This was a great day of rugby but so unfair in that more difficult choices had to be made about which games to watch.
Muir 11 Hudson 16
Both teams had a few big boys and this game was played with a lot of passion.
Westville 27 Queen’s 7
Westville are playing entertaining rugby and making slow progress to where they want to be.Captain Braithwaite moved from flyhalf to scrumhalf during the second half – what a transformation. He might as well have changed jersey numbers as well because it felt like a fresh new player had just come onto the field. He makes a middle of the range no.10 but thrives at no.9. Based on the bit a saw of him there, I think he still has a good shot at wear a black and white jersey during the July holidays. Interestingly Buthelezi moved from 15 to 10, maybe a sign of things to come. At the moment the Westville player that impresses me most is Heystek. Westville are looking for leadership by example in the pack and he is really standing out now. I haven’t seen Hilton’s JacoGouws this year but I think the way Heystek is playing, he’s a strong rival and therefore a viable Craven Week contender. The tall flank produced the most memorable play of this game – a powerful handoff on a would-be tackler that freed up the space ahead for his 50m carry in for a try.
Queen’s were without their first choice flyhalf (ankle) and they struggled without him. The score suggests that Queen’s were not in this game. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Queen’s are the most frustrating team to watch at the festival. They manage to generate a fair bit of good workable attacking possession and they have an idea of how they want to the ball, however their execution is … it is just really not good. If they can sort out their ball-handling, they can score more than 10 points in two games for sure. They have enough positive ball to do this. Apart from the defensive lapse that resulted in Westville scoring from a starting point inside their own half (Heystek’s try), the other two tries came from an intercept and a charge-down. In other words 21-points against Queen’sfrom avoidable mistakes and that’s before even considering their own attacking let-downs during the game. Amazing Danquah who was in all sorts of pain on Saturday, spending about 10 miinutes getting medical attention and could not even walk unassisted, played this game with a strapped knee.
Graeme 12 Michaelhouse 10
This might go down as one of the shock results of the season, so big up’s to Graeme College for this feat. I did not watch this game believing it would be a walkover in MHS’s favour. Perhaps the problem was Michaelhouse already looking ahead to the Grey High game on Wednesday, which resulted in some complacency. Another possible theory is that backline which did not function well against Queen’s also struggled to find it’s flow in this game. The best thing for the House boys is to put this in the past. They have a wonderful opportunity of being able to take on one of the best school teams in the country in their next game.
Dale 35 Parktown 0
I watched the first half. Parktownare not the biggest team around but they owned the first quarter of the game. They did all the playing with some structured and varied attack. Most of the game in that period took place in the Dale half. Then Dale flyhalf Courtney Wizzard, I mean Winnaar produced a couple of big plays to turn the game on its head. First the u17 flyhalf scored an intercept try and then followed it up with good strength on his feet in a tackle situation to break the line and score another shortly after the first. This got Dale going and they never looked back building up a 22-0 lead by the break. It was a pity Parktown had no points to show for their good start. The memorable part of the half for me was the Parktown fullback who sometimes played like a flank and no.8 as well. He was really keen to get involved and I wonder if Dale realised at some point after I had left that there was nobody at home at the back for parts of the game.
Selborne 55 Pearson 10
I caught a good part of the second half. Selborne has a very good team. They are physical up front. I guess it wouldn’t be a coach Kevin Taylor team if they weren’t. What however makes them special this year is not a massive pack that overwhelms opponents and allows them to dictate using 10-man rugger, it’s that they have a real asset in their backline’s ability to get the ball through the hands quickly and accurately. I’ve mentioned him before and I’ll mention him again but their young no.12 David Brits just impresses me so much. For an under-17 player in just his 4th proper 1st XV match, he plays with a huge amount of self-belief. Not everyone agrees with me about Selborne’s conditioning programme but it looks like they put a lot of emphasis on leg development and so far it seems to be paying off. For Pearson I can just say that I have to admire a team that for all intents and purposes is beaten but still gives it a full go. They showed a lot of spirit.
