He’s quite possibly the most well-known SBR blogger in the country, so when it came to finding someone to share his opinion on the Kwazulu-Natal Craven Week team from representatives of the last 10 years, who better to ask than KZN’s very own Grasshopper. Here are his picks:
| # | HOPPER’S KZN TEAM | SCHOOL | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dale Chadwick | Westville | 2007 |
| 2 | Dean Muir | Glenwood | 2006,2007 |
| 3 | Pat Cilliers | Michaelhouse | 2005 |
| 4 | Daniel Du Preez | Kearsney | 2011,2012,2013 |
| 5 | Michael Rhodes | Michaelhouse | 2005 |
| 6 | Francois Kleinhans | Glenwood | 2008,2009 |
| 7 | Brynand Stander | Westville | 2007,2008 |
| 8 | Warren Whiteley (c.) | Glenwood | 2005 |
| 9 | Cameron Wright | Hilton | 2012 |
| 10 | Fred Zeilanga | Glenwood | 2009,2010 |
| 11 | Emil Schwarz | Hilton | 2009,2010 |
| 12 | Bradley Barritt | Kearsney | 2005 |
| 13 | Tyler Fisher | Westville | 2011 |
| 14 | Ruan Combrinck | Michaelhouse | 2008 |
| 15 | Patrick Lambie | Michaelhouse | 2007,2008 |
| 16 | Neil Oelofse | Glenwood | 2010,2011 |
| 17 | Monde Hadebe | Westville | 2007,2008 |
| 18 | Nick Schonert | Maritzburg College | 2008,2009 |
| 19 | Jean-Luc Du Preez | Kearsney | 2011,2012,2013 |
| 20 | Chris Micklewood | Westville | 2004,2005 |
| 21 | Ross Cronje | Michaelhouse | 2007 |
| 22 | Patrick Howard | Michaelhouse | 2009,2010 |
KwaZulu-Natal Craven Week teams from 2004 – 2013
| # | 2013 | # | 2012 | # | 2011 | # | 2010 | # | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Njabula Gumede | 1 | Patrick Sikhosana | 1 | Niel Oelofse | 1 | Niel Oelofse | 1 | John Roy Jenkinson |
| 2 | Kerron van Vuuren | 2 | Vuyo Khathide | 2 | Jacques Taylor | 2 | Senzo Mtshali | 2 | Senzo Mtshali |
| 3 | Koos Tredoux | 3 | Mvelo Khumalo | 3 | Matthew Worrall-Clare | 3 | Colin Richmond | 3 | Nick Schonert |
| 4 | Ntokozo Vidima | 4 | Justin Moberly (c.) | 4 | Daniel du Preez | 4 | Wade Elliot | 4 | Frederick Schnetler |
| 5 | Daniel du Preez (c.) | 5 | Daniel du Preez | 5 | Ferdinand Horn | 5 | Alwyn Jansen van Vuuren | 5 | Cameron Lindsay |
| 6 | Mzwandile Mazibuko | 6 | Carel Swart | 6 | Sibulele Nanto | 6 | Meyrick Walker | 6 | Francois Kleinhans |
| 7 | Jean-Luc du Preez | 7 | Jean-Luc du Preez | 7 | Jean-Luc du Preez | 7 | Jason Klaasen | 7 | Brendon Groenewald |
| 8 | Ayron Schramm | 8 | Joshua Moon | 8 | Carel Swart | 8 | Guy Alexander | 8 | Siseko Jafta |
| 9 | Matthew Reece-Edwards | 9 | Cameron Wright | 9 | Stefan Ungerer (c.) | 9 | Hilton Mudariki | 9 | Michael Nolden (c.) |
| 10 | Tristan Tedder | 10 | Robert Anderson | 10 | Robert du Preez | 10 | Duncan Campbell | 10 | Fred Zeilinga |
| 11 | Sphamandla Ngcobo | 11 | Cornelis Vermaak | 11 | Siyabonga Tom | 11 | Emil Schwarz | 11 | Emil Schwarz |
| 12 | Akona Nela | 12 | Sandile Kubeka | 12 | Dean Moolman | 12 | Patrick Howard | 12 | Patrick Howard |
