Maritzburg College is set to see the return of Francois Lubbe and Ryan Kyle, two old boys who have made names for themselves as high school rugby coaches at private schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
Francois Lubbe – Kearsney College
After several years of being assistant coach. Lubbe was promoted to 1st XV head coach at Kearsney College for the 2014 season. In so doing he became just the fifth new 1st XV coach in last 40 seasons of Kearsney rugby and their 10th one overall since the private school formally decided to join the ranks of Natal’s tier-1 in 1942. Based on this history, it was no doubt a great honour for Lubbe and considering the high regard in which he Is held by fellow staff members, old boys, parents and players alike, it was conceivable that just like some of his predecessors he would have headed up rugby on Botha’s Hill for the next 10 years if not more.
Initially Kearsney boxed above their weigh during this 2014 season but amongst other things the lack of depth took its toll and the wheels came off at the end. Two heavy defeats in the last two games season ended what was up until then looking like a respectable campaign on a poor note.
Lubbe had also earned promotion on the provisional age group rugby front in recent seasons. In 2013 he helped coach the KZN under-18 Sevens team and this year he became the new head coach of the province’s under-16 Grant Khomo team.
Ryan Kyle – Creston College
As the Head of Sports and 1st XV coach at the small co-ed private school near Port Shepstone, Kyle has done well to make a name for himself in school rugby circles. He’s even risen to the rank of under-18 KZN Country Districts head coach, taking the team to Academy Week this year. Coaching in the big leagues that Maritzburg College play in will be a challenging step up but he certainly has laid the groundwork to do well.
Maritzburg College
Right now its unclear just where the two new coaches will fit into the picture. At present Kevin Smith, another MCOB is the contacted Head Coach. Ryan Strudwick (Wartburg old boy) is the Head of Rugby. Strudwick been in charge of College rugby for three seasons now. It’s been the most stability that College has had for a while at 1st XV level. Prior to his arrival College seemed like they were going through one coach per season on average.
An end of season rugby debriefing is scheduled for Thursday, 11 September 2014 at the school. It’s possible that details of the restructuring will be revealed at this meeting.
Studwick’s record as Head Coach / Head of Rugby at Maritzburg College.
| YEAR | P | W | D | L | Results% | PF | PA | PD | PD/game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 58.30% | 603 | 431 | 172 | 10 |
| 2013 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 44.40% | 434 | 467 | -33 | -2 |
| 2014 | 19 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 73.68% | 561 | 216 | 345 | 18 |
| TOTAL | 55 | 29 | 7 | 19 | 59.09% | 1598 | 1114 | 484 | 9 |
@Buffel: Ryan Strudwick is the current rugby director with Kevin as the 1st team head coach. Can’t see those roles swapping.
I think what is perhaps needed is someone to concentrate on the U14 and U15 age groups as a sort of overall coach – ensuring that College gets back to the perfectly executed basic rugby that they were famous for. This needs to happen from A team to G team in both groups. My overall impressions from what I saw this year was that the basics are not there and College seriously needs to go back to that. Once the group hits U16, the basics are second nature and those coaches can start to add the fancy stuff. Perhaps one of these gentlemen will fill that role, or displace someone who will. I understand there will be a rugby season debriefing towards the end of the term and then things should be a lot clearer.
@GreenBlooded: Kevin would make an excellent Director of Rugby with Frank and co running the 1st team.
If Barend does do the job then I am sure it will be in a caretaker roll till they get a replacement. Barend is very passionate about Kearsney and its success but it does take up a hell of lot of time so it might be a short-term solution.
@Buffel: Not sure that Kevin will be replaced as head coach – he has done really well and it would be tragic to see him go. Perhaps they will jointly coach the team. Or perhaps College have a plan for him to be strategically deployed in the age-groups.
What will happen at Kearsney – I assume Barend Steyn will step back into the breach? Seems the sensible option.
A huge loss for Kearsney .We have come to know Frank as a no-nonsense coach who has a great knowledge of the game and he will impart this onto the College boys. They will be the fittest side in KZN for sure .
Kevin Smith is a passionate College old boy and hopefully they have a place for him in the new set-up.