I asked a few bloggers who had watched all the games to pick their team of the day from the games shown on TV. Here is the result of their combined effort:
| # | NAME | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gavin van der Berg | Paarl Gim |
| 1 | Ruben Terblanche | Grey College |
| 2 | Robin Stevens | Grey High |
| 3 | Armand Jordaan | EG Jansen |
| 4 | Jaco Willemse | Paarl Gim |
| 5 | Hendre Stassen | EG Jansen |
| 5 | Driaan Bester | HTS Middelburg |
| 6 | De Wet Bezuidenhout | Grey College |
| 7 | Thulani Njenje | Noord-Kaap |
| 8 | HJ Luus | Paarl Gim |
| 9 | Hershel Jantjies | Paul Roos |
| 10 | Wynand Roets | Drostdy |
| 10 | Boeta Hamman | Oakdale |
| 11 | Edwill vd Merwe | Paul Roos |
| 12 | David Brits | Selborne |
| 12 | Edrich Venter | Paul Roos |
| 13 | Matt Gallow | Paul Roos |
| 14 | Xolisa Guma | Maritzburg College |
| 15 | Eduan Keyter | Affies |
| 15 | Lourens Steenkamp | Grey College |
@Tjoppa: Thank you for the comment about Driaan, he is very committed and works very hard; he was out of the game for 13 months because of a neck injury. So he knows how it feels to be out of the game for a long time, he is only coming back to his old standard like he used to be when he played at number 8 on 0/ 15 levels. He did play most of the time on flank but because of his length the school have to play him on lock.
@BoishaaiPa: Or with Tjoppa
@BOG:That logic only works in Bloem…
@Tjoppa: So GCB first must now compete with the Cherries for “first” spot, Sentaal having beaten WK, and the Cherries beating Sentraal by a big margin?
@BOG: How do we cut your internet then only you are far and isolated enough. But your guys played a excellent match and deserve your no 2 spot behind Waterkloof.
@Bog: Jy is op die verkeerde “thread”. Die kommentaar is op die ander Wildeklawerstorie. Maar jy is reg. Almal praat van hoe goed PG gaan wees vanjaar. Maar dan moet mens dit maar as ‘n pluimpie vir GC sien, want indien almal praat oor hoe goed die verloorders is, dan is die gevolg dat niemand GC vanjaar gaan klop nie.
Sorry, what happened at wk? Sitting far away and isolated, with no news. With all the accolades going to the opponents of gcb, I assume that gcb must have lost, by a big margin? Please, what was the score?
@Hanswors: Stukke beter baie baie bly.
Geluk aan Affies met hulle wen en ook aan Waterkloof met n goeie wen oor Grey PE!
@knowthegame: hy keur die bloggers hier
@beet: jammer nie n gereelde blogger en kan nie sulke insiggewende insette lewer nie-net een vraag-is AndreT n keurder erens?laat weet asb
@GimmieGuts: jy is maar met min tevrede in krieket as jy dit n krieket telling noem. Gim het baie goed gespeel maar hou maar voete op grond, seisoen is nog lank.
Gimmies beste van die eerste dag van Wildeklawer!
Klop die magtige Affies met n krieket telling.
Gimmies bo!
@beet: Beet I must admit that I was up to Wildeklawer a bit of disappointed with the talent on display in general. BUT whow did Wildeklawer produce. The amount of talent on display was immense and as to be expected when teams to be selected we all will differ. I had a big thing about talks from the Bulls wanting to “develop” players outside their preferred positions. But in Driaan’s case I would move him to open side flanker. He is a bit “short” but have a bucket full of talent. So will he develop and shine at flank if we take into account the other boys on display? Who will know BUT at HTSM he is definately their best forward.
Rhyno has exceptionally presence on the field and as I like physical he will be preferred ahead of Hendre Stassen, who is only 17 and certainly will develop in that regard, and not that he is not trying.
