The KZN team for today’s Craven Week opener against the Bull Bulls
| # | Name | Surname | High School | Primary School | H | W | DoB | u13 Craven Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazamo | Majola | Westville | Pitlochry, KZN | 182 | 101 | 20/02/95 | |
| 2 | Kerron | van Vuuren | Glenwood | Escombe, KZN | 185 | 98 | 23/05/95 | |
| 17 | Njabula | Gumede | Maritzburg Coll | Eshowe, KZN | 182 | 103 | 03/01/95 | 2008 |
| 4 | Ntokozo | Vidima | Glenwood | ??? | 189 | 93 | 13/05/95 | |
| 5 | Daniel | du Preez | Kearsney | DPHS, KZN | 196 | 108 | 05/08/95 | 2008 |
| 6 | Mzwandile | Mazibuko | Glenwood | Richards Bay, KZN | 184 | 89 | 06/03/95 | |
| 7 | Jean-Luc | du Preez | Kearsney | DPHS, KZN | 194 | 110 | 05/08/95 | 2008 |
| 8 | Ayron | Schramm | Kearsney | Highbury, KZN | 191 | 101 | 18/04/95 | |
| 9 | Reece | McHardy | Westville | Westville, KZN | 174 | 83 | 17/07/95 | |
| 10 | Tristan | Tedder | Kearsney | DPHS, KZN | 179 | 70 | 17/04/96 | 2009 |
| 11 | Sphamandla | Ngcobo | Glenwood | Ndeleshane, KZN | 156 | 70 | 28/07/95 | |
| 12 | Akona | Nela | Glenwood | Selborne, E/Cape | 179 | 88 | 03/04/95 | |
| 13 | Marcel | Coetzee | Maritzburg Coll | Wartburg Kirchdorf, KZN | 178 | 90 | 14/12/95 | |
| 22 | Morné | Joubert | Glenwood | Elarduspark, Gauteng | 179 | 76 | 19/01/96 | |
| 15 | Corné | Vermaak | Glenwood | Drakensberg | 181 | 87 | 18/02/95 | 2008 |
| 16 | Jordan | Meaker | Kearsney | Highbury, KZN | 170 | 80 | 18/08/95 | |
| 3 | Koos | Tredoux | Glenwood | Wiedapark, Gauteng | 180 | 110 | 28/02/96 | |
| 18 | Thabiso | Zuma | Maritzburg College | George-Cato, KZN | 178 | 110 | 25/04/95 | |
| 19 | Jaco | Coetzee | Glenwood | Garsfontein, Gauteng | 187 | 95 | 10/06/96 | |
| 20 | Kelvin | Elder | Maritzburg College | Port Natal | 184 | 84 | 20/01/95 | |
| 21 | Kurt | Webster | DHS | Glenwood, KZN | 176 | 84 | 12/01/96 | |
| 14 | Banele | Ngwenya | Maritzburg Coll | King’s, KZN | 163 | 68 | 02/08/95 |
Bulls squad
| # | Name | High School | Primary School | H | W | DoB | Birth Place | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xander Van Wyk | Waterkloof | Tygerpoort | 184 | 115 | 12/04/95 | Benoni | |
| 2 | Francois Steyn | Affies | Hennopspark Primary | 177 | 95 | 19/06/95 | Pretoria | |
| 3 | Johan Van Wyk | Waterkloof | Mayville | 185 | 112 | 12/01/95 | Pretoria | |
| 4 | Hyron Andrews | Garsfontein | Paulus Joubert Primary | 203 | 104 | 06/07/95 | Paarl | |
| 5 | RG Snyman | Affies | Hennopspark | 205 | 113 | 29/01/95 | Potchefstroom | |
| 6 | PJ Toerien | Garsfontein | Pindene Premer | 183 | 95 | 17/02/96 | Cape Town | |
| 7 | Calvonn Allison | Affies | Villeria | 194 | 110 | 23/03/95 | Pretoria | |
| 8 | Salmon Van Huyssteen | Affies | Elardus Park | 190 | 96 | 03/03/96 | Sasolburg | |
| 9 | Justin Phillips | Waterkloof | Constantiapark Primary | 181 | 76 | 03/02/96 | Pretoria | |
| 10 | Jameel Warnick | Garsfontein | Darling | 173 | 78 | 18/05/95 | Malmesbury | |
| 11 | Ethan Sias | Garsfontein | Darling | 179 | 78 | 13/02/95 | Malmesbury | |
| 12 | Franco Naude | Garsfontein | Danie Malan | 185 | 91 | 28/03/96 | Pretoria | |
| 13 | Jurie Linde | Affies | Randhart Primary | 185 | 86 | 13/03/95 | Alberton | |
| 14 | Jade Solomons | Garsfontein | Pella | 181 | 85 | 17/12/95 | Cape Town | |
| 15 | Eduan Keyter | Affies | Hennopspark | 183 | 86 | 13/06/96 | Centurion | |
| 16 | Wildon March | Garsfontein | Vooruitsig Primary | 176 | 84 | 18/01/96 | Cape Town | |
| 17 | Vean Roodt | Centurion | Hennopspark | 183 | 106 | 19/08/95 | Lichtenburg | |
| 18 | WP Eloff | Affies | Wonderboom | 195 | 116 | 18/01/95 | Pretoria | |
| 19 | Abongile Nonkwantana | Selborne / St Albans | Selborne | 196 | 108 | 10/04/95 | Port Elizabeth | |
| 20 | Ivan Van Zyl | Affies | Magalieskruin | 180 | 80 | 30/06/95 | Pretoria | |
