The Golden Lions under-18 teams have the usual Monnas flavour about them. 15 out of 44 come from the Krugersdorp school, with 9 of those picks being Craven Week players. Jeppe picked up a decent reward for their above average season to date with 8 players. Florida have had two relatively weak 1st XV’s in a row now but still managed to be well represented again this year with 8 players as well.
It’s not the strongest rugby year for Golden Lions region schools as a collective and even Monnas by their high standards of late are also struggling to reestablish themselves as an SA Top 10 school this year. If the Golden Lions hope to make it three unofficial Craven Week finals in a row, they are going to need their team to gel and definitely achieve above expectations in a match day group that includes SWD, EP and Free State.
| # | Craven Week | School | Academy Week | School | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frans van Wyk | Monnas | CJ Conradie | Monnas | |
| 2 | Joseph Dweba | Florida | Kyle Kruger | Florida | |
| 3 | Roan Grobbelaar | Helpmekaar | James Mocke | Monnas | |
| 4 | Devon Henson | St. Johns | Tatenda Zhoya | St. Benedicts | |
| 5 | Ryno Herbst | Monnas | Reinhard Schindehutte | Helpmekaar | |
| 6 | Dwayne Pienaar | Monnas | Andile Ngope | Jeppe | |
| 7 | Dylan Vlok | Monnas | Devon Mzama | President | |
| 8 | Wihan Jacobs | Monnas | Denzil Hill | Jeppe | |
| 9 | Hamer Esterhuizen (c.) | Monnas | Stefan Fitzgerald | Monnas | |
| 10 | Innocent Radebe | St. Stithians | Ruan Conradie | Monnas | |
| 11 | Ralton October | Florida | Vincent Dlamini | Jeppe | |
| 12 | Gerdus van der Walt | Monnas | Tsepo Thule | Jeppe | |
| 13 | Godfrey Ramaboea | KES | Stefan le Roux | Monnas | |
| 14 | Sibusiso Nkosi | Jeppe | Justin Bhana | Florida | |
| 15 | Erwin Harris | Florida | Sandile Sibande | Jeppe | |
| 16 | Emmanuel Morowane | Jeppe | Gihard Visagie | Helpmekaar | |
| 17 | Andrew Acton | Jeppe | D Rigney | Parktown | |
| 18 | Gunter Janse van Vuuren | Monnas | CJ Greeff | Monnas | |
| 19 | Nyaska Tarusenga | St. Benedicts | L van Tonder | Jan Viljoen | |
| 20 | Brendon Rick | Florida | Devon Mzama | President | |
| 21 | Erik Fourie | Monnas | Latleho Tsotetsi | St. Benedicts | |
| 22 | Fernando Kermis | Florida | Ashley Lindewaal | Florida |
@ Speartackle the 10 you’re talking about is Marco Engelbrecht, he was injured this season and missed a number of games last season as well. He’s capable of taking the game away from the opposition. I rate him as well, he was my favourite player at school level.
@Speartackle: Are you in a Mauritian, Seychellois or Zanzibari old age home?
@BOG: No Old Man………………..I’m spending my time in a tropical paradise
@Speartackle: Its dangerous, calling someone “old man” while sitting in an old age home
What happened to that KES number 10? I forgot his name but everyone rated him last season?
I see the Klerksdorp scrumhalf who couldn’t speak english has left KES and is back in town.
@BOG: I must admit old man, I hate to agree with you but it’s the same with Grey, they most certainly are the top dogs even though they’ve suffered a few unexpected losses in the last 2 seasons.
To say now they’re struggling to re-establish themselves as the best is a bit pre-mature. Some Paarl schools spend a million rand to build a dream team and then still end up 2nd best in their village.
@Speartackle: With so much emphasis on history, I am glad that you added your name because it could just as well have been I who said that.- with the corresponding response from the peanut gallery. Clearly, you are spending time where you are gaining wisdom. Must be in the FS.
To say Monnas are struggling to re-establish themselves as a Top 10 rugby playing school is a bit silly. One or 2 bad seasons do not all of a sudden take away a 100 years of competing and beating most of the Top 10 schools on a regular basis.
With Hans back be sure to expect them to bounce back.
It’s nice to see Godfrey in the side, he’s a player with a lot of potential. As for Innocent Radebe I think he would have played first team in any school. He’s in a class of his own. It’s sad that Marco Engelbrecht didn’t get much action this year as he’s a quality player.
@Queenian: Maybe they need to start up their Dale recruitment policy again or find another EC school resource to tap for players.
I see one ex Dale Junior boy there.
Only 1 KES boy they must be going through a lean patch.
@BoishaaiPa: Dit was beslis die belofte wat gemaak is. Ten minste hou die Leeus hul woord.
I see the Florida import from Boishaai made the CW team…
Lions are always competitive at Craven Week notwithstanding some of their selection issues or how well some of the schools in the region are doing. I’m not sure who is coaching the CW side but if it’s Hans Coetzee, who I believe is back at Monnas after being involved with senior rugby at the Lions for a few years, he is an astute rugby man.