KES 20 DHS 17
Another game wish I was able to watch. KES apparently built up a handy 17-0 lead by the break and then DHS brought it back to 17-17 before the GEMS scored a late winner. DHS showed they have that ability to score points, the boys just need to believe.
Glenwood 22 Jeppe 10
Well sometimes we can all be confused by what the schoolboy scores put up on the scoreboard. I thought this final score was 20-14. There was what seemed like a controversial moment in the first half. After a really good and long break by the Jeppe inside centre, their quick no.8 (wearing #7) appeared to knock the ball on before the tryline but there was a Glenwood hand in there and after the ball bounced over the tryline, the Jeppe flyhalf Fauld dived on it under the posts. The ref consulted with the linesman and awarded a penalty to Jeppe which they converted but the scoreboard reflected a try, which sparked a conversion about whether it was a try or penalty try and then from that point onwards it seemed like game on with Jeppe in with a chance to win it. Jeppe were the underdogs and played extremely well. They pressured Glenwood by coming up quickly on defence and played to their strengths on attack. At one point during the second half they had Glenwood pinned back on the GM goal-line but just could not get 5-points from the sustained pressure. Glenwood had played with their strongest possible team against Bishops and so in festival spirit gave all 7 of their reserves a start for this match. It was a very even contest and once the bench came on, Jeppe already had their minds set on an upset result (as per the scoreboard at 15-14), making it difficult for the subs to make that much of an impact. Glenwood tries went to Venter, Jonas with the one by Joubert sandwiched in-between being the pick of the lot as it used the width of the field with Morgan playing an important role on the left wing towards the end of the move. Jeppe scored from a chip, chase and re-gather of the unpredictable bouncing ball by their left wing. For me the memorable moments of the game were the pace of the Jeppe no.8 and no.9 on the day. They both created explosive separation from breakdowns and scrums. Also Glenwood outside centre Sparks Ngcobo who is known for his ability to take the outside gap but not generally given credit for his tackling, well during this game he put in some mean hits for a small guy and they were front-on tackles as well which made it even more impressive.
Bishops 45 Kingswood 14
Bishops were able to really come out and express themselves during this game. Kingswood afforded them a lot more room to move in than Glenwood did and Bishops also enjoyed the upper-body contact zones a lot more as they were able to get hands above the tackles and offload. The Cape Town boys picked some excellent running lines with the beauty of their game was definitely in the support play and the ability of their support runners to anticipate and be in the right places at the right times to receive quality passes. This touch rugby style game requires a high level of fitness especially for the forwards. Kingswood made a few mistakes which Bishops converted into points and the Grahamstown school also looked short of experience in how to deal with Bishop’s unique style. Kingswood came up with two tries of their own and credit to them, they did not give up. The memorable moments were the cohesion of the unconventional broken play Bishops attacks and for Kingswood the three big hits which knocked Bishops players backwards causing them to drop the ball forward in each case.
Kearsney 21 Pretoria Boys High 17
Kearsney won this game in the end because they came up with the more constructive play for a longer period. Kearsney was able to create opportunities and score points to keep the scoreboard ticking. At one point in the second half the KZN school had built up a big 21-0 lead. Scrumhalf James Hall enjoyed his 15-minutes of fame last week after kicking a 60+ metre penalty at low altitude. It seemed like everybody who is involved in rugby after school wanted to know more about him from his strengths to his weaknesses etc. If eyes were still on him, he did himself a lot of favours with a solid performance which even included a blindside snipe and useful strength to get in for a try. Kearsney fullback Harris, who bounced back from the nightmare of having to try field those outrageously long and high second half puns from Grey High flyhalf Bosch, with a very good performance during this PBHS game, was responsible for the second half try when he joined the line on a set move. The Pretoria Boys pack mostly did what was asked of them but the team just did not have a backline game for most of this match. Big wing Phiri only touched the ball one in the whole game. Some might say it was Kearsney who took their foot off the pedal in the last 15 minutes but I’d like to believe that it was the PBHS forwards who wore them down and eventually started to reap the benefits via 3 late tries. It was however too little too late. Boys High scrumhalf Tristan Eve played very well. Memorable moment of this game was Kearsney relying on no.8 Steven Tedder to throw balls in at lineouts. It’s about time! KZN teams are generally short and weak at lineout play and often don’t help themselves with inaccurate throw-ins, so thinking outside the box and finding the non-traditional throwers that can deliver the best lineout ball possible gets the thumbs up from me.
