Matthew Reece-Edwards, Kearsney’s gifted 15 year old first choice scrumhalf will visit his father’s old stomping ground this Saturday when his team travels to Durban North to take on the ever-improving Northwood School. The venue for the match was named Reece-Edwards after Matt’s father and Bok fullback Hugh, a stand out rugby player and cricketer at Northlands (now Northwood) in his day.
Kearsney head into this game as firm favourites, compliments of a very impressive 2011 track record coupled with having no fewer than four Craven Week representatives onboard including the talented 15 year old twins of another former Bok, Robert du Preez.
Northwood School became the talk of the town a fortnight ago, as far as schoolboy rugga goes. The reason, a 9-8 against all odds victory over one of very best that SA has to offer – Glenwood High School a.k.a. the Green Machine.
The result was a huge shock to the system but to Simon Vickers, Northwood’s Head of Rugby and his dedicated staff, including well-known local coach Barry Wilson, it represents the kind of outcome they would like Northwood to be capable of achieving on a weekly basis in the near future, as their bold programme aimed at reviving the school’s rugby continues to gain momentum.
The match should provide spectators with an interesting contest at scrum time and no doubt the battle of the backrowers, particularly at the breakdown will be something to savour. In terms of head-to-heads, they won’t come much better than the dual between the two big no.8s, Northwood’s star Khazi Makhaye and Kearsney grafter Declan Ahern. In midfield, home player Simiso Mchunu, unlucky to miss out on provincial representation, will be looking to exhibit his skills when he challenges a relatively inexperienced, promising player in the form of Jason Valenti.
The teams are:
Northwood: Siyabonga Dlamini, Ben Meadows, Simiso Mchunu, Wade Worthington, Nelisa Ndimande, Byron Scott, Raymond Simon, Kwazi Makhaye, Adrian Verbiest, James Hall, Siyathemba Khanyile, Tyronne Ferguson, Bongamusa Ncwane, Kelvin Shea, Fiso Sikhosana (c) . Coach Barry Wilson
Kearsney: Michael Steel, James Lambert, Jason Valenti, Stuart Scott-Martin, Isolethu Ngidi , Sandile Khubeka, Matthew Reece-Edwards, Declan Ahern, JL du Preez, Cullen Collopy (c) , Daniel Du Preez, Chad Myburgh, Brendan Clements, Michael Kennedy, Matthew Jones. Coach Barend Steyn
At Goldstones, Maritzburg College will be looking to bounce back from a poor showing against Affies when the take on strugglers Michaelhouse. One thing is for sure, College won’t be underestimating their opponents from Balgowan following last year’s surprising loss. College is boosted by the return of their captain, arguably the province’s best player, Stefan Ungerer. For Michaelhouse fans, two young players worth keeping an eye out for are flyhalf Austin Lockington and no.8 Josh Moon. Both should feature prominently in House’s 2012 campaign.
A resurgent DHS will be in Pietermaritzburg to tackle St Charles. Neither school is having the best of seasons, however results in recent weeks suggest that DHS should come out on top quite comfortably. If School can manufacture a few half gaps for the likes of their speedsters Eddie Mangwambe and the fantastic Mbembe Payi, the crowd should be in for a very entertaining afternoon of top quality finishing.
Hilton will play hosts to St Albans of Pretoria. The Hilton defence has leaked many points this season. They’ll need to plug these holes if they hope to pull through with a win in what is expected to be a tight affair. In terms of looking ahead to next year, Hilton’s useful no.8 Chris de Beer and fullback Calvin Smith are two young guns with tons of potential.
Westville will drive 320km up the road to Vryheid where Pionier await their arrival. No doubt the tough Northern Natal schoolboys will put in their usual spirited performance, however as an overall package, they’ll lack the depth to pose too much of a threat over the 70-minute distance. For Westville is an opportunity to iron out some of the basic errors that have plagued their offensive game in recent weeks.
Some good rugby in a wonderful atmosphere lies in store those fortunate enough to attend any of tomorrow’s games.