So picking a team for the Wildeklawer will be an injustice to all players involved. It all depends on your game plan etc etc etc. But that does not stop us from trying.
@Beet. Tredoux was a very quick , running fly half kicking with only one foot but a good eye for a gap. De Beer ‘s got an eye for a gap , tackle, not afraid to take on the big boys, kick with both feet and is deadly accurate to the poles.
@Tjoppa: @Speartackle:
Lots being said about Jaco Willemse and if you add in KERF and Tuks Reeks SF Driaan Bester and Hendre Stassen also had their fair share of praise recently.
Regarding Monnas so far some talk about Vian Roodt. What about Rhyno Herbst? Highly rated lock. How did he go against Boland Landbou. I see Monnas Juan Lemmer won the MotM as well. I like the physicality he and Delport bring to the party.
@Muzi: After the mishap with Glenwood at Kearsney assholes are taken and this is a family read blog. Maybe if we call them wise they will start thinking.
Reminds me off the sos a german sunmarine sent in the second world war. “Mayday mayday we are sinking we are sinking” and the British soldier replied “Why sending a mayday before you know what the reason is, stop thinking and go look.”
The Bulls is think and thinking.
Thinus de Beer should have signed for the leopards…won’t be surprised if I see him in a pink Pumas jersey in 2017…Jimmy “steroids””Stonehouse is forever picking up the scraps…
@Speartackle: Sal Shirley se. Glo nie sy gaan klagtes he nie. Dalk vrese.
@Tjoppa:
Oh, my now they’re are known as the wise men?!?!….it’s partly because of them Bulls supporters are suffering these days…honestly who even offered that jono ross a contract should be fired!
@Muzi: Shutup what do we know. See my post on the signing of de Beer and make your own conclusions.
@beet: I really believe that in Thinus we do not have a good flyhalf with one or two excellent attributes. He is the full package. Seen him play from grade 5 and the progress he made the last two years is simply astonishing. Rate him up with the best. And I do mean the best.
@Muzi:
lost.
Tiaan Schmulian played like Jono Ross at 13…missing in action…move him back to wing he looks
@beet: Tredoux’s boot was nowhere near de Beer’s. I couldn’t tell whether he was right or left footed apart from his goalkicking
@Woltrui: Apparently done and dusted. Hope he can pick up the pieces after two years.
Had the fortunate opportunity of hearing the Bulls wise men’s view on where the boys must be played. If all is true Thinus must start practising his line outs at no 2. Must admit from a “reliable” source.
@Woltrui:
I divorced xander and werner…for various unknown reasons..I have no clue who the bulls have signed…honestly Bulls don’t need Thinus….we are kissing polly’s ass “our golden boy” he will wear that blue jersey for many years…
@Tjoppa: Die laaitie is so spils na al daai netbaldogtertjies gister dat hy gereel het om by sy meisie hulle te gaan slaap. So eks alleen vanaand…………..Mmmmmmmm
@Woltrui:
Jaco Willemse needed more than two energade drinks when he came off…we all know he doesn’t share in the kitchen.
@Tjoppa:
Arno Botha is like a massive good looking Denzel Washington…but as a soon as he opens that mouth….clothhh….
@Speartackle: Sien jou twee uur. Tannie Shirley se jy jou laaitie en sy sit heelagter in die bus.
@Muzi: I hope Mr Tinus De Beer has put pen to paper? Was it the first time you saw him playing yesterday Muzi?
@Tjoppa: What did you think of Francois Tredoux when he played for Waterkloof a few years ago and are there any comparisons to make to Thinus de Beer in terms of style of play?
@Tjoppa:
@Tjoppa: Skimp jy nou? Ek het 6 keer aangebied.
My two brothers from the cheetahs…Raymond and Trevor need to realize rugby is not “dancing with the stars”…..Naas Botha was “feeling” those slick moves in the supersport studio…
@Speartackle: Ons kollekteer vir petrol geld. Gaan jy las?
@Muzi: Not that clothhh.