| 13 | Marcel Coetzee | 13 | Michael Mvelase-Julyan | 13 | Tyler Fisher | 13 | Andrew Holland | 13 | Kayde Fisher |
| 14 | Banele Ngwenya | 14 | Bruce Arnott | 14 | Lwazi Sithole | 14 | Mondi Ntshingila | 14 | Andile Dlamini |
| 15 | Corné Vermaak | 15 | Jesse Kriel | 15 | Mbembe Payi | 15 | Mbembe Payi | 15 | Orefile Nakin |
| 16 | Jordan Meaker | 16 | Stephan Hartman | 16 | Cullen Collopy | 16 | Zane Van Greunen | 16 | Ruan Grobler |
| 17 | Thobisa Zuma | 17 | Msizi Zondi | 17 | Sanele Pina | 17 | Michael Tack | 17 | Shane van der Schyff |
| 18 | Mazamo Majola | 18 | Sihle Ngxabi | 18 | Johan Klingenberg | 18 | Lungelo Chonco | 18 | Njabulo Zondi |
| 19 | Jaco Coetzee | 19 | Michael van Aardt | 19 | Jackson Buthelezi | 19 | Khaya Majola | 19 | Siyabonga Mhlongo |
| 20 | Reece McHardy | 20 | Mondli Nkosi | 20 | Brendan Cope | 20 | Matt Torrance | 20 | Keelin Bastew |
| 21 | Kurt Webster | 21 | Nkululeko Marwana | 21 | Sandile Kubeka | 21 | Edward Mongwambe | 21 | Lindokuhle Shabalala |
| 22 | Morné Joubert | 22 | Mthokozisi Mkhabela | 22 | Nkululeko Marwana | 22 | Keelin Bastew | 22 | Khayelihle Mbuyazi |
| 23 | Kelvin Elber | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | ||||
| # | 2008 | # | 2007 | # | 2006 | # | 2005 | # | 2004 |
| 1 | Njabulo Mkize | 1 | Dale Chadwick | 1 | Ayanda Ndlovu | 1 | Thato Lebitsa | 1 | Melusi Mthethwa |
| 2 | Monde Hadebe | 2 | Dean Muir | 2 | Dean Muir | 2 | Christian Stander | 2 | Patrick Brown |
| 3 | Louis Albertse | 3 | Zabentungwa Zwane | 3 | Marc Piero Guido Colia (c.) | 3 | Pat Cilliers (c.) | 3 | Johan Strauss |
| 4 | Kurt Beeton | 4 | Kene Ockafor | 4 | Johan van Wyk | 4 | Blake Wuth | 4 | Alistair Hargreaves (c.) |
| 5 | John-Charles Astle | 5 | Francois Robertse | 5 | Theodore Davids | 5 | Michael Rhodes | 5 | Martin Lombard |
| 6 | Francois Kleinhans | 6 | Grenville Easthorpe | 6 | Peter Walker | 6 | Theodore Davids | 6 | Thabani Sangweni |
| 7 | Brynard Stander | 7 | Brynard Stander | 7 | Duncan Havenga | 7 | Warren Whiteley | 7 | Rohan Boer |
| 8 | Kelvin Adam | 8 | Carl Marks | 8 | Leon Stevens | 8 | Roderick Grant | 8 | Francois Vermaak |
| 9 | Andrich Arlow | 9 | Ross Cronje | 9 | Tian Meyer | 9 | Michael Terreblanche | 9 | Rory Bremner |
| 10 | Storm Pearton | 10 | Guy Cronje (c.) | 10 | Jerome Pretorius | 10 | Preston Mommsen | 10 | Wessel Booysen |
| 11 | Sibongiseni Kunene | 11 | Cebolenkosi Masuku | 11 | Thabani Sibiya | 11 | Gareth McRae | 11 | Waylon Murray |
| 12 | Robert de Bruyn | 12 | Murray de Bruyn | 12 | Drikus Hoffman | 12 | Luzuko Vilindlu | 12 | Bradley Barritt |
| 13 | Allen Zungu | 13 | Xillen van Rooyen | 13 | Devan Kerr | 13 | Senzo Sibiya | 13 | Jannie Boshoff |
| 14 | Ruan Combrinck | 14 | Njabulo Mkize | 14 | Sizuyise Buthelezi | 14 | Sizuyise Buthelezi | 14 | Conrad Stoltz |