| 21 | Jose Shaw | Selborne / St Albans | Crewe | 173 | 80 | 29/06/95 | East London | |
| 22 | George-Lee Erasmus | Centurian High | Eikestad | 177 | 77 | 03/03/95 | Stellenbosch |
@BuffelsCM: 100% correct, you need to have back up plans and options. Just not sure these kids have enough time before CW to work on back up plans etc
Anyway, hope you are enjoying CW as much as I am – what an awesome event
@RBugger: Yes you’re right – the credit should go to the locks of the Bulls as well. We tend to forget that they still are boys (big ones !!) and are still learning their “trade”.
I wasn’t sure who was making the calls but it makes sense that it was Schramm. The guys obviously didn’t know how and where to call when he left the field – hence more pressure on the lineouts (especially during the 2nd half with Schramm off the field). KZN had a few “clever / shrewd” (I don’t know what word to use) calls in the lineouts initially. So maybe the coaches did their homework……..although there was no plan B.
I tend to study lineouts because of my coaching – I’ve actually copied KZN’s first 5 man lineout for future use !
Somebody mentioned the Sharks’ competing on the lineout ball of the Bulls. At one stage there was a call by the Bulls and Franco v d M said ” 5, 4″ (or whatever the call was) “is on me”. He was correct and stole the ball. I’m sure he figured out the lineout calls but the Bulls didn’t know how to deal with it. That’s how Keegan Daniel managed to steal more of the lineout balls (in my opinion of course)
At that stage Hattingh (who is still inexperienced) was making the calls.
Therefore you should always have another set of calls. It doesn’t have to be a complete new set – only a few minor changes to the calls are necessary
@BuffelsCM: It is a massive blow – very unlike him with the kickoff, having spoken with him, he said the wind held it up and he thought it would land in his arms, then when re realised it would not, it was too late – a bad error, but he will learn from that.
With regards to lineouts, they should have simplified the options and they should have had a plan B – But we mujst also remember these boys are still in school and they need to learn – also have to give credit to the Bulls locks, awesome lineout jumpers!
The best bet in the KZN lineout would have been Schramm – he took his ball well but said that Snyman was man marking him in the lineouts and he could not call it on himself all the time. I think KZN will be better in this aspect of play come Wednesday
@RBugger: It is a real pity about Schramm – as I’ve said yesterday after the match he was the best KZN forward on the park. He only made one mistake as far as I can recall when he missed the kick-off and that led to the try of Andrews.
Lineouts: I’m not going to repeat what I’ve said yesterday but IMO the coaches did not do their homework about the lineouts. With 2 locks of 2m + you need to be clever and proactive in your thinking. I know it is difficult to beat them in the air but then you need to beat them on the ground while running “around” in the lineout or the safe option: throw to the front. In the latter, the lock needs to jump first (to ensure he gets in front of the opponent) and then the hooker throws the ball. When the opponent reacts…..it usually is too late and you have your ball. I know it may sound too simple….but if you practise it, it can be done
@kcob: Didn’t see much mention of Tedeer here but I thought he had a good game. I think that inside channel was exploited by the Bulls on attack, wonder if the open side flanker was not a little slow off the mark closing them down before the attackers got the gas on. When the Bulls centres hit that gap at full pace it is much harder to stop.
