Glenwood
Glenwood should be very strong this year and will probably set their sights on finish in the national Top 10. Being proactive recruiters of Gr.10 and up high school players has boosted this year’s squad but it’s not the only factor that will contribute to their success. They have a few very good under-19 players back and they also had a strong under-16 team from last year coming through. So a strong run on team, blessed with depth in most positions equals a sustainable challenge.
Coach: Rudi Dames – 3rd year in charge
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Renier van Rooyen | Prop | u18 | After the showdown at flyhalf, tighthead prop promises to be the second most exciting position to watch in KZN this year, as numerous candidates set out to prove they are the best in the province. Renier represented KZN at Grant Khomo Week in 2014. His prop teammate Lindo Cele has played at both Grant Khomo Week and Academy Week for KZN in the last two seasons. |
| JJ vd Mescht | Lock | u17 | A well-build 2-metre giant with good ball skills and workrate. In spite of his age he is set to become the KZN’s highest profile player since the Du Preez twins from Kearsney who are now doing very well as provincial players. Expect everyone to be talking about this youngster JJ. |
| Austin Brummer | Flank | u18 | The KZN Seven representative in 2015 is an outstanding XV’s player and in his 2nd season of 1st XV rugby is expected to form part of an exceptional loose-forward trio, that may include Kevin Smit (u19). Smit has a very good ball stealing technique, which might be an issue later in the season as KZN badly needs a turnover specialist in the no.6 jumper come Craven Week. |
| Marco Palvie | No.8 | u19 | Arguable the KZN player of 2015. An SA Schools “A” has a Sharks contract. He’s a big ball-callier in every sense of the word and it will take a lot for any team anywhere in SA to stop him. Separating him from most with his talent at this age is he wears no blinkers, therefore expect the bashing but also appreciate a player who senses when its time to offload to the ball to mate in a better position. |
| Jerome Bossr | Flyhalf | u18 | The gifted flyhalf with an educated boot, speed and a few game breaking tricks up his sleeve first became known in KZN because of his controversial move from Selborne. However he quickly put that behind him and produced match winning play, helping to earn himself a KZN Craven Week place where he did duty as a fullback. His kicking out of hand deserves a lot of credit as he is able to get both good distance and placement. |
| Maarten Holtzhausen | Centre | u18 | The established inside centre from 2015 proved to be one of their most consistent players in the team. When given the chance to start at flyhalf he did extremely well and judging by his frame, no.10 might be his best suited position for rugby after school. He represented the Valke at Grant Khomo Week in 2014 and received a call-up to play Academy Week for KZN last year. |
| Midfield | Centre | With the likes of experienced Ruan van Rensburg, Sevens/Academy Week player Seun Maduna and 2 year Grant Khomo Week player Dylan Kruger available along with others who can fill the positions, Glenwood are blessed with options here. Possibly a couple of the centres will be reassigned to play on the wings |
Westville
This age-group produced good form in 2014 as under-16’s, so expectations from the sidelines are high. Success is not guaranteed though. There is a new coach at the helm in the form of Ronald Norris, he has a new assistant in Jo-Ash van Aswegen and Ville even has a new Head of Rugby in recent arrival Dirkie Strydom. So they basically have a new rugby structure that has to hit the ground running. It’s an overlooked factor, but when the coaching staff does not gel, it has a habit of showing up on the field in the team’s performances, an issue that Westville got to experience recently. 2016 promises to be a phenomenal year for flyhalf action in KZN and yet Westville once again find themselves with a bit of uncertainty in this key position. Scrumhalf has been a position of strength for Westville in recent years but here too there may be concerns just like in 2015. There are capable boys chomping at the bit to take up the halfback challenge in 2016 but in a nutshell, get that 9-10 decision-making axis right as well as the scrumming and Ville may be able to toy with the idea of breaking into the national Top 10.
