The 48th edition of Craven Week for under -18 schoolboys begins in Kimberley today. Eighteen South African regions as well as Namibia and Zimbabwe are being represented at the tournament which runs until Saturday.
The format is unchanged. Fixtures for the first two match days have been decided in advance. A selecting committee will then review the performances of Day 1 and Day 2 separately and arrange “strength vs strength” matchups commencing on Wednesday for the Day 1 teams and on Thursday for the Day 2 teams. Friday is a rest day. On Saturday all 20 teams will be in action in fixtures also determined by applying the “strength vs strength” technique to the first four match days. Saturday’s last match is the traditional unofficial final. It is followed by the announcement of the SA Schools team.
Of the Day 1 teams, the Free State and the Bulls are the overwhelming favourites to win their respective games and meet on Wednesday in an unofficial semi-final of sorts.
As usual Grey College, the current number 1 ranked schoolboy team in South Africa, is well represented in the Free State team. They have no fewer than sixteen players in the squad of twenty-two, including the much-admired centre pairing of Jan Serfontein and Dries Swanepoel, the only two schoolboys invited by Dawie Theron to attend SA under-20 trials earlier in the year.
Much more of a surprise is the make-up of the Bulls team. Fourteen Waterkloof players form its nucleus, in a season in which their better known Pretoria rivals Affies, who contribute only three players, have produced excellent results and outrank “Klofies”. That said, it would have been foolish for Bulls selectors to have overlooked undeniable “Klofies” talents like Shaun Robinson, Faf Tradoux and the 120kg dominant lock Irné Herbst.
Griquas is a Day 1 dark horse based on the success of unbeaten Kimberley school Noord-Kaap, who make up half their squad and given their home-ground advantage. Teams like the Pumas, Boland and South Western Districts, the 2008 final winners, are also quite capable of producing winning formulae and can never be underestimated.
The formbook suggests that Day 2’s results will in all likelihood give rise to a Thursday main clash involving Western Province and Border.
Province always have a wealth of talent at their disposal and in reality their region is not done any justice by having only one representative team at Craven Week, such is their depth. In most years their top rugby institutions, Paarl Gym, Paarl Boys High, Paul Roos and Bishops hold down single digit national rankings and schools like Rondebosch, Boland Landbou and of late Tygerberg aren’t far behind. WP can however expect some stiff opposition from a confident and well prepared KZN team, led by inspirational College scrumhalf and SA Schools hopeful, Stefan Ungerer.
The backbone of Border’s team is their high flying Selborne College tight five that tip the scales at a massive 540kg. That’s an average of 108kg per man. Their three loose-forwards, including highly rated Sharks Academy bound no.8 Johan Meyer, are good as well, so it’s no exaggeration when comments are made that this 820kg pack has all the ingredients to be the best on display this week. They are big, strong and hardworking. In a nutshell, the only thing that could possibly stand in the way of Border and an appearance in Saturday’s final game is sub-par performances by their backs. Here they have broken up school combinations and gone with the skills of some very slick Dale College players working alongside four Selborne starters at 9, 11, 12 and 15.
Two other Day 2 big-name sides that cannot be written off are the Golden Lions and Eastern Province. They’ll square off in an interesting contest with the winner remaining in contention for top honours. However the Lions have struggling to find form, losing all three warm-up games and it’s questionable whether EP will have the level of cohesion required to play attractive enough rugby to suitably impress the selectors.
As usual the week will be jam-packed with eye-catching gifted players, of which a handful will go on to play rugby at the highest level at some point in the future.
Fixtures for Day 1 and Day 2:
Day 1, Monday 11 July
10h25: Leopards vs Namibia
11h45: Eastern Province Country Districts vs Valke
13h05: Boland vs Blue Bulls
14h25: Free State vs Pumas
15h45: Griquas vs South Western Districts
Day 2, Tuesday 11 July
10h25: Zimbabwe vs Border Country Districts
11h45: Griffons vs Limpopo
13h05: Golden Lions vs Eastern Province
14h25: Western Province vs KwaZulu-Natal
15h45: Griquas Country Districts vs Border
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nice balanced report , however mate , there is nothimg about our future sharks there??
DHow does this work? Is it the same old people who always chooses the SA Schools team? I cannot even think that one schoolboy from a plattelandse school will be afforded the same opportunities that a “well known” player from a school like Grey for instance. Also the fact that Half the team of Grey is in the Freestate team does not help – these guys knows each other and will defnitely perform better than a guy who has only been playing with his new team for a week or so.
I dont like this type of formula as I am sure a great player might get overlooked….