Didn’t watch that much of the game, but where I did I thought Tedder was calm and made mostly good decisions. If we had pure pace on the field to chase kicks to the corners then that might have been an option, but to give the Bulls back like Linde an opportunity to run back at you would have been suicide.
Sad about the injury to Schramm, he looked the business, but according the tournament rules he only had another 30 minutes game time available anyway. Who takes his spot, since that leaves just 3 recognised loose forwards – Coetzee to play both remaining games?
@RBugger: Good to hear they are mates and have a good team culture, that is what is needed. I think the animosity amongst some bloggers is an Old Boys thing….
@KCOB: For sure, I think Wednesday they will turn it on – they have played the feared Bulls and feel they will be more relaxed for the remaining fixtures.
As for team spirit, it could not be better – just speaking to the players, it is clear they are all great mates – not like some of the bloggers on here
From someone here in Pietersburg, and at the game yesterday, let me assure you the boys are “broken” about their performance! It’s no excuse, but they heaved at the dryness and altitude from half time. None made any excuses for their performances, and are very upset. The lesson is for them to adapt on the field, but believe me it appears like a very rigid environment for them to work.
Schramm was standout and we seemed to lose his vigor in the second half.
People must remember you may no substitute any player unless the tournament doctor has made a diagnosis on the sideline. Hence the time delays in getting players on when we had injuries. This is designed to ensure every player at the tournament plays a full game, in one sitting, no using rotations. The is a lot of politics and regulations defining a Stratergy.
I think corne seemed to be wearing his injury lay off heavily, our centres seemed a little like deer in the headlights and both our wings were average. I think Morne did not see much ball.
The doop’s seemed to suck it in in the second half and that too could be the number of break they have had to take this year due to injury.
Overall, we should have played % rugby and kept the ball in their 22. Kearsney did it all year and Tedder was goo at that all year, but something changed today as there seemed to be a different game plan.
Having seen the boys, they all seem very happy around each other, there are no rifts that’s for sure, and I think the Wednesday should see a real up step in tempo and clarity.
Jeez, think KZN are being hard done by reading some of these comments. They played their hearts out against a very very good Bulls team.
Yes, the lineouts were an issue, but to be fair, the locks of the Bulls are perfect jumpers, tall and light (for their height) Very difficult against 2 fantastic lineout jumpers.
As for the criticism of the twins, it is unfounded – they are 2 physical men who play a huge role in the pack, their work off the ball is fantastic and the Sharks would struggle without them.
Schramm was brilliant – as said before, he is exciting and brings a dimension to the number 8 role which not many other players in that position possess – out and out gas, just ask the Bulls Full-back. I thought Coetzee was also very good when he came on, looks like a good number 6 to me, very good on the ground.
The backs did what they could, i felt the 12 should have run a bit more off Tedder – Tedder did not seem to have many options on his outside, perhaps communication needs to be better.
All in all, great heart shown by the Sharks, the boys should be very proud of themselves
@Goose: Schramm is out and will not play any further role on the field at CW – I think he has a grade 2 tear in his groin – it is a massive shame for him and a huge blow for the KZN Team.
@Grasshopper:
Fully agree on 2014 being the year for those 3 boys. It must be remembered that in U14 and U15 Joubert was a #10, in U16 moved to #13 and now is #14 for KZN. They’ll have to settle him quick into a position so he’ll fulfill his potential.
Look forward to seeing how Webster plays tomorrow, and good luck to all today!
It’ll be interesting how Lines and Webster develop if they go to an academy, as they’ll still be u18 and will have 2 years at playing u19
@sharkie: Ah damn, good player so good luck to him after school. OK, so Kearsney only have a couple back next year, Tjide Visser, Tristan Tedder and Langa Hlongwane? Wow, rebuilding big time…
@Grasshopper: Chris Lines is in matric this year so wont be back
@HORSEFLY NO.1: ok you have a point, but I think Joubert will blossom next year into an X factor player. Same with Jonas and Coetzee. Those 3 will be Glenwood’s X factor players in 2014 with Tredoux, van Niekerk, Mgadi, du Randt, Khanyile as able support. Chris Lines from Kearsney will be the X factor fullback, great player!
@Grasshopper: Try sticking with the real Glenwood supporters! It’s you guys that give in to this Westville lot that let all the Glenwood supporters down. They must go and blog somewhere else so that it’s just the “Old 5” on this site!
