The two schools named after the former Governor of the Cape, Sir George Grey mean in Bloemfontein today. The match will be broadcast live on Super Sport 1 at 13h00. (Repeat on SS8 at 21h30)
The withdrawal of CJ Velleman, the Grey High and EP Craven Week captain is a huge blow to the visitors chances. The contest between Velleman and Marius Louw, captain of Grey College and the Free State Craven Week team, would have been a top quality match-up. Big ball-carrier Martin Groenewald assumes the leadership role for Grey PE. He is prominent in just about every one of his team’s drive and the ground-gainer should be hard to miss. His equal on the Grey Bloem team will no doubt be SA Schools prop Ruan Kramer. Kramer is often the first receiver after a ruck and seldom disappoints in his attempts to get over the advantage line.
The challenge for Grey PE may be in the back divisions. Their forwards are big and strong but the question remains: “will their backs be able to match the class boys from Bloem?” When one thinks of the Grey College line, the name that automatically spring to mind is EW Viljoen, an SA Schools playmaker in the number 15 jersey. The gifted Viljoen is one of the best players of 2013 and has a bright future ahead. He will be backed up by two seniors in Carel Durow, a powerful inside centre and tall Stephan Rautenbach, who is dangerous if given space. Two not so well known players in that awesome Grey Bloem line are wing Henry Immelman and flyhalf André Swarts. Immelman is expected to pose a significant threat today. André Swarts is testimony to the massive depth that exists at Grey College. Several decent flyhalves have been used before him including the likes of Julian Delicado who represented Free State at Craven Week, Michael Andrade, an 2012 SA under-16 High Performance squad member, Julian Jordaan, a Free State Grant Khomo player in 2012 and finally don’t forget that 2012 first choice flyhalf Heinrich Bitzi is still around. However in recent times André Swarts, who has been snapped by the Free State Cheetahs for 2013, after a series of good performances for the Grey Cherries (2nd team) as well as the Free State Academy Week Team, who really appears to be the form player at the moment.
Grey PE look to be in good form at the moment while some suggest that Grey Bloem’s recent away win against Pretoria Boys High wasn’t convincing. However it is going to take a mammoth effort by the visitors if they hope to stand a chance of causing an upset and recording their first ever victory against Grey College.
| # | GREY BLOEM | # | GREY PE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André du Plessis | 1 | JP Jamieson |
| 2 | Martin Wipplinger | 2 | Josh Mudrovcic |
| 3 | Ruan Kramer | 3 | Stephan Ehbersohn |
| 4 | Casper Fourie | 4 | Martin Groenewald (c.) |
| 5 | De Wet Bezuidenhout | 5 | Gerrit Huisamen |
| 6 | Luan Reynders | 6 | Bathandwa Cafu |
| 7 | Marius Louw (c.) | 7 | Johan van Niekerk |
| 8 | Alex Jonker | 8 | Lamond Bower |
| 9 | Heinrich Sander | 9 | Nick Beswick |
| 10 | André Swarts | 10 | Garrick Mattheus |
| 11 | Henry Immelman | 11 | Luca DallaVecchia |
| 12 | Carel Durrow | 12 | Chad Momberg |
| 13 | Stephen Rautenbach | 13 | Thabani Mgugudo |
| 14 | Theo Ferreira | 14 | Dylan Vermaak |
| 15 | EW Viljoen | 15 | Keanu Vers |
@Redblack White: Is that the larny name for Nottingham Road Secondary. College … phooey man, there is only one College around these parts….
Don’t forget Balgowan College.
@GreenBlooded: Chesterville and Umbilo Tech are too long …. I tried …
So are Cedara-non-agricultural, Nottingham Road Secondary and Sydenham Secondary too long. Useless Supersport … 8)
@Gungets Tuft: Yikes – glad you College okes are not getting your way with the broadcasters. We might find names like Chesterville High and Umbilo Tech in future broadcasts……
@spot: Hear Hear. Very well said Sir.
