KwaZulu-Natal must surely be on course to set a new Academy Week record for the number of regular second team players in their 22-player squad. The initial count of 8 (6 Glenwood and 2 Westville) has been increased to 10 with the inclusion of two more 2nd XV players.
Siphe Buthelezi becomes Westville’s 3rd B-team representative to make the grade and he joins Maritzburg College’s Ayanda Duma, who’s played a number of 1st XV games due to 1st choice players being out injured.
Buthelezi’s inclusion comes as a result of Glenwood’s Ilunga Mukendi who has struggled for fitness this season, being ruled out of Craven Week, meaning that Tonny Mahlangu (Westville) who was originally named in the Academy Week team gets promoted to the Craven Week team.
Duma is a swap for St Charles’ star centre Sid Sibisi who broke his leg at the end of the first of of his team’s last game against St Alban’s.
An earlier change to the initially picked Academy Week team came when Westville flank Keegan Nicholson dropped out for personal reasons and was replaced by Hilton no.8 Sebastian Desvaux de Marigny.
Injury concerns over Glenwood’s Craven Week centre Donovan du Randt (dislocated elbow) and Michaelhouse’s Academy Week utility back Liam Furniss (broken hand) could result in more changes to the Academy Week team.
Current team
| KZN ACADEMY WEEK | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan ELS (Westville) |
| 2 | Damon LEE (Westville) |
| 3 | Lee-Marvin MAZIBUKO (Michaelhouse) |
| 4 | K BLOSE (Glenwood) |
| 5 | Andrew EVANS (Clifton) |
| 6 | |
| 7 | Devon MULLER (Westville) |
| 8 | Travis GUMEDE (Kloof) |
| 9 | Gareth SIMPSON (DHS) |
| 10 | Cameron RITCHIE (Kearsney) |
| 11 | |
| 12 | Seun MADUNA (Glenwood) |
| 13 | |
| 14 | Sishle MHLAMVU (Westville) |
| 15 | Jayden MORGAN (Glenwood) |
| 16 | Ajay PRETORIUS (Glenwood) |
| 17 | Quintin VORSTER (Glenwood) |
| 18 | L CELE (Glenwood) |
| 19 | Mthokozisi NTULI (DHS) |
| 20 | Sibonakaliso DUBAZANA (Glenwood) |
| 21 | |
| 22 | Matt KRIEL (Maritzburg College) |
| 6 | Sebastian D de Marigny (Hilton |
| 11 | Siphe BUTHELEZI (Westville) |
| 21 | Ayanda DUMA (Maritzburg College) |
| 13 | Maarten HOLTZHAUSEN (Glenwood) |
How de Marigny was left out in the first place is a mystery. Look , injuries are part and parcel of the game and it can be cruel at times. Good luck to all the boys that are making the trip to both Craven Week and Academy week. It is an experience to savor and make your school and families proud.
I have the chance to go and watch my boy in action in Bloem and can’t wait. It is the first step on the road to a pro career and hope all goes well. He was in these boys shoes last year and what an experience it was.
Good luck KZN- We are all behind you.
It surprises me that with 4 or 5 injuries across the CW and Academy sides that no more of the players from KZN’s no 1 side MHS are considered! I understand the need to meet the quota requirements but it still seems that a bias towards certain sides exist! As a parent I am naturally biased and disappointed that about 10 2nd team players are chosen before better 1st team players as well. Just my opinion. Anyway I hope the KZN sides perform well. Good luck!
Holtzhauzen has replaced Furniss, am really happy for him. One of my favorite players in KZN.
Well done to Tony on his promotion to the CW side. He has certainly been a stand out performer for Westville this year and is an exciting player to watch.
Sad for the guys who are injured but unfortunately it goes with the game.
@Pedantic: Oh yes, good luck to your boy! I have my fingers crossed for an SA Schools or Academy selection :-)
@Pedantic: Shew! I can breathe a sigh of relief then. A real pity for him as I think at full fitness he was an SA Schools contender..apologies if I created any doubt in him…
@Grasshopper: Definitely injury related – he’s been struggling with his knee for a while – was always touch and go whether he would make it in time for Bondedag which is the cutoff.
The **** sounds suspicious to me, is it really to do with injury? Is it not maybe an *** cover up? OR is he maybe playing for the Sharks Under19 so can’t make it? I always thought he looked a little ***….maybe I’m completely off, I hope so…
(edited)
@McCulleys Workshop: Spot on!
Every reason why the quota system should be banished.