Coach: Roland Norris – 1st year in charge
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Hendrik Prinsloo | Hooker | u18 | If he can step up his setpiece work to match the high standard he is able to deliver in broken play, the Craven Week 2015 player will be a very serious SA Schools contender this year. |
| Dylan Taljaard | L/Fwd | u17 | A player very much in the mold of Westville’s Devon Muller who was dubbed Mr Consistency on the blog last year. Taljaard is a KZN Sevens player and an all-important lineout tail jumper. He’s building up to be a key player in 2017. |
| JP Pelser | L/Fwd | u18 | This Gr.11 made an excellent start to the 2015 season as a lock before injury ended it prematurely. Expected to feature in a strong WBHS backrow but could be just as at home at lock. |
| Zane Heyneke | L/Fwd | u18 | An enthusiastic player with plenty of “gees”. Expect him to prominent at collisions. If his skill level and decision-making have improved he could do well this year. |
| Brogan Boulle | Centre | u18 | An incredibly strong on his feet player who was able to put this ability to good use during the 2015 1st XV campaign. He’s expected to become an even greater line-breaking threat in 2016. There are a couple of warning signs which he has to take heed of. Don’t become too predictable, don’t forget how to make useful passes and don’t sacrifice pace in a quest to gain more power. If he can achieve the right balance, a KZN jersey should await him. He will be back in 2017. |
| Tonny Mahlangu | Wing | u18 | One of the best players of the 2015 KZN season. This short wing has power, outrageous pace and the gift of being able to get past the first tackler. A top finisher. Received his just reward by becoming a replacement inclusion in the KZN Craven Week team last season. |
| Donovan Grant | Prop | u18 | With 1st XV experience as a flank to count on, he will vital in his new role as a loosehead prop, as Westville lack depth in this area. |
Maritzburg College
Here is another reasonably solid looking squad that ticks boxes in most positions. How the combinations work together will probably determine if College can finish in the national Top 20 or not. The coaching staff will have to guard against allowing College to slip into the same monotonous style that hampered part of their 2015 season. Certainly the Red White Black is at it’s best when they play a total rugby package like they did when they almost beat Grey College last year.
Coach: Kevin Smith – 2nd year in charge
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Andrew Reintjes | Prop | u18 | The former Grant Khomo player was up for the challenge of 1st XV ball carrying in 2015. Now as a senior with experience, he needs to start dominating in the scrums and make his size count at the rucks. |
| Durang Atembe | L/Fwd | u18 | The muscular Cameroonian born flank is as powerful as his frame suggests and is certainly expected to own the advantage line when he carries. He hasn’t grown much taller so part of the College coaching challenge will be identifying a role that gives him a shot at a full house of provincial appearances – WP Craven Week u13 in 2011, KZN Grant Khomo Week in 2014. Perhaps he will feature at hooker? |
| Craig Glover | No.8 | u18 | Son of College 1980’s great in Shaun Glover. Craig is a small player but he’s absolute delight to watch because he’s about delivering 110% non-stop for 70-minutes and no challenge ever seems too great for him. In other words he has brilliant attitude. He has already caught the eye during the 2015 1st XV season. He is invaluable at no.8 for College but his style of play particularly his intensity at the breakdown where he is a menace, should make him a consideration for openside flank come Craven Week selection time. |
| Lodewyk Muller | Scrumhalf | u18 | The son of Springbok prop Lood Muller. He’s bit like having a flank at scrumhalf at times so expect him to mix it up a bit with the forwards. Played Grant Khomo in 2014 and had a few games as the 1st XV starter during 2015. Possibly the favourite for KZN Craven Week coming into the season. |
| Ruben Van Blerk | Flyhalf | u18 | An dependable player with one the best cut-out passes in the country. His goalkicking ability was crucial to College’s cause in 2015. Although he did well last year, there were hints that he is capable of having a far great influence on matches, particularly if he gains more confident to vary his attacking options including taking the ball to the line. |
| Njabula Mjara | Centre | u17 | He’s been a keen age group player all along and is now starting to show some very positive signs as a 1st XV ballplayer. Expect a few exciting things to happen via this youngster. |
