The final trials schedule is pretty much the same as every year. The only difference being that the actual trial teams have not been selected yet. A group of 113 players have been invited and will make up the 6 trials team on the day. From this group the selectors will choice a Craven Week, an Academy Week and a Country Districts team (for Academy Week).
SCHEDULE AT WOODBURN ON 27 MAY 2014
11 : 00 – REGISTRATION
11 : 10 – SHARKS ACADEMY TALK BY DIRECTOR ETIENNE FYNN
11 : 20 – SKILLS ASSESSMENTS
13 : 00 – PIEK XV vs YOUNIE XV
14 : 00 – BOTHA XV vs VAN RENSBURG XV
15 : 00 – BLOEM XV vs VOWELS XV
16 : 30 – POSSIBLES VS PROBABLES
Listed below are the 113 final trialists and below that the 51 players who were at main trials but did not make the cut.
| # | Pos | East | School | # | Pos | East | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | M. Du Plessis | Ashton College | 59 | 1 | G. Jackson | Michaelhouse |
| 2 | 7 | K. Nxumalo | Clifton | 60 | 2 | B. Roberts | Michaelhouse |
| 3 | 13 | S. Mabuza | Development | 61 | 4 | G. Porter | Michaelhouse |
| 4 | 8 | M. Ntuli | DHS | 62 | 5 | A. Vogel | Michaelhouse |
| 5 | 15 | M. Peter | DHS | 63 | 6 | Z. Prinsloo | Michaelhouse |
| 6 | 13 | S. Mpontshane | Dundee | 64 | 7 | M. Sadiki | Michaelhouse |
| 7 | 1 | F. Hendricks | Ferrum | 65 | 8 | M. Potgieter | Michaelhouse |
| 8 | 1 | D. Brits | Gelofte | 57 | 9 | T. Walker | Michaelhouse |
| 9 | 2 | T. Dunnett | George Campbell | 66 | 10 | B. Pretorius | Michaelhouse |
| 10 | 10 | A. Alasouskis | George Campbell | 67 | 11 | J. Schwegmann | Michaelhouse |
| 11 | 14 | T. Mamba | George Campbell | 58 | 12 | B. Tattam | Michaelhouse |
| 12 | 1 | K. Van Niekerk | Glenwood | 68 | 14 | L. Furniss | Michaelhouse |
| 13 | 2 | P. Mngadi | Glenwood | 69 | 7 | K. Ngwenya | Newcastle |
| 14 | 3 | K. Tredoux | Glenwood | 70 | 14 | S. Madi | Newcastle |
| 15 | 4 | R. Desmone | Glenwood | 73 | 1 | N. Chidoma | Northwood |
| 16 | 5 | K. Du Randt | Glenwood | 71 | 2 | N. Mthembu | Northwood |
| 17 | 6 | J. Venter | Glenwood | 74 | 3 | K. Motloung | Northwood |
| 18 | 7 | M. Muller | Glenwood | 72 | 9 | K. Kazemba | Northwood |
| 19 | 7 | N. Xaba | Glenwood | 75 | 10 | D. Weersma | Northwood |
| 20 | 8 | J. Coetzee | Glenwood | 77 | 1 | W. Vorster | Pionier |
| 21 | 8 | M. Palvie | Glenwood | 78 | 3 | J. Vorster | Pionier |
| 22 | 9 | K. Khanyile | Glenwood | 79 | 5 | C. Jacobs | Pionier |
| 23 | 10 | C. Jonas | Glenwood | 76 | 8 | C. Swanepoel | Pionier |
| 24 | 11 | S. Matiwane | Glenwood | 80 | 8 | S. Faedda | Pionier |
| 25 | 11 | I Mukendi | Glenwood | 81 | 9 | R. vd Westhuizen | Pionier |
| 26 | 11 | P. Ngcobo | Glenwood | 82 | 15 | T. Van Staden | Pionier |
| 27 | 13 | D. Du Randt | Glenwood | 83 | 14 | K. Terblanche | Port Natal |
| 28 | 15 | M. Joubert | Glenwood | 84 | 3 | A. Pretorius | Port Shepstone |
| 29 | 15 | J. Morgan | Glenwood | 85 | 9 | A. Du Toit | Port Shepstone |