| 15 | Patrick Lambie (c.) | 15 | Patrick Lambie | 15 | Zacharia De Bruin | 15 | Christopher Micklewood | 15 | Christopher Micklewood |
| 16 | Shaun Malton | 16 | Monde Hadebe | 16 | Thabo Tshabalala | 16 | Sisa Songxaba | 16 | Lungelo Bengu |
| 17 | Nick Schonert | 17 | Andile Sithebe | 17 | Nsika Khuzwayo | 17 | Stephanus Van Der Westhuysen | 17 | Michael Schlachter |
| 18 | Steen Smith | 18 | Nicholas Little | 18 | Byron Egan | 18 | George Earle | 18 | Roderick Grant |
| 19 | Mikyle Webster | 19 | Ntsolo Setlaba | 19 | Pheello Mofokeng | 19 | Eric Ngoie | 19 | Eric Ngoie |
| 20 | Orefile Nakin | 20 | Nhlakanipo Mabaso | 20 | Anton Verster | 20 | Dale Slater | 20 | Njabulo Zulu |
| 21 | Mivuyo Mjajubana | 21 | Kurt Mavrodaris | 21 | Tshepo Mashele | 21 | Charl Dormehl | 21 | Malusi Zuma |
| 22 | Sibongokuhle Khumalo | 22 | Kwenzakonke Ngema | 22 | Mikhail Maasdorp | 22 | Menzi Ngidi | 22 | Johathan Marlin |
| 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
@Grasshopper: @beet:
On the subject of CW players progressing through to senior rugby i ahd a quick look down the squad lists over the last 10 years. I may have missed the odd one or made an error here or there but I can only pick up 23 players in the last 10 years of Craven Week squads (220 players) that have made it to senior Currie caps.
Quite a few more – a many as 10 in the 2007 side and 12 in the 2008 side by way of example – played U19 and U21 Currie Cup for a A division province. I can think of a few in this category whose development was curtailed by injury.
I have only included caps in the premier division of the CC and ignored u19, 21 and Vodacom Cup levels.
There are 4 Boks in Lambie, Pat Cilliers, Waylon Murray and Hargreaves and an England international in Brad Barrett.
it is probably a bit early to tell how the more recent vintages will develop but so far;
2008 was the most successful year with 8 members having played senior Currie Cup or an offshore equivalent (MHS 4, Westville 2, GWD 1, College 1)
2007 was next with 6 CC players (MHS 3 and Westville 3)
2006 only produced 1 CC player in Tiaan Meyer of Westville
2004 produced 4 of whom 3 are internationals.
2007-8 produced 1 Bok in Pat Lambie and the 2005 side another in Pat Cilliers
@meadows: totally agree. John Allen was another late developer, heard he played mostly 2nds at Glenwood.
@Grasshopper: Hard to disagree with most of your choices but is difficult, if this is meant to be based on their performance as schoolboys, not to factor in their subsequent progress or lack thereof.
I’m not sure how high the attrition rates are at each level of progression from Craven Week/SA Schools to U19. U21, Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup, Super Rugby and eventually the Boks but I am certain that no more than a couple of percent make it through to a senior pro level.