They must take their “leafy suburbs” attitude somewhere else too. GO GREEN MACHINE!
I think there’s a difference between an x factor player and a very good player. Sparks and Joubert imo don’t belong in the x factor group whilst vermaak does.
X factor players are guys like Fisher,Payi(although overage),Kriel twins. They all produced great moments in just about every single match they played regardless of how well the rest of their team was playing. As already said, vermaak falls into this group and has shown it multiple times. He is unfortunately obviously not 100% yet.
As for Joubert and Sparks, personally think they fall short of x factor status. They are both players who will shine mostly when their team is getting some go forward ball, rarely will they shine while the rest of the team goes backwards.
I did feel like the #12 was also quite poor today too…
@WBHS Griffon: must be ;-)
@Jordaan: come boet, that is just plain stupid to say. You letting us GOBs down with that sort of dumb statement….
@Grasshopper: Talk about Glenwood haters, jeez you guys have got some real “beauts” in your camp! Maybe this guy is GreenMom’s husband – Lol!
@Griffon: yep, in my year we had a 6foot10 kid who did no sport. He was about 105kg maybe. We tried to convince him to join us in the gym and start playing but he chose volleyball of all sports, we think his parents had a say then as he was dead keen. Agreed, all sporty kids should be convinced to at least try. Yeah, for KZN shorter stocky props allow us to compete in scrums but this year we had two brutes in Jackson and Hollenstein, but leave both out in both teams, stupid! At least try them. Glenwood’s Tredoux and Mgadi are in grade 11, if they can bulk up in the off season they might be able to get up to 115kg and 110kg each. KZN did have tall locks but all bean poles that could be snapped in one tackle….
@WBHS Griffon: How dare you say that Glenwood did not deserve some of the selections…in my opinion we should have had at 12 in the KZN starting line. You Westville guys were lucky to get two!
Erasmus must stay as one of the coaches, the more Glenwood only we bring into the KZN setup, the better we’ll start doing.
You Westville guys don’t deserve to be in the company of the Old 5, we don’t need you!
@ Grasshopper : Agreed,big forwards is something we’ve lacked this year besides the DuPreez. Glenwood having big forwards in the past helped KZN in the past, I might be wrong but I remember the 2010 and 11 KZN side having All Glenwood front rows, and those sides were pretty good, and competitive up front. I do think schools need to try encourage their big and normally unactive pupils to try play rugby, as you’ll find there are quite a few tall pupils in schools who do nothing at all.
@Grasshopper: Wow, finally an adult response! Yes, game should be good next year, over the last 10 years hasn’t been much between the sides, except for one or two years…guess that’s why we’ve become your bitter sporting rivals from just up the road. Well said!
I think everybody (bar GreenMom of course) would agree with you that Glenwood had a few too many players selected for whatever the politics is in the selection process…pity guys like Else never got a chance!
@WBHS Griffon: I heard the boys had a few the night before hence the bad showing. People are never going to let Glenwood forget those 2 banana skins in Northwood and GC, hey ho! Funny how no one ever mentions Michaelhouse’s loss to GC. It’s good for teams to be brought back down to earth, it’s why the game is so great. Looking forward to the Westville fixture next year, hope to be there. Should be another mighty clash….
@ Grasshopper : I for one have enjoyed watching Glenwood rugby at times especially this year . I’m all for running the ball and believe Glenwood had the best backline in KZN this year,IMHO. Your X-Factor players were a bit off today due to some injury niggles and just having a bad day. As much as our centres were left wondering today, we have to consider,as Beet mentioned, that they were up against one the most highly rated centres. I for one won’t say bring in Bell as the coach, but a new coach might be nice in the future to bring in new ideas. A backline coach would be nice, as much experience as both coaches have, they won’t have the same thought process/ideas as a backs coach would have
@sharkie: agreed, but Mr Griffon loves to jibe…..it’s fun to wind him up and for him to start using words like kuk and kak….
@WBHS Griffon: yep, also when Westville can beat Pioneer ;-)
@WBHS Griffon: boet, this is all banter, chill out! I have no connection with Green Mom. Her comments are an embarrassment and by you lumping me with her that is like a full on insult. Anyway, you probably one of my Westville mates, which makes this even funnier….