| 30 | 6 | A. Khatywa | Grace College | 87 | 10 | R. Elliott | Port Shepstone |
| 31 | 10 | S Mthembu | Grantleigh | 86 | 12 | S. Mbangiswana | Port Shepstone |
| 32 | 3 | K. Mchunu | Greytown | 88 | 2 | L. Moloi | Sarel Cilliers |
| 33 | 7 | Dlamini | Greytown | 89 | 12 | X. Kriel | Sarel Cilliers |
| 34 | 12 | K. Ngema | Greytown | 90 | 12 | S. Sibisi | St Charles |
| 35 | 15 | P. Zondi | Greytown | 93 | 1 | Pickering | Treverton |
| 36 | 5 | J. Gouws | Hilton | 91 | 2 | S. Cowie | Treverton |
| 37 | 8 | D. De Merigny | Hilton | 92 | 5 | Gumede | Treverton |
| 38 | 9 | M. Dahl | Hilton | 94 | 4 | B. Ndlovu | Voortrekker |
| 39 | 12 | T. Blewett | Hilton | 95 | 15 | J. Luyke | Voortrekker |
| 40 | 1 | T. Visser | Kearsney | 96 | 2 | P. Keeve | Vryheid |
| 41 | 4 | T. Dixon | Kearsney | 97 | 10 | D, Aspden | Vryheid |
| 42 | 9 | J. Hall | Kearsney | 98 | 5 | M. Malimela | Wartburg |
| 43 | 10 | T. Tedder | Kearsney | 99 | 4 | K. Mustard | Weston |
| 44 | 13 | J. Tedder | Kearsney | 100 | 10 | M. Bower | Weston |
| 45 | 7 | E. Sibisi | Kloof | 101 | 14 | K. Malanda | Weston |
| 46 | 11 | K. Rhode | Ladysmith | 102 | 2 | R. Pieterse | Westville |
| 47 | 2 | M. Mazwi | Maritzburg College | 103 | 3 | C. Thomas | Westville |
| 48 | 3 | D. Dlamini | Maritzburg College | 109 | 3 | J. Els | Westville |
| 49 | 4 | J. Gold | Maritzburg College | 107 | 4 | Y. Thambiran | Westville |
| 50 | 5 | W. Jacobs | Maritzburg College | 110 | 4 | S. Qoma | Westville |
| 51 | 6 | S. Stuart | Maritzburg College | 104 | 5 | D. Muller | Westville |
| 52 | 7 | H. Tharratt | Maritzburg College | 111 | 6 | K. Smit | Westville |
| 53 | 8 | D. Goodson | Maritzburg College | 113 | 6 | A. Heystek | Westville |
| 54 | 13 | K. Munangi | Maritzburg College | 112 | 8 | T. Erasmus | Westville |
| 55 | 14 | X. Guma | Maritzburg College | 105 | 12 | W. Smith | Westville |
| 56 | * | M. Kriel | Maritzburg College | 108 | 13 | J. Anderson | Westville |
| 106 | 15 | L. Buthelezi | Westville | ||||
| NOT SELECTED | |||||||
| # | Pos | East | School | # | Pos | East | School |
| 1 | 4 | A. Evans | Clifton | 26 | 1 | T. Steyn | Maritzburg College |
| 2 | 9 | K. Goedeke | Clifton | 27 | 9 | M. Seba | Maritzburg College |
| 3 | 12 | G. May | Clifton | 28 | 10 | M. Van Der Linde | Maritzburg College |
| 4 | 13 | L. Shozi | Comtech | 29 | 11 | G. Thamahane | Maritzburg College |
| 5 | 14 | T. Kock | Crawford La Lucia | 30 | 14 | S. Lithgow | Maritzburg College |
| 6 | 6 | D. Roberts | DHS | 31 | 3 | T. Chicwezvero | Maritzburg College |
| 7 | 6 | A. Tshutsha | DHS | 32 | 14 | B. Watson | Maritzburg College |
| 8 | 5 | L. Whitfield | DHS | 33 | 15 | B. Holder | Maritzburg College |
| 9 | 7 | R. Muil | Northwood | 34 | 3 | L. Mazibuko | Michaelhouse |
| 10 | 11 | S. Biyela | DHS | 35 | 5 | J. Sesink-Clee | Michaelhouse |
| 11 | 2 | A. Febana | DHS | 36 | 7 | J. Walters | Michaelhouse |
| 12 | 10 | A. Bothma | Durban North Coll. | 37 | 13 | D. Broadley | Michaelhouse |