As senior pros every flaw – technical, physical and mental – is exposed and tends to influence our recollection of how good they were as schoolboys. The converse is also true in the case of players who have developed post school and of whom we now ask why they weren’t picked for Craven Week etc.
I agree with your current assessment of Hargreaves but he was an outstanding schoolboy – captaining SA Schools and the SA U19 side that won the junior WC – Kearsney’s Kene Okafor who played SA Schools in 2007 and SA U20 was another outstanding schoolboy lock.
On the flip side a player like Marcel Coetzee was below the radar at Port Natal and Kyle Cooper was at trials in 2007 as a loose forward but probably missed out due to his lack of height.
It will be interesting to see how some of the younger inclusions like the Du Preez’s and Cameron Wright come through in the next few years.
@PLAYA: I said than Zeilanga was behind the fluhalves you have mentioned…
@Meadows: Many great players over the years, I will through my no8 in the picture – one, Ayron Schramm, have been a fan of his for a long time, first at centre and now 8 – watched him again this weekend for the u19 side, maek my words – he is a player in waiting and has a massive future ahead
@Tarpeys: Wouldn’t want to be pedantic but Ntsola Setlaba played flank at Craven Week and in the 2007 MHS side that he captained. I seem to recall that he did play a bit of hooker prior to that though. I would have picked him at loose forward ahead of Peach Mofokeng and had Chris Stander the 2005 Craven Week hooker in this team.
I have to admit that I only saw Anderson play a few times but I would go with Guy Cronje in tandem with his brother at 10. They were an outstanding combination at this level and at CW in 2007. Guy captained the CW side that year. Reef Nakin was also outstanding at 10 in the 2008 side – just a bit small to progress more than U19 & 21 at the Sharks.
Mark Richards, as I’m sure you are aware, was overlooked for CW in an absolute travesty in 2007 but he would definitely be in my side.
Jean Cordy the 2005 no 8 was another who excelled at schoolboy level but only made the Academy side.
We would have plenty of reserves among the backs;
Nakin could play 9 or 10, Murray de Bruyn (CW 2007), Nick Jackson (AW 2004), Xillan van Rooyen (CW 2007) could all play several positions in the backline along with Mvelase from last year as well as James Gallo (2004).
Robbie Diack (2002-3) just misses out on the time frame but he would have been a shoe in at 8th man IMO.
@Playa: agreed, but give him time. I think he is only 21. By 23 if he has not proved himself then I’ll eat my hat!
@Grasshopper: Not hating him at all.I just think he has some work to do before he can be considered a contender.He definitely has the attributes…but some way to go.
@BuffelsCM: That’s why I didn’t even mention him.HM picked Marcelle Coetzee before Siya Kolisi after all.Size comes first to him.Scarra has no chance at this point in time.
@Playa: IMO Scarra Ntubeni has been the pick of the hookers in the CC, especially during the last month.
I guess he is too small for HM’s liking though!
I love all this anti Zeilanga chat, he will prove everyone wrong. He was wrongfully overlooked by Dawie last year for Pollard. He has played a good few seasons at Vodacom Cup level, probably with the best kicking stats in the competition. He does not look out if place in the Currie Cup and will have his first season in Super 15 in 2014. If anyone watched him at school he was sublime and if he had not got injured would have made SA Schools as Goosens back up. Anyway, I wish the guy well not because he is a Glenwood Old Boy because he plays with the right attitude, give your best!
@RBugger: Oh boy! No offense, but you’re pushing it with Zeilanga. There’s a handful of youngsters that are in front of him in the pecking order…Catrakilis, Jantjies x2, Pollard, Lambie, Goosen (barring injury)…Don’t get me wrong he looks good, but definitely not worthy of blooding, and only time will tell if he’ll be worthy of the green jersey in the future.