Its the same though with netball – if you put in two players with 5 who are used to play together – you are not gonna shine, coz they will “exclude” you from the action within the game.
There needs to be a more fair way of doing this?
@sharks_lover (Comment 1) : I thought I’d covered the spread. I mentioned Ungerer and Meyer who are 2 confirmed Sharks signings with bright futures as well as possibly Serfontein + Swanepoel who we are in the running to sign. 😛
I love our KZN and hope to do a very one sided report on their match vs WP to restore some balance around here at SW
@Ice (Comment 2) : Ice, I think there is a lot that can be done to improve selection criteria. However Vrystaat is the worst possible region to use as an example. Grey Bloem’s 3rd team would give the other 1st teams in the area a run for their money.
N/OVS players from Kroonstad and Welkom etc represent the Griffons.
@beet (Comment 4) : Okay – but you know what I was trying to say though..
here is the junior sharks teams however
KZN u18 team announced for the 2011 Craven Week
cravenweek Free State Cheetahs & KZN u18
KZN U18 2011 Craven Week & Academy teams announced.
Craven Week Team:
1. N. Oelofse (GW)
2. J. Taylor (GW)
3. M. Worral-Claire (GW)
4. D. Du Preez (K)
5. F. Horn (GW)
6. S. Nanto (GC)
7. J. Du Preez (K)
8. C. Swart (GW)
9. S. Ungerer (MC)
10. R. Du Preez (K)
11. S. Tom (GW)
12. D. Moolman (GW)
13. T. Fisher (W)
14. L. Sithole (MC)
15. M. Payi (DHS)
16. C. Collopy (K)
17. S. Pina (GW)
18. J. Klingenberg (VRY)
19. J. Buthelezi (W)
20. B. Cope (DHS)
21. S. Khubeka (K)
22. N. Marwana (GW)
Manager – Dean Moodley (K)
Coach – Barend Steyn (K) & Sean Erasmus (GW)
Academy A Team:
1. M. Jones (K)
2. M. Kennedy (K)
3. M. Khumalo (MC)
4. R. Odendaal (MC)
5. M. Dickens (MC)
6. T. Ngcongo (W)
7. K. Khuzwayo (W)
8. D. Ahern (K)
9. M. Makhabela (GW)
10. A. Lockington (MHS)
11. Z. Makiwane (MC)
12. V. Potgieter (STC)
13. D. Kriel (MC)
14. C. Geldenhuys (GW)
15. L. Nthlangulela (GW)
16. R. Mhlongo (MC)
17. C. Guila (CL)
18. J. Moberly (MHS)
19. P. Shezi (MC)
20. C. Wright (W)
21. U. Makasi (GW)
22. M. Mvelase (MHS)
Manager: Nhlanhla Bulose
Coach: Rudi Dames & Deon Gericke
Academy B Team:
1. S. Sithole (W)
2. R. De Wet (PIO)
3. S. Brown (SC)
4. S. Ngxabi (GW)
5. P. Woodroffe (W)
6. R. Van der Westhuizen (GC)
7. L. Hazelhurst (GC)
8. D. Boshoff (PIO)
9. B. Asher-Wood (GL)
10. S. Shezi (GW)
11. L. Mdlalose (GC)
12. E. Marais (MC)
13. J. Hugo (HILT)
14. K. Boulle (W)
15. X. Ngeleka (GW)
16. C. Mnguni (SC)
17. M. Buthelezi (EMP)
18. J. Mollentze (PIO)
19. V. Mthembu (GW)
20. Z. Khumalo (STC)
21. R. Brummer (PIO)
22. N. Ndlovu (SC)
Manager: Robert Webber
Coach: Rudi Dames & Sam Mofokeng
@Ice (Comment 5) : Yes. Also selections are not meant to be made on the basis of combinations. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and regions are meant to select their best player in each position. However these days with things becoming more pro, one seems more and more talented players either being attracted to or approached to join schools with good rugby programmes. This is partly why certain big schools have the lions share of representatives. There are other reasons as well – but best to keep things positive.
beet?? who is meyer , swannepoel serfontein??
@sharks_lover (Comment 6) : If you want a bit of background info on the CW KZN players I’ll email the school, height, weight and ability player table that I did for Mr Price Sport our team sponsors to Rob now and you can request it from him. 😆
stefan of course i know
i see robert du preez’s son is the fly half , although i believe he is WP destined?
@beet (Comment 9) : lol
@beet (Comment 7) : Thanks fro the info…I learn everyday… 😆
@sharks_lover (Comment 8) : SA schools hopefuls who’ll cross fingers be in junior Sharks jerseys next season.