@Redblack White: I actually spoke to Andy Capostagno at one of the College matches this year, then to the production crew, asked them to change it to Maritzburg College. Their explanation was that they only have a certain number of letters they can put up, so it was either Maritzburg or nothing. I told them we would prefer just “College”but they wouldn’t. They seem to think that “College” might mean something else … WTH??
“Grey High PE” and “Grey Bloem” would fit, I would hit them with the Stupid Stick if I were you. If they had any technical skills they could change it to 18 Characters and keep us all happy.
@BOG – don’t worry BOG – we knew what they meant – we have had to put up to being known as Maritzburg for years.
So next year I hear it will be Grey Bloem High College against Maritzburg again – looking forward to that!
Yes, the only finger I can “point”, is one to Supersport and it has nothing to do with this injury. The heading of this encounter on Youtube , reads “Grey College v Grey Bloem High” Of all the name distortions when referring to one or both of these two schools, at least its the most original, however incorrect.
@spot: it is a horrific injury, I was at Queen’s, so didn’t see the game. I saw a picture of it, don’t think I’ll watch it anytime soon. True though, credit to all at Grey for the organisation and quick assistance for Martin
I want to add my voice and wish Martin a speedy and complete recovery from his injury. He will have a story to tell! I can imagine the younger lads hanging on to his every word in awe and with utter admiration when he tells of the day he broke his leg against Grey Bloem. On tv nogal!
Some accolades need to be handed out.
Firstly to Supersport for continuing the broadcast. I can understand Andy Capostagno was in shock when he said “we have to stop the broadcast”. Someone took the decision to continue which was the right decision. Parents, family and friends who always worry about boys getting injured could witness firsthand how brilliant the medical assistance is at these events.
Secondly to the ref who immediately stopped the play when Martin cried out in agony.
Thirdly to all the medical personnel who rushed to Martin’s side when everyone else turned away and could not bear to look at his horrific injury. You are all heroes!
To the crowd and the schoolboys who gave Martin and the medical personnel a standing ovation as they left the field en route to the hospital. All showed concern and compassion to a boy they hardly know.
To the Grey Bloem organizing committee in charge of these derby events. I am sure there will be a debriefing and the person/s in charge of the medical care must be congratulated for a job well done. This should be the standard at all these kind of derbies across the country.
To the players, some visually traumitized by Martin’s injury, for continuing the match.
Yeah, spoke to CJ last night and he told me the op went well and Martin was all good, we just pray and hope for a speedy recovery for the young lad
@Mike:
Latest news…..Martin’s recovering very nicely it was a clean break operating was 100% successful.
Congrats Grey College and a very good win today. Well deserved ! Thought the PE boys showed a lot of guts and determination. Certainly not a disgrace. Martin has broken his shin bone in two places. Clean break though which is good as it gets when a leg is broken. Thoughts and prayers with the family and Martin.
geez that Groenewald injury was gruesome
congrats to Grey College on a relatively easy victory
Yes, our thoughts and prayers are certainly with this young man. Some other results:
Firsts GCB 50-21;
Thirds 57-0;
U 16 A 38-8;
U 15 A 33-0;
U 14 A 24-17. Only loosing rugby side was the U 14 B side which lost 10-12
But as always, new friendships were made between the gentlemen from both schools. Congratulations to all
@Muzi: Yeas, outch. Hope he recovers from this one. A long term recovery.
Congrats to Grey Bloem. Result was never in doubt. A different bacline with more flow and rhythm. Wonder what will happen if they play Affies now?
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the new Bulls recruit Martin Groenewald……it was the first time I’ve witnessed such a horrific leg fracture in schoolboy rugby
GCB Cherries 104 – Grey (PE) II 3
Today, Grey cannot loose !
Interesting fact which I read recently, is that Auckland Grammar, a boys school also founded by Sir George Grey, after becoming the first prime minister of New Zealand, has also produced the most ABs.