Kyle Cooper…maybe…especially with Chilliboy out of favour and Maku being invisible.Hopefully Heyneke doesn’t pull his stunts and call up Schalk Brits. Cooper is deserved of some blooding IMO.
@RBugger: Maybe, give Fred a couple of years, he will show he is the next Johnny Wilkinson, certainly in my opinion better than Lambie, who doesn’t do much that I can see, lacks pace and gets bumped off in tackles. I see Cooper as 3rd in line behind Bizzie and Strauss, so if they rest Strauss for the end of the year, Coops should go…..a proper old school hooker…
@Grasshopper: I do not think it is just because of his size, he does not seem to carry much punch! He needs open space to break, rather than break through tackles… Yes he has decent hands, but certainly not a Skinstad… A very good Currie Cup level rugby player.
I am afraid I have to say the same about Zeilanga – a very decent Currie Cup rugby player, but Springbok, no way! Take the likes of Lambie, Joubert, Goosen, Pollard, Catrikilas – to me, all of them have a touch more class than Zeilanga and offer more? Obviously this is just an oponion, but I just do not rate him as world class – having said that, only Lambie and Goosen at this present moment offer a true world class potential…
Cooper is a different story, he has it! Strong, dynamic and hungry – he certainly has the ability to be a Bok
@RBugger: Agreed on Whiteley, in a country where ball skills and handling are not priority Whiteley will stay at provincial level for the rest of his career. He for me has the best hands for a number 8 in the country. At 102kg max he does not fit the smash and crash bullying type of forward Heyneke wants. Same goes for Shaun Adendorff, best case a fetcher for a provincial side. Fred Zeilanga and Kyle Cooper are Glenwood’s best hope for their next Bok, hopefully both get picked for year end tour to blood youngsters…
@Tarpeys: Not a bad side at all, I think a close call again.
Whiteley has been playing for the Lions for quite a while now… Sadly for him, he plays in a position which is hottly contested in SA…
He is a loose playing number 8 but to me, will never have the presence of a Duane Vermuelen and further more, would not rate him ahead of a Kankowsky either…
@Bonthuis: Whiteley is playing no 8 for the Lions in the CC at the moment
@star: Have to agree with you here, Westville front row and centers would definitely have the edge over Glenwood. Where is Warren Whiteley these days, is he playing provincial rugby?
@Grasshopper I think the Michaelhouse team of the decade might give the Glenwood team a good run for their money.
1. L. Albertse
2. N. Setlaba
3. P. Celliers
4. C Lindsay
5. J. Moberly
6. P. Mofokeng
7. M. Rhodes
8. J. Moon
9. R Cronje
10. R. Anderson
11. M. Richards
12. R. De Bruyn
13. P. Howard
14. R. Combrinck
15. P. Lambie
10 could’ve been G. Cronje, or R. Nakin, or A. Lockington and that youngster there at the moment is in that class too. Anderson pips them with his unbelievable display against Kearsney last year. That performance changed my life.
@RBugger I also agree. Coetzee can be moved to 6 and then Staples to 8. SE must make the right decision for his team to be balanced
@Tarpeys: Didn’t see Dave Edgar at school, but played with him at UCT. Talent galore!!!
@beet: I am too far from the action to “select” a FS team of the decade.(and afraid) How on earth will one decide on the centres? Hollenbach, Snyman, Lineque, Jordaan, Small Smith, Ebersohn, Serfontein and Swanepoel (who did I miss?) And I believe the players form as SCHOOL players should be the consideration and NOT what they achieved after that.
@Grasshopper: You guys will be good, no doubt – you have experience in vital positions – 6/8 in Coetzee, 3 in Tredoux, 10 in Jonas and then 14/15 Joubert
Must play Coetzee at 6, where he belongs – going to be very exciting next season, College will also have a great team!