Tweet
Thank you for a great summary and preview Beet..
You are a LEGEND!!
Go Westville!!!
Good read.
Go Pioneer. 😛
By the way Hugh went to Northwood, coached Westville and sent his son to Kearsney. Interesting.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : :e
Hugh,s son ,15 and in 1st team ,Amazing!!!
@ruggabugga (Comment 6) :
Apparently the talent is in the blood..
Cannot wait to see him go..
@ruggabugga (Comment 6) : Robbert du Preezs twins also 15 according to the article.
Great stuff Beet.
Vat hulle Pionier…..
My skool in St. 6 en 7 voor ons verhuis het.
Great rugby school up in Northern KZN.
I’m not sure if it is translated Pioneer in english but since it’s an afrikaans school it should be called PIONIER.
@Pokkel (Comment 9) : Eeek! You’re right it’s Pionier. I actually know that. Hopefully Rich can change it. No disrespect intended.
I watched Pionier playing 7s last year at Glenwood and they had some skills of note. They actually went on to win the KZN leg and qualified for the national compo.
There’s an interesting player to watch in Westville’s 2nd team game against Vryheid High 1sts. The Vryheid lock Klingenberg has made the KZN Craven Week team. Considering how difficult it is for any schoolboy from any smaller school in any region in SA to crack the nod for C/W and add to this the vast distance this guy had to travel to attend several trials, one can’t help but believe he’s a talent of note. I know that the KZN selectors were concerned about lineouts, so I imagine he’s got the height and weight to cut it against some of those giants we see coming out of the Highveld regions every year. It will be well worth it for locals to see him in action.
Beet
That thud you just heard was my jaw hitting the ground… your knowledge of schoolboy rugby is frankly amazing!
@beet (Comment 10) :
Fixed up..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 12) : howzit Ricky 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 13) :
I thought you were in a meeting?
@robdylan (Comment 13) :
Awesome article hey?
Beet’s knowledge is unbelievable.. Something to work towards..
@Pokkel (Comment 14) : only starts in 20 mins 🙁
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 15) : the dude is the closest thing to a legend I’ve ever seen without a mirror…
@robdylan (Comment 17) :
Humble much? lol..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 18) : farkin smilies 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 19) :
Im tired of writing.. I cant even muster together a proper Match thread anymore..
The Du Preez twins are great players. The blind side flanker is in the Juan Smith mould. Their brother is a decent flyhalf – tall, strong tackler and has a decent boot, a Peter Grant type of flyhalf.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : uh oh… have I burned you out?
@juz (Comment 21) :
The flyahlf is off to Stellenbosch hey? Lost to the Cape..
@robdylan (Comment 22) :
Considering my points haul over the last two weeks or so, I am all out of english words..
Maybe we need to start an Afrikaans site?! lol
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 23) : Wow, only 15 and already sorted to go to Stellenbosch, when will that be 2/3 years time, surely not next year unless he is going to school there.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 24) : In case you get that off the ground my nomination for Afrikaans word of the week is “rymklets” (rap).
@Salmonoid (Comment 25) :
No, he is the older brother that is finishing this year..
As far as I know..
@Culling Song (Comment 26) : rymklets sounds like an illness/disease. 😈
@Culling Song (Comment 26) :
@McLovin (Comment 28) :
Hahaha 😉
@Salmonoid (Comment 25) : there is 3 brothers , the older one and the twins
the older one is the one going to the Cape , pity as it means he prolly wont play for the Sharks, but the Stormpies
the twins i think one is a scrummy the other a flank
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 27) : a youngster i have seen play a few times now and i rate highly as a 9 is stefan ungerer
that kids a serious talent
@McLovin (Comment 28) : That’s exactlly what afrikaans rap is. 🙂
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 27) : @sharks_lover (Comment 30) : Thanks.
So that would make 3 du Preezs. There are 2 on the team sheet and Beet has mentioned that the twins are playing so I presume the older one is injured (?). Would be great having all 3 playing together.