@beet (Comment 13) : i ask as i dont see them in the kzn schools team
accept ungerer of course
@sharks_lover (Comment 14) : Meyer plays for Border… the other two play for Grey/Free State
@sharks_lover (Comment 14) : From what I picked up they are Bulletjies who Muzi thinks are Sharks bound next year.
But you know what they say about picking up stompies….can be dangerous.
@Salmonoid (Comment 16) : 😳 Stompies…dangerous…proof is right there
@robdylan (Comment 15) :
The Pumas are playing some good rugga against the Free State
@Ben (Comment 18) : You mean against Grey College. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) : Exactly what I mean yes. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) : Politically correct name is GREYSTAAT
Paul Jordaan’s boet + Serfontein + Swanepoel playing well.
For Pumas Kwagga Smit is the real deal. Unbelievable workrate.
Sharkies from what i know
the battle to sign dries swanepoel and jan serfontein will be between free state…the sharks and the bulls!
Now i read a free state times newspaper and it states the following “Both of them have school contracts with the Blue Bulls and most probably will further their careers in Pretoria. This contract determines that the Blue Bulls will have first option to sign these players once they’ve turned 18.”
This is interesting because ungerer’s contract was similar but according to my sources the sharks and bulls are leading the race.
Remember the bulls have first option so Hans Scriba will have to pull something special
Very interesting!
Sharkies…..I spoke to the bulls scout xander janse van rensburg and he said that they do not look to contract all the star SA schools players for example that pumas lock jacques du plessis i see is heading to the bulls was unknown by alot of people suddenly he has set the craven week alight…..the bulls look all over the country that number 8 roelof smit and probably half the kloffies team was not born in pretoria.The recruitment strategy at the bulls is working wonders a guy like dennis visser or henco deal may not make the craven week side but they have been identifies years ago as potential bulls players.
Remember under 18 bulls contracts are sometimes binding like ungerer’s so we do not always get what we want
.
@Muzi (Comment 25) : Pieter Jordaan 1 Faf Tredoux 0, Stander, Swiel still to come.
Paul’s brother Pieter scored 4 tries and was man of the match.
Personally i thought Kwagga Smit was the VIP.
Jacques du Plessis is something else. I can’t believe he was at school in KZN and we let him get away. Amazingly quick for 116kg and 2.01m.
I thought the Freestate scrumhalf did an excellent job as well.
Grey Bloem centres are so classy.
Some results from the day so far:
Leopards 19 – 40 Namibia
EP 15 – 42 Valke
Boland 15 – 50 Blue Bulls
Free State 56 – 42 Pumas
Game still to be completed:
Griquas vs SWD
@beet (Comment 26) : Jacques du plessis…..and the grey vip centres are bulls
lol
@beet (Comment 26) : Francois tradoux gad an off day
@Muzi (Comment 28) : I heard today you’re getting them
@robdylan (Comment 30) : From who rob
There are some good players in this SWD team.
@Muzi (Comment 31) : Chester Koyana… one of our scouts
@robdylan (Comment 33) : That might explain why Bulls 12 and MotM Janco Gunther said in the post match interview that he might head to Maties next year – surplus to requirements
@beet (Comment 34) : don’t know why the Bulls are buying ALL these guys… surely they can see that they’re going to have so much competition just to get into under 21s, nevermind seniors?
@robdylan (Comment 35) : Ja, you’d think the kids and the parents would catch on but I think the Bulls sell them a good story.
I’m sure this is how we got Heimar Williams – he realised that he faced a dead end and chances were pretty good that if he stuck around in Pretoria last year, he’d have been watching u19 from the stands.
I actually got sucked into Muzi’s propaganda. Dries Swanepoel’s father confirmed back in April that Dries was going to join the Bulls. Jan Serfontein was the player up for grabs until you shared the bad news.
@robdylan (Comment 35) : Hooray! The SWD centre Michael Bernardt who was judged to be MotM just confirmed that he’d like to join the Sharks Academy. Good stuff.
Good that Lady Rugga is asking the kids about their plans for 2012.
@beet (Comment 37) : 😕 You would think i’d be jumping up and down about dries and serfontein at the bulls like i did with sadie and j-j but mate honestly i was 😥 when gunter did not committ himself to bulls rugby i mean the talent is there for everyone to see….i was not talking kak when i said it would be better for the vip centres to jion the sharks now we HAVE A HUGE problem:
@beet (Comment 37) : I mean check out the list of the so called talented centres at the bulls:
1.Watermeyer who i still rate
2.Dippernaar – who i thought should already have replaced that old uopa jaco pretorius.