Grey High 71 Nico Malan 8
Nico Malan has the ingredients of a useful team and scored a brilliant opening try but they were just overwhelmed by a classy team in this match. The scary part was the Grey made use of their entire compliment of reserve players for much of the game. Speed kills! Grey are able to operate at the kind of speed that often leaves opponents powerless. By the second half they were oozing confidence as well which resulted in everything they tried including the same 50:50 passes that had failed just about every other team that played earlier in the day, coming off. They were in such good form that they could make tries from anywhere on the park and using any combination of players. While the match was still a contest early on openside Johan van Niekerk again underlined his value to the team at the breakdown points. He also got over for a couple of tries. Sadly van Niekerk picked up an injury and is out for 6 weeks and one of his partners in crime Lamond Bouwer might also be sidelined for the whole season. With the huge up and coming Premier Interschools match against Paul Roos already being billed as one of the biggest games of SBR 2014, these injuries are huge blows for Grey. In this match the Grey left wing wearing #24 had a field day. I think he scored 4 tries. He was the recipient of some quality ball but showed near the end that he has some creative skills as well. It was a one-sided game and every Grey player looked good but for me the player of the game and the day was Keanu Vers, who is in sublime form. His hesitation on Saturday cost his team a try but during this game he did the hard yards and then produced try making offloads.
Finally I just wanted to add what an aesthetically beautiful looking school Grey High is. I entered the premises from side nearest Cape Road and the first things I saw were 3 swimming pools – a waterpolo pool, an olympic size pool and an indoor pool. From there it just gets better. Hockey astro, fields in excellent condtion with amazing scoreboards and lovely school building. A very scenic setting. The main rugby field and surrounding are very nice and there is even more construction on the go to improve the facilities at Grey.
@Queenian: Yes, the Dale fullback is also brilliant. When i watched him play against De Vos Malan in their first i wasn’t all impressed by his performance, but now…now i’m really impressed.
The Selborne flyhalf (Morgan Steyn), is my star player in the Baboona team, him and Sibahle Dunjana (reserve scrumhalf).
As for QC, i really hope they get it together VERY soon because next week they play Selborne in Queens. I’m hoping next week’s match will be a battle not a walk over. Dale had a poor season last year, but they played very well against Selborne in East London. Courtney “The Wizard” Winnaar and Somila Jho were superb that day.
@Knight_CHS07: Ye I think those two boys will make a big impact on Border rugby this year, the Dale No 15 also impressed me as did the Selborne No 10.
I see what you meant about Queens being poor it was really frustrating watching them hopefully they come right they have some good players so they should be able to do better there forwards won a lot of ball against both MH and Westville but the back messed that up. One thing that is certain is that a team needs a good flyhalf to get things going and that could be there problem.
Although one advantage they have now is most Border/EC teams will think that there match against QC this year is in the bank which could play to there advantage.
@Queenian: Even though i wasn’t in PE for the games, i must agree with you on Courtney “The Wizard” Winnaar, and Britz being good players. I’ve watched those boys at u16 level and now recently at 1st XV level at the Border Schools and Graeme Rugby day tournaments.
I was really impressed at how they made “Magic”
out of nothing.
@beet: did Jaco Coetzee play or is he out for a while? He would have made a huge difference…
@JeppeRugbyFan: Thanks for clearing this up. I had the final score recorded as 20-14 so was surprised to see the official record at 22-10. I must admit blonde 10 and 12 were easy to get mixed up. Who was no7 that played no.8.
