them on the day. The mixture of players from different schools might not have played together enough to compete at this level.
The Selborne game will be great entertainment with Selborne having second team players good enough to make first teams in a few Other schools competing on the day.
@Playa: Let me share with you, something about my Xhosa. Unlike my siblings and parents, I was never fluent in the language, but I had a reasonable command of it. A few years after my studies, I was in the UK where I developed a sudden urge to study the language and enrolled for a Spes course through Unisa. Speaking a bit, is one thing, but doing the grammar, is altogether another matter. I guess, that applies to any language. This was before the internet and cell phones and I found myself on the phone to my father-in-law in SA all too often to help with assignments.It lasted until about July, when I suspended my attempts out of pure frustration. Since, I have been out of that environment, and while I learnt another language or two since, most of what I did know (of Xhosa), is very rusted. But dont push your luck with gossip- I may just surprize you. Im watching you !@CHS08: I actually watched that match in EL in 2007 vs Selborne and I have often said, its the best school side that I have seen in decades of watching school rugby. I did not see last years Cherries, but I think, their results, speak for them self. I heard that it was just perhaps the forwards that separated them from the first team. Some of my family are buried just below your old school, in that cemetry and Im quite familiar with the hangouts in Slummies. I had a particular interest in King convent,and not as a priest, but I believe they have closed. Going back a long time though.
Thanks Ta Playa ya we Xhosa speakers
been wanting to @ Bog and ask him where they got those kids that played for Cherries in 2013. i have never ever seen such a sublime 2nd team as school level in my entire life i was left speechless after watching them against Selborne last year. I will tell you what happens at Dale tomorrow dont worry. Should be an easy win, heard Griffy is back. @Spilly: What do u feed these kids at Selborne that every year they are so huge 
?
@BOG: Hahahaha…nice try!
@Knight_CHS07:
I noticed. Then again, we train our white boys well in the EC, I didn’t want to jump the gun.
Thanks beet looking forward to great rugby and early season predictions.
@Playa: Suka, wena ! M na, yaxonda i Xhosa.
@Playa: Yes, CHS08 and I are Xhosa…did you not notice CHS08 saying “Ta Playa” ? There’s an indication lol! I’m so excited about the Dale game tomorrow you’d swear i was the one playing for the red and black
Any predictions for the Border Schools Rugby Day Playa?
@CHS08: Welcome mate. Great to have another Border man on board. Please be kind enough to send the final score of the Dale-De Vos match tomorrow.
I cannot have another year of being bashed by co-eds.Dale needs to give Hudson a proper rugby lesson next week.
As for Hudson and Cambridge punching above their weight…so true. Never lost to either, but at under 15, we faced a Cambridge side that had beaten Selborne the week before.Geeez!I have never sweat so much.We won in the last minute by 2 points. Ref mistakenly gave us a penalty right in fron of the poles that should have gone to Cambridge.
Do you and Knight_CHS07 speak any Xhosa?
Ludz and I could do with some Xhosa bloggers as we sometimes get bullied by our old Afrikaner mates like BOG, Ploeg, Tjoppie et al.They are actually eager to learn the language.
Welcome
@Beet: Thank you so much Beet appreciated it. Well with regards to the 1st 15 for 2014 I will be brutally honest, I am not so sure about the team. The 1996 and 1997 age groups were average at best so I think we will have at tough year though it is the school’s 135th anniversary celebrations. The team should easily beat most co-ed schools that we normally play against i.e. Stirling, Port Rex, Grens, Pearson etc. It is highly unlikely though that we going to beat Hudson Park, and the 5 boy’s colleges that we play annually (Queens, Dale, Selborne, St Andrews College and Graeme College), same applies for next year. We should however have a very strong side in 2016 and 2017 as our under 15a and especially u14a sides from 2013 were IMMENSE. Our 15a’s easily dispatched all co ed schools bar Hudson Park which had a very strong team that dominated even Selborne and were unlucky to lose 10-13 to them and they beat Queens. Our 15a’s managed to beat Dale, Graeme, they drew with Queens in Queenstown last year and lost by a point to St Andrews College in Grahamstown. The under 14a were even more impressive. We easily thrashed all the co – ed schools we played against including our biggest rival Hudson Park, We beat St Andrews away from home, we beat Selborne away from home, We beat Graeme and we thrashed Dale 40-0. The team scored 97 tries. so the future bods well for the school. You have to admit though Beet for English co ed schools in the Eastern Cape, Cambridge and Hudson Park do punch above their weight
@Knight_CHS07: Geez welcome as well. I sense that Cambridge might be in for a big year.
FinallY!!! ahh yes i’m in. Thanks for the add Beet. I must say CHS08 and I have been looking forward to the season for a while now. “Our season” kicks off tomorrow @ Dale College.
@Beet: I haven’t heard anything about the team…but I’m holding thumbs they are better than last year’s team. Beating Hudson home and away will make me a happy chappy
@CHS08: Welcome to the comments section then
Any idea how Cambridge are looking this year? A few weeks back someone warned us to look out for them
I have been following and reading comments on this blong for 2 years now and i finally decided to join your lads. I am a Cambridge Old Boy and looking forward to sharing my views for this upcoming season. Also too keen to getting to know better okes like BOG and Ta Playa very funny okes with a lovely sense of humour. I’m currently located in East London. Will be attending the Dale and De Vos Malan fixture tomorrow.
I predict wins for Dale College, Cambridge High, Queens College and Selborne College. I rate the Dale/Hudson match will be a close one seeing that Hudson beat Dale away last year. Since last year, Dale have acquired the services of 2 Hudson Park 1st XV players from last year who were stand-outs.
Does the name of that stadium change every year? It was originally, the BRU. Then Basil Kenyon, Absa, Buffalo City , and now BS. Whats next? Border Olympic Stadium?