3.Sadie
4.Venter – who in my honest opinion needs alot of improving particularly decision making and passing 😕
5.Andile Jho – who likes holding on the ball toooo much
6.Willa
7.Chris Bosch – who i think is better than willa
The bradley moolmans…adri jacobs…johan de goedes ect will eventually be told they are surplus to requirements.
I am not gloating the bulls better let the ball do the talking 😉
@beet (Comment 37) : I was 👿 👿 when i saw carlo engelbrecht chillin on the bench that scruhalf made tradoux look bad terrible service!
@Muzi (Comment 38) : You must be the only person the whole country that feels that way. Let me give you a reality check:
THE BULLS HAVE SIGNED THE 2 BEST CENTRES IN SCHOOLBOY RUGBY!!!
Rather bottle your unhappiness in some kind of time capsule and open it in 2017 if you see 2 Watermeyer re-incarnations struggling to make things happen.
@Muzi (Comment 39) : who’s Willa?
@robdylan (Comment 42) : William Small Smith rob
@beet (Comment 41) : That’s what i fear boet we have to spread the ball…. look imagine how a guy like gunther must be feeling right now?
@beet (Comment 41) : The Varsity Cup is hurting Hans Scriba and the sharks…..all the so called talented players are going to tukkies
@Muzi (Comment 43) : oh yes… him.
Seriously, what are you okes going to do with all the centres?
@robdylan (Comment 46) : 😕 I have no clue if i was dippernaar i wouldn’t renew my contract….watermeyer is under pressure now…he has venter breathing down his neck…..i would loan these players to the pumas…valkes….SWD’s ect…..we will be stuck with a centre pile up
@robdylan (Comment 46) : The purchase of horse
at flyhalf sent a strong message to brummer and boshoff they better step up or be shipped out 
@robdylan (Comment 46) : The bulls have realised some of the younsters are not up to scratch in terms of player growth….the shit is about to hit the fan with pine pienaar banning twitter lol…
@Muzi (Comment 49) : We must get Ludz here. With him around, we cover the whole of the E/Cape from u14 up.
WP by 20 😈
Some interesting stats on this years CW:
Heaviest: Ivan Gouws – Pumas – THP – 130kg
Lightest: Curtis Cloete – GQ Country – SH – 56kg
Tallest : Jacques du Plessis – Pumas – lock – 2.01m
Shortest ; Ashton Nash – Namibie – SH – 1,56m
Sheit I am taller than him!!! 😀
@Ice (Comment 52) : 1,56 are you sure? Kette is even shorter than you then. She is 1,55.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 53) : Jip – thats what the paper says! And it looks like it on the photo! – I am 1.57 or 1.58 (according to my passport! LOL)
@Ice (Comment 54) : So you are not THAT small then. 😉
The question is are you heavier than the lightest player? 😛
For the Sharkie supporters I really hope this game today doesn’t turn into a massacre. KZN schools have been a bit disappointing this year so far and WP are always the cinderella boys of rugby. I actually hope thie game ends in a draw. OFS look unstoppable again with all their luck and small forwards. The Bulls will crumble under the pressure tomorrow against the OFS. Tvl will scrape through today with Stoney showing the republic the real meaning of ‘heart and courage’ Please watch this number 8 and see the passion of a person who’s already had to fight for his life. Border will be the underdogs and might be overrated after Selborne beat Monnas with the Krugersdorp Kings fielding 7 reserves that day.
Looking forward to the games and may the better teams draw.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 55) : :uckily for me the lightest player is heavier than me! 😀
@Ice (Comment 57) : 😀
@speartackle (Comment 56) : Spear, we had a good win against the Pumas a few weeks back.
Is Stoney any nearer to a decision regarding his plans for 2012 and beyond. He is a quality player. After watching him this year I actually think it wud be sad if he moves to hooker next year.
BTW I’m no cyclist, just love the TdF and the strategy + build up to the sprint finishes. I also love the big mountain stages.
@Ice (Comment 57) : Ice, these youngsters are known to burn off 2kg during a game. Where does that leave you then?
Jokes. Often these small guys are pound for pound the strongest players at CW
@beet (Comment 59) : Thursday, first big mountain stage but I think Contador will wait for next week’s Alp d’Huez.
Re: Stoney , I heard openside flanker is not out of question but he is too much of a ball carrier to be lying on the ground scrambling for the ball. I see a Schalk Britz being perfected in the future.
