Database: SA Super Rugby players: high school & primary school

108 Comments

1. 
   #110 Scrum Doctor

   One possible reason for the apparently non conformist list of schools is that certain primary schools recruit monsters form the eastern Cape and they either do not grow any more or they are found to be of dubious age . Some kids just grow quicker than others and a 90 KG primary school boy is hard to stop so he does not develop the skills of beating a player – he just runs over him but later on he is a lot easier to stop when the so called little guys catch up and he does not have the evasive running skills his peers do . I agree high school is a far better indication of genuine talent fostering . Even then certain schools spend far to much time ( at the expense of school work) on sports training to make themselves look good . we must not loose sight of the fact that school is primarilly there for education not rugby as very few boys will have a professional career after school

   Reply

   15 April, 2013 at 16:25
2. 
   #109 Dear South Africa (and SARU), Rugby is not about race

   […] Click here to see the full analysis: SA Super Rugby players: high school primary school. […]

   11 March, 2013 at 08:49
3. 
   #108 Dear South Africa (and SARU), Rugby is not about race

   […] Click here to see the full analysis: SA Super Rugby players: high school & primary school. […]

   11 March, 2013 at 07:45
4. 
   #107 Ploegskaar

   @Queenian: Guy contacted me yesterday and wants to set up a meeting somewhere in March. Apparently its a new abattoir opening in October with a planned output of 800 pigs, 1200 sheep and 400 cattle per month. Sounds quite small, but will keep you posted once I get the details from them.

   That Irishman is a though cookie, purchased the old Spekenam (probably 200m away from our HQ) for nothing! I refuse to support Winelands Pork (as it is called now) though, just can’t trust a guy with a little pig earring!

   Reply

   1 March, 2013 at 14:11
5. 
   #106 QC86

   @beet: that irish oke that ploeg hates owns it,run by a guy called Jack Miles,do all their pigs there,caller meat traders

   Reply

   1 March, 2013 at 14:05
6. 
   #105 Queenian

   @beet: Not sure what happened to it after Stockowners went belly up unless somebody else is running it now.

   Reply

   1 March, 2013 at 13:56
7. 
   #104 beet

   @Queenian: What happened to Brad Haigh’s abattoir (Meadow Meats), the one that Stockowners took over.

   Reply

   1 March, 2013 at 13:54
8. 
   #103 Queenian

   Ploeg: Mean who has a abattoir in Queenstown is Major

   Reply

   1 March, 2013 at 13:46
9. 
   #102 Queenian

   @Ploegskaar: Tell me more about the SOS abattoir the only person i know who slaughters there is Major.

   Reply

   1 March, 2013 at 13:44
10. 
    #101 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: That Irish farmer bought my Grandfathers place after my cousin was killed years ago i try to by it back from him he wanted triple the price he paid for it so i hope he chokes on it.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:43
11. 
    #100 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: Will see being slaughtering mainly around PE and Uitenhage depends if i grow my calves out or not this last year we have had a lot of rain around these parts so i have grown most of them out and send them direct to the abattoir but usually i would sell them off as weaners to Sparta.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:40
12. 
    #99 Ploegskaar

    @beet: Every buyer is a liar, and every seller is a story teller.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:38
13. 
    #98 Ploegskaar

    @Queenian: Apart from the import buying, I do the fresh meat buying for our processing plant and retail outlets as well and have supported my main beef supplier in Jan Kemp, main pork supplier in Viljoenskroon (no, I will not support that Irish farmer from QT!) and main lamb suppliers in Pofadder and Bredasdorp 52 weeks of the year for the past 15 years. Unfortunately few people are aware of the fact that many importers are big supporters of the local industries as well.

    You going to slaughter at the new SOS Abattoir opening in QT in October?

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:35
14. 
    #97 beet

    @Ploegskaar: “simple”, “humble” – are you sure you are not still using those language practitioner skills?

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:24
15. 
    #96 Queenian

    @BOG: Hey wait when i was small we used to make baboon biltong and take it to boarding school and give it to all the JHb boys.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:24
16. 
    #95 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: Ye i am just a humble boy from Tarkastad.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:22
17. 
    #94 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: Ye know what you mean we have our own feedmills but only for our own production and ye i think everybody is just trying to survive but i agree the retail chains do cause issues for both the chicken and red meat producers.(Those 3 you mentioned are not my favourites either)

    Always wonder how the hell i sell steers to abbatoirs and get say 28/30 rand a kilo and you go and buy red meat and it cost you on average 50 bucks at PnP something aint right.