@Muzi: Where is the battle. Hopefully not the Wimpy in Potch. That lady will slap them helpless with her slipper.
Willemse went off injured yesterday. He’s a doubtful starter for tomorrow.
Hopefully that will make the Grey boys sleep easier tonight
@Tjoppa:
I know you’ve watched him very close…what about the front teeth?!?!
@Muzi: The coaches normally has a lot of talent to work with at Affies. This year is a challenge. Let us see how it goes. I agree with you it didn’t look good yesterday. Paarl Gim must also have one of the best packs in the country and we got badly exposed.
We prefer to play with our local boitjies. Proud of it. The kids that played yesterday gave their best to Affies through the years and we must stand by them now that the going is getting tough. I think Dr Edwards will have a heart attack if we must start importing players to be competitive. All our teams from U/14 to U/16 will probably end up in the Top 5 of the school boy rugby ratings. No worries mate. Steel must be tempered to be hardened.
@Muzi: They should just grow the Beckham hairstyles.
KES and Luis Suarez…flat track bullies…
the lads form my city Jozi got a rude awakening yesterday. 
@Muzi: Not even remotely. Maybe the blond hair and that is it. This boy can tackle, pass and sidestep and put his body on the line. And his blond hair is sweaty and deurmekaar after a match.
@beet: Don’t worry – Doc Craven made the same mistake with Gim, Paul Roos, Boishaai & Boland Landbou.
@Woltrui: Wanneer laas het jy iets gehoor van die EG Jansen ‘couch’ ?
I would happily go to war with the willemse “twins”..Jaco and Paul…
@Muzi: How close was the fence to the one touch line? He had to stand on the advertising couch with the kick he missed.
@Grasshopper: And faraway from the soft Houghton grass.
I put it to you….one would think Thinus de Beer is general Naas Botha’s son…they nearly both look the same….
@Andre T: Well they looked exactly like the jersey’s we wore in the 90’s, heavy, oversized and tough…..soaked in sweat and washed by mom for practice on Tuesday. You can’t blame the jersey’s for a loss, jeez that is scraping the barrel for excuses. Paul Roos were just too good and KES didn’t pitch, played a mare and need to forget it and move on….Wildeklawer ain’t for softies….welcome KES to the real elite rugby world where the teams do not hold back and go for the jugular…
The pack of abovementioned team is HUGE and intimidating. Would love to see this pack take on the English schoolboy side(which normally is bigger than our boitjies)
@Woltrui:
If I’m not mistaken you said I don’t know affies rugby right? fair enough….what I witnesses against Gimmies was ugly that team looked badly coached…really expected more from sakkie…they don’t poach players right?…at this rate they will end up being ranked 50th in the country..it’s a one man show..even Eduan Keyer looks frustrated…just saying.
@Woltrui: Ons was nogal styf met die terugkomslag
@Speartackle: Yep….good memories…
@Andre T: Classic
@Andre T:
I want to be honest felt sorry for those KES lads..it’s like they were wearing blankets…they looked like an under 15 side…they looked tiny in those jerseys.
@Grasshopper: Do you know WKRP in Cincinnati?
The number 6 from HTS Middelburg can be unlucky not to be in the squad. He had a strong game. Pity he almost got a yellow card for the high tackle.
The number 15 from Grey Bloem is fricken good. The 2 tries he scored against the Kwaggas was special and he made it look soooooo easy.
Guma, the Burra wing, is a finisher. Good to have on the wing. The talent at lock is scary. The no 5 of Drostdy was also good.@Andre T: You’s Krugersdorpers just went to check the chicks. Now you’s want to pick a team??
@Speartackle: Gun wonder hy het die Mammas van Waterkloof so gesoek nie. Die prentjie van daardie twee mammas spook seker nog by hom.
@Grasshopper: What did you think of those green jerseys?
KXzAEN – KwaXhosa a little bit of Zulu Afrikaans English Natal….not sure what yours stands for….
