Author: hnienaber

There are five changes in the starting line-up of the Junior Springboks to play against Wales in the IRB Junior World Championship rugby semi-final in Vannes, France, on Tuesday evening.

Amongst the backs, flyhalf Robert du Preez returns to play in the No 10 jersey while Handré Pollard moves to inside centre in place of Rohan Janse van Rensburg. Stefan Ungerer reclaims the No 9 jersey from his Sharks provincial team mate Hanco Venter.

Andrew Beerwinkel will start at loose head prop in place of Sti Sithole while Luan de Bruin is restored to the side after missing the match against France because of suspension. De Bruin’s suspension of four weeks was set aside following a successful appeal. Marné Coetzee therefore moves to the bench to make way for De Bruin.

Amongst the replacements, flanker Kwagga Smith comes in for the injured Jannes Kirsten while Justin Geduld, who missed the French match because of a slight knee injury, was included amongst the backs after passing a fitness test on Monday.

Junior Springboks coach, Dawie Theron, commented: “This is a very important match for us and we know that Wales is a well-coached side with a good structure and especially a very good kicking game. We have done our homework and believe that we are a well-prepared physical side and we are comfortable with the way we want to play. The team is looking forward to play in this semi-final match.”

Kick-off time is 18:15 and SuperSport will show both semi-finals live, with broadcasting starting from 18:00.

The SA Under-20 team to play Wales on Tuesday, 18 June 2013 in Vannes:
15. Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Western Province)
14. Luther Obi (Platinum Leopard)
13. Dries Swanepoel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
12. Handré Pollard (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
11. Seabelo Senatla (SARU contracted)
10. Robert du Preez (The Sharks)
9. Stefan Ungerer (The Sharks)
8. Ruan Steenkamp (captain, Vodacom Blue Bulls)
7. Jacques du Plessis (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
6. Roelof Smit (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
5. Dennis Visser (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
4. Irné Herbst (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
3. Luan de Bruin (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
2. Jacques du Toit (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
1. Andrew Beerwinkel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

Reserves:
16. Michael Willemse (DHL Western Province)
17. St Sithole (DHL Western Province)
18. Aidon Davis (EP Kings)
19. Kwagga Smith (MTN Golden Lions)
20. Percy Williams (MTN Golden Lions)
21. Justin Geduld (SARU contracted)
22. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
23. Marné Coetzee (The Sharks)

Some interesting JWC facts:
Seven teams have contested an IRB Junior World Championship semi-final in New Zealand, England, South Africa, France, Australia, Wales and Argentina.
Stade de la Rabine in Vannes will become the seventh venue to host a JWC semi-final after Rodney Parade (2008), Cardiff Arms Park (2008), Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium (2009), Estadio El Coloso del Parque (2010), Stadio Comunale di Monigo (2011) and Newlands (2012).
A total of 50 tries have been scored across the 10 JWC semi-finals to date. Thirty-two of these have been turned into seven pointers.

The most tries scored in a semi-final is six, which has happened three times – New Zealand v Australia (2009), England v South Africa (2009) and England v France (2011).
The most penalties kicked in a semi-final is seven in England’s victory over South Africa in 2009, the fewest is two in that year’s other encounter between New Zealand and Australia.

No drop goals have been slotted between the posts in a semi-final to date.
For more information please contact Rayaan Adriaanse, the Junior Springboks Media Manager, on +33 6 79 14 33 03
Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs

Kearsney hosted Hilton in perfect playing conditions on their Founders weekend.

Kearsney showed early dominance and scored the first try in the seventh minute of the match. Fullback Chris Lines brilliantly collected a failed touch finder from Hilton and showed good pace and spatial awareness as he ran back at Hilton. From the tackle Kearsney attacked the right hand side of the field.

From the ruck Ayron Schramm received the ball and made a well-timed offload to Lines after beating a number of defenders with dazzling footwork. Tristan Tedder converted for a 7 – nil lead.

Hilton applied good pressure with very sound tactical kicking and good chase tactics which produced three first half penalties. Tedder added a penalty of his own and prop MthunziMoloi crashed over for a try just before halftime, for a Kearsney lead of 15-9 at the break.

The first of the three second half Kearsney tries was a spectacular counter attack from a failed Hilton punt. Ryan van der Waal, Lines, Schramm and Jean-Luc du Preez were particularly prominent, with centre Blair Cremer diving over after some good continuity play by the hosts.

The penultimate try was scored by captain Dan du Preez with his trademark close to the ruck running line. Unfortunately Tedder did not enjoy his usual productive tee-kicking day, but converted for a 27 – 9 lead.

Fittingly, man of the match Lines scored the last try from a shortened line out, receiving a flat pass from scrum half Matt Reece-Edwards and running 25m for his second try of the match. Tedder converted for a final score 34-9.

Outstanding players for the hosts were Lines, Schramm and JL du Preez.

The game ended a notable week in which Kearsney’s 1st XV captain Daniel du Preezwas named as KZN Craven Week captain.It is the third season that he has been selected to play at the prestigious Craven Week, and after last year’s event he was selected for the SA Schools team.

