| Name: | Position: | YoB: | Height: | Weight: | u16 Rep: | u13 Rep: |
| 1.Patrick Sikhosana | Prop | 1994 | 1.75m | 93kg | – | – |
| High School: | Port Shepstone | |||||
| Primary School: | Port Shepstone | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Msizi Zondi (Westville) | |||||
| As the only non-Tier 1 player in the team this mobile prop had to work extra hard to noticed during trials. | ||||||
| 2.Vuyo Khatide | Hooker | 1995 | 1.76m | 94kg | KZN u16A | KZN u13A |
| High School: | Maritzburg College | |||||
| Primary School: | Eshowe | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Malcolm Marx (KES) | |||||
| A good team player with experience of throwing in to one of the more technical lineouts in the province | ||||||
| 3.Mvelo Khumalo | Prop | 1994 | 1.65m | 100kg | KZN u16A | KZN u13A |
| High School: | Maritzburg College | |||||
| Primary School: | Pelham (Pietermaritzburg) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Dylon Smith (KES) | |||||
| An energetic prop whose height and compactness make him fairly difficult to scrum against. | ||||||
| 4.Justin Moberly | Lock | 1994 | 1.92m | 103kg | – | Injured |
| High School: | Michaelhouse | |||||
| Primary School: | Cordwalles (Pietermaritzburg) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Aiden Davis (Daniel Pienaar) | |||||
| A player worth his weight in gold from a leadership aspect. Surprisingly good as a no.4 jumper at 1st team level. Incredible stamina. Has shown Marcell Coetzee like ability as a first receiver ball-carrier. | ||||||
| 5.Daniel du Preez | Lock | 1995 | 1.96m | 101kg | Played Craven Week | KZN u13A |
| High School: | Kearsney College | |||||
| Primary School: | DPHS (Durban) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | RG Snyman (Affies) | |||||
| A very powerful physical player with outstanding ball skills and ability to read of the game. Defensively astute as well. | ||||||
| 6.Carel Swart | Flank/No.8 | 1994 | 1.9m | 93kg | KZN u16A | – |
| High School: | Glenwood | |||||
| Primary School: | Heuwelland (Empangeni) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Ruan Steenkamp (Monnas) | |||||
| Has had to adapt to the role of openside flank, having spent most of his 1st team career and Craven Week 2011 at no.8. Can be deadly if given a bit of space. | ||||||
| 7.Jean-Luc du Preez | Flank | 1995 | 1.93m | 105kg | Played Craven Week | KZN u13A |
| High School: | Kearsney College | |||||
| Primary School: | DPHS (Durban) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Pierre Schoeman (Affies) | |||||
| An extremely strong player with both ball in hand and on defence. Enjoys collisions but also does very well when he seeks space to run into. Loves offloading in contact. | ||||||
| 8.Josh Moon | No.8 | 1994 | 1.84m | 95kg | KZN u16A | KZN u13B |
| High School: | Michaelhouse | |||||
| Primary School: | Highbury (Hillcrest) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Justin Moberly (Michaelhouse) | |||||
| One of the most exciting KZN player of 2012. Plays a very loose game. Has vision and pace to be able to make something out of nothing. Good feel for where defensive weaknesses lie. Excellent distributor as well. | ||||||
| 9.Cameron Wright | Scrumhalf/Flyhalf | 1994 | 1.8m | 87kg | KZN u16A | KZN u13B |
| High School: | Hilton | |||||
| Primary School: | Westville (Durban) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Josh Stander (Queens) | |||||
| A broad shouldered player that is the complete package in his position. A strong pass, big kick from the base, quickness off the mark and strength to get through holes are amongst his assets | ||||||
| 10.Rob Anderson | Flyhalf | 1994 | 1.76m | 78kg | KZN u16A | Did not play rugby |
| High School: | Michaelhouse | |||||
| Primary School: | Pridwin Prep (Johannesburg) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Austin Lockington (Michaelhouse) | |||||
| Easily the best flyhalf in KZN this season. A playmaker with a wide range of creative skills including the ability to step and put in well-weighted kicks. His passing game is of a very high standard. | ||||||
| 11.Corne Vermaak | Wing/Fullback | 1995 | 1.83m | 88kg | – | KZN u13A |
| High School: | Glenwood | |||||
| Primary School: | Drakensburg (Newcastle) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | – | |||||
| One of KZN’s most improved players of 2012. A stronger runner who has worked hard at improving his lateral vision right. | ||||||
| 12.Sandile Kubeka | Centre | 1994 | 1.76m | 82kg | KZN u16A | KZN u13A |
| High School: | Kearsney College | |||||
