| KZN u13 A | School | KZN u13 B | School | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KH Thomas | Izothso | 1 | M Fierro | Highbury |
| 2 | U Botha | Umhlali Prep | 2 | J McCabe | Merchiston |
| 3 | T Trollip | DPHS | 3 | M Immelman | Westville SP |
| 4 | H Gouws | Richards Bay | 4 | C Van Heerden | Pelham |
| 5 | C R De Bruyn | Scottburgh | 5 | M Madela | Hutton Park |
| 6 | M Khuzwayo | Glenwood Prep | 6 | L Grobler | Kuswag |
| 7 | M Mkhize | Glenwood Prep | 7 | L Stubbs | Merchiston |
| 8 | K Khumalo | Pelham | 8 | N Zikalala | Monument |
| 9 | P Elliot | DPHS | 9 | B Oellerman | Merchiston |
| 10 | M Halstead | Clifton | 10 | H Trodd | Merchiston |
| 11 | S Nkomo | King Edward | 11 | M Maphisa | Mtubatuba |
| 12 | S Ngcobo | Glenwood Prep | 12 | N Dludla | Nuwe Republiek |
| 13 | K Mbongwa | DPHS | 13 | K Morsink | Izotsho |
| 14 | M vd Merwe | Glenwood Prep | 14 | Y Gosai | Atholl Heights |
| 15 | E Matkovich | Westville SP | 15 | J Roets | Amanzimtoti |
| 16 | N Mdabe | Mtubatuba | 16 | J Bessick | Northlands |
| 17 | B Nortje | Kuswag Skool | 17 | N Mndaweni | DPHS |
| 18 | M Xego | DPHS | 18 | M King | Merchiston |
| 19 | J Dobson | Kloof SP | 19 | M De Klerk | Cordwalles |
| 20 | M Khalishwayo | Paul Pietersburg | 20 | T Tomsett | Virginia Prep |
| 21 | E Potgieter | Lucas Meyer | 21 | M Grant | Cordwalles |
| 22 | J Murray | Cowan House | 22 | T Nkosi | Piet Retief |
UNDER-12 TEAM
| KZN u12 A | SCHOOL | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Mfiki | Glenwood Prep |
| 2 | Q Pitout | Merchiston |
| 3 | A Zondi | Cordwalles |
| 4 | S Mkhize | Glenwood Prep |
| 5 | J Venter | Pongola |
| 6 | K Manukuza | MtMathuba |
| 7 | L Mtshali | Veldenvlei |
| 8 | G Mbatha | Paul Pietersburg |
| 9 | C Oellerman | Merchiston |
| 10 | C Davis | Virginia |
| 11 | S Kok | Merchiston |
| 12 | A Zakwe | Merchiston |
| 13 | C Maree | Piet Retief |
| 14 | L Mpongose | Paul Pietersberg |
| 15 | D Pretorius | Piet Retief |
| 16 | M Khuzwayo | Merchiston |
| 17 | R Swift | Merchiston |
| 18 | S Mngomezulu | Penzance |
| 19 | J vd Merwe | Merchiston |
| 20 | A Nkuma | Grantham P |
| 21 | R Viviers | Hutten Park |
| 22 | L vd Walt | Piet Retief |
Not entirely rugby related – but this debate has reared it’s head a few times. Here is an article from this week’s Mail & Guardian on the rise of boarding schools in SA (note this was sponsored by Crawford College – although they don’t get a mention in the article).
http://mg.co.za/article/2015-06-02-boarding-schools-on-the-rise
Interestingly – none of the Hilton U13 recruits are from the KZN rugby teams. But 4 sports scholarships from Gauteng.
Hilton College announces Bursaries for 2016:
Major Academic
Jonathan Tlhagoane Crawford Preparatory School (North Coast)
Minor Academic
Toby Jenkins St David’s Marist, Inanda
Murray Dorward St John’s Preparatory, Harare
Open Exhibition
Amika Jjuuko Cordwalles Preparatory School
Luke Holtzhauzen Laddsworth Primary School
Neo Morathi Pridwin Preparatory School
Reece Valentine Highbury Preparatory School
Jack Youens Ashton International College
Open All Rounder
Joshua Cox Marlborough College, Malaysia
Sport
Colby Dyer St Stithians Boys’ Preparatory School
Stephan Liebenberg Waterkloof House Preparatory School
Reece MacEwan St Stithians Boys’ Preparatory School
Johan van der Merwe Waterkloof House Preparatory School
Music
Avumile Mcunu Epworth School
Jacob Chidawaya Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School
Sports Awards
Thabiso Dlamini Hillcrest Primary School
Ross Minter-Brown Highbury Preparatory School
Just a comment – I have reffed the Westville and Hillcrest boys this year – and seen Winston Park and Highbury in action. Some great boys in those teams. And almost none of them feature in the final squads.