@Andre T: Yep….
@Grasshopper: Are you putting it to the jury?
@Grasshopper: The next big thing about the KXaWKRPN team is it will appear as a BBM pin.
@Andre T: Nope…….not this year…..Roger?
@Tjoppa: Good to hear! Each game someone or a few need to put their hands up…Maccie ain’t scared of doing that often….certainly in the KXzAEN mix!
@Grasshopper: Sorry Boet…..I thought KES is the Mighty there in the Grogper Shield
@Grasshopper: James Venter one of the most underrated SBR players in KXN – he has the right attitude also, very impressed.
@Pedantic: Yeah, surprising that! Both Glenwood wingers are quicker than Guma and probably scored more tries this season, although they too have been set up by great work by Morne Joubert….
@Tjoppa: Ek dink hy moet n span kies van al die mammies wat hy opgechat het. Ek sien die ;in ding’ deesdae is die stywe toppies en stywer jeans. Ek het ook gemerk hy verkies die met die hang-wang boude………wat is daai advertensie nou weer …………….for a longer ride go wide?
@Grasshopper: Maccie is the reason why you guys came back and nearly caused an upset. Give the guy credit where due.
And please we do not imply that the rest of the team sat in the shade watching. To pull off a game like yesterday need commitment from al involved.
@Andre T: Do you mean best GEMS team, the KXN’er’s are dishing it out this year…Paul Roos has kopped two losses to Glenwood in recent years..
@Andre T: I certainly do rate Mac, he is a real grafter! Hit rucks hard, contest the ball etc…..he does not do the flashy stuff but that is what you need. We have Jaco & Palvie to do the flashy stuff. Mac could play hooker or flank. James Venter, the other flank also having a great season….lots of competition. I was actually impressed by all bar KES yesterday, great skills and quite a bit more exciting than the drivel our Super Rugby teams are dishing out…..Mallet needs to get down and watch the schoolboys, also the Varsity Cup as I saw some great stuff there too…
@Andre T: Ou Shirley se sy het jou die heel dag dop gehou. Die honger in daai blou oe was vir haar die teken van ‘n man wat heeltemal afgeskeep word en die honger is alles oorheersend. Maar se sy sy sal jou eers een of twee van daai jong mammies, wat jou so laat kwyl het, voer en dan sal sy jou graag die nodige kennis wil gee om die passie terug in jou lewe te plaas. Maar se sy weet nou waar jy bly en sal self daar kom sonder hulp. Staan sterk.
@beet: Interesting about Guma coming out on top easily – maybe the guys can explain what they saw?
I saw a player who had a few easy tries – not much work to do as the invitational cover defence was rather poor. He also looked a little lethargic, but could be deceptively quick.
Didn’t have much work to do in defence either – so just wondering what the guys saw?
In all honesty, Kriel looked to have more X-factor in yesterday’s match (when he came on).
@Tjoppa: I picked my 3rd wife from a computer screen………From Russia……..with love
@BoishaaiPa: Het hy vir daai Red Heart pens gemik?
The scariest thing about Wildclover is that Hendre Stassen, the Boksburg Buffalo, is still in grade 11
@beet: That explains why the selectors of most sport codes pick their teams being at live matches and/or live trials. Even getting married only a few retards pick from a tv screen.
Very few 9’s nowadays have the skill to clear the ball directly from the ground in a quick and effecient pass that bullets to the flyhalf. At school I was Freddie “Boetie Bun” Ferreira’s target as he used to pass the ball for hours before and after practice to perfect his passing…
@BoishaaiPa:
. So hopefully they make it to CW and prove to be a really bad example of the point I was trying to make.
@beet: The best 14 was the Grey PE hooker
@beet: Piketberg falls under Boland..So they would have to move school to be able to qualify for th blue hoops!
@BoishaaiPa: @Andre T: @Tjoppa: @QC86:
You know what this is a very informal blog. Send me your teams and I’ll post them below the one already up.