    Well speak about were you land up flip how did a articled clerk at an account firm land up in the Chokka and Crayfish world then baby chicks and Beef.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:21
18. 
    #93 Ploegskaar

    @beet: No worries, nothing to hide, as is the case with most simple/humble people and always prepared to repeat anything I say here, good or bad, to anyone’s face as well

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:18
19. 
    #92 BOG

    @Queenian: From what I can gather, you must have been about 1-3 yrs old when I finished. Sorry to but in, in the meat discussion. All Im interested in knowing, is when that cheap beef from the Kei Cuttings, will be available again. I saw a report on the investigation into the meat industry. They( Univ. of WC) checked the DNA of biltong and discovered all kinds of animals , donkey, even kangaroo.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:14
20. 
    #91 Ploegskaar

    @Queenian: I don’t hate the industry, just the misrepresentation of facts. Biggest negatives for the local industry are feed prices (ever notice that Rainbow, Astral, Tydstroom etc. belong to groups that include very profitable feed companies?), labour costs and the biggest culprit of all, the retail chains (who have forced the local poultry farms to become price takers). Imports are just a convenient scape goat.

    Been at Brito’s since 1998 and in the industry since 1996 (how the hell does a qualified language practitioner and copywriter end up in the meat industry!).

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:14
21. 
    #90 beet

    @Queenian: Shame old Proegie is going to have no secrets left by the time the SBR season is dusted

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:08
22. 
    #89 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: How long you being involved with Britos?

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:03
23. 
    #88 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: No boet in that industry you hate so much aslo farm with beef cattle.

    Ye the less said about what happened with Ralph not good specially a cool chap like him he is really a first class chap i go back along way with him so i am with him on this.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 13:01
24. 
    #87 Ploegskaar

    @Queenian: Had a chat to Warren now and lets just say, the less said the better. You have been in some tough industries boet, so by natural progression, are you now in the liquor or drug industry?

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 12:54
25. 
    #86 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: Had a chat to Ralph the other day seems there was some type of dis- agreement which is a great pity must be one of the top 5 coaches in the country.

    Ye known Wayne since my days in the Fishing Industry also when i was involved with trucking used to load stuff at your place for him.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 12:37
26. 
    #85 Ploegskaar

    @Queenian: Yes, know that surfer dude well! I have been doing business with Les and the boys as long as I have been in the industry, good people.

    Sorry to hear about Ralph, OB contributions to schools are invaluable and especially when you lose the services of such a talented sportsman. Any reasons for resigning?

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 12:27
27. 
    #84 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: Warrens brother resigned as Director in charge of cricket at Queens really a big loss.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 11:54
28. 
    #83 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: Do you know Wayne Henen ?

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 11:53
29. 
    #82 Queenian

    @BOG: What year did you leave Grey (or JJS for that fact)

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 11:52
30. 
    #81 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: Ye agree with you there good kids usually do well at any school look at BOG and Rugbyfan they went to JJ Serfontein and got paroll after they turned 18 and they turned out fine or Rugbyfan did know him personelly great person.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 11:50
31. 
    #80 Ploegskaar

    @rugbyfan: Ag nee man, no one disputes the fact that it is an absolutely brilliant school, but the point I made was that having attended the school does not guarantee greatness and that the better players on that list in fact came from other primary schools to GCB, as opposed to the ones that came up from Grey Primary.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 09:20
32. 
    #79 BOG

    @Queenian: No, I asked Rugbyfan the question. Ma Coetzee was employed by the Dept of Education- not Correctional Services. And she was an English teacher (and Latin)

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 09:14
33. 
    #78 Queenian

    @Hustle: Agree with you there Dale/Queens lose a lot of talent.

    Just for the record of the 500 odd kids at Grey PE Jnr at the moment this is how many are kids from old boys of other kids.

    Queens 53
    Dale 28
    Muir 21
    Union High 6

    Thats shows you what the move has been another fact is thats since 1998 39 kids of Queens Old Boys have played 1 st team rugby for the following schools Grey PE/Selborne/St Andrews/Bishops/Kes/St Sithians/MC/SACS and even 1 at Grey Bloem. Of these 14 played Craven Week and 3 SA schools.