Hopefully that is a sign of the strength of the KZN teams this year. If so – we can look forward to a good set of results in July.
@Pedantic: You are quite right in saying that a kid needs to be comfortable in their environment. I have said on this blog before, there are very few bad schools, its how the kids fit in.
Whilst my boy was at junior school we had plans to send him to one of the privates for high school. Circumstances changed and finances dictated otherwise, hence the choice of Westville. Knowing how things have turned out, if I had to go back and make the decision again with money no object, I would save myself a heap of money and choose Westville any day. For my son. Not because it is any better than other schools. It turned out to be a perfect fit for him and I really don’t believe he would be any better off had he gone to any other school.
@GreenBlooded: I hear you…but we are certain.
@GreenBlooded: Agreed GB – how many “private scholarships” are there for maids/workers kids going to the local Hillcrest Primary, Embo Secondary etc. – and those are really just extended social grants.
Your money – you can decide what you do with it….
similarly with something like the College Foundation – donors know up front what the money will be used for – so a “collective” private sponsorship in a way.
@Gungets Tuft: Yep – tough decisions as a parent. No “reset” button either – and it is even harder if you have another one or two siblings following in a year or two!
Good luck to all in that position – and as I keep saying – there are many good schools – do what is right for your boy!
@Grasshopper:
I don’t know that there is anything wrong with private scholarships. If I or John Allen or Ivan Clarke wants to sponsor promising rugby players / hockey players / tennis players / maths boffs / chess champions or whatever through Glenwood then so what? It’s a free country last time I checked. And if they want it kept quiet and personal, I don’t see anything wrong with that either.
If I were in a position to sponsor a deserving kid through Glenwood – I probably wouldn’t want it known to the general public, else I would get harrassed on a daily basis. On the other hand, if it was my kid getting sponsored – I wouldn’t want the whole wide world to know either. It’s a private thing and no business of anyone other than the parties concerned. Not sure why this becomes an issue. If Glenwood have a network of generous old boys willing to sponsor rugby players or anyone else – then good on them.
@McCulleys Workshop: Eeisch. If those numbers are to be believed (no distrust on my part, but there are conflicting stories everywhere), then a sports scholarship will still cost parents R100K before they start the extras. For a parent to decide to decline a 100% scholarship to a government school they have serious views on the value of private vs government education (and all the extra’s that are often spoken about, the “networking” for instance). Not a trivial decision …
Then we have the conversion from U13 CW to U18 CW risk. Far canal, offering sports scholarships is like futures trading, except more risky and without an exit plan.
@umbiloburger:
You haven’t secured them until they arrive in January 2016 with a green blazer on. Lots can happen between now and then. Like I said – their currency has increased drastically by making KZN and they will no doubt be appraoched. Happened before!!
@Grasshopper: It is good to see that GW have secured the four GWprep boys together with Gouws and Thomas for 2016. Hobbs is obviously doing well at GWP and the relationship between the schools is great.
@oldschool: @Far Meadows: Thanks. Will amend
@beet: Zander(4) and Wollhuter(10) did not come to Kearseny ..Zander went to GW and Wollhuter went to PaulRoos.
@Gungets Tuft: Yes – I remember that one – but I’m thinking more about guys who have been at the school for a year and then loose their scholarships based on poor performance?
it is a risk – teenage years are volatile to say the least. And my angelic 12 y.o. who toes the line and does all things right – may just become a hormone raging teenager who decides that it’s time to play hockey or squash rather than rugby & cricket – and his consistent A-grades become scraping the d’s.
And those little clauses could end up costing a parent 200k times 3 or 4!
@beet: How many of those are actually running out for the Glenwood/College/Westville “A” teams. It would certianly put the lie to the stories of Glenwood having just 2 homegrown boys in their U14A team.
@beet: I believe that James Moodie is at MHS and not College.
@Rugger fan: There is indeed at least one horror story going on right now. A boy offered a scholarship, dropped his existing one, was then sent back to his home province after it was realised the HMA would prevent him being properly used. His former school declined him and he sat at home for months before being picked up by another school, used for the cricket season and once again sent on his way for “poor academic performance”. He has already failed Grade 11 as a result and is still sitting at home. My question was not random. It was not House involved, so that part is unrelated.