@Ice (Comment 52) : I’m sorry, but it simply isn’t healthy for a schoolboy to weigh 130kg
@robdylan (Comment 62) : It definitely doesn’t look healthy on paper.
Often when the guys are that big it’s natural and their legs can carry the weight. No conditioning coach would have been asking a player of that size to pack in extra weight 10 months ago. You’ll probably also find these guys lose a bit of weight after school anyway.
Of concern is the lighter player who takes supplements to put on 10kg in the off-season. His body has to make a sudden adjustment to the extra load. That’s possibly more of a health risk. 😐
@speartackle (Comment 61) : Is Stoney sticking with the Lions?
@robdylan (Comment 62) : Robs – he is 1.94 meters tall as well – and he does not look “obese” – I’d say a little “baby fat and the rest looks ok. hell of a difference bewteen his physique and that of that guy who played in the junior world cup let me tell you that!
@beet (Comment 60) : I eat that 2kg up when I am done playing a game! I have quite a healthy appetite for someone with my height and weight!
@Ice (Comment 65) : I was joking. I know you’re a bit of a sportsman (into your netball) so I can’t imagine you’ll have any issues with staying trim.
@beet (Comment 66) : Are the Lions going to beat EP?
@beet (Comment 66) : 😆 It’s just a mindset thing that I have – I refuse to buy bigger size clothes – it safes a hell of a lot of money too! 😆 Okay – that last bit is a lie…
@beet (Comment 64) : I hope he goes to Racing Metro or Sarazens for a year or 2 but I think the VC has countered those options. The NH offers more for the young players than SA. Too much talent goes wasted here between the ages of 18 and 21. I spoke to a Tvl u/19 player yesterday and he told me he’s played one full game so far this year. It’s a joke.
Weekend after weekend I see Marais Schmidt, Paul Willemse, James Meecham, Small Maccie etc wondering around at games looking hungry for action. Imagine if they’d been with Sarazen’s or Bath and had the same exposure as Charlie Ford, Farrell and that Irish winger who’s with the Ospreys, just think where they could have been now. Maybe the VC will bridge that gap but I have a serious problem with the lack of oppurtunities and development of our 19, 20 year old talent.
Maybe the problem is in the Cape.
@Greg (Comment 67) : Greg. My gut feeling is yes. The Lions will benefit from a lot of cohesion and I know on their day the Monnas boys in the team can mix it with the best in the country and come out on top.
I believe the players to watch will be the hooker Eugene le Maitre, the locks of whom Phillip du Preez is good player. As Speartackle mentioned, the big-hearted yster Ruan Stoney Steenkamp at no.8 and young flank Chris Massyn and no.12 Burger Odendaal.
@beet (Comment 70) : And the WP/KZN game?
Only seen Johan Meyer play once but he was extremely impressive. Good news that he is bound for the Sharks academy. Very powerful for a schoolboy and Queens used him very intelligently….especially at lineout time.
@speartackle (Comment 69) : that’s a sad state of affairs. Its dissappointing to hear that these guys are struggling for games. How did we expect to put the best u20 team on the field when our most populated
area has such poor structures.
I hope Stoney considers Durbs. We’re bound to have a shortage of loosies from local schools next year.
@Greg (Comment 71) : WP are the favourites. We’ll be the underdogs looking to have a day.
Well EP are making me eat my words. Even tho they’re losing 10 – 6, they are looking far more organised and are enjoying the poss + terr advantage
@beet (Comment 75) : Am unfortunately at work, just keeping track of the score on sarugby.net 😥
@Greg (Comment 76) : The Golden Lions came into their own towards the end of the first half and the right wing Mooki scored a try.
Stoney Steenkamp is predictably the standout player. That kid has a high pain threshold as he puts his body on the line time and time again. The outside centre Africa has also made some good metres. But all-in-all there were many encouraging signs for EP. They really deserved to scored a try during a redzone assault.
What are these stars and slogans under the pics? When do I get rated? Can I decide what I want to be? Don’t want no rugby position or team, what about the Cinderella boy of Golf or the Knight from Krugersdorp?
@beet (Comment 77) : Where’s Shaun Conradie?
@beet (Comment 77) : Thanks, two tries to nil at halftime is pretty good, just hope they can hold out in the second half, not like our senior team 😀
Stoney Steenkamp is so far the stand out player BUT so far the bulls number 8 roelof smit has set the standard he was bloody good yesteday and to think of it he is not even an 8thman.
All these lions players will be joining me at UJ next year
in tha lions rugby factory which is actually working for once.
@speartackle (Comment 79) : Conradie is at fullback
Lions coming into their own now 27-6
Also le Maitre did not start
Beet, who should we be keeping a close eye on in the KZN team?