    But even with this Queens has managed to stay competitive.

    I would think Dale would have had a simaler picture.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 07:14
34. 
    #77 Queenian

    @BOG: Do you mean at Queens dont remember a Ma Coetzee my Afri teacher at Queens was Gerrie Greyling thats when i left in 83.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 07:04
35. 
    #76 BOG

    @rugbyfan: Read that article of Bertus Preller about the school. Its been around for a while, so you will have to search.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 05:23
36. 
    #75 rugbyfan

    @BOG: People battle with the concept that GCB is just good.

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 05:17
37. 
    #74 BOG

    @Ploegskaar: I think they call it “semantics “- playing with words. Perhaps you should start a “rating” system to determine who were the better primary school players on that list, to “resolve” the issue. @PaulRoosPa: Hy moes jou onterf het

    Reply

    1 March, 2013 at 05:12
38. 
    #73 PaulRoosPa

    @Woltrui: Ja die Komatipoort wedstryd was altyd groot gewees, ons het in my st 8 jaar Komatipoort toe getrek. Ek was in Rob Ferreira in Witrivier op skool.
    Ek is my lewe lank nog ‘n Maties en WP ondersteuner, my pa het my amper onterf so die trek Kaap toe was net ‘n kwessie van tyd.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 22:39
39. 
    #72 Ploegskaar

    @BOG: My exact words were “but apart from Brussouw the rest are hardly worth mentioning from this list”. Certainly didn’t say they were rubbish, but by implication that many better on that list came from other primary schools to GCB. Actually still don’t really how you could have misread that post, but does not really matter either, does it?

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 15:52
40. 
    #71 Hustle

    Now that is interesting, I would bet the truth is somewhere half way between…the one thing that is not a secret is, other provinces looking at border and eastern cape schools for talent – for there schools, generally to fill quota’s. I hate to say it, it’s true.
    My wish is that those players can stay with those schools that really developed them. I think the big unions intrinsically weaken schools like Dale. The one thing that has to stop is the amount of folks coming and going. Most of the schools were built on tradition and ethos. How can this continue – if you spend a couple of months at the school.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 15:33
41. 
    #70 BOG

    @Queenian: 40 % ? You must have cribbed, including the mistakes from the bloke next to you@rugbyfan: Did you ever have the privilage of being taught English by Ma Coetzee, or was she gone already by the time you got there. She passed away last year, if I recall correctly.@Ploegskaar: You are just getting deeper into the mud. Not sure why I should explain to you what you said, but in a nut shell, you said that apart from Brussouw, all the other players were rubbish. Except that you made a blooper, and cut the matter.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 15:17
42. 
    #69 Ploegskaar

    @rugbyfan: That’s ok, at my alma mater the success of the school was judged on the pass rate for gr.10 (old std 8) in any given year, and if the majority of those that did pass were under 21, all the knives, condoms and panties that were confiscated during the course of that year, were returned to their rightful owners. Sadly this seldom happened during my 9 years in high school

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 14:48
43. 
    #68 rugbyfan

    @Queenian: The reason i spelt my name wrong was if you do not remember i was at Queens Jnr till Std 2

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 14:17
44. 
    #67 Queenian

    @Ploegskaar: Sorry trying to type and concentrate on a 100 other things at once ye but at best my spelling and grammar was never great i think i aced a 40% for English in matric.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 14:13
45. 
    #66 Queenian

    @rugbyfan: Ye says you who spelt your own name wrong when you arrived at Grey.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 14:11
46. 
    #65 rugbyfan

    @Ploegskaar: For give him he went to Queens there pass mark for spelling and grammar was only 25%

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 14:09
47. 
    #64 Ploegskaar

    @Queenian: I see you have left a 5-minute trail of destruction across the various posts on the blog, but you are either drunk, driving while posting or writing in mxit language because I feel that I should answer you, but don’t know what the hell you said!

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 14:07
48. 
    #63 QC86

    @Queenian: got a shop in QT

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 13:59
49. 
    #62 Ploegskaar

    @QC86: Credit approved, although buying from a dutchie may well be as bad as buying from a Greek!