Hopefully, KC can punch above their weight and surprise a team or two…
@RBugger: Agreed on Coetzee, I think he will be moved to 6 and Staples will play 8. 2014 will be good if the team can stay grounded, prepare well and not have any imports…
@star: Not sure about the front rows, Chadwick certainly aint a mean scrummager more a holder. A fit John Roy Jenkinson would have the upper hand, also if you included non Craven Week players Kyle Cooper would outscrum Hadebe. Have you seen Moolman play? He will stop anything also Marwana is playing well for the Under19’s at present. It would be an exciting game for sure. Yes, the ratio is probably 3 to 1 for Glenwood, but that indicates nothing. Westville could have had fewer but better individuals than Glenwood. Glenwood certainly have the upper hand in results vs Westville the past 10 years, I think it’s about 7 to 3, maybe 8 to 2 in wins…
@ Grassy- to be honest I think Westville would have the upper hand in the front row and centers and parity in the backrow and halfbacks. Without invoking the ire of Westville Griffin , of the 221 players above I wonder how many are GW and Westville players. I reckon the ratio is 3 to 1. Again looking at outcomes , the selection process comes into question once again
Just to stir the pot a bit as things as getting a bit quiet on the Western front(aka 45 th cutting)
@Burra: Glenwood will be a hot side in 2014, no doubt about that!
I hope they move Coetzee to 6 though, this is where his furture in the game will be – This also opens up a gap for Goodsen at 8, although he too plays a very tight game, will be interesting to see, that is for sure.
With regards to Morne, he is very exciting but needs to work on his decision making, especially when the going gets tough – but very very exciting never-the-less
@Grasshopper: The Glenwood team list you put up is a very good team indeed.
Jaco Coetzee is a player we all have to look out for mmm that boy gives me shivers. Hope to see him somewhere in the future
And Morne Joubert is or rather a fantastic player.
Glenwoods 1st for 2014 has all the qualities to take on any other school. The coach just has to make the right choices etc.
Thanks Beet for the new ‘chappies bubble gum’ jersey, like it! :-)
@Ruggersake: I actually think they would do pretty well against the other provinces sides…
@beet: I have the lists of College okes, you’re welcome to start with them.
This team would battle versus the Bulls, WP, Lions and EP counterparts.
@Gungets Tuft: for me the 95 side at College with Pieter Dixon and Richard Kelly was immense! Richard Kelly inspired me to hit the gym, what a physical specimen he was….immense power…
@Grasshopper: Ja Mthethwa was DHS.
BTW I have Free State and the Lions if there are any takes.
I had Bog and Andre T in mind but any offseason fans will do.
@Gungets Tuft: GT. This is all I could get hold of. Unfortunately the KZNRU don’t keep records of players who’ve made CW. Admittedly it would be nice to go back a few more years coz then we could cover all the current players.
@beet: yep, but going from SA under 20 to nowhere means he either is not disciplined or not looked after. Agreed many props don’t make. To me he was in the class of a Coenie. Mhtwetha above is not Glenwood, I think. Got him mixed up with Petros Methula Glenwood’s SA schools prop from a few years prior…
@Tarpeys: That’s why I referred to 2002 – PJ Grant, EA Penzhorn, B Squires – all SA Schools that year.
@Jordaan: Natal Schools reps for 2009-2010 were KWC Bastew (both years), NP Schonert (2008 as well – Grassy named him), L Chonco, JJ Klaasen
@Grasshopper: He hasn’t done badly for himself. If you remember he was part of a good Leopards junior team after school and got himself into JWC consideration. Not bad going. I can mention a lot of props who haven’t come close to achieving what he has.
@beet: nope, maybe based on schoolboy form yes, but watched him for Free State, needs to lose 20kg plus and get Os to mentor him. He must be 140kg but only 5foot10. A real pity as he dominated at school level, must have the Glenwood try scoring record for the front row. Unstoppable from 5 meters out….
@Grasshopper: I think you left out JR Jenkinson???