@Muzi (Comment 82) : Yeah, they fell short in the Varsity Cup though, was a bit dissappointing.
Lions 27 – 6 EP
47min
@beet (Comment 83) : Stoney Ratel Steenkamp: The softest part of his body is his teeth.
@Ben (Comment 85) : Definitely a closed eye on the scoreboard, it’s gonna be a slaughterhouse.
@speartackle (Comment 89) : Thanks for your enthusiasm! 😆
@speartackle (Comment 78) : Those are SW points. You get more as you comment. Go and have a look at your profile and you will see.
The ones above indicate your role.
A notepad and pen indicate you are an author.
The sheriff’s badge indicates an administrator.
The trophy indicates you have one a competition.
On that note. Have you entered the Just Rugby Fantasy league and Last Man Standing competitions yet.
@Ben (Comment 90) : Watch your prodigy at scrumhalf stefan ungerer he is brilliant 😉
Lions 27 – 6 EP
54min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 91) : Or read a bit more here: http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2010/02/11/so-whats-with-the-stars/#more-9933
@Ben (Comment 85) : Ben pse try get my KZN profile email from Rob
Lions 34 – 6 EP
57min
@Greg (Comment 94) : Thanks. 😎
am on my phone and couldn’t find that.
32 – 6 about 12 minutes to go!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 97) : No problem
Lions 34 – 6 EP
60min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 91) : Thank you, how do I write stories? I’m good at that. What’s an administrator? Do they decide who says what and who reads what? Just curious, not intending to cause trouble…..yet……maybe pandemonium when Leopards beat Sharks soon.
Charlton Africa has the makings of a Fabien Juries but needs to learn how to link
@speartackle (Comment 101) : LOL with star players like Stoof and Ligtoring??
Wonder if they`ll feature in the team this year?
They`ll miss Bondesio though.
Lions 34 – 13 EP
64min
@speartackle (Comment 101) : The article that Greg posted a link to explains all that.
sorry for being a bit short, my phone battery is about to die.
Importantly we as admins don’t have to do a lot of moderation, we have a great bunch of posters who actually do most of the behaviour control for themselves. 😎
@McLovin (Comment 104) : are you watching?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 105) : most of us behave… Most of the time… 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 105) : If you want to write and article, then mail it to [email protected]…….co.za and we will get it posted for you after 1 or 2 articles you will be given your own ability to post articles.
FULL TIME
Lions 39 – 13 EP
And the hard man scores a try!!!
@speartackle (Comment 101) : hahaha and hahaha for that last bid, hahaha 🙂
@franshark (Comment 106) : Ja, with one eye online.
Ruan Steenkamp scores a try 🙂
One would be forgiven for thinking there are 3 Steenkamps on the pitch in this game. He was all over the place. One of the easiest MotM to award.
@franshark (Comment 107) : There is that Klempie guy….. 😛 and then that other guy who posts pictures of half naked people from time to time.
But other than that our guys are cool. 😉
Seriously. You have no idea what a blessing it is for an admin to have a bunch of people who selfmoderate rather than having to have an admin do it.
We can happily be off the site and not have to worry who wants to kill who and who has said what to upset who.
@beet (Comment 113) : Chris Massyn – MoM.
@Greg (Comment 110) : Eddy Andrews is playing school rugby!?!?!?!? 😯 don’t let WPW find out or we’ll have to hear all about TGHMEA again. 😉
KZN up next
750kg pack, 2 gr.10 in the pack, 2 gr.11 in the pack = young pack.
WP have good scrumagers so expect trouble but we will get low.
WP have to good young Boishaai locks, so we are going to have to be accurate and creative at lineout time.
We have good ball carriers in our pack. Look out for no.1 Chippy Oelofse and Ferdi Horne and JL du Preez.
Sanele Nanto is a no.8. He’s had to learn to play opensider. We could have difficulty at the breakdown.
Our backs are our main weapons of destruction.
Ungerer is a schoolboy version of Fourie du Preez
Robert du Preez is big and has a huge boot + a good long pass developed from years of being a scrumhalf.
Inside centre Moolman is a good defender
Tyler Fisher is a big strong centre
Lwazi Sithole is a good finisher
Siyabonga Tom is the sometimes erratic kicker at left wing
Mbembe Payi is an awesome step and go player. One of the best sidesteps you’ll ever see and has good speed off the mark.
Of the WP backs I only know Tim Swiel the flyhalf who was a brill fullback and will probably be a good playmaker.