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 13:59
50. 
    #61 Queenian

    @QC86: Rudi were Erington Miles these days.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 13:48
51. 
    #60 Queenian

    @QC86: hey Rudi Chestermeats screwing you on price were all do you bye from old Ploegskaar might take weeks to get your credit app done.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 13:47
52. 
    #59 Ploegskaar

    @BOG: No Bog, big difference, as I made a rugby related observation (note, about the players, not the school), whereas you merely retaliated, as is your habit, to anything that seems remotely anti-GCB.

    For the record I do not doubt GCB’s status as one of the best academic and sports schools in the country, but although they have produced many leading sportsmen and captains of industry, everyone that attended GCB is not special, which was the observation that I made about the players on the above list.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 12:43
53. 
    #58 Ploegskaar

    @BoishaaiPa: That’s the info according to the school, but maybe they got it wrong (wrongful advertizing, I should contact the Consumer Council!). With reference to that little Paarl School, sounds like the Girl’s equivalent of Landbou and agreed, both are great institutions of learning.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 12:33
54. 
    #57 BoishaaiPa

    @Ploegskaar: That is good stats yes, but I am not so sure about that 1st team stats…I have it on good authority that they did not win the WC challenge/competition, but were invited to the nationals where they ended 9th. Still very good though. That little school in the Paarl where your daughters use to go won the WC challenge and ended 5th at the Nationals. Not bad either for school of 300 girls.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 11:58
55. 
    #56 BOG

    @Ploegskaar: my “snide and condescending remarks does not do me justice” Really ? “For easy reference”, please re-visit your remarks about the quality, or lack of it, of the S 15 rugby players who attended Grey Primary. Have you heard the saying- “the pot calling the kettle black? It fits you like a glove! Enough said!!

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 11:44
56. 
    #55 QC86

    @Ploegskaar: hey ploeg how are you going with my credit app,need some fowl,chesters are killing us

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 09:56
57. 
    #54 Ploegskaar

    @BOG: Please see the stats relevant to some of my comments in the post to BoishaaiPa. No need for manipulation and viewed in any context they are good. As stated in an earlier post to you, your snide and condescending remarks does not do you justice.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 09:34
58. 
    #53 Ploegskaar

    @BoishaaiPa: You are the numbers man, so you can verify the netball stats below for 2012:
    -1st team won the WP and WC Challenge and ended 9th in the National Challenge
    -U/14 team won the WP and WC Challenge and ended 6th in the National Challenge
    -u/17 team won the WC Challenge and represented the WC at the SA Schools Champs in Dec
    -18 provincial reps, 2 provincial captains and 4 provincial vice captains for 2012

    With regards to the girls hockey stats for 2012:
    -Premier team won the WP Grand Challenge League in 2010 and 2011 and came 2nd in 2012
    -20 provincial reps in 2012

    Don’t know where the Boland teams fit into this, but these stats seem quite good.

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 09:24
59. 
    #52 BOG

    @BoishaaiPa: It excludes a lot- not just Boland. Figures and stats, as you know, can be manipulated to support any story. Unless of course, its the FS, then—-

    Reply

    28 February, 2013 at 06:19
60. 
    #51 BoishaaiPa

    @Ploegskaar: Ou Ploeg..That netbal province excludes Boland I take it…

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 23:10
61. 
    #50 Ploegskaar

    @Amalekite: Agreed. And as the director of rugby at my oldest’s school asked asked me the other day: If our school can achieve the most A agragate pupils in the province (54), is the home of one of the 3 best choirs in the world, has the top netball team on the province and one of the best nationally and also one of the top hockey teams in the province, why can’t we have one of the better rugby teams as well? He is of the opinion that many dads, rather than the boys, want them to go to the Paarl and Stellenbosch schools. Maybe he is right, but either way good food for thought.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 20:01
62. 
    #49 Woltrui

    @BOG: Ken Uplands en Penryn baie goed. Uplands die enigste Astro hokkie baan in Mpumalanga. Menige hokkie en krieket wedstryd Daar gekyk. Warren Tecklenburg, flank van die Leeus was op skool in Uplands.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 18:24
63. 
    #48 BOG

    @Woltrui: Vaderland, ek het vleis gekoop en was ek nie op n besigtigingstoer nie. Ek het dit vooraf bestel en hulle het gesny, verpak, gevries. Ek het net daar gestop, gelaai, onderweg na Mosambiek Tensy jy natuurlik na my vrou verwys as n buffel. Weet jy van Uplands en die plekke /dinge wat ek noem? Ek merk Uplands het nou selfs n hoerskool. Toe, net n laerskool.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 17:26
64. 
    #47 Amalekite