Wonder if the glen wood and westville boys in the team get on or is it only when they become adults that the rift exists. Grow up guys this is craven week not glen wood westville
@Grasshopper: You might have a leg to stand on when you can beat George Campbell and Northwood on a regular basis, no wonder we can’t win a game at the Craven Week, so stop talking kak!
@WBHS Griffon: hahaha! Another obvious post from a perennial Glenwood hater, no surprise again and people ask why there is animosity between the schools. I would love to see a new coach at this level and at Glenwood and finally we may get some peace from the haters….
@WBHS Griffon: that would come from a Westville supporter when most of the backs are from Glenwood….no surprise there. Joubert, Vermaak and Sparks have been standout all season, now they don’t have X factor…..what a laugh. They scored great tries against Paarl Gim, the best school in the country…..oh well people who are aggrieved by selections will always pick holes after a loss….
Like the McHardy / Tedder combination. Schramm definitely the best forward. Amongst the backs, agree with the earlier post, there is no “X-factor” from the likes of a Tyler Fisher.
Doops are always very consistent and do a lot of hard work off the ball.
@sharkie: agreed Lines is good but better than Vermaak? Vermaak is not 100% it seems. Our highest ranked top 20 team is Kearsney at about 10, Garsfontein and Affies make up most of the Bulls side and in the top 10 ranked highly. Glenwood lost by a similar margin to Garsies and Kearsney were a point better than Glenwood, what do we expect, miracles. The only chance we had today was if the Bulls were off.
Watching the game today there were two areas of real concern. Firstly the inside channel,between flyhalf and outside centre, the bulls got through at random. My concern here is that outside of flyhalf and two centers there was no covering firstly by the open side flank and secondly the cross field covering should be a number 8 role. My other concern is that at line out time I would love to see a full line out again and especially when there is tall opposition why not throw to 2 ball. It would appear that 2 ball is not the go to ball. Also Schramm isn’t the best guy to be jumping purely because if the ball is turned over his role of defense is jeopardized.agree with the x factor talk don’t really see where that is going to come from in the Kzn back line would love to have seen chris lines at fullback, he scored a number of tries for the academy side and would not have disgraced at this level or be it a step up
@beet: yep, Mazibuko is only 90kg but very good both in the line out and loose, that would have worked. 8 ball too, but I didn’t see the game so can’t comment. Just checked now and it was on supersport, irritated I missed it and did not pvr it either….
@Grasshopper: Or perhaps the Doop twins should have been moving around and lifting athletically built Wandi Mazibuko. Wandi is fairly light and has great hands in the air.
I just witnesses a fantastic defensive lineout display by the Sharks against the Bulls at Loftus the other night. Key was getting athletic Keegan Daniel high to interfere with Bulls throw-ins.
@beet: agreed on all fronts. I mentioned Jackson and Hollenstein as my picks, just their presence would have given the KZN pack that extra bulk and confidence they could at least match the Bulls on size. Lifting in the line outs another advantage as you say. Put the Doops at lock and keep the current loose forwards.
@McCulleys Workshop: I agree on all your Doop twins comments. They were destroyers in that first half. KZN depended a lot on them at the collisions. They possess incredible strength. A few weeks back someone found it hard to believe me when I said that the Doops are stronger than Jacques du Plessis was at the same age. Not much could be done for the lack of fitness but the only criticism I have about today and few other performers they have delivered, is this insane desire to try and offload everything in the tackle. The end result is that good ball gets easily turned over. The key to being a good offloader in the tackle as Daniel du Plessis and RG Snyman both displayed is delivering an accurate pass that puts the recipient into space. There were too many occasions today when the Doops should have held on, set up the rucks and allowed the team to attack the Bulls from the next phase.
It’s been a different sort of year for KZN. Over the past few seasons we have had at least one x-factor back who has helped win us a key big game with serious BMT.
One area where taller props like Hollenstein do help is lifting in the lineouts.
@McCulleys Workshop:
Cheers for that.
@vatikaki: as brilliant as RG Snyman was, fast, good on defense and unbeatable in the lineout, both Dup’s were physically stronger and more imposing than him in the loose. Their upper body strength is amazing.
@Grasshopper: ok, so you’ve won me over, maybe the likes of Holenstein and Stevens were needed, certainly 120kg props could have made a difference with the lack of hight or size at lock. Our loose forwards to my mind were on a par if not better, and I thought Coetzee was good value when he came on, he has a year to go still (Schramm was sublime). We haven’t got centers. Ellse from what I’ve seen this season is better than what was dished up today. Note to headhunters – go to Border and EC and find us 6.6 locks.