| 13 | 4 | F. Van Greunen | Empangeni | 38 | 13 | T. Faber | Michaelhouse |
| 14 | 11 | S. Kunene | Eshowe | 39 | 2 | W. Wessen | Port Natal |
| 15 | 5 | A. Grobelaar | Gelofte | 40 | 3 | A. Jv Rensburg | Port Natal |
| 16 | 11 | I. Nkomo | George Campbell | 41 | 6 | J.P. Roets | Sarel Cilliers |
| 17 | 12 | C. Bredell | Glenwood | 42 | 1 | C. Caruth | St Charles |
| 18 | 2 | PJ Kobbie | Glenwood | 43 | 2 | B. Greeves | St Charles |
| 19 | 12 | G. Ekron | Glenwood | 44 | 13 | Ngwenya | Treverton |
| 20 | 13 | R. Van Rensburg | Glenwood | 45 | 12 | F. Glasgow | Voortrekker |
| 21 | 1 | A. Peverelle | Hilton | 46 | 8 | J. Murphy | Westville |
| 22 | 6 | E. Marx | Hilton | 47 | 11 | S. Ball | Westville |
| 23 | 15 | T. Webber | Hilton | 48 | 14 | S. Mhlamvu | Westville |
| 24 | 10 | M. Nesbit | Kearsney | 49 | 4 | J. Warner | Westville |
| 25 | 12 | S. Pau | Kearsney | 50 | 9 | K. Braithwaite | Westville |
| 51 | 15 | B. Smith | Westville |
PLAYERS ADVANCING FROM MAIN TRIALS TO FINALS: SELECTION % BY SCHOOL
| # | School | No. of players | Not Selected | Selected | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwood | 6 | 1 | 18% | 5 | 83% |
| 2 | Glenwood | 22 | 4 | 18% | 18 | 82% |
| 3 | George Campbell | 4 | 1 | 25% | 3 | 75% |
| 4 | Kearsney | 7 | 2 | 29% | 5 | 71% |
| 5 | Michaelhouse | 17 | 5 | 29% | 12 | 71% |
| 6 | Westville | 18 | 6 | 33% | 12 | 67% |
| 7 | Voortrekker | 3 | 1 | 33% | 2 | 67% |
| 8 | Hilton | 7 | 3 | 43% | 4 | 57% |
| 9 | Maritzburg College | 18 | 8 | 44% | 10 | 56% |
| 10 | Port Natal | 3 | 2 | 67% | 1 | 33% |
| 11 | St Charles | 3 | 2 | 67% | 1 | 33% |
| 12 | DHS | 8 | 6 | 75% | 2 | 25% |
| 13 | Clifton | 4 | 3 | 75% | 1 | 25% |
| TOTAL | 120 | 44 | 76 |
It was strange but he didn’t feature at the Highway Trials for some reason or other just proving that you need to perform on the stage or you might lose out.
The squad of boys was very large and they spelt out to them what was required for each specific position and testing was done on a number of occassions. It was up to the individuals to work hard and perform.
@Grasshopper: Meilhon is a well known player in KZN. Went to u13 Craven Week with KZN. I doubt they would have missed him.
@Grasshopper: Meilhon went missing very early during the zonal trials.
@Buffel: so the trials are only really about making sure they have not missed anyone? The Westville guys are talking up Meilhon so hopefully they have not missed him…
@Grasshopper: Kzn have been getting together as a group from as early as last November and I think will be ready for Craven Week this year round. It is the first time that this has been conducted and I am sure it will prove fruitfull.
I see the Lions and Bulls played each other tonight, KZN already behind in prep!
what were the final Possibles vs Probables team?
how did the Hilton boys fair?
@Grasshopper: Tomorrow
@Westers: Teigan had a great trial today and has a very good chance of going to Academy Week.