| Primary School: | Glenwood Prep (Durban) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Pierre Schoeman (Affies) | |||||
| A candidate for KZN player of the season. Quick off the mark and very strong on his feet with a good swerve. Has proven difficult to bring to ground. | ||||||
| 13.Michael Mvelase | Centre | 1994 | 1.76m | 85kg | – | – |
| High School: | Michaelhouse | |||||
| Primary School: | Cordwalles (Pietermaritzburg) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Jesse Kriel (College) | |||||
| Injury cut short his sensational start to the season. A powerfully built player with some toe and a strong hand-off. Has proven to be a deadly finisher. | ||||||
| 14.Bruce Arnott | Wing | 1995 | 1.78m | 80kg | KZN u16A | Midlands u13B |
| High School: | Michaelhouse | |||||
| Primary School: | Cowan House (Hilton) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Sandile Kubeka (Kearsney) | |||||
| A pacy young wing with good acceleration and finishing. He can hurt the best defence if he’s given a little room to work with. | ||||||
| 15.Jesse Kriel | Fullback | 1994 | 1.85m | 94kg | – | KZN u13A |
| High School: | Maritzburg College | |||||
| Primary School: | Merchiston (Pietermaritzburg) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Daniel Kriel (College) | |||||
| A solid player with save hands and a big punt. His positional awareness is top notch. He has the ability to take on defenders with ball in hand but many of his pleasing plays have come about as a result of making openings for teammates. | ||||||
| 16.Stephan Hardman | Hooker | 1994 | 1.85m | 104kg | – | – |
| High School: | Michaelhouse | |||||
| Primary School: | Cornwell Hill College (Pretoria) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | JL du Preez (Kearsney) | |||||
| Converted from being a 1st team loose-forward in 2011 and has made excellent progress especially with regards to throw-ins. Strong player and a good scrummer. | ||||||
| 17.Msizi Zondi | Prop | 1994 | 1.79m | 95kg | – | Did not play rugby |
| High School: | Westville | |||||
| Primary School: | Benjamin Pine (Pinetown) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Mvelo Khumalo (College) | |||||
| A hard worker that enjoys making strong carries up near the fringes. | ||||||
| 18.Sihle Nqxabi | Lock | 1994 | 1.91m | 102kg | KZN u16A | Did not play rugby |
| High School: | Glenwood | |||||
| Primary School: | Park Rand (Randburg) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Rikus Bothma, Corne Cooper (Paarl Gim) | |||||
| An athletically built lock that gets through a fair amount of work. Good speed and aerial skills. | ||||||
| 19.Michael van Aardt | Flank/No.8 | 1994 | 1.84m | 95kg | – | – |
| High School: | Glenwood | |||||
| Primary School: | Oostekruin (East Rand) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Justin Moberly (Michaelhouse) | |||||
| An very consistent and thus dependable performer at first team level. Versatile as well. Peaked at the right time to force his way into contention. | ||||||
| 20.Mthokozisi Mkhabela | Scrumhalf | 1994 | 1.65m | 71kg | KZN u16A | Did not play rugby |
| High School: | Glenwood | |||||
| Primary School: | Grantham Park (Empangeni) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Remu Malan (Outeniqua) | |||||
| A very alert player. Very good at sniping. His pace often catches defences off guard. Links very well with teammates in open play. | ||||||
| 21.Mondli Nkosi | Flyhalf/Fullback | 1994 | 1.76m | 75kg | – | – |
| High School: | George Campbell | |||||
| Primary School: | IsiQophamithi (Ladysmith) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Sibulele Nanto (George Campbell)/ JL du Preez (Kearsney) | |||||
| A fantastic stepper. Keeps defenses honest. Not shy to put in a big hit either. | ||||||
| 22.Nkululeko Marwana | Centre/Wing | 1994 | 1.76m | 85kg | – | – |
| High School: | Glenwood | |||||
| Primary School: | Charles Dinga (Port Elizabeth) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Tyler Fisher (Westville) | |||||
| A reliable player with deceptive speed. Runs good lines. Also very versatile. | ||||||
| 23.Dylan Coulsen | Centre/Wing | 1994 | 1.82m | 80kg | – | KZN u13A |
| High School: | Glenwood | (captain) | ||||
| Primary School: | Alboretum (Richards Bay) | |||||
| Most Difficult Opponent: | Daniel Kriel (College) | |||||
| An adventureous speedy wing that with a never say die attitude. Always looking to spark something. | ||||||
Beet: That is a pity. They are probably the two best sides on paper. SWD always seem to come through with an upset or two.