@McCulleys Workshop:
Agreed. And it doesn’t seem as if KZN have any players of a similar mould that will come up after them so the next few years shall be interesting..
@vatikaki: sorry eaten is a relative term, it would have been open gates without them.
@vatikaki: they seemed a little underdone having been injured on and off this season. They are mongrels in loose play, have immense strength and ability to rip the ball from the ball carrier. But they seem to have lost some pace for bulk, it could be a fitness issue. KZN would have been eaten without them, no doubt. We have no imposing players of their ilk in the province. Lets see how they fare for the rest of the tourno.
How did the du Preez twins go against the Bulls?
Their positions under threat? RG Snyman by the sounds of it must be ahead of Daniel after that game.
@beet:
Well I hope he finds it!
I’ve found myself buying into Heyneke’s rugby philosophies. ‘Bigger is better’ and you need to be winning the collisions.
Nothing wrong with bullying the opposition into submission! Only fools want to sacrifice that in exchange for a bit of entertainment. Can do both in moderation!
Going to try get my SuperSport feed working in the next few days urgh! Very much looking forward to seeing who goes on to play SA Schools.
I notice a guy from Academy Week made the 50-man squad last year. Johan Labuschagne (EG Jansen). He is injured this year however.
By the sound of things the combinations which Sakkie picked worked out well for this game. 8 Affies -, 6 Garsies – and 1 Waterkloof player in the starting line-up for the Mighty Bulls. Wednesday the starting line-up will most propably have 6 Affies, 6 Garsies, 2 Klofies and 1 Woerie.
@vatikaki: He is very tall. 1.95m sounds about right. I just missed that natural aggression today. Wiaan has never been short of that. Hanro had it last year. This time round he didn’t seem as physical. He also appears to be a lot heavier this year so perhaps a bit slower than 2012 as well. Nevertheless a great prospect.
@Muzi: I agree 100% Muzi. And we are going to need that strong front rankers against the Streeptruie.
@Muzi:
The extra height will surely help? If SARugby has their stats correct that is. They have him down as currently being 1.95m
I’m in the ‘bigger is better’ boat.
Hanro Liebenberg is a machine….I think he’s a better prospect than his old boet Wiaan.
@vatikaki:
Ignore that.
Cheers beet (on twitter!)
Hanro Liebenberg MOTM?
@HORSEFLY NO.1: OK, but in 30 odd games for Glenwood each against some of the best in SA they have stood out, so either they are injured or had a bad day………when your pack is going back all the time it can be difficult to shine…..
@Grasshopper:
Vermaak was quiet, Joubert got a yellow and Sparks was poor at #11 today. Neither of the 3 showed any x-factor at all.
@Amalekite: Vermaak, Joubert and Sparks are X factor players in the back, they have shown it all season. I don’t think too many players would catch Sparks in a gab. I didn’t see the game but it’s obvious from the tweets that the forwards got smashed, you see this is where 120kg plus props would have helped. I would have also played both Doops at lock….anyway we can’t cry over spilled milk, let’s do better in the next game and good luck!
1. Too many missed tackles.
2. Agree with Beet, when the lineouts are not working, you need to adjust/improvise.
3. Too many basic errors at kick off time. Lack of communication on receiving.
4. Not enough structure, especially in the second half.
5. It seems that there were quite a few players that were selected carrying injuries/niggles. This may come back to haunt us….
Having said all this, I remain positive that we will see a much improved performance on Wednesday.
Good luck boys!
@ Horsefly : Think Vermaak should ‘find’ his feet in the 2nd game. I’m quite a fan of Webster and look forward to seeing how McHardy and him perform together. Agree about Ellse, think he would’ve performed well in a game like that if he was in the team
@Griffon:
I was sort of banking on Corne Vermaak to be that X-Factor player but maybe he isn’t really 100% from his injury yet.
But yes totally get what you are saying. I do think Brad Ellse would have made a difference here. He is probably close to being an x-factor player and has been in excellent form this year including having a very good academy week from what I’ve heard.
