Grey College and Maritzburg College have restored annual interschools ties after five seasons of inactivity. Their match will be broadcast on DSTV Supersport at 14h00 on Saturday, 16 August 2014.
Prior to 1997, the two schools met a handful of times over the years with the first meeting taking place way back in 1940. Then from 1997 for 12 consecutive seasons Grey against Maritzburg College was an annual fixture. It was a special fixture between two schools with rich rugby histories. During most years the game was billed as the best rugby school in the Free State versus the best rugby school in KwaZulu-Natal. Up until 2005, the 1st XV’s had met 16 times with a fairly close average school in of 20-13 in favour of Grey.
However in 2006, the year that coincided with loyal long-serving College staff member Ron Jury taking charge as headmaster at the Pietermaritzburg school, the wheels seemingly fell off College rugby and it showed up most in the results against Grey who themselves had shifted up a gear and were producing stunning rugby teams filled with future Springbok players. College was subjected to three hiding in three years with an average score of 69-4 in favour of Grey. It’s little wonder that the annual fixture was aborted after 2008. It was torture for College and too easy for Grey.
Now in 2014, with both schools under the leadership of relatively new headmasters in Chris Luman (College) and Deon Scheepers (Grey), the annual fixture has been reinstated, with the first game in Bloemfontein.
Grey College is the place where legends are made. Overall Grey is still regarded as the leading rugby school in South Africa but in the last few years things are not as clear cut as they use to be with a number of top rugby schools eyeing “their” crown annually and succeeding in dethroning Grey as SA’s number 1 ranked 1st XV over the past few seasons. This year Grey with yet another character driven talented team has made a successful return to the top but with only a few weeks left in the season they have not managed to shake off the title challenges of of nearest ranked rivals Paul Roos and Garsfontein.
For College, there is uncertainty about where they fit into the big picture. The once mighty leading rugby school from Natal nowadays forms part of a KZN chasing pack at 1st XV level. This while their main local rivals Kearsney, Michaelhouse, Glenwood and Westville have all either tasted the success of being crowned the best in the province or been a very close second in recent seasons.
Nevertheless the respect for College as a rugby school nationwide remains high. This is probably best depicted by the privilege bestowed on them in the form of the annual invitation to attend the Wildeklawer Superskole tournament along with other top rugby schools in South Africa.
Although the name Maritzburg College is synonymous with the term “rugby” for most folks over the age of 35, the truth is that up until now rugby has never been allowed to dominate the school’s personality or bring its ethics into serious question. The high number of teams they are able to field on any given Saturday coupled the spirit in which they play the beautiful game and the fact that they play rugby during the third term, when all but one other KZN school has called it quits to play soccer exclusively instead, all serves as testimony to the good health of rugby at Maritzburg College.
This Saturday will pose a daunting task for College. Grey College’s home ground is virtually an impenetrable fortress. Only Affies has managed to come away from Bloemfontein with a victory in recent seasons. This is a strong College team though and they are expected to put up a strong resistance. From Grey’s team expect the usual: their usual attractive yet intense brand of rugby that attempts to unstructure the opposition’s defence before hitting them with precise execution at amazing high speeds.
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD (from info provided by Tony Wiblin):
| Year | Grey | Maritzburg | Winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 6 | 0 | Grey |
| 1947 | 7 | 0 | Grey |
| 1985 | 4 | 10 | Maritzburg College |
| 1986 | 24 | 20 | Grey |
| 1987 | 13 | 12 | Grey |
| 1992 | 20 | 15 | Grey |
| 1993 | 31 | 14 | Grey |
| 1997 | 28 | 16 | Grey |
| 1998 | 28 | 23 | Grey |
| 1999 | 22 | 17 | Grey |
| 2000 | 22 | 11 | Grey |
| 2001 | 17 | 14 | Grey |
| 2002 | 32 | 17 | Grey |
| 2003 | 25 | 10 | Grey |
| 2004 | 32 | 10 | Grey |
| 2005 | 13 | 15 | Maritzburg College |
| P:16,GCB 14-2 MC | 324 | 204 | AVG: 20 – 13 to Grey |
| 2006 | 50 | 3 | Grey |
| 2007 | 86 | 3 | Grey |
| 2008 | 72 | 7 | Grey |
| P:3,GCB 3-0 MC | 208 | 13 | AVG: 69 – 4 to Grey |
| OVERALL | |||
| P:19,GCB 17-2 MC | 532 | 217 | AVG: 28 – 11 to Grey |
@Pinotage: Thanks for our very brief chat next to the field on Saturday – sorry it couldn’t have been longer but I had to get my game underway. I looked for you afterwards and later heard from GT that you had to rush off somewhere. Until next time then……..