Possibly the hugest surprise was Heystek who was 1st of all made to play half a match in the 2nd game of day (generally for outside chance players) and then not asked to play again in the probables vs possibles. Best tail lineout option in KZN, enjoying a good season which included a strong performance against KES and winner of a KERF award – not wanted by the selectors. He needed to lift his spirits and give it everything he had in the 25min chance he got but just couldn’t find the top form today. It doesn’t look like selectors are placing too much emphasis on having lineout options this year.
When are the teams announced?
@beet: fair enough. I remember hating trials! Nothing changed since 1991/1992. Tough things these trials. Heard Jaco hurt his head. Hope not serious. Great kid.
@meadows: Ja Bader Pretorius was my player of the trials today. He made one or two errors but did so much positive stuff. I think he was a definite Academy Week player before today but gave the selectors much to think about promoting him to Craven Week back up to Tedder.
@kcob: No some players have to go all out at trials to impress.
In the cases of Jaco Coetzee, Tristan Tedder and Morne Joubert, their names are already penned in, I think they just had to show face and do the basics. None of them stood out and had limited time on the park, which was good because it provided the boys who are really at trials playing for a place more time to prove themselves.
Coetzee – cut on head and Tedder – shoulder were out of the final game but with Joubert also missing it seemed like there was no intention to start these guys anyway
@McCulleys Workshop: Pat’s development in his grade 11 year was extraordinary. By his own admission he was chuffed just to make the 1st XV at the start of the year having missed a lot of 2006 through injury. From there he played himself into the CW side and was chosen for SA Schools.
@beet: Erasmus is a bit of a dark horse, but after a year off due to injury he is getting better and better each week. He has had two really good games against Pretoria BHS and KES in the last few weeks and if he carries this form through to trials it wouldn’t be a total surprise to me if he were included in the squad for CW.
@Westers: I agree, watched him at KERF and in particular against GC. He was sublime, mercurial. To me this is an oversight, but as I’ve said before, what are the selectors looking for, pass, box kick, PDI or an element of magic. His try against GC was sublime.
@Grasshopper: Which other half back pairings have you seen this year???
@meadows: Meadows, very similar build and physique to Pat. Tactical kicking not quite as good but a really good eye for the gap and physically strong. CW starting flyhalf next year would be my guess. But behind a different pack with a scrum half who provides him with more space, who knows. Was leading point scorer at GK last year.
@RBugger: Where have you been for two years?
@beet: Interesting comment on Bader. I haven’t seen him play but I have heard a few comparisons made to Pat Lambie recently. I understand that he is still in grade 11.
…and there I was just thinking the guys just need to do the basics at trials. Often guys over engineer trials especially back line players, and often I have always hinted at doing the basics correctly. Trials are not typical match scenarios.
@Beet: Interesting, thanks Beet. Where is Bader from, what school?
I think that no matter how Tedder plays today, he will be the starting 10 at CW, he has proved himself time and again – perhaps this Bader chap will play himself into the squad.
No x-factor from Tedder today and he got pulled off at halftime. Jonas played to his usual standard but for me Bader Pretorius who came on in the second has just about been my fav player to watch along with Wayne Smith.
@Beet: Thanks for the update Beet. Any oponions on the flyhalves – Tedder and Jonas?
At half time between the A-teams its very even. James Hall’s urgency and distribution had a big effect early on. Wayne Smith has shone. Dixon and his lock partner Vogel started brightly. Bradley Roberts also looked the more determined of the hookers.
Amongst the surprises in the trial are Mchunu a big tighthead fromGreytown, Xaba a Glenwood 2nd team player, Teigan Erasmus in ahead of Goodson,,
Jordan Els sharing time with Kenny v Niekerk, Matthew Potgieter at no. 8 sharing time with Jaco Coetzee and also ahead of Goodson. Matt Kriel at fullaback sharing with Morne Joubert, Karel Terblanche on the wing
The first trial was for the KZN CD.
The second trial has just ended. Great trial for Bader Pretorius.
Others impressing were Luyke, qoma, Dahl, Morgan, Kriel of Sarel C, Tatham, Palvie and a few others.