    @Ploegskaar: Ineteresting reply.
    I must say that I agree with you. I think that the kid needs to be happy wherever he goes. Furthermore, I think that by playing 1st team in a less fashionable school will do his confidence and self worth more good than to play 2nds or 3rds in a top school.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 16:51
65. 
    #46 Woltrui

    @BOG: Hi Bog. Die Buffel gesoen by Hectorspruit? 8)

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 16:05
66. 
    #45 Ploegskaar

    @Amalekite: In my case the answer will definitely be hypothetical, as I have 3 girls (obviously not a good welder ). For the sake of this exercise and to answer your question though, my laaitie would always have gone to the local. In a way I speak from experience as 2 of my girls were moved from 2 good Durbanville schools to a respected Paarl Girls school 3 years ago and both asked to be moved back at the end of last year as they realized that there is nothing special being there apart from spending an enormous amount of time on the road! For some having attended a supposed famous school is the pinnacle of their life, even if they were just another number that did not achieve much while there, while others make a success of their life irrespective of their alma mater and I think my girls realized this.

    In strictly rugby terms, I have also seen too many players wasted in lower teams of schools that attempt to concentrate all the player talent in the WC. In my opinion 20 good teams as opposed to 3 strong teams in the WC is good for both players and SBR as a whole as it will in my opinion greatly assist in better individual player development and talent identification. Maybe I am a bit of a Ballie as well, because I really enjoyed to either be part of or witness the less fashionable schools knock over the big boys in the 80’s and 90’s in the WC and which has sadly (apart from the odd Tygerberg flash) come to an end.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 13:15
67. 
    #44 BOG

    @rugbyfan: In SA, but PFP- packed for Perth. Im just waiting for one of my two children to take me. I have no money, so if you want to start a fund, please go ahead.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 12:56
68. 
    #43 rugbyfan

    @BOG: Are you still in SA or you in Aus.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 12:50
69. 
    #42 BOG

    @Queenian: Sadly, no. He liked the sea life and golf. Also the influence of his mother. And he wanted to do his matric according to IEB syllabus.It would not have helped him much in SA, but it does in the UK where he was born and now lives. But he is missing the sun and talking about OZ. So, I am hoping–

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 12:46
70. 
    #41 Playa

    @Amalekite: WOW!What a story.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 12:05
71. 
    #40 Queenian

    @BOG: Did your son go to GCB

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 11:50
72. 
    #39 Queenian

    I think what would make intersting reading is take a school like Grey PE which i am not trying to run down they are one of SA,s top schools, but take the boys that played 1st team for them say between 1980 to 1995 and 1996 to 2013 and see how many of them in those 2 groups fathers were Old Boys and who were not(If you want see those that are not were did there fathers go to school)

    You will be surprised that the 1980/95 group 80% would be Old Boys kids and 1996/13 only maybe 50% would be Old Boys Kids.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 11:48
73. 
    #38 BOG

    @Woltrui: En die wereld word nog kleiner. Ek het vir 7 jr in Mosambiek gebly- al ons inkopies in Nelspruit gedoen, behalwe die vleis- dit het ons in Hectorspruit gekoop. My seun was op Uplands Primary, net buite Witrivier.Ons het altyd by die Pinelake Inn gebly wat net n klipgooi vd skool was. Het ook golf gespeel in Nelspruit en die pro daar, Mike B, het by my gebly wanneer hy Mosambiek toe gekom het.My seun bedank my steeds vir sy jeug- die wildlewe vd laeveld en die see, diepsee hengel en duik gedurende die skoolvakansies en elke 2e naweek. Net sowel- hy bly nou in Londen.Ek raak skoon nostalgies.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 11:45
74. 
    #37 Woltrui

    @PaulRoosPa:Hi PaulRoosPa. Het 10 jaar in Hectorspruit gewoon. My seun was in Laerskool Malelane. Klein wereld. Hoe word ‘n Laevelder dan ‘n Paul Roos ouer? Was jy in Nelspruit Hoerskool? Julle ook titaniese wedstryde teen Laerskool Komatipoort gespeel?