BoishaaiPa. Yes no.9 Grey very good – Chris Badenhorst’s son. I think him and Jantjies will both be strong SA Sch contenders along with the Transvalia boy Marco van Vuuren who played last year.
I would have liked people to have seen the Monnas 9 (regrettably on TV as much as the sound effects are not up to T’jies high standards of natural surround sound) coz he has a super box kick and good authority at the base.
@BoishaaiPa: I agree on the Grey 9. Remember Paul Roos played against the best Grogper team, not much to be measured against.
Britz needs to work on his defence, against affies at kerf he leaked tries, infact 2 in 10 minutes. Best 6 I saw was from glenwood and best 10 was from waterkloof, best 15 I saw yesterday was that oke from affies.Talent at WK is mind boggling
@Tierklou: Ja point taken. But some of the best players do still go and some of the best players still get picked for SA Schools. It would be interesting to read what people believe the best players at CW now stands at as a % of the whole. Depending on region I guess it fluctuates between 50%-80%
Fortunately Craven Week achievement is no longer a measure of success after school. I just think of at those 2 boys from Piketberg who did well at TSRF. I’m guess they probably won’t wear blue hooped jerseys this year but their performances have put them in line to have a much fairer shot at success after school.
@beet: I see my input is not valued anymore, but I will give it none the less!
..I agree with most of the selections, but have a few other opinions. For me the best No 9 on the day was the No 9 from Grey. Crisp clean quick passing from the ground without these one-step passes. His backline got very quick ball and hence they could attack the line at speed. He did the basics much better than anyone else. It’s easy to shine when your pack is dominant, less so when you are at equal terms.
The No 10 from Selborne, Morgan Steyn, has much to offer as well. I liked his distribution skills as well as his ability to dictate play with his boot, although he was charged down once. The fullback from HTS Middelburg Barend Smit also looked a very acomplished player and on the day looked better than most. It will be good to see him against stiffer opposition.
@beet: How can people watching on TV pick a team?
You need to be there right on the touchline hearing the grunts when Maccie and Roodt hit rucks and opposition. You need to hear the anxious cries of the opponents when Maccie, Roodt, Stassen or Juan Lemmer comes charging with ball in hand.
You need to hear the thudding sound when de Beer kicks at goal or from hand with both feet.
@RBugger: According to the stats provided at KERF – 1.79m 88kg
@Tjoppa: Thank you Tjoppa.
I rest my case
I’m putting it to the defense to prove that Maccie, Roodt and de Beer had anybody close to them
@Tjoppa:
“Please boys if you want to comment make sure of your facts ”
Lets start with the part in bold on the first line above the team list.
Wow and everybody forgets about Thinus de Beer at 10. No 1 of all contenders. Please boys if you want to comment make sure of your facts and Maccie for Glenwood is my no 1 loosie of the day. And the nice part of this he is black and no1 not because thereof but because he was simply the best.
Hookers or outside centres. Viaan Roodt of Monnas in a class of his own. Not pretensios but hard as nails. He is the fire in enjin of Monnas.
Do the best players still go to Craven Week?
@Beet: Anton Leonard, as in the Ex Bulls 8 and Captain?
Brits looks so big on TV, do you know his weight? Incredible that he is still u17, big things to come from him then
@Andre T: Luckily you don’t have space for a WC next to the X there
Monnas : Vian Roodt: 1.81m 107kg
Glenwood: McMillan Muller: 1.80m 102kg
I think he is the perfect size for a hooker esp after school, when I’m sure he will move to the frontrow.
@beet: He is too big for a hooker. It looks like there’s lots of talent in KXN all of a sudden.
When did this sudden miracle happen?
@RBugger: I had pleasure of meeting David Brits at KERF and telling him that I rate him. He actually isn’t the biggest boy around but he is able to operate at speed – very good at catching and distributing without slowing down. Also still u17. He reminds me of Piet Lindeque when he was a schoolboy.