Thanks to all bloggers for the great feedback ,can we have a ranking of the teams that were at the festival interesting to see how they sit, early on in the season.
Just to clear up some confusion regarding the Jeppe vs Glenwood score. I was at the game and also Tweeted the score incorrectly as we on the stands also didn’t quite understand what the call from the referee was when Jeppe appeared to be awarded a penalty in front of the posts which was converted, which then would have made the score 7-3 to Glenwood who has scored an early converted try. At the half time break the Jeppe coaches spoke to the referee from whom I then got confirmation that the score was in fact 7-all as the ref had awarded a try to Jeppe under the poles, adjudging that the Glenwood player had ripped the ball from the Jeppe players hands which had gone into the goal area and the Jeppe player (Ryan Doubell) had dived on the ball and subsequently scored the try which was converted (Brenton Faulds) making it 7 all.
In the second half Jeppe scored 1st under the poles courtesy of Sibusiso Nkosi which was converted by Brenton Faulds making the score 14-7 to Jeppe. Shortly after the restart Glenwood then scored a try in the corner which was unconverted to take the score to 14-12.
Glenwood where then awarded a penalty with around 10 minutes to go which was converted by the fullback making the score 15-14 to Glenwood. With around 3 minutes to go, the Glenwood flyhalf scored a try just to the right of the posts making the score 20 -14 to Glenwood. The conversion was missed and the final score was 20-14 in Glenwood’s favour.
@Ludz: Not sure if Playa was there.
I think to wrap things up i would say.
Best Match: Grey PE 10 MH 7 ( Best game left for last.)
Pleasure: To see how Dale played they look really good.
Player of the Tournament: Courtny “The Wizard” Winnaar/ And the Selborne No 12 Brits expect a lot from these two players.
Team play: Selborne they really look like a good unit.
Dependability: Glenwood look there good structured self.
Dissapointment: Queens wow can a team do so much right and then even do more wrong. ( I hope they get it together.)
Upset: Graeme’s win over Michaelhouse.
Lastly to Grey PE for putting on such a wonderful tournament.
Also watched the Muir 17 Parktown 15 game today well it must have been a record when it came scrum time there were 26 scrum’s which 17 were Muir put in but they only won 2 of them.
Hats off them for there win they showed alot of guts.
@Knight_CHS07: Grey PE 10 MH 7
The Michael House forwards although quite a bit smaller than the Grey forwards completely outplayed there counter parts. Grey’s back line when they got the ball looked very dangerous. The MH No 7 had a great game but i think hats off to all 8 of there forwards who played like demons. Grey did defend well but battled to get going. I would say that Grey were a bit lucky to come away with a win and the Natal Midlands boys put there hands up they will give most a run for there money.
Grey are really good but not un-beatable.
@Queenian: Your views on the Grey vs MHS game? Does the score reflect the performance by both teams?
Did Playa eventually make it?
@Beet: Yes i agree with @Queenian, we are really grateful for this wonderful blog. I have watched David Britz since he was under 14. he is a wonderful rugby player he captained the Selborne u16a last year. He also made SA under 16. Morgan Steyn and him make a wonderful 10 and 12 combination one of the best in SA. David Britz is the best 12 i have seen in the Eastern Cape in a long long time. The Dale flyhalf Courtney brings tears to my eyes when he is a full flight a wonderful and gifted rugby player. He also made SA u16 last year. Wow the Grey PE 1st team is exceptional how did they beat that strong Nico Malan team by that much??? Grey have got wonderful facilities and is situated in a wonderful area i have been there many times.
@Queenian: Thanks Queenian.
Great meeting you
QC86: Rudi it was great seeing you again and I think your year ahead for Selborne looks really good, maybe you can use “Fincham” as the new Selborne cheer leader.
Beet: It was good having you down this side of the world all I can say is thumbs up for this site and all the input you give everybody so that all and sundry can follow schoolboy rugby.
I will go down and watch the Muir/Parktown and Grey/MH game and keep you updated.