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 10:50
75. 
    #36 PaulRoosPa

    @Woltrui: Are you from that area? Schutte and his brother played rugby with me for the Malelane Primary team, Schutte is 2 years younger than me if I remember correctly.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 10:32
76. 
    #35 Amalekite

    @Ploegskaar: Just a question:
    If your kid is playing for the 1st XV of his primary school in the Free state and he ends up having 2 choices:

    1. Go to Grey College and play for their B team, and eventually the Grey Cherries ( 2nds ).
    2. Go to his local high school, say Voortrekker or Sentraal, or another good High School with a decent rugby side, where he plays for the A team and eventually the 1st XV.

    What would you choose for your son ? This is purely hypothetical. In addition, let’s suppose that the other school is also very good in academics etc. The only real difference between them, for this excercise, is the strength and depth of their rugby sides.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 10:21
77. 
    #34 Amalekite

    @Playa: Try this one for size:
    Olivier Merle was born in 1965 in France. He never played rugby as a youngster, but was a good shot-puttist. He started playing rugby at the age of 25, was capped for France 42 times, where he played lock. He was part of the team that came third in the 1995 World Cup.
    Remarkable.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 10:11
78. 
    #33 Amalekite

    @Playa: You are quite right in saying that we are from different worlds. There are many primary schools in KZN that do not play rugby and others that play on a very small scale. I stand to be corrected, but I think the same can be said of the majority of english-speaking primary schools in Gauteng ?
    In a nutshell, give credit where it is truly due. It sounds like most of the primary schools in your region fall into this category. You are fortunate.
    It would be interesting to hear it from the horse’s mouth.ie. See what the player has to say about which coaches he thinks really helped him become the player that he is.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 10:05
79. 
    #32 Ploegskaar

    @BOG: Jaysus, but you supporter-fans of the Big Schools are sensitive about the recruitment issue. Anyway, I for one certainly rate Juandre Kruger, Andries Bekker and Eben Etzebeth and think that Callie Visagie and SP Marais are bright prospects for the future. With regards to your condescending “get perspective” comment and many similar ones previously, I must say that it slightly detracts from the fact that you are obviously a well traveled and knowledgeable person, but as you said, that’s just my perspective.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 09:49
80. 
    #31 BOG

    @Queenian: You mean like yours- we just need to return the black stripes. Mind you, then they will think that we are Selborne

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 09:23
81. 
    #30 Playa

    @Umtata: True. The Ndungane twins as well.They only started playing rugby when they got to Hudson Park.

    Do you think Maria Louw can lay claim to Mvovo?
    I’ve known the school for years (I have a cousin who went there), but didnt know they offered rugby till Mvovo came onto the scene.The school’s rugby coach saw him running on the athletics track,and lured him to play rugby.I think the school can lay claim.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 08:39
82. 
    #29 Umtata

    One thing that is not clear is when they started playing rugby. I’ll make an example of Lwazi Mvovo, he only started playing rugby in grade 11. His primary school cannot lay claim to his rugby achievements

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 07:38
83. 
    #28 Queenian

    @BOG: As a JJS old boy Beet should give you and Rugbyfan a prison suit

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 06:27
84. 
    #27 BOG

    @Ploegskaar: Yep, as expected. Surprised at the number who attended Grey primary, “so lets try the next non-sensical comment” And there, you have certainly succeeded!! As if all the ones from the Northern suburbs are these standout giants in SA rugby Get perspective! @beet: Someone has pinched my jersey! I can offer some suspects “from the northern suburbs”, but they may just be offended.

    Reply

    27 February, 2013 at 05:26
85. 
    #26 Playa

    @Amalekite: What I am saying is that a lot of the schools that do not offer great coaching or facilities tend to offer something else,that is equally as important, if not more….SUPPORT.

    That is the case in the EC anyway.Where rugby is massive in primary school.Teachers who see talent, knowing that they cannot offer the best in terms of that boy’s development in rugby, expose him to greater opportunities right away.That is how Mpho Mbiyozo ended up at Grey PE for example.Point is,the primary school coaches played a huge part in exposing the boys to greater opportunities where they can get a better shot at success.

    Maybe we’re just coming from different worlds.Where I am from, primary school rugby, faciliies or not, is of outmost importance.The high schools are the first to acknowledge that whether the boy is from Southernwood Primary or Bhisho Primary.