Justin Geduld is a good playmaker as well but he has been forced to play at 13 not his ususual 12.
Scrummy Nel is also decent
@KSA Shark © (Comment 114) : I agree we have a great bunch of bloggers 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 115) : Funnily enough I went out of my way to watch Massyn because he’s kept the good KES boy Malcolm Marx out the team. Chris played a very tight game but he also didn’t make any errors.
Surprised Stoney didn’t get the award.
Forgot to mention our quick young no 8 Carel Swart and speedy SA schools wing of WP JP Lewis
WP try.
WP 7 – 0 KZN
6min
KZN try – Robert du Preez
WP 7 – 5 KZN
9min
Conversion missed from right in front. 😯
Wtf? Do we not have a decent goal kicker?
We seem fine if we avoid the scrums and keep it away from their speedy outside backs
WP 7 – 5 KZN
15min
Nanto contesting well on the ground. Good to see.
@Ben (Comment 125) : Stagefright, first try anything KZN related has scored against a western Cape outfit this year. 😈
Too many unforced errors
WP lineouts are a mess.
@Salmonoid (Comment 129) : Ouch!
WP 7 – 5 KZN
27min
@Pokkel (Comment 132) : almost forgot, we did beat their Vodacom Cup team.
@Salmonoid (Comment 129) :
@Pokkel (Comment 132) :
Not true, UKZN scored a try against UWC, 28 Feb!
@speartackle (Comment 89) : Slaughterhouse???
@Ben (Comment 136) : Hey, one man’s two point lead is another man’s slaughter! 😆
Super defence from WP. 😎
HALF TIME
WP 7 – 5 KZN
Messy game but we’re in with a shout. Good. Nanto is my KZN player of the first half. A few weeks ago he struggled to get his hands on the tackled ball, now he’s a machine
@Greg (Comment 137) : 👿
@beet (Comment 140) : WP very fortunate to be ahead at half time imo.
Is that the new ‘lady rugga’ or whatever she’s called doing the interviews etc?
@McLovin (Comment 142) : they had their moments tho and missed 2 pen.
WP 14 – 20 KZN
62min
Sharks 20 – WP 14
Go Sharks!!!
Exciting finish. KZN fitness is good. 20-14 to KZN with 8 min to go
2 score game 23-14
WP 14 – 23 KZN
64min
@beet (Comment 148) :
Where is your friend Mr. Slaughterhouse?? 😈
TMO time.
@speartackle (Comment 56) :
Massacre ❓ ❓ 😆
@McLovin (Comment 143) : Yup?
@McLovin (Comment 151) : For which team?
@Pokkel (Comment 154) : WP. Inconclusive imo.
Try awarded.
WP 21 – 23 KZN
2.5 min to play.
Gonna be close!
WP going for goal 57m out.
Yes!!!! KZN wins!
Short.
I’m still trying to figure out how that try was given.
FINAL SCORE
KZN 23 – 21 WP
Little Sharks you beauties.
KZN played much better as a team.
Great stuff KZN!!!
I should have PVR’rd the game.
@war1 (Comment 162) : Video ref remembered he has family in Kraaifontein.
Well done KZN! Well deserved winners, goalkicking nearly let WP off the hook though.
Never under estimate the Banana boys!!! 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 154) : @Ben (Comment 153) : This is classic Speartackle. If you take some of his comments esp predictions too seriously ur doomed. He likes to joke.
@Pokkel (Comment 166) : Games are rebroadcast tonight on SS6 (I think) I watched on video streaaming, missed most of it so will watch tonight.
Well done KZN
@war1 (Comment 168) : Could really have cost us this game, big improvement needed.
@Salmonoid (Comment 171) :
Thanks!
@Ben (Comment 169) : That is what I love about Natal rugby teams, especially when we are underdogs. Punching above their weight.
@Salmonoid (Comment 171) : The KZN game only shows at 23:50 tonight.
Border 14 – 0 Kwas CD
6min
BORDAAAAAAAH!
One of the worst efforts I seen by WP schoolboys in ages. I suspect a factfinding mission into how they pick their side is on the cards.
@beet (Comment 178) : I suspect they thought they just needed to pitch up for the win. 😐
Wtf is up with the Welsh commentator at the CW?
@McLovin (Comment 179) : The lineouts were their biggest downfall and surprise surprise it’s a administrator/selector’s son at hooker. I wonder what would have happened if the best hooker in WP – Kirsten wasn’t injured. Kirsten would probably have been watching from the sidelines coz he couldn’t possibly be better than an official’s son.