@Gungets Tuft: do they also have a pylon next to the field? ;-)
@Pinotage: 9:10 GCB B. My home society kit is rather visible.
@GreenBlooded: How late and in which game will you be taking charge?
Standing next to the main ground at GCB, I know why the rivalry between the Colleges needs to be permanent.
@GreenBlooded: Do the frosties taste the same as in Hillcrest? The water and a coke tastes differently. Enjoy the “Waterfront”. The name just doesn’t make sense to me
6.5 hrs relaxed driving from Hillcrest. Road works on the N5 – much ado about nothing. Nice easy trip. First frosty about to hit the lips – excuse me…….
@GreenBlooded: look at the 1stXV from late 30’s I think, there’s a van der Riet there, that’s my wife’s grandfather. Grey has all her support
@kosie: My lighty pulled out injured on Tuesday but we are going up nevertheless. Boy is gutted – but such is life.
@GreenBlooded: I know I am carrying on a bit but to see your son score a try on the hallowed ground is priceless! Enjoy Grey and good luck with the game!
@kosie: Well I hope the good folks at Grey will be equally accommodating this time around. The 1st XV change-room with the plaque in each cubicle bearing the names of Springboks in that position is top of my list – hope we will be allowed in to take some photos and take in the history. But thanks for this wish-list, will try and see all of it…….
@GreenBlooded: I spent 5 days at the Grey Primary rugby festival in the past. We were fortunate to befriend a teacher old boy who showed us the campus. The following were my list of must sees: the museum, school hall, memorial wall, head masters office, coffee shop, boarding facilities, class rooms, first team change room, the passage from the school hall to the first floor. And so I could carry on. Great school with great traditions and facilities.
Great atmosphere on game days.
@kosie: Very helpful – thanks!
@BOG: Lot’s of stuff I want to see there – I will be treating it as more of a history / tourist destination than a Rugby tour. Looking forward to it and thanks for all the advice.
@GreenBlooded: Why would you want to go further than the deck?
No, Kosie probably has the right idea, but when you get there, ask at the Tuck shop for more info, if required- even the office. I have not been there for quite a while.and even I would get lost. But the route from almost every classroom to the principals office, has remained in my mind for “some strange reason”
@GreenBlooded: The best I could find is at http://www.gc.co.za/Contact.aspx scroll down and enlarge. All the main buildings are marked.
Hope this helps
@BOG: Any idea where I can get a map of the Grey College campus? Google is not helpful and I can’t find on on the Grey website?
@BOG: Buy a donkey ou Bog, we will certainly enjoy the legendary hospitality of Bloem. Last time I was there was visiting Unitas with my old man when there was a medical oke that was the only eye surgeon in SA doing laser work – miracle worker, my old man started blind ended up with near perfect vision.
You okes are making our boys play hockey on Friday evening so I will be at the Grey Astro till 9:30 (when the 3rds finish, then off to Shimla Park for a skop.
@umbiloburger: Not sure the Mystic Boer is on this time – got the supporters shisa nyama at Shimla Park till late. Mebbe a swing by there if the other okes feel up to it. Not sure how well a R-B-W MCOBA blazer will go down daarso – mystically or otherwise …
Eeisch, I feel a little headache coming on …
@Gungets Tuft: A trip to the Mystic Boer is a must! An experience that will blow you away
Those Maritzburg boys have some of the best schoolboy manners, of the field off course…
Live on SS10 at 14:00 with Selborne vs Grey PE on the same channel at 12:00.
Enjoy guys…..
@Gungets Tuft: Coming from the desolate and barren flats of KZN, Im sure that you will all enjoy the lush green valleys of the States. So, a slow drive should not be that painful. Jukskei is now seen as a somewhat violent activity- tossing potentially dangerous missiles around. But keep your team in tact- converting to croquet should not be too much of a problem. If you decide on the Sani option, at least you can/will/ want to get stuck in the highest pub in Africa. And if you make it to Bloem, allow enough time to explore the school properly. Travel safely all. When two great institutions like MC and GCB compete, the results almost become irrelevant, well almost.
@Gungets Tuft: I’ve been there a good couple of times through the years and “Die Dek” is a great place to watch the rugby from. Slightly at an angle from the corner but still a nice view. The true bloods sits on the stands while the more “knowledgeable” crowd is on the decks!…a must is the sosaties they braai next to the dekke on the Friday evening and Saturday…very lekke at the dekke!….One thing I have noticed through the years is that the Dekke becomes wobbly after 12:00pm on a Friday night…Don’t know why…
You bar-stewards have been promising so many funs in Bloem, last minute decision to drive up. Leave at sparrows tomorrow – look forward to a good visit – never been there, so looking forward to this.