Overall a pretty good assessment on the 2005 – 2013 side. Perhaps one or two more players from College – Natal schools flank from circa 2009 / 2010 was outstanding, but, his name escapes me.
As a next step leading on from this post, it would be interesting to see of all these schools / selections, which players have had the most success in SA rugby! Beet started to touch on it, but, would be great if Grasshopper could do the analysis. Cronje brothers from MHS are a prime example, very talented individuals, but, were always going to be too small for South African rugby.
@Grasshopper , Robbie Diack was 2003. Another potent player from around that era from Michaelhouse were David Edgar. Awesome player. College mammoths, Penzhorn 2002, and Paul Kendall.
Micklewood is captain of Rovers and mainly operates at 12 for them. Great human being as well.
Glenwood side based on the above Craven Week teams 2003 to 2013;
1) Neil Oelofse (Vice Capt)
2) Dean Muir
3) Matt Worral-Claire
4) Fred Schnetler (based on school form and SA Schools selection)
5) Wade Elliott
6) Francois Kleinhans (Capt)
7) Warren Whiteley
8) Carel Swart/Jaco Coetzee
9) Matt Torrance
10) Fred Zeilanga
11) Morne Joubert
12) Dean Moolman
13) Nkululeko Marwana
14) Sphamandla Ngcobo
15) Corne Vermaak
16) Mzwandile Mazibuko
17) Alwyn Jansen van Vuuren
18) Akona Nela
19) Melusi Mthethwa (SA Schools)
20) Shaun Malton (SA Schools)
21) Andrich Arlow
22) Storm Pearton
Squad Players
23) Meyrick Walker
24) Ferdie Horn
25) Jacques Taylor
26) Senzo Mtshali
27) Brendon Groenewald
28) Mkhabela
Strong squad that….
@beet: I meant at school together, Honiball and Davidson certainly didn’t go to the same school….
@Grasshopper: I guess a non-Craven Week pairing could be Craig Davidson and Henry Honiball
It’s interesting looking at the rugby paths the players have followed.
For a while a Westville OB lock George Earle was doing quite well for himself with the Lions.
Jannie Boshoff (M College) was another who had made a name for himself in Jozi as wing. He was still playing a bit of rugby last year if memory serves me correctly (which it doesn’t often do these days).
I agree with All Black. Siseko Jafta (St Charles) was going to be the next big thing. A player who had the potential to be as good as if not better than Kolisi of WP and Boks now. Jafta finished school while u17. He was promoted to the Sharks u21 along with Pieter-Steph du Toit while still u19 and was even being considered for captain. Very sad that his career was cut short.
Jerome Trompie Pretorius came so close to making the grade with the Sharks as a centre. He is now a Pumas player.
DHS’s Luzuko Vilindlu – he was there. He made the Sharks before Mvovo did and at one stage it looked like he could become a permanent fixture but sadly for him it was a shortlived burst of form before he started to backslide and limitations of his game were exposed.
Melusi Mthethwa played a couple of games for the Sharks, picked up an injury and was never heard of again.
Robbie de Bruyn of MHS wasn’t the sort of player anyone would have put money on to make it to the pros but it just goes to show what a good attitude and hard work can do. He turned out to be one of the best junior players to watch. Reminded me of Pat Howard playing in midfield for the Brumbies from the early days of Super 12. A high percentage player with a good rugby brain. I’m so chuffed that Rob has made it to CC level. Hopefully he can press on and become a Super Rugby fixture.
The Cronje twins were once tipped to be superstars in the making. It didn’t happen.
Roddy Grant (Hilton, Scotland). Well his name came up somewhere in discussions about the new Hilton coach.
Obviously there are a number of guys on the list of players who did not make CW. Add to the likes of Kyle Cooper and Marcell Coetzee – Anton Bresler
It would be interesting to do a dream team per school from the above players. Westville would have as follows:
Front row : Chadwick, Hadebe,M. Majola
Backrow: Buthelezi, Stander, K Majola
Half back pairing: T.Meyer , Campbell
Centers: Murray, Fisher
Full back: Mickelwood
All I need now are a pair of wings and locks.