@beet: Not one DHS? Only 1 Hilton and 1 going out of province (Ermelo).
Interesting
Lions share between GW/WV/MC
The MC & GW U14’s are reaping benefits this year
Okay hopefully I haven’t got any of these wrong. Here is where last year’s CW players ended up
KZN A Primary School High School
1 Mark Nel Pelham Maritzburg College
2 Christo Scheepers Pelham Kearsney
3 Carlo Miller Umhlali Kearsney
4 Zander vd Merwe Umhlali Glenwood
5 Esethu Qwalela DPHS Maritzburg College
6 Nkosi Nzama G/wood Prep Westville
7 John Bridger G/wood Prep Glenwood
8 K. Khumalo Pelham U12- 2014
9 J.J. Foord Lucas Meyer St Charles
10 Kade Wolhuter DPHS Paul Roos
11 L. Mbona G/wood Prep ???
12 B. Nene Neuwe Republik Maritzburg College
13 N Ntsuntsha Cordwalles Michaelhouse
14 S. Kikane Monument Maritzburg College
15 Vernon Nel Umhlali Kearsney
18 Wandile Hlope Richardia grade 7-14 years old
16 Taine Loelly Penzance Westville
17 Kaide Pardey Westville Kearsney
19 Mark Armstrong DPHS Hilton
20 Jordan Bamber DPHS Kearsney
21 S Mkhize Merchiston Michaelhouse
22 T Zakwe Merchiston Michaelhouse
KZN B Region High School
1 M Crosson PADSSA Westville
2 S Craig Northern KZN Glenwood
3 M. Dlamini Durban Coastals Glenwood
4 B Tedder Midlands Maritzburg College
5 T Le Roux Midlands Maritzburg College
6 J Moodie Midlands Michaelhouse
7 J Aigner PADSSA Westville
8 M Kheswa Northern KZN Glenwood
9 G Akker Durban Coastals Westville
10 W Visser Northern KZN Ermelo
11 S Ndlovu Northern KZN Glenwood
12 N. Makhaza Durban Coastals Glenwood
13 A Ntaka Midlands Maritzburg College
14 A Nzimande Midlands Maritzburg College
15 S. Tocknell Midlands Westville
18 S. Mzolo Midlands Glenwood
16 L Seroke Zululand Glenwood
17 J de Swart Northern KZN Glenwood
19 M Munga Durban Coastals Westville
20 T Jacobs Southern Coastal Westville
21 M Gumede Zululand Westville
22 S Mhlogo Northern KZN Glenwood
I think the “acceptable performance” would be a standard clause? I am not aware of any horror stories of a lighty getting injured, or only making the “C” team (or possibly even changing sporting codes in Gr10) and suddenly his parents being slapped with a retro active payment – or bursary stopping? I know that at WV – there is an annual review of each individual’s performance and participation with their “mentor” before confirming continued acceptance?
i assume this is normal?
@beet: Hi Beet, all the successful applicants parents received a letter outlining the T&C’s and had to sign acknowledgement and agreement as well as liability for a non refundable deposit of R26,000 per pupil, prior to the announcement being made. So one could forfeit the deposit I guess. This was done before the announcement of CW sides and is unrelated.
Last year a pupil won an academic scholarship to MHS, and after accepting the scholarship he also made the the CW side. Interestingly enough, prior to the CW announcement his parents also approached MC, who only became interested in him once he had made the CW side.
@beet: Dobson was also going to College up until recently.
@Far Meadows: Not many outside of KZN, which is a good thing. Investing in local talent :-)
@beet: These were announced by MHS today , so I would presume that they are now finalised ( with all the ‘horse trading’ over and done with ).
@Gungets Tuft:
Ja, the
transparency is a good thing, everybody knows what the deal is.
Regarding the “subject to an acceptable level of performance” – I really don’t know how that is implemented – I cant imagine that if a kid is injured that his scholarship would be pulled, that would be ridiculous.
Perhaps if a kid is awarded a scholarship on the basis of his rugby/cricket/hockey prowess , but after a year at the school he decides that he now wants devote his time to Playstation or Xbox , his scholarship could well be revoked?
@Gungets Tuft: Those are the official ones, what about the kids that go and fees are paid by uncle Juju or uncle JZ. There are far more boys fees paid by ‘silent’ investors etc. Seems House have picked up a few rugga players, who would say No though….wish Glenwood did the same as it would take the heat off their bursaries & scholarships eg Kevin Curran, John Allan, Ivan Clarke, Jordy Smith etc Sports Scholarships showing % and caveats…
@Far Meadows: @Gungets Tuft: Also apart from the “acceptable level…” are these MHS awards set in stone now. I assume they are. I ask because I heard that the Stubbs twins might go to College???
SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PUPILS REGISTERED TO ENTER MICHAELHOUSE IN 2016
Major Open Scholarship: Up to 80% of tuition and boarding (Independent school candidate)
Minor Open Scholarship: Up to 75% of tuition and boarding (Independent school candidate)
Open Exhibition Scholarship: Up to 50% of tuition and boarding (Independent school candidates)
Closed Scholarship: Up to 30% of tuition and boarding (Traditional feeder school candidates)
Major Trust Scholarship: Up to 80% of tuition and boarding (State school candidate)
Minor Trust Scholarship: Up to 75% of tuition and boarding (State school candidate)
Music Scholarships: Up to 50% of tuition and boarding (All candidates)
Sports Scholarships: Up to 50% of tuition and boarding (All candidates)
All Rounder Scholarships: Up to 75% of tuition and boarding (All candidates)
Values of scholarships awarded are fixed in percentage terms for the duration of the scholarship being held. State school candidates must have attended their current school for a minimum of two years prior to date of entry to Michaelhouse.
CRITERIA
Scholarships are awarded to boys of outstanding ability entering Michaelhouse in E Block (Grade 8), or in the case of a Music Scholarship, awarded in either E Block or C Block (Grade 10). Scholarships are valid for the five year duration (or three year duration in the case of certain Music Scholarship awards) of a boy’s career at Michaelhouse, subject to an acceptable level of performance being maintained.
@Far Meadows: Nice and transparent, good.
Just one thing – “subject to an acceptable level of performance” …. what does that mean. If a kid gets injured and can’t play his chosen sport, is the scholarship withdrawn?
@Far Meadows:
The Christodoulou and Stubbs families are going to have a good Christmas!!
I wonder if both boys win the scholarship in their own right – or if it becomes a take both or neither kind of deal?
Michaelhouse Scholarships have been announced , there seem to be more sports awards than in years gone by…the chequebook has been working overtime !
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS – 2016
Michaelhouse provides a range of merit based Scholarships for students of outstanding academic, musical, sporting and all round ability. Awards are made to boys entering Michaelhouse in Grade 8 and are valid for the five year duration of their career at Michaelhouse, subject to an acceptable level of performance.
The Academic Scholarship examination is written by invitation, at Michaelhouse, and awards are based upon the candidate’s performance in the Scholarship examination. Sports Scholarship awards are based upon the submission of a curriculum vitae and personal sport assessment conducted at the School. The Music Scholarship awards are based upon the submission of a satisfactory curriculum vitae and an audition with an external adjudicator.
Candidates for scholarships in 2016 were of an extremely high calibre and Michaelhouse takes great pleasure in announcing the following scholarship awards:
Major Open Hubo Khumalo – St David’s Marist
Academic Exhibition Michael Ross – WHPS
Academic Exhibition Tapiwa Chikwanda – Kyalami Prep
Major Trust Michael Gurney – Eston Primary
Minor Trust Siyabonga Ndlovu – Howick Prep
Allround Exhibition James Murray – Cowan House
Allround Exhibition Mark Grant – Cordwalles Prep
The Ridge Closed Tom Walters – The Ridge
Pridwin Closed Michael Bradford – Pridwin Prep
Music Grant Hiscock – Drakensberg Boys’
Major All Round Jordan Dobson – Kloof Senior Primary
Sport Exhibition Brett Oellermann – Merchiston Prep
Sport Exhibition Michael Christodoulou – Virginia Prep
Sport Exhibition Chris Christodoulou – Virginia Prep
Sport Exhibition Jared Meiring – Merchiston Prep
Sport Exhibition Roeland van den Berg – WHPS
Sport Exhibition Michael Moodie – Merchiston Prep
Sport Exhibition Luke Gammie – Clifton Prep, Durban
Sport Exhibition Zola Sokhela – Merchiston Prep
Sport Exhibition Xhanti Gqwetha – Irene Primary
Sport Exhibition Nhlaka Mathe – Merchiston Prep
Sport Exhibition Mugabi Lubinga – Clifton Prep, N/Road
Sport Exhibition Luke Stubbs – Merchiston Prep
Sport Exhibition David Stubbs – Merchiston Prep
@Rugger fan: Agreed. Parents must do what they believe is right for their kids. I feel I was lucky to go to Glenwood as it could have been Grosvenor, DHS or Port Shepstone!!