@Ben (Comment 180) : Scotty Gibbs. I think he has a SS1 contract for RWC. He’s useless. They should use Werner Swanepoel. He’s full of life.
@beet (Comment 182) : Yeah Beet. CW is purely about SA schools rugby. How on earth would a Welshman fit in there. But hey, Super Sport never seizes to amaze!
Now this game fits the description better. Griquas are being taken to the Slaughterhouse! 😆
Border 21 – 0 Kwas CD
26min
@beet (Comment 182) : I think Gibbs may live in SA now, as far as I know he has business interests in Cape Town, I could be wrong though.
@beet (Comment 181) : Unfortunate if true, but not the first or last time that that kind of selection has happened in schoolboy rugby. 😐
@war1 (Comment 186) : What about John Barnes from soccer? he played for Watford and another not so well known team. 😛 Does he have interests in SA? Just curious
Kwas CD score a try.
Border 21 – 7 Kwas CD
33min
@Ben (Comment 183) : Generally the overseas guys are better than our local guys imho but hats off to SS for managing to pick out the one and only guy who lacks enthusiasm and couldn’t be cared to do any homework on the players.
HALF TIME
BORDER 21 – 7 KWAS CD
@beet (Comment 191) : No arguments from me there. Our commentators are kak.
Well Done KZN.
WP by 20 I heard someone say? 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 194) : As your favourite artist often sings “never say never!”
Definitely a big upset given WP track record at CW in recent years
@beet (Comment 191) : Speaking of which….Kobus Wiese on SuperRugby last night thought that Dawie Theron was still coaching Griquas.:shock:
@Salmonoid (Comment 196) :
Griquas CD, the only CD team that genuinely deserves to be at CW due to the size of the North Cape Province are showing a lot of spirit.
border need to finish this game very strongly, otherwise KZN is going to get matched against the Golden Lions in the unofficial semi-final
@Salmonoid (Comment 196) : Not suprised really! 🙄
Border 26 – 7 Kwas CD
50min
Kwas CD score their 2nd.
Border 26 – 12 Kwas CD
55min
Border go over for try number 5.
Border 33 – 12 Kwas CD
64min
FULL TIME
Border 33 – 12 Kwas CD
@beet (Comment 188) : I don’t know but we do seem to see quite a bit of him on SS. Wrt Gibbs, during the British and Irish Lions tour in 09 I think he mentioned something about business in Cape Town but I suppose Wales (or England in the case of Barnes) is close enough to fly in for a day or so and it’s in a similar time zone.
Well it’s touch and go now guys. My feeling is that the Golden Lions and Border will battle it out in the main game on Thurs for a chance to square off against the winners of WaterBullf vs Greystaat. Then WP will get EP and we’ll be up against this good Griquas CD.
Wow i certainly did not expect that from wp i mean they always have strong craven week sides…i wonder if rondebosch…bishops…wynberg have better players who could have made it….the backline was very small…poor colby was a scrumhalf last year he is just toooo small
you can see the talent in pollard he is very cool underpressure but i feel swiel should have started…..the bulls scouts must be 😥 lol…..we will contract half the bulls craven week side.
@beet (Comment 208) : The bulls have the players to beat grey college free state
but like the bulls scout said the defence system used by free state will make a big difference.
@Muzi (Comment 210) : When are you tapping your sources for those u19 and u21 teams from WP and Vrystaat. You’re getting slack in your old age. 🙂
Ludz now would be a good time to post something about your under-performing Border team. Seems like they had 3 too many Queens boys in the starting lineup.
@Muzi (Comment 210) :
Ludz is guilty of over hyping some of these border players 😕
@beet (Comment 212) :
Your players better get prepared for stoney and his boys from jozi…those lions are real bullies very tought we breed then hard in the transvaal 
@Muzi (Comment 214) : I see we got the Golden Lions.
Border landed WP.
Interesting.
That virtually guarantees the winner of Lions vs KZN a place in the final vs the Bulls or Greystaat.
a great win for kzn boytjies today 😛
THE MASSACRE
I went out to play golf yesterday afternoon to avoid the slaughterhouse in Kimberley and when I finished I saw I had 37 missed calls and I knew something was on. I couldn’t believe the score as I sat in the pub watching the tries on the highlight channel. I even ordered myself some fried fish and a Castle Light to get that Sharky feeling. Oh well, this has only been my 7th wrong prediction of the year.
In all fairness this was a huge upset and I think a well deserved win for the underdogs against the mighty ‘ Super League’ WP schools with their academies, old boys, universities, rugby museum and desktopcommunicators.
Well done Little Sardines, that # 13 is gonna go far.