Best half back pairings in KZN, would be an interesting debate. College certainly has produced plenty of fly halves, but who had the best pairing? Craig Jamieson and ?. Glenwood’s Ardrich Arlow and Storm Pearton were certainly up there…any other combos?
@All Black: Agreed, Cedric was amazing! Thulani Nteta too. I would add Shaun Adendorff & Kyle Cooper to those that did not play Craven Week who have big potential….
Cedric Mkhize was a class above most in U20 before his accident. Jafta was destined to be a great had it not been for his neck injury. The two standouts are those who did not make Craven Week. Marcel Coetzee and Craig Burden.
@star: What I meant was our handful of KZN players each year were mostly forwards, so packs were better than the backs, but that didn’t mean they were great…..especially me ;-)
@ Grassy- GW had “great packs”. Was that because you were a forward.
I was watching Sharkbite and Mickelwood was interviewed as the winning captain of Jonnson Rovers .( Club champs which went back to a count out). I also have noticed that besides Zeilinga(2009) the U21 KZN flyhalf position is being contested between Campbell(2010) and R Du Preez( 2011). It is good that the local boys are starting to fill these key positions.
@Gungets Tuft: Not that I am aware of. Post Toasties as they were called I think finished in 99. Micklewood was a machine, in fact better than Lambie at that level. Huge boot! I think he is playing club level at the moment. Other good fullbacks from Westville wer David Cuthbert and Matt Gibson from the 90’s. Westville never used to have good packs but always good backs…..Glenwood was the other way around….great packs kak backs…
@Tarpeys: Thanks Tarpeys. it tough because do you judge them for how good they were at school or how good they are now. Some boys are amazing at school but drift off later. I think in this case most of them have gone on to have professional careers which is great. Question is why Robbie Diack never made KZN Schools or was he 2002?
@Grasshopper: No post-matrics in there?
I can’t remember (actually never knew) when the Post Matric saga blew over.
@Tarpeys: What happened to Micklewood? .. never heard of him. Sounds like a typical KZN lost rugby player, too many of them go MIA after school.
@Grasshopper, 100% agree with your team. I’m sure it was a difficult task but this team is accurate in my eyes. Kriel has nothing on schoolboy Mickklewood. He was pure class. Fisher and Barrett would also be hard to remove for anyone. Wright better than Ungerer, more rounded, complete 9. Blake Wuth would’ve been close but not quite there to displace the Doop. Good team.
The 2002 boys are going to be ticked at the choice of “decade” as well.
Come on Beet – make it team of the century .. .go on, you know you want to …
Team schools make up;
Westville – 5
Glenwood – 5
Michaelhouse – 6
Kearsney – 3
Hilton – 2
College – 1
It does reflect the strength of the schools in the past decade. College would have 3 if we replaced Cronje with Ungerer and Micklewood with Kriel, but Micklewood was sensational at school…
@All Black & Gungets, agreed Kriel should be in there, same too with Marcel Coetzee, Kyle Cooper and Shaun Adendorff, but I could only pick from those who made KZN Schools. Unfortunately Kriel was injured. I think Barritt and Fisher are hard to replace…also left out Hargreaves as even though he made the Boks he is far too soft for me, hence Rhodes made it ahead of him…
@All Black: No mention of Dan Kriel. I know he was injured in matric but …
I can see why Ungerer might be 2nd to Wright … but time will tell how that works out. Remember that Wright was U19 in his final year.
I could see Jesse Kriel at centre ahead of most on that list. I suppose it is not possibloe to start that game ..
Should all references to Mbembe Payi not be deleted, just as Mr Tom has been deleted?
Siseko Jafta 8. Jannie Boshoff 13. Waylon Murray and Stefan Ungerer?