@Pedantic: Pedantic said: “Having said that, no school is the perfect fit for every kid – I’ve seen great kids destroyed at very good schools and average kids blossom at average schools. At the end of the day they need to be comfortable in their environment.”
Agreed – as much as us bloggers have a go at GW or WV – there are some awesome upstanding gentlemen at those schools (Grassie and Greenblooded as exceptions to every rule of course
) – every kid, parent, family unit needs to make the decision about their own school and set up themselves. And that may even end up with a lesser rugby school like port Natal or Hillcrest being the “right” one.
One of my sons mates was at College for a year and HATED it! He’s back into a smaller school and flourishing – (and is a top performing sportsman in a lesser known sport – SA National champ). So as they say- horses for courses.
@h2o: The question is … are the high schools looking to build an U14 team or a 2020 1st XV ? Two very different things.
Recruiting at U13 level is a difficult one and using provincial selections as a guideline is hit and miss at best. One would guess the school scouts know this all too well and can find very good “value” in players with big potential that never make the U13 provincial side. At least I hope they do
@McCulleys Workshop: again, sarcasm the lowest form of wit. Why people have to attack people personally always astounds me. Oh yes, the Varsity fund is not for an SA university….anyway, you have an answer for everything…I’ll leave it there. Private school aloofness…
I have seen Pelham, Glenwood prep, DPHS, WSP, Kloof SP in action during this season and can without a doubt say we have a problem: KZN boys are small in fact very small compared to the Gauteng boys.At the Glenwood u13 festival there were big boys that look like our u15/u16 sides In that sense. I do not blame local schools looking upcountry to build a u14 team. If you ask every u13 coach they dream of a big 8 and 13 and they are scarce to find….. the individual talent is there but ask Mike Catt if that worked against Lomu.
@Grasshopper: Staples had a setback this year with a shoulder injury which is probably why we haven’t seen his name in English lights … yet.
He has however been contracted to a top UK club so we should be seeing him come through the system in the next few years – hoping to see him make the England age group teams, but as you know, the depth of youth talent in the UK is incredible – the player numbers are massive.
A pity we lost him so early, one can only imagine the damage the KZN loose trio could have done with him in the mix too!
Being one of the parents that could be labeled as “lured by the fat cheque book”, I can tell you, it’s not all what you think.
While the Villes and Glenwoods of this world can afford to dish out 100% scholarships (read = free schooling) in abundance, the privates really can’t afford to take that risk.
Most of the private scholarships will be 25 – 50%, so if the school is a perfect fit and the boy wants to go there, the parents are going to pay, maybe not 220K a year, but at least 100K.
Another false perception is that the privates are filled with affluent parents – there are many parents who have to make huge sacrifices for their kids to attend their chosen school, I know all about that!
In the last year now … if I had to do it again would I change anything? Not a chance! I honestly don’t believe my boy would have reached his all round potential in any other school.
Having said that, no school is the perfect fit for every kid – I’ve seen great kids destroyed at very good schools and average kids blossom at average schools. At the end of the day they need to be comfortable in their environment.
And Hopper … if you’re lucky enough to have a top school candidate – if that school gets the best out of them, you won’t need that Varsity fund as the cycle starts all over and they will be scrambling to offer you everything for free.!
@McCulleys Workshop: All schools need to be judicious with their spending. I know for a fact that College is a break even school, so the fees are set to recover the costs of running the school. It’s actually illegal to take more in fees, you’re not allowed to do it. Naturally there are private sponsorships or scholarships, the yearbook notes them, so Allan Gray have a few, there are scholarships that are funded by bequests etc. The College Foundation also provides some. Notably they also provide at least one, perhaps 2, to College boys who want to study teaching and return to College. Our first graduate joined the staff this year if I’m not mistaken.
However – there are off-book funders. That’s a story for another blog – it’s sometimes impossible to trace – if a kid arrives and their fees get paid, schools aren’t going to query where the wonga is coming from, unless it still smells of abelone or Columbian Marching Powder …. and even then ….
Nothing new here, the beauty of these blogs is that we get new bloggers every year, and the old ones who have exhausted these topics previously limp off into the blue yonder all suffering from verbal interruptus ..
@Gungets Tuft: I gotcha … All BS … Including the bit that the big cheque book schools (referring to the R210,000 pa schools) have more to spend on buying players. At R210,000 with inflation over 5 years, you looking at R1.3 – how many of those can a private afford? And then the conversion into a Brahman Bull in Grade 12 doesn’t happen… As for privates having the ability to get the attention of youngsters and there parents, for sure they do, for whatever reason.
