The Blue Bulls under-18 trials are still underway. Their teams will participate in a round of games against the Lions on Tuesday 27 May. Final Craven Week selections are yet to be made but at this stage is seems more than likely that the first choice halfback pairing will consist of the incredibly talented Embrose Papier (Garsfontein) and Thinus de Beer (Waterkloof). Both boys are in top form and play influential roles in their respective teams’ successes.
Scrumhalf Papier’s “service is crisp and his tactical kicking very good” but it’s his lightning quickness that is really setting him apart for other number-9’s in SA this season.
Flyhalf de Beer is the complete package. His kick-run-pass decision-making is excellent and in each facet of his game he’s able to deliver high quality, with his rangy boot and accurate place-kicking being the most impressive features.
Pretoria school rugby has risen to a new level of competitiveness this season, with a number of well-matched teams representing the Blue Bulls region with distinction. As a result of this depth available, the Bulls look likely to field a very strong under-18 Craven Week team. If Papier’s x-factor is allowed to combine with de Beer’s directing of the ballgame, the Bulls chances of making to the unofficial Craven Week final on the last day will be that much better.
Both players will no doubt also be in line for SA Schools honours at the end of the week long tournament.
@Muzi: C’monn Muzi, you know better than us. Who has been signed??? Papier, De Beer and Keyter would be excellent signings. Hope the powers that be also look at the likes of Ackerman from Garsies and Rohan Roelofse from Affies
@Tjoppa: IMO there is space for both of them in the team, irrespective of the contrast in playing styles. De Beer’s objective would be to turn into points all the penalties inside the opponent’s half. But then the forwards must dominate. And this is where Papier will also make his contribution. If the moment for individual brilliance presents itself, they must take it. Simple game plan really, all depends on execution.
I see team garsfontein is on rant mode today because affies gave them the “finger”
priceless…everyone wants to beat affies this year because sakkies’s side isn’t that great…dear lord… 
Ja ja ja we get it this little papier fella is a the real deal on attack…can he actually tackle?!?!
@Tjoppa:
I hope those clowns at the Bulls have done their homework…..any news regarding De Beer…Ketyer..Fortuin…Naudé signing for the Bulls?!?!
@Deon Pitzer:
Eish. Sensitiewe punjie!!!
@Tjoppa: Stem nogal saam jou Tjop. Tinus is ‘n spelertjie wat n vooraf bepaalde taktiek BAIE goed kan uitvoer. Papier is n X factor spelertjie wat die spel binne ‘n japtrap kan omkeer. Of hulle gaan jel is ‘n ope vraag. Ek vermoed ook die afrigters van Kloof weet hoe om die beste uit Tinus te haal. Hoop die CW afrigters kan dieselfde doen.
@Woltrui: Baie Bergbokke speel deesdae skolerugby vir die ligblou skole. Dis nou net op Papier natuurlik!
Do really not think Papier is the ideal partner for Thinus. Not saying I will play Paier instead of Thinus. But do think their difference in styles will not gel. Thinus is a general that excels in a structured games that he can control. Personally think if the game “torring” too much up to a point where Papier will sparkle Thinus will loose his sparkle. Who to pick. I do not know.
@Andre T: Die Greystaters sal soos altyd kompeterend wees. Die voordeel van samehorigheid omrede die span uit twee skole gekies word. Gooi ‘n spelertjie of 2 van Vrede in en hulle sal waarskynlik onstuitbaar wees
@Woltrui: Wat van die Blikore? As daar 3 van die onoorwonne Vrede span slegs in die F en G spanne is moet OVS seker weer n krag wees?
Die Pretoria stadsbeker was nog altyd ontsettend kompeterend en die standaard van skole rugby baie hoog. In my opinie is hierdie jaar nie ‘n uitsondering op die reel nie. Verskillende skole het met tye kitaar geslaan. In die vroee tagtigs het skole soos Overkruin, Wonderboom en John Vorster die stadsbeker gewen. Met tyd het die skole aan die Ooste van Pretoria-soos Pretoria na die Ooste uitgebrei het- n krag begin word en het Waterkloof bygekom. Die publiek neem na waarskynlikheid nou net notisie van die Pretoria stadsbeker omrede Rugby blogs soos SBR blog rugby nuus geredeliker beskikbaar stel.
TOV die CW verstout ek my om te se dat die bergbokke die kompetisie gaan wen. Van wat ek van Boishaai, Paarl Gim en Paul Roos gesien het dink ek nie daar is enige provinsie wat n pak voorries kan kies wat saam hulle sal kan gesels nie. Hulle agterspelers is ook nie te versmaai nie. As geswore vyand van die Strepies-soos dit n getroue Bul ondersteuner betaam-maak dit my seer om dit te erken. Dit is egter n realiteit. Frikkin Bergbokke 8)
@Vra maar net: Ek ken vir Rugbyman en hy het werklik nie jou ongevraagde en disrespekvolle advies nodig nie. Lewer liewer kommentaar op die berig as om disrespekvol teenoor ander te wees.
@rugbyman drink ‘n chill pil en rus. Sê vir daardie 2 boeties om dieselfde te doen – jy weet van wie ek praat
Who will be the coaches this year?
Throw into the mix a dangerously deceptive running fullback, couple of 2012/13 SA U16 HP locks, 2013 SA Schools flanker and centre – and hopefully a supercharged flanker in Roelofse, then the Bulls may have a shot.
But the coaching staff and management should learn from the year previous. They went to Craven Week 2013 as the team to beat, and they got exactly that. If they play as a team, the Bulls will be hard to stop. Play as individuals, and they might stumble at the first hurdle.