I just think they need to be a bit more patient in their build-up and trust the boys to their left or right
@ Horsefly : The thing with our team this year, is that we lack an X-Factor back besides our Half Backs. In Previous years we’ve seen the likes of Kriel, Fisher, Moolman, Hirsh, Howard, although over age Payi was also one. So I think our backs will need to link well, as we don’t have those game changer players this year
@BoishaaiPa: You are as predictable as an early sunrise in Durban. Thanks for the confirmation. Having been to GCB a few times, you should know better than to think that they “just invite a black school over once a month” (as you wrongly put it ) Having substantial numbers of “black “kids in the school, they just dont force feed kids- they allow free choice, and that choice, like in other areas, is not rugby. You probably know better, but the truth does not support your view.
@beet
The backline in itself didn’t get much ball and when it did they seemed very average and made way too many mistakes with ball on hand. It mostly went sideways and the yellow and the multiple handling errors by the backline counted against us. The scoresheet shows all three kzn tries scored by the forwards and to an extent they were all basically individual moments instead of a healthy team build up.
I am not saying that Webster would have done any better than Tedder at all but maybe it would have been worth a try to put him on since he has somewhat shined all season with a DHS pack that has gone back all season. Tedders Kearsney team has mostly had a pack going forward this season and as a #10 its tough to adjust your game from what he was used to at Kearsney.
That said, as I mentioned before, he did have an impressive run or two.
Are the games of tv guys? Hard luck KZN, to be level at halftime is an achievement against that Bulls side.
@beet:
Looking forward to hearing how Hanro Liebenberg goes. Would do well to emulate his brother.
And Pieter-Steph du Toit’s brother is in that team also? Should make it interesting. Wish I could watch darn it! SuperSport caught onto streaming their live feeds
@Woltrui:
I think Xander van Wyk ,Vean Roodt and Johan van Wyk is one solid front row combination….perhaps the best we have.
I just think Francois Steyn could be a super sub or open side flank in the next game.
It was all a bit franetic and we seemed to want to score at every opportunity. With the wind at our backs we should have played the majority in their half. Slowed it down and yes had an answer in the lineouts. Schramm made a good take from a shortened lineout and it worked well. More of the same was in order with those 2 giants at 2 and 4 . Didn’t watch the second half but kick offs are critical when you have just conceded and the result was we were under pressure again. Look forward to see how well Webster plays on Wednesday albeit against weaker opposition. McHardy had a solid game but one could see the nerves at play from the initial kick off. settled nicely.
I thought the Bulls struggled in the scrums WP Eloff and Johan van Wky were inconsistent but as the game went on they got slightly better.
Nonkwantana could provide some extra weight for the front row. 
IMHO we miss an enforcer in that engine room…RG Snyman and Hyron Andrews are the same types of locks…..maybe Abongile “daddy”
@Griffon: Koos left with a neck injury. Will try to get more info.
@Woltrui: Frans Steyn was captain and WP started.
@beet: Beet who was the starting front row for the Bulls? How did they go? Sorry for the questions. Couldn’t watch the game.
@Beet: I agree with the DuPreez, they seemed to fade out in the 2nd half. Also I think the boyys weren’t pushing hard enough on the inside in defense, eventually getting caught out on the outside. As hard as it playing against a highly rated centre pair, I think a bit more effort could’ve been put to try close them down, but things like those happen. Unlucky to the boys, hopefully they do better the next game. I imagine they’ll play Pumas or Boland next game. Anyone know what happened to Koos
Bulls were very impressive this afternoon…..i think they got tongue-lashing from the head coach at half time.
Without a doubt the speedy Jurie Linde is deadly with ball in hand especially in open play damn he’s just a thorn near that try line.
It was my first time watching Garsies inside centre Franco Naude…..a bit quiet in the first half….but i liked what i saw from him after half time the boy can jol he’s also a powerful runner.
RG Snyman was my man of the match perhaps with a bit of bulk he could make our Bulls super rugby squad next season.
In the battle of the number 8 I think Schramm provided he’s 100 % fit will make SA schools this year the youngster is a game breaker of note….wow he was a beast in the first half.
@BuffelsCM: Okay I change my mind a comment. Remember the game Paarl Gim vs Outeniqua. When the Outeniqua regular lineout started to fail, the Kwaggas improvised. And they had Zandberg who is over 2m tall. They won 4 lineouts simply by throwing the ball to the man standing at the front. Just saw the British and Irish Lions use the same tactic successfully over the past few weeks. Possession is so key. Teams sometimes have to adapt to situations on the field and change tactics. In all of this accurate lineout throw ins are a fundamental.
@BuffelsCM: Good point. No comment!