@McCulleys Workshop: I think the insinuation of “fat cheque book” is rather an observation of “high fees”. R210k a year vs R80k a year just implies more value. That can possibly be measured by smaller classes, 4 to a dorm instead of 6, perhaps a selection of sarmies at tea time instead of ham, cheese, ham and cheese, or as a special treat (but your school will never EVER find the secret) a ….. ZARM ..
. It cannot be measured by the end of first year varsity, as I have found out with my (private school educated) daughter as she nears the middle of her final year. (except for the College men, they keep coming back for the Zarms ..)
There is no way that you will ever truly separate the perception of value from cost. It’s the way humans are generally wired, so when a parent gets a call from a private school after deciding on a Glenwood, Westville or College, they’re going to listen up.
You’ll never hear me criticise the educational qualities of any of our schools, private or not. I’m grateful my lightie made his own decision, succumbing to all the subliminal messaging going on in the last 3 years of his primary school life.
@Goldstones: This has all been covered before, particularly last year relating to Garsfontein et al. However I’m not sure that the undefined fat check book schools, retain a fat check book at all. If you are talking about a school like Glenwood, who are said, along with Westville and I’m sure numerous other schools, to be handing out large numbers of sports bursaries every year, can retain their financial stability long term. I would think that many of the bursary recipients also end up in the boarding establishment, so the cost of the bursary/scholarship more than doubles. This means one of or a combination of three things, the non bursary kids have to pay more in fees to have a good first team rugby, the schools financial stability may not be sustainable, ecstatic old boys help fund the school. I personally don’t believe in the sustainability of the model, but maybe Hopper has an economic thesis on the survivorship bias of the current model?!
@McCulleys Workshop: numerous mentioned throughout various blogs. In my personal knowledge I know Glenwood’s “recruited” two boys from an upcountry school who already had scholarships at a good school, hence my query, what makes the boy, or more likely his parents, decide that now they are getting a better deal?
@Rugger fan: A lot of inter school movement in grade 10 and above can only indicate some really bad initial decision making in school selection. If you get promised more at a school in an entirely different province that is no better than the school you are at then maybe there is more at play than just a scholarship. In certain Gauteng schools I have heard, I stress heard not verified, of kids moving down the road, and sometimes further, for better scholarships including traveling allowances for parents, cell phone allowances etc. So what I really am trying to discover is what exactly the oft-mentioned cheque book covers. I fully appreciate as you say it is not likely just a comparison of annual tuition and boarding fees. I also worry it is sometimes more than just opportunity when a Cape boy in a good school’s A team moves very far away?
@Grasshopper: Not sure you would get much of an academic or sporting education at a 4 Star B&B, but some guys have different needs, it’s a free world! If you could afford it you wouldn’t need to put your money into a varsity fund for your kids.
@McCulleys Workshop: Yes Mac Yes Mac…..just saying at R210k per year I could stay in a 4star Midlands B&B for a year for less. It’s just stupid money for schooling in SA, sorry. Oh yes, I can afford it but prefer to put the money into a Varsity fund for the kids…
@Goldstones: Who may I ask are the fat cheque books schools, that will solve a lot of this debate.
@Goldstones: It’s debatable – but that is merely the price of schooling at certain schools – just as the figure differs between GW/WV/MC on the govt side – so it differs between the privates.
It is not actually paying the kid for playing (unless he does not pass his academics and is not involved in any other schooling activities).
Most of these guys are pretty inclusive types who do polo, cricket, may be reasonable academics, show leadership potential and are probably involved in 2 or 3 other aspects of the school too.
So the actual value is not really the issue as 210k to House or 36k to GW ends up giving the boy himself a similar final product – i.e. a Grade 12. opportunity to play top flight rugby (plus any other marketing spin you may include). So as a parent it is not “real” Rands and cents you are gaining IMO – but merely the opportunity.
This may be a very ignorant question but what more does the fat cheque book buying school have to offer a kid who has a full tuition and boarding scholarship, particularly if the 210k or similar school was not his and his parent’s first choice? Surely beyond that you are paying the kid to play which is not allowed? I’ve wondered about what this buying power means in practical terms for a while now?
@Grasshopper: China, with a 500 hectare estate and numerous buildings, facilities, sports, staff, etc one would never guess that all MHS really spends their R210,000 per kid on, was the individualized grooming of rugby players? When they are a B league side and don’t play out of province games against the real tough guys and only play one term of rugby. You are fixated with cost and your economics and stats suck.
@Grasshopper: That’s the plan!