In total six players from Kearsney College’s 1st XV will represent KZN u18 at Craven Week. Daniel will captain his twin brother and flank Jean-Luc, scrumhalf Matt Reece-Edwards, number eight Ayron Schramm, flyhalf Tristan Tedder and hooker Jordan Meaker.

Kearsney will play Maritzburg College this Thursday (20th) at 2.45pm in a re-scheduled 1st XV game following the original fixture being rained out.

DIE Griffons se Cravenweek-span sal heelwat selfvertroue uit sy oorwinning van 43-34 oor sy eweknie van Griekwaland-Wes neem. Die Perses het met die omdraaislag ‘n skrale voorsprong van 17-15 geniet.

Die Perses se slot Arno de Blom en flank Gerrit Otto was hulle span se twee uitstaande spelers in die sege.

Die span se ander kantman, Andre Janse van Vuuren het twee keer agter die Poubloues se doellyn gaan kuier.

Die Vrystaatse Akademie-span het ook heeltemal te veel skietgoed vir sy eweknie van Grens-platteland en ‘n weghol-sege van 102-3 behaal. Die span se senter, Andre Swarts het 34 van sy span se punte aangeteken. Hy het vier van sy span se 16 driee gedruk en ook sewe van die driee verdoel. Die agtsteman Alex Jonker en senter Carel-Jan Coetzee het albei dubelle driedruk-plesier ervaar.

Die Vrystaat Kiewiete het sy wedstryd teen Sandveld 47-12 gewen. Die span se agtsteman Jan Serfontein en flank Niel Terblanche was voorlangs ysters. Agterlangs was die heelagter Jean Janse van Rensburg en losskakel Dean Tucker uitstaande. Die span trek Saterdag vir ‘n oefekamp saam voor hulle Maandag teen Suid-Natal in sy eerste wedstryd op die VKB Reitz-week te staan kom.

Die Perses se o.16-span was 22-7 oor Griekwas-platteland baas. Die span van die Noord-Vrystaat het rustyd 5-0 voorgeloop. Vir die wenspan het sys enter Gerald Ekron uitgeblink. Hy het eers op buitesenter uitgedraf en daarna op binnesenter sy blink vertoning voortgesit. Die agtsteman SJ Malherbe en flank Pieter Jordaan verdien ook ‘n klop op die skouer vir hulle vertonings.

Die Vrystaat Arende het Griekwas-platteland se Cravenweekspan 53-24 uitgestof. Griekwas se o.19-span het sy eweknie Griffons naelskraaps 30-29 uitoorle. Die Perses se plattelandse Akademie-span het sy eweknie van Griekwas-platteland 48-0 verslaan.

Puntemakers:

Griffons o.18 43 (17) – Driee: Andre Janse van Vuuren (2), Shaun Reynolds, Shane Grobler, Wian van der Watt, Sechaba Matsoele. Doelskoppe: Reynolds (5). Strafdoel: Reynolds. Griekwas o.18 34 (15).

Vrystaat Akademie 102 – Driee: Andre Swarts (4), Alex Jonker (2), Carel-Jan Coetzee (2), Dwayne Wessels, Stanley Ramotsana, Callie Janse van Vuuren, Patrick Mbangi, Johan Nel, DP de Lange, Thando Magalakanqa, PC Labuschagne. Doelskoppe: Swarts (7), Jeandre Christiaans (4). Grens-platteland Akademie 3.

Vrystaat Kiewiete 47 – Driee: Chester Sejake (2), Lee-hane Ontong (2), Janus Sander, Eugene Strydom, Kgosi Molapo. Doelskoppe: Sander (3), Dean Tucker (3). Sandveld 12.

Griffons o.16 22 (5) – Driee: GJ van Eeden, Kardelo Moleko, Urzell Speelman, Donovan Bouwer. Doelskop: Bouwer. Griekwas-platteland o.16 7 (0) – Drie: Lynthen Barthies. Doelskop: Joe Willemse

The South African Under-20 team overcame a committed France team in front of their home crowd to record a third successive victory and clinch a place in the Junior World Championship semi-finals with a 26-19 victory (halftime 8-7) in La Roche-sur-Yon on Thursday.

The Junior Springboks twice trailed in the match – and were matched for tries, three-all – but they showed tremendous defensive commitment and character to resist a home nation desperate to record a significant victory in their campaign, having already lost to England.

Dawie Theron, the Junior Springboks’ coach, praised his team for clinching a vital victory against a very committed French team.

“We knew that the French would be passionate and very committed because they had so much to play for. They were lifted by a fantastic crowd and gave it their all. However, I am proud of the effort by each of my players because the win is what matter most, and we deserved it in the end.

“Our guys stood firm, made some vital tackles and in the end we clinched it with a great try by Cheslin Kolbe.”

Theron added that he was not happy with the efforts in the scrums, and that his team will work hard in the next four days to correct their mistakes.

“We missed Luhan (de Bruin, suspended prop) and there was some puzzling calls made against us. The coaches will go and have a look at the video and try to figure out what went wrong. We are in the semi-finals and will give it our best effort in the next match,” said Theron.

Junior Springbok captain, Ruan Steenkamp, said the ferocious French forward pack made it difficult for them to gain momentum.