| Xolisa Guma | Wing | u19 | A difficult year yet vital year for this talented wing. He needs to stay motivated and realise that many of the players his own age will gain a significant edge on him due to being at pro rugby institutions while he is in the classroom. So he has to train and perform at a post school level to ensure that he doesn’t find himself with too much ground to make up after school. Although he’s never been hungry player on the field, he has first class finishing ability. He was picked from Boland to be an under-16 HP candidate before his move to College, then played two years of Craven Week for KZN and was invited to be part of the SA Sevens wider group along the way. In a sense he’s been there and done that. |
Durban High School
2016 is a landmark year with DHS celebrating 150 years of existence. School did their homework 6 years back and put together a reasonably good team for this special year. They backed it up with a useful u16 group from 2015 as well. Unlike many of the players that came before them, from a psychological point of view, 2016’s group of players are accustomed to winning and will believe they continue to beat KZN rivals. No one is expecting miracles but DHS has the ingredients now to enjoy possibly their most successful rugby season in close to a decade. School’s rugby culture is under severe pressure. For a big school of their size they produce very few teams. This in turn creates 1st XV depth issues. Coach Christo Wilkinson will enjoy a bit of relief from this in 2016 but his guidance will still be vital. So too will be the input of old boy Scott Mathie who is their rugby coaching coordinator. The concern is there shouldn’t not much to separate DHS from the Big-3 privates who are ranked below them in this preview. If DHS don’t take their A-game into these challenges, they could end up in a familiar position close to the bottom of KZN Tier-1. Interestingly as part of their proactive approach, players are believed to be attending two rugby periods per day – one gym/fitness and the other mental/strategy.
Coach: Christo Wilkinson – 4th year in charge
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Tiaan de Jager | Prop | u18 | Showed some good signs as the 2015 season progressed. His mobility is emphasized by the KZN Duikers u18 (Youth Club Rugby) using him as a flank. |
| Sbu Makhalapi | Flank | u18 | In another hotly contested KZN position, he has the potential to steal the openside flank show as a result of DHS doing outstanding work in helping players to fine-tune their turnover skills. 1st XV rugby isn’t a done deal though. His 2015 teammate Luyanda Nbabandaba is a very capable 6 too and is back as an u19 player. |
| Phendulani (Pepsi) Buthelezi | L/Fwd | u17 | Following two years of Grant Khomo Week rugby, this solidly built 1.87m tall, tough and hardworking flank is on course to represent KZN for a third straight year. A potential successor to Marco Palvie next year. |
| Matt Hamilton | No.8 | u18 | The son of 1980′ Natal centre Greg Hamilton, might be a late starter due to his water polo commitments. He has a good feel for the game and as a result is one of the few forwards capable of making telling passes. |
| Sanele Nohamba | Scrumhalf | u17 | The Grant Khomo 2015 youngster has a shot at making a big name for himself in 2016. He’s is definitely a talented player. |
| Gert Coetzee | Flyhalf | u18 | His line and lateral movements make him possibly the classiest player in the province to watch. Having led the KZN Grant Khomo team in 2014, played Academy Week in 2015 and then KZN Sevens, its indication that he’s a star player for his school and he has all the ingredients to carry on building on that success. Perhaps the one area he needs to focus a little more on is his linking. He has the creativity to game-break but it will mean little if his team cannot profit on the scoreboard from this. |
Kearsney
The One-Stripes have reason to be quietly optimistic about their chances of performing well. They may not have much depth but they have useful players to cover just about every position on the field and on top of that a lot of these boys are returning with 1st XV experience under the belt. For a few years now Kearsney has been able to rely on individual brilliance produced by key backline players. For this year, they again have one back who fits that description but other than Kearsney needs to reinvent themselves as a school that relies on well designed coached up plays to penetrate the D-line that are complimented by x-factor brilliance as opposed to being over-dependent on it.