@Thumper: Good stuff! I hope you gets into one of the English Age Group teams and plays at the World Champs in a couple of years. Would be a pity if he got lost in the English club system..
@Grasshopper: Had dinner with his folks the other night, he is well and enjoying his rugby.
@beet: Something new. I agree 100%. What you see, I think, at House is the reward of continuity and faith in your boys. It will stand the test of time, long after the cheque book has destroyed the fabric of other methods.
@beet: Agreed, but at R210k per annum I would only expect the best coaching, almost at a personal trainer level…
When I was at school I really hated Michaelhouse. I think it was largely to do with the post-matric thing. Now I just feel I have to love them or at least love what they’ve come to stand for in a fast changing SBR environment. Their hand has been forced by their own success. As an oversubscribed school they seldom have access to new players after Gr.8, so basically have no choice but to get it right with Gr.8 recruitment and then rely on a solid 5 year rugby program to get the best out of the players. Not every year is a special year like this one but I look at this year’s MHS team and wonder how many of their 1st XV players would have struggled to make the grade if they had spent the last 4+ years at other schools without the same attention they’ve received at MHS.
@GreenBlooded: Perhaps, or maybe that some of the boys are already 110kg and shaving twice a day by the time they get to U13
I think that the scouts {hawk, rake, spit} have already been shopping by then and have made early offers to schools. Some schools have bigger wallets, the agents commission is tied up well before trials (as ou McCulleys says … although I wonder how many off-book offers come through after announcement).
Remember the government schools are also restricted by legislation, first come first served, so there’s not a hell of a lot of cherry picking that can happen once the bucket is empty.
{Sigh} .. I’m retiring from another thread … nothing new here.
@Grasshopper:
I’m sure Pedantic would know………
@GreenBlooded: MHS had already handed out its scholarships prior to the announcement of the sides.
@GreenBlooded: Agreed. Off topic, do you know how Staples is doing in the UK? Imagine him and Palvie wrecking teams together now…
@Gungets Tuft:
I wonder if this goes some way to explain GW looking outside of KZN? Maybe they have grown tired of doing all the legwork and getting out-bid by the privates? Maybe they have found that out of province = under the radar?
@GreenBlooded: At last look I believe there were about 400 names in there. And given the rather abysmal conversion from U13 to Craven Week, I reckon an analysis of the “standbye file” would be far more flattering.
In the 2010 intake there was the name of one David Small who has gone on to be a stalwart of the 1st hockey and cricket teams, only made the cut at the end of 1st term. Viva the standbye file VIVA !!
@GreenBlooded: Glenwood Prep Boys to Glenwood should be set in stone. Kearsney will always get the cream in KZN.
@Gungets Tuft:
Yip. I think it’s at about this time that ou KGB reaches for the manilla folder marked “Nathan House Standby List”.
@GreenBlooded: Already happening. Check your mail.
@Amalekite:
Even more of a shock is only a single Highbury boy in the B team. The 1st team this year was a ‘dream team’ of sorts – kept together in the 3rds last year after a very successful U11A season in 2013.
@oldschool:
College getting a few of those lads……..until their KZN selection increases their currency and the privates come with the cheque books. Then it all changes.
@Pedantic: yes , young Halstead is coming to Kearsney , very good 10 ……
I can count 7 lads from the A and Bs that are coming to KC ….
@Rugger fan: Looks like College will be getting quite a few of these lads .
@Grasshopper: Glenwood don’t really hunt in the KZN stable anymore , take for example this years u14A side …I think there are only 3 lads from KZN in the starting line up … the rest of the side from outside the province ….
@Amalekite: Last week DPHS copped a 40 pointer to Glenwood Prep. The Glenwood side is very very strong though.
I am shocked at how few DPHS boys there are. A few years ago, they were the school with the most reps. Is their rugby still tops, or have other schools caught up?
Hopefully most of those Glenwood Prep boys are going across the road to their big brother school, also all those out of city kids…
Dobson from Kloof going to House I believe.
Hoping for Halstead to follow his roots and go to Kearsney (Nephew of Trevor).
Trollip to College – I’m sure a few more too?
Glenwood already done great recruiting with the boys from outlying towns in the u13a. I hear both Gouws and Thomas already going to Glenwood, other schools are sleeping. A lot of these boys have been on the Glenwood radar for a year already.