@RBugger: I’ve watched the PRG no.14 earlier this year. He is still u17, the nephew of Anton Leonard and I think he prefers centre. Anyway he is a very bright prospect.
@Andre T: We have a few options for blindside flank in KZN this season. I’m sure Muller will be at final trials and stands a fair chance of making the CW team. If he could have continued on as a backup hooker where he was trialed during the preseason, that versatility might have made him a certainty. At KERF his performances were overshadowed by the Westville flank Meilhon though – I’m sure if you had seen Meihlon bouncing Grey College players you would have been very impressed. During the season so far the College no7 le Roux has been by fav but he is u19 unfortunately. It’s sometimes easier when there is a clearcut favour for a possie but when different kids are bring it in different weeks, it makes it hard to pick a no.1 choice.
@Beet: Fair enough, do me a favour though Beet, just watch the Paul Roos 14 – he is blady good! Has it all, including a good rugby brain
That Brits of Selborne also looks the real deal, big and fast – going to be a handful for any defense
@RBugger: I haven’t even watched the PRG game yet so cannot comment.
I excluded myself as a selector and relied on the opinions of a few bloggers who had watched the games and who are fair in their assessments of players. From their I picked players with most votes in each position. Guma came out on top at #14 quite easily in the end.
@beet: I can’t believe you KXN’ers don’t rate McMillan Muller. That boy is tough as nails. I was standing right on the sideline, in fact inside the ropes, the sound that came from the Kloof players when hit or tackled by Maccie, was frightening. At one stage, late in the second half, while retrieving to their positions for a kick off after coming to within 2 of Kloof, another forward was asking what the score was and he answered…..don’t worry…..let’s just go and score again.
@Beet: You have note included the Paarl Roos 14, he was dynamite!
@BuffelsCM: That is for sure – once again, it looks as if WP will have a dominating pack come CW
@ Beet: I tell you what, the Wynberg 8 is a massive boy, huge in fact.
Has a low work rate, if he can shed a bit of weight maybe or increase his fitness, he has the ability to be right up there
@RBugger: There are quite a few quality WP no8’s around yes……….a few flanks as well !
The competition for provincial colours will be fierce
@Speartackle: I was told that the Glenwood no.8 who impressed you is Marco Palvie, an u17 player who missed KERF through injury
@Grasshopper: Sorry to disappoint you but the Wynberg no 8 is still under 18
@Speartackle: I was told that the Glenwood no.8 who impressed you was Marco Palvie, an u17 player who missed KERF through injury
@Beet: Agreed with Luus, fantastic player, very busy and hard – WP have a lot of no 8’s this year.
@Grasshopper: Jaco is great but he is always injured. I made the remark last year, he was always coming off and he seems to be in the same trend. You can’t help getting concussed, but some players are just injury prone and he seems one of them
@Grasshopper:Save your winks for someone else
. I also like to think that Jaco is the best in SA this year but won’t stop me from handing out praise where I feel it’s due.
Even if still u18, I don’t think Wynberg players are eligible for WP Craven Week selection
@Speartackle: Maybe if he got stuck into the loose scrums EG wouldn’t have scored those 3 tries in the last 5 minutes
Grey PE hooker impressive cause he’s hanging in the backline all the time?
@beet: I watched the Wynberg No 8, also very good, but could be Under19…not sure….
For me Jaco Coetzee when fully fit and in form cannot be touched by any other No8, sorry just to quick and skillful……but that is my Glenwood bias of course…..just like yours for Schramm last year..
I’m still playing catch up via PVR as a result of other commitments yesterday but I did manage to watch Gim vs Affies which would have been a huge game last year.
I must say that I was very impressed by HJ Luus the Gim no.8.
Up until now the WP no.8 names the crop up are Meyer (PRG), du Toit (HJS) and Abrahams (Bishops) but if Luus produces more performances of that standard, then he surely has to become the leading contender for the WP no.8 jersey???