I did the trip from Bloem back to maritzburgh and it really aint all that bad unless you are in a hurry – in that case – PMB-KING SHAKA-BRAM FISCHER.
Between Harrismith and Kestell is rubbish – especially if caught behind some few trucks – then you might as well switch the car off – gooi neutral and push with your foot out the door,
I like Mr Pinotage’s route – after Harrismith – left on to Puthaditjaba and then right to Kestell. But really after this its all good except for the stop/go near Winburg. There are 3 but here are some ideas:
Stop 1 – Beverage break
stop 2 – Comfort break
Stop 3 – type the aunties address or guest house address into the GPS
After this its almost auto pilot on the freeway!!
Hope all the travellers enjoy I will not be making the trip but good luck to all
@Pinotage: Thanks!
Travel safely all of the College family. We are up against the best in the country as far as rugby is concerned, so the challenge is fantastic. What a great way to end off a season. As they say in Bloem, ‘Now we will barbecue’ with a Pimms in one hand. Really is going to be great for the two schools to meet up again.
@Pinotage: Thank you for your first-hand advice Good Sir. I look forward to a tremendous weekend at your fine school – a place I’ve wanted to visit for many years. To get the opportunity to referee a match on those hallowed fields is an added bonus. I look forward to it – and perhaps even making your aquaintance…….
@beet: Just in case I was taken seriously, I was joking. Id hate to see a MC supporter arrive there with a bag of oranges.@Pinotage: Thanks, I dont think Rob Burns could have done it better
Old School and KCOB are past masters at smuggling alcohol into places where drinking is prohited. Even if their school was playing in Saudi Arabia, these two would find a way to enjoy their favourite beverages in full view of all while watching from the side of the field.
@Thumper: I do indeed travell from Bethlehem to Bloem, Bethlehem to Harrrismith and Bethlehem to Ficksburg just about on a daily basis to earn a living.
My advice would be the following:
From Harrismith to Bethlehem you have two options. 1) Pass Harrismith and proceed straight to Kestell and from there to Bethlehem. There are roadworks but not that bad.2) A few km’s outside Harrismith turn left and proceed to Phutaditjaba where you turn right to Kestell/Reitz /Bethlehem. At Kestell turn left to Bethlehem. This way to Bethlehem is 20 km’s further. I normally take the first option.
From Bethlehem turn left at the second robot and enjoy the drive through the nicest town in the FS. Proceed straight and you will pass Paul Roux. When you get to Senekal, stop at the KFC on your left and have some coffee.From there to Winburg, turn left onto the N1 to Bloem. In the event of you reaching Colesburg, turn around and phone me.
To go via Ficksburg is not an option.
Most important: drive safely and enjoy!
Ps. I will be watching from 08h00
@BOG: No problem for me – blowing a dawn patrol match so will need every bit of sense I can muster because I sure as hell won’t be deriving any from the paper-thin oxygen up there in Bloem. Actually – I might just ask that it get considered for my annual fitness test. I have a feeling it might resemble the shuttle run we call the ‘bleep test’ – but over 50m, not 20. And with a 90s pause in between if you catch my drift…….
@GreenBlooded: Only non-alcoholic beverages permitted- so take a bag of injected oranges for the deck. Very few OGs drink
@Gungets Tuft: @Grasshopper: @Dixon’s: Thanks for the heads-up. Will stick to the N5 then.
@Dixon’s: Would love to see that change-room. Will be great to blow a game up there too – I think it’s organised. They have organised an opskop for all the supporters on the Friday night so it’s shaping up to be a great visit.
@GreenBlooded: There are, drove it 3 weeks ago…..annoying but only a small section…
@BOG: Boggie, Boggie, Boggie, Whats wrong with the Sani option
Update I just got – do NOT go via Clarens and Ficksburg, the road she is stukkend.
There are no problems between Harrismith and Kestel, but some disturbance between Senekal and Winburg but thats only 70km out of the 650. So advice is stay on the main route, chill and take in the vlaktes as you go.
Iv done the drive from Durban to Bloem for one reason or another almost every year for the last 6 0r 7 years (usually a “meeting” on a Friday afternoon when Glenwood are playing GC on Saturday)… the stop go things are not too bad. gives you an opportunity to stretch your legs for a few minutes. i reckon last year it added 1 hour to our travelling time!
It truly is a spectacular campus… and the people from Bloem are very friendly! check out the hall with all the Springbok jerseys at the back. The museum is well worth a visit. The memorial wall behind the pool with a plaque for Hansie Cronje is also a must see. but if you can wangle your way into the Grey change room under the main pavilion… forget everything else and go there! i asked nicely and went in for a few minutes and took loads of photos. each boy has a seat with a board behind him with the names of Old boys who have become springboks in their respective positions! Any school rugby fan simply has to go there and spend the day just walking around.