U12 & U13 teams also announced for KZN:
KZN U13A
1 KH Thomas (Southern KZN – Izothso Primary), 2 U Botha (DBN Coastals – Umhlali Prep), 3 T Trollip (DBN Coastals – DPHS), 4 H Gouws (Zululand – Richards Bay Primary), 5 C R De Bruyn (Southern KZN – Scottburgh Primary), 6 M Khuzwayo (DBN Coastals – Glenwood Prep), 7 M Mkhize (DBN Coastals – Glenwood Prep), 8 K Khumalo (Midlands – Pelham), 9 P Elliot (DBN Coastals – DPHS), 10 M Halstead (DBN Coastals – Clifton), 11 S Nkomo (Southern KZN – King Edward), 12 S Ngcobo (DBN Coastals – Glenwood Prep), 13 K Mbongwa (DBN Coastals – DPHS), 14 M vd Merwe (DBN Coastals – Glenwood Prep), 15 E Matkovich (Pinetown and Districts – Westville Senior Primary), 16 N Mdabe (Zululand – Mtubatuba), 17 B Nortje (Southern KZN – Kuswag Skool), 18 M Xego (DBN Coastals – DPHS), 19 J Dobson (Pinetown and Districts – Kloof Senior Primary), 20 M Khalishwayo (Northern KZN – Paul Pietersburg), 21 E Potgieter (Northern KZN – Lucas Meyer), 22 J Murray (Midlands – Cowan House), Coach M Dick (DBN Coastals – DPHS), Asst Coach M Jali (DBN Coastals – DPHS), Manager H Muller (Zululand – Richardia), Chaperone K Barkley (Midlands – Pelham)
KZN U13B
1 M Fierro (Pinetown and Districts – Highbury Prep), 2 J McCabe (Midlands – Merchiston), 3 M Immelman (Pinetown and Districts – Westville Senior Primary), 4 C Van Heerden (Midlands – Pelham), 5 M Madela (Northern KZN – Hutton Park), 6 L Grobler (Southern KZN – Kuswag), 7 L Stubbs (Midlands – Merchiston), 8 N Zikalala (Northern KZN – Monument), 9 B Oellerman (Midlands – Merchiston), 10 H Trodd (Midlands – Merchiston), 11 M Maphisa (Zululand – Mtubatuba), 12 N Dludla (Northern KZN – Nuwe Republiek), 13 K Morsink (Southern KZN – Izotsho), 14 Y Gosai (Pinetown and Districts- Atholl Heights), 15 J Roets (Southern KZN – Amanzimtoti), 16 J Bessick (DBN Coastals – Northlands Primary), 17 N Mndaweni (DBN Coastals – DPHS), 18 M King (Midlands – Merchiston), 19 M De Klerk (Midlands – Cordwalles), 20 T Tomsett (DBN Coastal – Virginia Prep), 21 M Grant (Midlands – Cordwalles), 22 T Nkosi (Northern KZN – Piet Retief), Coach S Carroll (DBN Coastals – Northlands Primary), Asst Coach B Hobbs (DBN Coastals – Glenwood Prep), Manager Archie Bhengu (Pinetown and Districts – KwaManzini Primary), Chaperone R Robbertze (Zululand – Richardia)
KZN U12
1 A Mfiki (DBN Coastals – Glenwood Prep), 2 Q Pitout (Midlands – Merchiston), 3 A Zondi (Midlands – Cordwalles), 4 S Mkhize (DBN Coastals – Glenwood Prep), 5 J Venter (Northern KZN – Pongola), 6 K Manukuza (Zululand – MtMathuba Primary), 7 L Mtshali (Zululand – Veldenvlei) 8 G Mbatha (Northern KZN – Paul Pietersburg), 9 C Oellerman (Midlands – Merchiston), 10 C Davis (DBN Coastals – Virginia), 11 S Kok (Midlands – Merchiston), 12 A Zakwe (Midlands – Merchiston), 13 C Maree (Northern KZN – Piet Retief), 14 L Mpongose (Northern KZN – Paul Pietersberg), 15 D Pretorius (Northern KZN – Piet Retief), 16 M Khuzwayo (Midlands – Merchiston), 17 R Swift (Midlands – Merchiston), 18 S Mngomezulu (DBN Coastals- Penzance) 19 J vd Merwe (Midlands – Merchiston), 20 A Nkuma (Zululand – Grantham P), 21 R Viviers (Northern KZN – Hutten Park), 22 L vd Walt (Northern KZN – Piet Retief), Coach S Accerman (DBN Coastals – St Henry’s), Asst Coach Tinus Laatz (DBN Coastals – Glenwood Prep), Manager David Malaki (Southern KZN), Chaperone R Robbertze (Zululand – Richardia)
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