The real surprise was seeing Heystek in this match and he did not stand out
@Barries: That is a good way of looking at it, spreading the talent far and wide instead of having it get lost in the system. My only comment would be to ensure all movements are agreed in advance between schools and that it’s open and transparent…
@beet: are you going to give us highlights / updates from the trials? Believe there are currently no referees in sight…
I would like compliment the guys up in KZN escpecially with regards to your developement of players. Curtis and Mac was previously at Swellendam High and its almost guaranteed that they will never have made it in any Boland side , purely on the basis of the politics. To many players are being overlooked. I’ve read a few articles about schools poaching players from this regions….truth be told , most WP schools make use of players coming from the Boland and SWD. That being said guys like Curtis and Mac’s parents made the best choice to further their careers because imo if they stayed in Swellendam , 99% of the guys on this blog would never have heard about these two….. So keep up the good work , I do hope Boland, SWD and WP start to wake up and stop moaning and develope the talent we do have…..
@Gungets Tuft: Sure thing – not writing them off – Just saying that even 2 weeks ago when they (KC) were under the cosh from a dominant College display amongst the forwards, these 2 okes still produced that special something – just seem to have that something about them…….
I think Jonas and Khanyile will go to CW as back ups to Tedder and Hall, great pairs to have for the two big games…
@Redblack White: Not disputing the credentials of Hall/Tedder, but anyone writing off the Glenwood pair wasn’t at the match on Saturday.
@Redblack White: Agreed, exactly why I wonder about the scrummie possibility – as backup 9 and 10 he would have a shot.
@Barries: @Pedantic: Sure thing that he is highly rated and seriously talented.
I just think that as a combination, and as unfair as it might seems to others, Hall & Tedder are just that X-factor ahead of other individuals.
@Barries: I actually think Jonas is a very highly rated player, will definitely be in with a shout. One wonders if he can backup as a scrummie as that would be a huge bonus.
Really hope Curtis Jonas makes the CW sqaud! very underrated player imo
Agreed some rather glaring omissions but I believe coaches who play players out of position also have a responsibility here . Boys must play where they have the opportunity to impress and not to fit in with some master plan – you need to play a position the whole year so you are comfortable in that position . As far a second team players going through at the expense of their own first team players we need to ask why certain players are “un droppable” and others will play in the 2nd team regardless of how well they perform.
@Gungets Tuft:
The mind boggles!
@Pedantic: I don’t know enough about the individuals to know, but someone mentioned that there might be boys that have been picked for the U16 final round of trials not having even played for their KZN school yet, or perhaps just one game. {shrug}
@Westers: Totally agree that there should be a time period imports should have to wait before being eligible for provincial duty.
@Pedantic: You beat me to it. Muller is another. As you say, being picked ahead of players in the 1st team – in the same position. Absolute madness.
I have gone on enough about imports pushing boys out of 1st teams, but we should never forget that they also push boys from other KZN schools, who have been at the same school since G8, out of the representative teams for CW and AW. Also wrong.
Perhaps there should be a ruling to say that if you were not eligible for KZN GK then you are not eligible for CW. That might stop imports after G9.
@Westers: What I find even more interesting is the number of Westville 2nd team players that have gone through to final trials ahead of their 1st team counterparts – Thambiran and Kevin Smit
@Pedantic: Is at the gym as we speak. Crazy-needs to give the body a chance to come right. We will be at Glenwood – see you there.
@Westers: same as goodson being left out last year-beyond belief
How Braithwaite has been omitted is beyond belief. Beet, are you sure this isn’t a typo.
@meadows: If you look at the number of College players that DNP at the main trials, it’s evident that the clash on Goldstones really took it out of them. This may also explain the low % of College players through to finals.
In contrast, the Westville 1sts had a weekend off, while I guess Glenwood had a softer weekend against Port Natal.
Half term couldn’t have come at a better time – I know we will be nursing some aches and pains at home this weekend
@beet: I have to think that the Glenwood and College boys will still be feeling a bit battered on Tuesday while the privates will have been off for half term. That said I’m sure that the selectors have a pretty good idea of the teams already.
Is it still the practice to only name the final squads after the Puma’s game as they used to do or are the sides now finalised after trials?