@Griffon: Our centres were up against 2 of the most highly rated centres in the country. Was not easy going. But the battle was lost up front first. Pity we could not create more opportunities to run at the Bulls. They looked vulnerable at times in that first half.
The du Preez’s looked like they struggled for fitness following their recent injury layoffs. Their efforts in contact were massive in the 1st half but they struggled for that same energy in the second half. Corne after a look time out was also nowhere near as sharp as he has been at times this season. I think on form and fully fit he could have been EW Viljoen’s closest rival for the SA Schools 15 jersey this year.
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Apart from McHardy who did well on defence, I think Tedder was the best back overall. Unfortunately things didn’t go too well for our backs today. I think there were far more obvious aspects in other performances to criticise but I see you do have a tendency to want to pick on Tedder.
I thought our backs were deprived of ball at times. Thought our centres were know where today. Sparks and Corne had few attacking opportunities. KZN has struggled with having hookers who can throw straight at line out time. McHardy in my opinion played well with Tedder making a few good runs. Our props weren’t bad, but could’ve got more ball
@beet: Beet if you are up against 2 locks that are 2 m+, you need to think carefully about the lineout calls.
It’s no use having a 5 man lineout but you throw the ball right in the middle of the lineout. They simply couldn’t get the ball over Andrews………..when they did, Snyman took the ball.
Surely the coaching staff knew about the tall timber in the lineouts of the Bulls. I don’t think that they have done their homework properly!
@HORSEFLY NO.1: Some seriously good no.8’s still to come starting with the guy in the Boland team who is my no.1 choice for SA Schools this year – Hanro Liebenberg. Tomorrow Dian Koen, Martin Groenewald, Wiehan Jacobs and Marco Holmes. Some interest in Luigy van Jaarsveld as well.
Today Schramm was very good. He made a lasting impression and certainly looked better than Rikus Bothma. The latter has been one of the players of the season so far.
@HORSEFLY NO.1:
On todays performances, I’d day only Schramm is deserving of a proper look in to the SA Schools team
@beet: We will know that after Wednesday I think…
..If WP wins, they will play in Saturdays final…If they loose..WP will probably face KZN on Saturday with the Bulls playing either SWD, EP of OVS methinks.
Apart from a run or two, I felt Tedder was kinda average in this game and those kickoffs that didn’t go the 10 certainly took his team backwards which isn’t good.
Can’t wait to see what Webster brings to the team in 2 days time.
But fix those lineouts boys, or the struggle will certainly continue and be a pain in the arse.
@TheGoose: Schramm went off with a groin injury – hopefully not too serious as he was definitely our best player.
bulls unfortunately were in a different class to kzn well done bulls
it must have been an injury he was limping towards the end of the first half
@TheGoose: Strange call indeed ! He was the best KZN forward IMO
@rbugger – can you shed some light on why Schramm was taken off at half time?
@BoishaaiPa: And must say the will to really develop, from tag rugby upwards, is nowhere to find. I think we must whisper some facts to the Minister of Sport. Maybe he will be able to convince the Northern provinces. A real pity and shame.
@BoishaaiPa: BOG and co have been actively integrating them in there school for years they just don’t like telling people about it>
@BOG: Ah shame Bog…Still singing the same old boring song….We dont deny we have an advantage when it comes to that…we never denied it…Its just you who keeps on thinking that. . What you put in is what you get out!…There is an underlying rugby culture in the area that was always here, but you need to nuture and develop it as well!..No use just inviting over a black school once a month and giving them some coaching!..You need to actively integrate them in your school system and let them learn from within!
@BOG: Shows us Border people trained our people well.
@Amalekite: You hit the nail squarely on the head and hopefully the hard hearing supporters from there will get the message if it comes from different sources. A warning though- they may brand you as “verkramp”, racist or having connections with Orania for speaking the truth.. Fact is that WP, Boland, SWD and EC/Border, are playing “off a 20 handicap” while the rest are at scratch.
@BoishaaiPa: Yup. It is difficult to force a rugby culture on PDI’S that prefer to play soccer. It is a lot easier to import PDI’s from the Cape to satisfy the quotas that SARFU imposes on the unions. They are also more talented, play from a younger age, coming from a region where it is part of their culture.
Maybe one day the powers that be will realise that there are certain segments of our society who are more keen to play soccer.
Interesting to see that of the 7 Garsies in the Bulls squad 6 comes from Western Cape!..
Go KZN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!