And who do you think KZN’s hopefuls for SA Schools selections are?
I would say:
Wright
Du Preez twins
Kriel
@All Black: WP and the Bulls will meet on Tuesday.
@RuggaZ: Yes Khubeka has been signed by the Sharks as far as I’m aware.
I don’t think Free State will be an easy game.. I just hope the backline click, because if they do, we’re in for a very entertaining game..
By the way, does anybody know if Kubheka has been signed by the Sharks?
KZN should have an easy time in the first game against Free State. They were soundly beaten by the Bulls in a warm up game, I think. It is basically made up of a weaker Grey side than normal. The key will be who they play in the 2nd round. I have a feeling that WP and Bulls will be kept apart until the final day, if all goes according to predictions. WP aka Paarl and the Bulls have two exciting teams.
Great content @beet. This site continues to give fantastic info to KZN schools supporters.
@NW_Knight: Yes I also think Wade needs to give himself at least another 3 years in rugby to see how far he can go. He ticks many boxes for a modern day centre: size, speed, ball handling skills. Just looking at a player like Louis Hazelhurst of George Campbell. One year out of school, he’s likely to be in the Sharks u19 team. This alone means he has a shot at JWC selection in 2013 if he continues to show progress. Wade would surely have been disappointed not to make one of the 2 KZN teams but things can change quickly after school.
hi . good report , I must say I am an absolute supporter of Coulson , but one has to question selection and the process when he was even in the intial selections, and i thought he should have been ,
but good luck guys
Great stuff Beet. Interesting to note that only 8 boys play KZN U13A (with 3 more representing B teams. Of those 11 players, only 7 played U16 Grant Khomo or CW. Of the 23 players, less than half (12) played GK or CW at U16 or U18. Just goes to show how the boys develop at different rates (and often how the selection are skewed in relation to whichever school is top of the pile at the time).
I think this is a good side (pity the other Kriel got injured). Would’ve loved to see Wade Worthington in this side. I think they can go far. Zondi can be one of the biggest assets in the side, but can also be the biggest liability. He needs to contain himself and not give away too many penalties.
GO KZN
@Grasshopper: This is a ±780kg pack so they are going to have their work cut out for them. Setpieces are crucial. Making a contest of the scrums will be the biggest challenge of all. Some players that the frontrow will come up against weight over 110kgs. At lineouts I imagine that players like Swart and JL du Preez will have to do some of the lifting due to the shortness of the props. Khatide also has to be on the money with his throw-ins.
Their are a lot of good players that will thrive in open play but they need ball, preferably front-foot ball.
@grasshopper
Yah its probably because JL du preez has never played lock and is phenomenal at 7.
Even at DPHS the two locks were Dayne Mare and Dan du preez so I think it would be unfair to put him at an unfamiliar position now. Also I think the flank is alsoo a jumper in lineouts so its fine
Excellent work Beet! The front row looks a little light and could struggle, but it is relatively short so could scrum lower against bigger and taller front rows. I think Mxoli and Pina can count themselves unlucky not to make this side. Is there a reason why they don’t play the two Doops together in the second row? They have the most height and size…
Haha Jesse Kriel having his brother as his most difficult opponent!!