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 22:26
86. 
    #25 Ploegskaar

    @BOG: Ja Bog, quite a few GCB Primary boys go to GCB, but apart from Brussouw the rest are hardly worth mentioning from this list. What does seem clear is that Grey High and especially Voortrekker Bethlehem would have had some great teams had they not been drawn by the Big City lights of Bloemfontein

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 22:05
87. 
    #24 Ploegskaar

    Good to see the northern suburbs of Cape Town is well represented with 3 players from Durbanville (2 x Eversdal, 1 x Durbanville Prep), 1 from Kuilsriver (Mikro), 1 from Parow (Panorama), 1 from Goodwood (Goodwood Park) and 1 from Kraaifontein (Fanie Theron). These are soon to be joined by boys from Bastion (Brackenfell), Gene Louw (Durbanville) and Bellpark (Bellville). Interesting stats Beet, now Muzi and his tjom Xander may soon be spotted at some kaalvoet games in the future! At this rate these guys will start contracting in the maternity ward soon

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 21:50
88. 
    #23 beet

    @Amalekite: The Grey College comment is not to suggest they have better coaching or structures than other schools but rather that statistically they achieve what no others can rival in terms of senior representatives. They defy the normal trend and that’s what I wanted to point out.

    I get what you are saying about the limited role primary schools can play but there are a large number of these schools that are putting in a massive effort when it comes to the kids. Perhaps “claim” is too strong a word but certainly they deserve a bit of the limelight for teaching basics that players use for the rest of their rugby playing days.

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 20:12
89. 
    #22 Amalekite

    @Playa: No. The same applies to the high schools. If their coaching is poor and their structures are poor, then they should not claim.
    The fact is that there are far fewer obscure high schools in the list above versus obscure primary schools. How do you figure that one out ?

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 17:58
90. 
    #21 Playa

    @Amalekite: Do you think HIGH schools that did not have genuinely good coaching can ly claim to the successes of their old boys?

    Your view is a bit flawed mate, Im afraid.

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 17:46
91. 
    #20 Amalekite

    @Woltrui: Like I said, they are entitled to, providing that they genuinely provided good coaching and gave these guys a head start.
    The same cannot be said for some of the other primary schools that are ” claiming ” just because they had the good fortune of having had a pupil who is now playing Super 15 rugby.

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 17:27
92. 
    #19 Amalekite

    @beet: I agree with you for the most part.
    However, what are the chances of success of a non-rugby player deciding to start playing rugby afer he leaves school ?
    I also don’t get the part ” unless he attended Grey College “. are we to believe that they are on a superior level to the likes of Paarl Gym and Paul Roos ?

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 17:24
93. 
    #18 Woltrui

    @Amalekite:Primary schools, especially in the “platteland”, take huge pride in the achievements of their old boys. For example, Schutte Bekker, the Blue Bulls and Sa eigthman, came from Laerskool Malelane. Malelane took huge pride in his achievements.

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 17:00
94. 
    #17 beet

    @Amalekite: Also remember that very few players are ready for senior rugby the day they leave school, there is a lot of hard work that goes into the 3 years between the start of u19 and the end of u21 and even after that. Although no player will turn their backs on what their high schools have done from them, just about all will tell you how much they learn in these 3+ years after school. I mean we even have kids who tell of how they learnt a ton at just 1 week of an Investec rugby course. So we also should not get carried away by the notion that high schools deserve sole credit for the development of players.

    Good high school rugby programmes are no different to good coaching at primary school. They can give a player a head start on his peers for the next level but there is more than enough evidence above to suggest that unless he attended Grey College, chances are that it does not matter what school a player went to, his progress after school is ultimately determined by how he performs on and off the field post school.

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 16:56
95. 
    #16 Amalekite

    I must say that I do not agree with the primary schools wanting to take all the credit. In most cases, I think that the high schools are the ones that ultimately shape the players.
    There are exceptions, such as DPHS and the other rugby primary schools that are the main feeders to the likes of Grey etc. They have excellent coaches and systems and they teach the kids good skills and turn them into good players.
    But for some obscure primary school that hardly plays rugby, to want to been given credit for their Super Rugby players is laughable.
    The problem is that a lot of the good primary schhool players is thhat they might not carry on growing in size and speed etc. Some others may elect to play other sports and so on. Some may go to second tier rugby schools where they don’t advance as players and are not recognised anymore.
    Look at how many of these kids went to unknown primary schools, many of which did not even play rugby. Their high schools turned them into the players that they are now.
    On the other hand, I have seen some primary school kids who were not taught the basics correctly. These poor guys arrive at high school and it is very difficult for the coaches to rid them of their bad habits. I am talking about tackling especially. I am not a coach, but I would venture to say that it is easier to teach a 13 year old who has never played rugby how to tackle correctly, rather than to attempt to correct another 13 year old who has been tackling incorrectly for 5 seasons.