Rymklets = 😎 word.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : need a holiday
@robdylan (Comment 22) : shame Rob give the guy a break
SCHOOLBOY RUGBY ON THE BOX TODAY AT 13H40
Hey guys thanks for the positive responses. FNB have slashed their budget so there isn’t nearly as much SBR on nowadays as in previous years. Fortunately the cameras will be at Pretoria Boys High vs KES today for the kind of match that has the potential to draw a crowd similar in size to that of Vodacom Park or Coca-Cola Park.
It’s a small taste of the amazing talent that SA has at this level. 2 outstanding players on view, who I wouldn’t rule out as being future Sharks Academy are Kirk Pretorius the PBHS no.8 and KES no.7 Malcolm Marx. A game worth watching if you’ve got nothing else going on.
@beet (Comment 38) : Beet I also heard that due to more focus going to varsity cup, school rugby has been cut. True?
@Mocho (Comment 39) : Hey Mocho, I’m not sure of the exact reason but I imagine you’re right. These decisions are often driven by financing. FNB are obviously not getting the milage they hoped for and have down-scaled their investment.
Personally I’ve always thought that SBR represents a good opportunity for SABC to get in on the rugby act in an attempt to capture some of the market and fulfil a goal of bringing rugby to the masses. There are still many people out there that can’t afford DSTV.
@beet (Comment 40) : Yep because the westville vs kearsney match was a classic clash. When we wanted to know if it was televised that’s the reason we got.
Yeah it would. Showing school boy rugby on SABC would be the perfect opportunity to expand the game. Would love to see a derby between to two previously disadvantaged schools. Which game are you going for today?
I’m going to the Northwood vs Kearsney game. Usually I try to attend the sort of match of the day. Today my feeling is it will be the Hilton – St Albans game but Hilton haven’t been good this yr so I have no incentive to drive up there.
3 Du Preez in Kearsney 1st today
@ruggabugga (Comment 43) : I still only see 2 in the above team shhet.
@ruggabugga (Comment 43) : @Salmonoid (Comment 44) : Hey guys, the Kearsney team sheet above is correct.
Robert du Preez, the flyhalf with the big boot and incredible hang time was meant to start today but is out, so Kearsney have reshuffled their line by moving versatile Khubeka from 13 to 10 and bringing Valenti at 13. As cover Kearsney have Julian Bowman, a 1st team regular who has just returned from injury.
@beet (Comment 45) :
Thanx for the update Beet..
Programme at Northwood has one at lock , one at 8th man and one at flyhalf..
@ruggabugga
Rather don’t argue with beet, I reckon he knows what he is talking about and you will only make a fool of yourself..
Results in so far:
Noord kaap 25 – 22 Affies
DHS 24 – 13 St Charles
Hilton 54 – 12 St Albans
Well done on the winners sofar
GO DHS
Durban North College 31 – 17 Queensburgh boys high
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 51) :
Natal has talent
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 51) :
thanks Rich for the updates sofar
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 48) : Rich no intended arguement from me ,i quote only what i saw on the northwood programme on the day as the majority of neutral spectators would have too!!Rich ,by your insinuation of me making a fool of myself by commenting i take it all that i say is worthless in your humble opinion? is a blog not for opinion (inoffensive) opinion at that too!
@ruggabugga (Comment 54) :
My only insinuation was that it would be silly to argue with our resident SBR legend.. Thatisall..
Rich that is assuming from your side there is only place for one SBR legend on our favourite blogpage!!If so I will shut up and just enjoy the games..
@ruggabugga (Comment 56) : hey ruggabugga… I’m sure Rich didn’t mean it that way. There’s obviously room for everybody’s views here and we welcome them all equally.
Jeez ruggabugga..
I didn’t mean anything by saying what I did. I’m sorry if you took offence to my tongue in cheek comment. Apologies.
@robdylan (Comment 57) : @Richard Ferguson (Comment 58) : guys Rich,s words just broke my heart, and maybe im just far too sensitive (bwahahahha!!) but honestly no arguement intended ,i was just perveying what i was seeing on the school programme..