@pongola: Correct but it does not seem like those boys are CW contenders.
The Pionier numbers come about as a result of KZN CD trials being part of the process.
IMHO Pionier might only have 2 at most if they were competing for CW only : the lock and no.15 looked decent
pionier also had 100% of their player trough to final trails
@Buffel: Yes if it is Nthokoziswe Hlubi he played in the C team.
@ROOIBUL: is the scrumhalf from Ligbron in any of the sides? Hlubi – Craven Week u13 for KZN in 2009
@beet: Actually, Northwood would be top of the “% selected by school”, as all 5 boys who trialed made it through.
@beet: Pumas A,B,C teams.
Pumas A: Barend Smit (HTS Middelburg); Mfundo Ndlovu (Standerton), Telvin Mhlongo (Middelburg), Cyprian Nkomo (Middelburg), Siyabongo Nkosi (Piet Retief); Muller Joubert (Ligbron), Stephan Enslin (HTS Middelburg); Oscar Schuld (Nelspruit), Derik Willemse (HTS Middelburg), Chrisjan Steynberg (HTS Middelburg), Driaan Bester (HTS Middelburg), Ian Joubert (Standerton), Wiehan Steyn (Nelspruit), Marinus Enslin (Nelspruit), Beki Shongwe (Barberton). Reserwes: Armand Adlem (Genl. Hertzog), Cauwen Mashaba (Genl. Hertzog), Kyle van Aswegen (HTS Middelburg), Riaan le Roux (Nelspruit), Mpumelelo Matias (Middelburg), Siyabonga Masuku (Piet Retief), Siyabonga Khaliswayo (Piet Retief).
Pumas B: Tapiva Mafura (Ermelo); Zwele Silaule (Barberton), Jacques du Toit (HTS Middelburg), Christiaan Wessels (Secunda), Fana Ngwenya (Middelburg); Lohan Bennett (HTS Middelburg), Bongani Pangisa (Hoogenhout); Bernard Kotzenberg (HTS Middelburg), Wynand Visser (Nelspruit), Nicky Manzini (Ligbron), Marko Maree (HTS Middelburg), Lukhaniyso Makaula (Lowveld), Ruan Groenewald (HTS Middelburg), Philani Nkosi (Hoogenhout), Petrus Ramolotsi (Oosterland). Reserwes: Gerik Mynhardt (HTS Middelburg), Lefa Leshaba (Genl. Hertzog), Romeo Mdzukulul (Penryn), Neft du Toit (Middelburg), Brandon Parr-Bailey (HTS Middelburg), Louwrie Gerber (Piet Retief), Enoch Mthimanye (Kriel).
Pumas: Lunga Mahlangu (Middelburg); Thabang Tsholo (Middelburg), Nthokoziswe Hlubi (Ligbron), Chris van der Merwe (Standerton), Bongeka Mhlanga (Secunda); Wessel Muller (Nelspruit), Ideon van der Merwe (Nelspruit); Eric Basson (HTS Middelburg), Tukunda Ushe (Cambridge), Bernardus Haring (Ligbron), Gerdus Taljard (Volksrus), Mthokokozisi Mbethe (Steelcrest), Burger Kriel (Ligbron), Manqoba Mnisi (Barberton). Reserwes: Marnus van der Merwe (Nelspruit), Nkosana Matsabe (Lowveld), Dehan Opperman (HTS Middelburg), Jean Els (Volksrus), Carl Jacobsz (Ligbron), Andile Mbingo (Barberton).
IMHO – Top 4 scrum halves. BRAITHWAITE,KHANYILE,WALKER,HALL. Not in any particular order. Top 4 full backs. HOLDER,JOUBERT,BUTHELEZI,LUYKE.Not in any particular order. B.Smith from Wesville unlucky not to be included.
@Gungets Tuft: Agree, big surprise for me!!
I have added the % selected by school below the player lists.
@Gungets Tuft: Agreed. Holder in such good form. Deserved to advance. I thought Braithwaite would be a genuine CW contender and did not make the final trials.
From a Westville side, First Meihlon now Braithwaite. This is just a case of where the system goes wrong sometimes. Both these players have been in great form so far.
Holder not selected. I am astonished. Same with Braithewaite.