Safe travels to all boys and supporters going to Bloem! enjoy it!
@Bog: At last some real rugby again!
Ask Beet to wake-up Pinotage by e-mail so that he can give everyone an up-to-date road report. He is from Bethlehem. And of course our citing official, Speartackle, who hails from the City of Vrede. If you are lucky, he may even entertain you and take you on a guided tour of the place
@GreenBlooded: Fly, and I have not been on that road for 30 yrs. Just dont take Gungets advice too seriously, especially Sani Pass. Where is Pinotage? He is from the E-FS with a son at GCB and obviously travels that road regularly. Wait for his input, if you can
TJO! Seems like the only easy way is a drive to King Shaka International, then ibhanoyi to Bram Fischer International
@Gungets Tuft: I’m also considering the Clarens – Ficksburg option. Any Vrystaaters got any advice?
@Thumper: Eeisch. Dunno. Its all a dogs breakfast. Take a chance and go via Clarens, Ficksberg, Ladybrand, but they are back roads and could be a worse option. Thats 670km vs the 640km on the N3, N5, N1.
Or you could always go big via Matatiele and Dewetsdorp but thats 850
Clarens and Ficksburg might be an option – but ask ou Bog – he might know people who know people and give an idea of the state of the road.
Or up Sani Pass, Maseru, Botshabelo ..
@Thumper: With what I’ve heard and ou @Gungets Tuft: road report – I’m thinking of going to Cape Town via the Transkei and then up the N1. Eeeschhh.
@Gungets Tuft: What is the best way from Durban to Bloem?
@BOG: We have put together a Jukskei team. Don’t tell me they won’t have opposition now …
Road Conditions
Roadworks with stop/go controls are in operation between Harrismith and Kestel. Expected date of completion is April 2015.Beware of pedestrians in the Paul Roux area. Rehabilitation between Senekal and Vaalpenspruit (halfway towards Winburg) is in progress.
Two-way traffic without any overtaking opportunity, together with speed restrictions, will be in place. Stop/go controls will be in operation for tarmac patching work. Further roadworks with reduced speed limits are in progress between Vaalpensspruit and Winburg. Expected date of completion is January 2015 (my edit – or January 2025..)
Hopefully, the visitors will have the opportunity to take in some of the cultural activities on offer. I know that there are some rough okes from Maritsburgh and some exposure to the finer things in life, like chess and debating, may just contribute to their development.So, relax. After all, rugby is merely a secondary past time at GCB.@beet: Maybe, they played MC in 1940 in PMB and on their way back to Bloem, stopped in Vrede in 1948 to compete and loose the “Fighardt Shield”
@GreenBlooded: Heard about that. Could be a long trip. Especially at night.
@All Black: I hear there are stop/go controls all the way from Harrismith to the N1. Can’t say I’m looking forward to that.
@beet: Close scores all along, except for those three years. This would be a good contest between two good rivals. Looking forward.
@rugbyfan: Thanks. I have:
MC Opp
1972 Krugersdorp 48 3
1972 Linpark 55 6
1972 Northwood 28 9
1972 Estcourt 12 3
1972 Voortrekker 15 0
1972 Glenwood 37 3
1972 Alexandra 42 3
1972 Michaelhouse 50 9
1972 Kearsney 23 3
1972 DHS 7 9
1972 Graeme 6 6
1972 Plumtree 37 0
1972 Milton 46 3
1972 Guinea Fowl 36 3
1972 St Georges 24 0
1972 St Charles 30 3
1972 Hilton 24 15
1972 DHS 18 6
1972 Glenwood 9 9
Agg Pts 547 93
@RBugger: Agreed.
About times this was put back on the fixture list good derby this for Grey.
@beet: I think you missed one game 1972 which Grey won 29-3. Will try and get confirmantion on this.
@GreenBlooded: You will love it, there is something very special about Grey Bloem.
They were always the bench mark, might sound cheesy, but you could just feel the Grey strength as you entered the grounds – you knew you were facing the best, like playing at their fortress.
Having played them all, Paarl Gim, Affies, Monnas, M College(in those days) no one ever compared to Bloem – hard as nails with gifted runners and ball players to boot. What a great privilage it was to play on their hallowed turf! Enjoy
@beet: Brilliant Beet. Some serious history here. And Bog, it still takes a week to get to Bloem.
See you all there!! Looking forward to my first visit to the great school.
@BOG: You know who is bound to tell us all about what happened to Grey in 1948. Even between golf, his coffee shop and his speed dating hobby, he find the time to comment
@All Black: I got the record off Tony Wiblin’s records.
@All Black: And Im sure that was on a “tour”- during school holidays. It must have taken them a week to travel there.
1940? Didn’t realise this went back so far.