Coach: Barend Steyn – 15th season in charge
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Dylan Richardson | Hooker | u17 | A highly rated star of KZN’s successful 2015 Grant Khomo campaign as a no.8, may have do duty in the frontrow due to Kearsney having an more than useful 8 in the form of returning 1st XV player James Miller. |
| Greg van Noordwyk | Prop | u18 | The son of well-known Durban coach Ray van Noordwyk is a tall tighthead returning for a 2nd season of 1st XV action and will carry the responsibility of team captain. |
| Jared Meyer | Lock | u18 | Turned out to be one of the surprises of 2015 as he lifted up his game to meet the demands of 1st XV rugby and impressed many in the process, eventually earning himself a well-deserved KZN Academy Week spot. He’ll start the season as a favourite for Craven Week honours. |
| Luke Croshaw | Flank | u18 | Used his opportunity at 1st XV level very well in 2015. Another player who is capable of playing directly at the ball and making life difficult for opponents at the breakdown. |
| Cameron Ritchie | Flyhalf | u18 | A flyhalf with flair who is able to make something happen out of nothing and can also take ownership of a match. His thrilling attributes earned him an Academy Week place last year as well as a spot in the KZN Sevens team. |
Michalhouse
After their extremely successful unbeaten 2015 season EVERYONE will want a piece of Michaelhouse and this 2016 isn’t expected to be anywhere as good as their 2015 unbeaten team. However it is not all doom and gloom. It could quite possibly be the opposite. Last year House’s 2nd XV were very competitive and seemed to get stronger as the season went on. Very few of their returning players were 1st XV regulars in 2015 but they cover the spread when combined with the 2nd XV. Since Michaelhouse rugby has earned a “whole is greater than the sum of the parts” reputation, this could turn out to be a surprisingly pleasant season. They welcome a new head coach in Andre van Wyk. As part of the succession planning that House is becoming well-known for, van Wyk has come up with the u17’s in the team from u14 to u15 to u16. Always worth mentioning is as ever House will be under the watchful eye of school rugby coaching guru / mentor Ryno Combrinck, the Director of Rugby.
Coach: Andre van Wyk – 1st year in charge.
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Jaryd Kleynhans | Lock | u18 | One of only a few Michaelhouse returning players who was a regular in 2015. Although a bit on the short side, he is as hard as nails and delivers nothing less than 100% on any given Saturday. |
| Liam Bowmaker-Wood | Lock | u18 | At 1.92m and close to 100kg, he’s known to give 100% and can also play in the backrow. Prop Aidon Schwarz is another big player who will help beef up the House pack. |
| Dante Gutu | Flyhalf | u18 | A tidy nicely balanced flyhalf with wonderful passing skills and a good kicker as well. He will surprise many with his efficiency as he comes into the season much like Michaelhouse will, wearing the underdog tag. |
| Nic Herbert | Centre | u18 | This reliable versatile player with several 1st XV caps to his name and leadership qualities. He has an eye for space and can produce deft touches which will be beneficial to teammates on the same wavelength. |
| Miquel Maingard | Fullback | u18 | He will shift from wing to fullback this season. Is a well-built and reasonably quick player who’s is strong in contact, good under the highball and expected to make the most of his chances. He’s definitely got potential. |
Hilton
This team wasn’t successful coming up through the age-groups so they are now in position to be classified as a surprise package. A few things are present which could change their fortunes. Firstly Currie Cup winning coach and old boy Brad Macleod-Henderson has returned. He is bound to narrow the gap between player form and player potential, something that was sorely missed in 2015 when what should have been a strong Hilton team underperformed; plus BHM has an outstanding record against biggest rivals Michaelhouse. Secondly a couple of very good players return as under-19’s. Finally the under-16’s from 2015 were decent. Hilton can run on with a big tight-5 and definitely have a few backs that open up even the most dedicated defence. The school’s biggest worry is their backrow where they seem to lack size.