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 16:40
96. 
    #15 oldschool

    @HORSEFLY NO.1: agreed , but they have been dominant for many years ….just shows how such dominance as players from a young age doesnt translate into senior rugby …..and i see that all the stars coming through are Kearsney lads !!!!!

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 16:26
97. 
    #14 Hustle

    Nice article…perhaps I have missed this somewhere…but from my perspective It really does seems proportionally quite a few folks, come from Umtata, Queenstown ( was not aware Jano Vermaak was from Queenstown), Burgerdorp, Komga, King – must be something in the water….

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 16:25
98. 
    #13 HORSEFLY NO.1

    With their dominance of KZN Primary Schools rugby and their high ranking in SA DPHS will eventually have quite a few boys playing. People like Rob and the twins,Matt Reece-Edwards etc all within a shot…

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 16:10
99. 
    #12 oldschool

    @GreenBlooded: for sure…..i see that a few DPHS lads are playing for Saracens and England though…….Barret , Stevens , Hargreaves………

    Reply

    26 February, 2013 at 15:40
100. 
     #11 Playa

     @beet: Do you want to give credit to Dale Junior for Nic Groom as well
     Just kidding , he must have been 10 when his parents moved to Cape Town and went to Rondebosch.Cant count.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 11:39
101. 
     #10 Playa

     Not a single Old Selbornian??? The forwards must be a tough area to compete in in SA

     On a serious note, though, this is a real surprise.So much quality produced in the last decade, I would have though they would have quite a bit of representation in 1st class rugby.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 11:35
102. 
     #9 BOG

     @beet: SA Super Rugby players- just as it is. Sias, is South African, he is a Super player, he is a Rugby player.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 11:01
103. 
     #8 beet

     @BOG: No just SA players from SA franchises

     Volunteer a less confusing heading and I will change it

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 10:45
104. 
     #7 BOG

     @beet: I think that this has come as a bit of a surprise to all of those who hint, subtily “suggest”, and blatantly say that all of GCBs players arrive in Gr11 .@beet: Not sure how to read the heading. Are these just players AT SA franchises or SA players, in S15 in any of the countries? If the latter, you can ad Sias Ebersohn who is at the Force and was at Grey primary too.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 10:31
105. 
     #6 GreenBlooded

     @oldschool: Also noticed that. Of all the KZN primary schools, most are the ‘lesser known’ schools for want of a better expression. The only 2 ‘well-know’ schools there are Clifton and Merchiston. No DPHS, Highbury, Westville, Cordwalles etc. Interesting.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 10:05
106. 
     #5 oldschool

     Weird to see no DPHS boys …..Beet maybe see if you can create a list of all DPHS lads whom have played rep rugby after school for interests sake…..

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 09:55
107. 
     #4 beet

     @Woltrui: I spoke to the KZN schools 2012 Michaelhouse players – 6 in total and a few of them did not play rugby in primary school. I think Roger and Vleis mentioned it that a large number of KES boys and other Jozi schoolboys arrive at high school having never played rugby before.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 09:05
108. 
     #3 beet

     @Woltrui: I changed the Chililboy detail and gave credit to both primary schools.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 09:01
109. 
     #2 Woltrui

     Beet was Chiliboy nie in Laerskool Numbi, Hazyview nie? Michael Rhodes kom seker van die kleinste laerskool van almal. Riverview, buite Malelane, dink ek nie het ‘n 100 kinders gehad so 8 jaar terug nie. Hulle het definitief nie rugby gespeel toe Michael Rhodes daar was nie. Hy moes dus eers by Michaelhouse begin rugby speel het.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 08:33
110. 
     #1 CyndiAtRugby

     Wow this is interesting, especially in terms of movement between primary and high schools.

     Reply

     26 February, 2013 at 07:37