Rugby Official: Brad Macleod- Henderson – 3rd season in charge (Head coach may still be AC Blume – 3rd year)
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Andrew Peverelle | Prop | u19 | The Craven Week 2015 prop was a joy to watch as he is a livewire of note. One of the suggestions is that he could fill the void in the Hilton backrow in 2016. |
| Nick Smith | Prop | u18 | A highly rated prop with a strong back missed the best part of 2015 due to an injury picked up while playing rugby in Scotland. He’s the son of Maritzburg College’s 1980’s golden era forward Clarke Smith. |
| George Putter | Lock | u17 | A bit of a wildcard pick. 2016 might be a little too soon for him to make his presense felt but he is a definitely very big unit who showed a keenness for the action as an under-16 player but had difficulty staying on his feet long enough in contact. If Hilton can work on his leg driving strength, spectators should witness a player who improves with every performance to the extent that he eventually starts to dominate collisions and adds significant value. |
| Angus Curtis | Flyhalf | u18 | It took him a while to establish himself as the first choice in 2015 but the effects of his play had a noticeable impact as there are exciting dimensions to his game. He certainly knows how to spark an attack and with Hilton expecting to have a few good strike players in wider positions, a good running pivot is just what the doctor ordered. |
| Darren McGhee | Wing | u19 | An underutilised wing with some power and plenty of speed. He truly has so much to offer Hilton. In this his third season of 1st XV rugby, he is more than capable of leaving lasting memory as a top notch finisher on Gilfillan. |
| Cameron Badenhorst | Fullback | u18 | A well built player who has the speed and strength on his feet to exploit gaps. During the 2015 1st XV season he had some exciting runs from deep, brushing off tackles or punishing defences that gave him too much room. This year he could have a shot at provincial honours but needs to focus more on his skills like kicking out of hand and distributing to compliment what he can achieve as a ball runner. He should attract a fair bit of interest from rugby union scouts and agents. |
Northwood
There’s not much noise coming out of Northwood suggesting they are in for an average season but then again they are a setup that likes to keep the cards close to the chest. A reasonable goal would be for the team to maintain an unbeaten record on their beautiful lush evergreen home field in Durban North.
Coach: Grant Bashford – 3rd season is charge (was in charge during the 1990’s as well.
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Gugu Nelani | Prop | u18 | The 113kg former Border CD prop has been sending out the right signals in preseason and could make a play for one of the KZN no.1 jerseys later in the year. |
| Jasey van der Kampen | Flyhalf | u18 | Possibly the best of players who have joined Northwood from the Netherlands in recent seasons. He 1st XV rugby in 2015 and stood out as a player with vision. He also had a good spell at KZN trials. |
| Luyanda Mngadi | Wing | u18 | The Grant Khomo 2014 wing (while at DHS) has a lot of promise but needs to get his head in the game and realise that without putting in the hard work, the rewards will be that much harder to reap. |
St Charles
Last year St Charles opened their new home of rugby which comprised of a sunken field and a very nice indoor training facility. So they are paying attention to their rugby and although the KZN market is a small one for recruiting talent, they have been competitive in the past and may taste that kind success again soon.
Coach: Adrian Simmons – 4th season in charge
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Sid Sibisi | Centre | u19 | Will make his way back from a devastating leg break during the last game of 2015, which ruled him out of Academy Week. He’s a good all-round player known for putting in big hits as well as being able to take the outside gap. |
| Dillon Bennett | Centre | u18 | A strong centre/wing capable of dominating. |
Clifton
Clifton are pretty much still the new kids on the block but have made great strides as a high school in just over a decade of existence. Their fixture list is starting to look really good these days and the acquisition of strategically minded Grant Bell to head up their rugby programme speaks volumes about of their commitment to improving. They aren’t good enough to challenge any of the big guns just yet but they continue to move in the right direction.
Coach: Ross Saayman – 10th season in charge
| PLAYER TO WATCH | POSITION | A/G | MORE INFORMATION |
| Calvin Zandamela | Prop | u18 | With stats of 1.88m 106kg, he won’t suffer from a shortage of national scouting attention that’s for sure. If his 2015 performances are anything to go by, he promises to be a good player. As Clifton’s tighthead prop in 2015 he showed good energy around the park. It didn’t quite work in that possie out and now he’s being rebranded as big ball-carrying no.8 and is bound to stand a shot at KZN selection this season if his speed and workrate are in line with the improvements expected from a senior with a season of 1st XV experience behind him. |
| Massimo Conversano | Centre | u18 | He is one of the best water polo players in SA and captain of the national team. Tall and very quick, he runs incredible lines and has earned good rating from those who’ve watched him. He is also good on exit kicks and has great vision on attack. |
@Andre T:
@Andre T – Have it removed.
Can anyone of you medical experts please give me advice on an ingrown toe nail?
@NW_Knight It is most likely an ACL injury (Anterior Cruciate Ligaments). ACL tears/ strains are amongst the most common sporting injuries. Unfortunately, our rapid evolution to upright bi-peds has given us incredibly weak knees.
You will often hear the ACL injury classified as grade 1, 2 or 3. A grade 3 ACL tear is a very serious injury and could curtail a sporting career.
I think Jean De Villiers is the poster child for extreme knee injuries. He had grade 3 ACL and PCL tears as well as torn muscles, ruptured menisci and collateral ligament damage. You will only see this kind of injury when there has been extreme trauma to the knee joint.
If he has had surgery to the knee, it is likely he had a grade 3 ACL tear. Rehabilitation can take as long as 9 months (depending on his responsiveness to treatment and the type of surgery).
With ACL tears/ strains, pain is felt deep in the knee. Sometimes it is difficult to localize. With PCL (posterior cruciate ligaments) tears, pain is felt at the back of the knee. PCL tears can also be dramatic when they occur. You may hear a snapping noise if there is a clean tear.
It’s Latarjet guys named after the French dude who first did it…usually a fracture of the glenoid…
@NW_Knight – It must be a Left Cruciate Ligament Injury. Laterjet sounds like Cruciate.
@beet: Huh, do you know something we don’t? Maybe a thawing of things between Hilton and Glenwood?
@Grasshopper: perhaps the influence is someone with an office space at both Glenwood and Hilton?
@CRC: OK, sounds interesting indeed. Maybe Gary Teichmann and John Allan have shook hands and said this is silly chaps, let’s move on….who knows…
Interestingly I hear that Glenwood and Hilton are playing some pre-season trial chukkas against each other next weekend . If only everyone could leave it to the rugby people to sort out
@Grasshopper: Interestingly I hear that Glenwood and Hilton are playing some pre-season trial chukkas against each other next weekend.
@NW_Knight: Laterjet is a shoulder stability operation – same op TD had.
@Bonthuis: Shows how far away you are, Hill is now coaching at Glenwood. La Marque looking after polo and swimming overall. Seems Westville somehow avoided facing our polo side this term, might have got ugly. Oh yes, at the Westville and Alan Burt Gala Glenwood didn’t have a few key swimmers there as they were doing national duty in Zimbabwe, waterpolo that is…
@Bonthuis: hahah and now his son is at Kearsney!
@Grasshopper: Don’t understand why you still hung up over the Chad Le Clos Westville thing, perhaps because he’s the greatest schoolboy swimmer ever. Why on earth would he have ever gone to Glenwood, their swimming program is rubbish compared to Westville, can’t blame the guy to be honest.
@Grasshopper: And Leighton Pardy was at Primary school in Westville, but, poached by Glenwood way back then.
This is not stirring but stating what I heard from the boys. Glenwood identified Austin as a talent and approached him. No bitterness. Great kid.
@GreenBlooded: There is however one major coaching correction that has to be made in the blog above. I was sad to hear about it today because the coach involved is a nice guy and just as I wrote I thought he was doing a good job.
@GreenBlooded: Thanks Greenblooded.
Thanks for waiting the 11 month grace period
I don’t think I’ve ever called him Austin on the blog. Apologies to Austin for all those references in which I called him Alex.
http://schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=10683 + numerous other googled references to me calling him Alex
With regards to College coach, just like with the Hilton setup the idea is to list the man in charge irrespective of title and at MC it is still Kevin Smith. For a few years while Ryan was in charge, Kevin also carried the title of head coach.
@Griffonfly: Grade 8 intake is fair game, don’t try to stir the pot there. Glenwood loses kids from Glenwood Prep and Penzance to other schools all the time and live with it…
Probably, but I heard Chad le Clos was not swimming captain at Westville in his matric year.
@Griffonfly: Like Chad le Clos when he was at Penzance?
I heard Austin was offered the captaincy when he was in Grade 7 at WSPS.
@GreenBlooded: I reckon Austin will be the captain
@beet:
Sorry to nitpick – but for the record:
1. Austin Brummer – not Alex Brummer for Glenwood.
2. Tim Orchard is the College 1st XV coach. Kevin Smith is the Director of rugby although he has a massive input into the 1st XV coaching setup.
@Grasshopper: He had a shoulder op. But I was told that part of his Japanese trip had been paid up so expect his goal is to be ready to play rugby at some point.
@beet: I do know Bossr didn’t play cricket this term so either he is preparing for next cricket season or for rugby. It would be sad if he didn’t play. Same with Palvie….
@Greenman: From what I understand Marco had surgery late last year and still on the mend via rehab.
To add to the humour, Hilton are still OK to play Glenwood is all other sport. What happens if they lose to Glenwood waterpolo by 20 goals, will that be called off too?
HILTON = HYPOCRISY! The height of it. Glenwood have poached/bought/stolen/acquired/allured, no denying that. But most of the other KZN schools have too. They are all whiter than white but Glenwood are hated. Post grade 8 acquisition has been minimal and only in the past 5 years. Glenwood has played vs Hilton since 1915, our oldest fixture. Hilton are prepared to throw away 100 years of rivalry for being too professional? Jeez, more likely to protect their record. They pumped Glenwood for 50 years before Glenwood got established, seem to forget all that over a few players. Worst of all Hilton then go and poach not 1 but 2 Glenwood Under16A captains in 2 years….but that is OK, then they poach the Westville scrumhalf and do some jiggery pokery to avoid the Headmasters agreement……it’s a laugh and a half….
@Grasshopper: …don’t get me started on elitism and privileged upbringing.
@Grasshopper: Such BS, everybody knows you’ve taken the poaching and professionalism to new level that’s annoyed a lot of schools, that’s why you’ll never realistically be seen as the best in KZN. You the number 1, but, it’s a false no.1.
@Sizwe: It’s called elitism, how can old technical High School Glenwood from the slums of Umbilo be competitive or even stronger? It can only be from poaching. I remember in the post matric era having that attitude towards the privates, they were only strong due to post matrics. Did little Glenwood go running away with their tails between their legs? Nope they took their beating every year on the chin. 16 year olds vs 19 year olds….
@Sizwe: Answer the question, was it OK for Hilton to poach players but Glenwood not? Was it OK for Westville to recruit from the Eastern Cape? I just want to know what the higher ground is…
@Grasshopper: Don’t hear about Hilton having issues with Michaelhouse or Kearsney or Westville having issues with College??
@Grasshopper: There seems to be one common denominator in all of this to me…and it’s pretty obvious.
@Sizwe: And the poaching of fullback Calvin Smith and Jayson Gouws by Hilton didn’t give Glenwood a reason to call off the fixture? Hilton are a little schitzo, they get BMH to get more professional, have a good season, lose him and get pumped then they claim Glenwood is too professional, not they bring BMH back and they are not professional? Please boet, they just scared of getting a pasting again. With regards to Westville, they just dislike Glenwood as their biggest local competition and will try find any loophole to not play them and College was over La Marque leaving to go back to his Alma Mater and Staples moving in grade 9.
@Grasshopper: Not our fault the fixture was cancelled. Heard Westville and College have had similar issues with you guys in the past. You seem to be the common denominator.
So what has happened to Kevin Smit? Has he fully recovered? He probably won’t be allowed to play against Westville and the other KZN Schools….
@burra: The talk is Wayne has a very good chance of making KZN Schools this year, very highly rated and has what it takes.
@Sizwe: Without playing Glenwood they will never know unfortunately.
Hoping it will be a good year for Hilton, I think Peverelle and Curtis will be the stars this year. Would love to see Hilton get back to former glory when we used to dominate KZN with the likes of College and Michaelhouse.
@Greenman: Apparently a left laterjet injury (whatever that may be).
@Rugger fan: could be injury.
@Greenman: That would be sad. Trust it is not injury related? He was one of the more exciting KZN players of late
marco palvie currently not in the mix, I understand. Not sure what is happening there!
Another player who I personally feel has what it takes to don the KZN jersey this year is Wayne Ngubane (scrumhalf from Campbell) u18. 2nd year as campbell 1st xv Captain. Other players to watch out for from Campbell is Njabulo Nkosi (8) and Bongumusa Sibisi (5)
Going to be an awesome season with the teams so close. I do hope the Machine can win on Bowdens!
I think it will be another tough year still for Northwood. 2013 showed what could be done with the right calibre of player on the field, and the need for a strong age group who played together throughout.
Will be interesting to see how the u14A team from last year do now. Seemed to be a fairly good team.