“They disrupted us from the start and forced us into mistakes. We could not get the momentum that we wanted but we showed a lot of bravery and heart out there. We played much better towards the end, especially during the last ten minutes. I am just relieved that we managed to beat them because they are a dangerous team.

“We will now regroup and prepare for the semi-final,” said Steenkamp.

The International Rugby Board must still confirm the semi-finals, but South Africa – who finished top of Pool A – will most likely play against Wales on 18 June in Vannes.

Scorers:

South Africa – Tries: Dries Swanepoel, Luther Obi, Cheslin Kolbe. Conversion: Handré Pollard. Penalties: Pollard (3).

France – Tries: Thibault Regard, Marco Tauleigne, Baptiste Serin. Conversions: Enzo Selponi, Serin.

Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs

GREY-KOLLEGE kan Saterdag in Nelspruit sy eie Springbok-rekord van agt oudleerlinge van ’n skool in ’n rugbytoets ewenaar.

Agt oudleerlinge van die skool is gister in die Bokke se 23-tal vir dié toets teen Skotland in die Mbombela-stadion ingesluit. Drie oud-Greys – die skrumskakel Ruan Pienaar, stut Jannie du Plessis en haker Adriaan Strauss – is in die beginspan ingesluit. ’n Verdere vyf, die haker Bismarck du Plessis, die stut Coenie Oosthuizen, die slot Flip van der Merwe, die skrumskakel Piet van Zyl en die senter Jan Serfontein, sit almal op die plaasvervangerbank.

Grey het in 2010 teen die einste Skotland die rekord na agt spelers verbeter toe Frans Steyn (senter), Deon Stegmann (flank) en die Du Plessis-broers in die Springbokke se beginspan uitgedraf het. Strauss, CJ van der Linde (stut), Van der Merwe en Pienaar het toe speelkans van die bank af gekry in ’n toets wat die Skotte 21-17 gewen het.

Die vorige rekord het 114 jaar lank agter die naam van Diocesan-kollege van Kaapstad (Bishops) gestaan.

Sewe spelers van Bishops het op 30 Julie 1896 teen die toerspan van Brittanje op die veld gedraf. Hulle was Biddy Anderson, Charlie van Renen, Fairy Heatlie, Paul Scott, Frank Guthrie, Francis Myburgh en Percy Twentyman-Jones. Suid-Afrika het die toets 0-8 op Crusaders se veld (deesdae St. Georgepark) in Port Elizabeth verloor.

In 2010 teen Skotland was daar tien oudleerlinge van Bloemfontein in die wedstryd in aksie. Buiten die manne van Grey het die flank Juan Smith (JBM Hertzog) en losskakel Morné Steyn (Sand du Plessis) ook in dié wedstryd gespeel.
Steyn sal Saterdag ook teen Skotland uitdraf.

Verlede Saterdag teen Italië was ses oud-Greys naamlik Serfontein, Jannie du Plessis, Strauss, Pienaar, Van der Merwe en Oosthuizen in die Groen en Goud in aksie.

Verskeie skole het reeds vier spelers in ’n Bok-span gehad. Grey het in 1977 teen die Wêreldspan vier verteenwoordigers – Morné du Plessis, Theuns Stofberg, Dawie Snyman en Robbie Blair – gehad.

In 2004 het Paarl-Gimnasium vir Marius Joubert, Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger en De Wet Barry in verskeie toetse saam op die veld gehad.

Nog ’n skool uit die sentrale streek, Kimberley Boys High, het vyf spelers tot die toetsspan in 1903 vir die toets teen die Britte in Kimberley bygedra. Hulle was Klondyke Raaff, Syd de Melker, Jackie Powell, Uncle Dobbin en Rajah Martheze.

The greatest rugby tournament for schoolboys in the world hits a milestone this year as it celebrates half a century of the best Under-18 rugby this country has to offer. This festival of rugby will strike away any winter blues as it explodes onto the field at Polokwane, Limpopo from 8 – 13 July.

The very first Craven Week took place in 1964 in East London, the year of the South African Rugby Board’s 75th Jubilee and was designed to be a celebration of schoolboy rugby. At the time Danie Craven said, “The Board wants the game played in the right spirit. That includes: attacking, adventurous, open, constructive rugby, without regard to result, and without deviating from the game. If our schoolboys can be imbued with such a spirit, it will seep through to our national approach, to the advantage of all.”

Indeed, many a Coca-Cola Craven Week star has gone on to become a Springbok hero like Schalk Burger senior (1973) and Schalk Burger junior (2001) running on field for Western Province and Boland respectively. Other well-known legends include John Smit, Percy Montgomery and Victor Matfield who have all played over 100 games for the Boks, as well as Francois Pienaar, Joost Van Der Westhuizen, Bob Skinstad, Ashwin WIllemse, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Pat Lambie.

That historic first kick-off in 1964 was a somewhat haphazard affair as for many provinces it was a novelty to choose a junior provincial team. Some provinces had been picking teams to represent them for years while others, like Western Province, had never. Western Province asked its long- standing schools to nominate players and cobbled together a team that did remarkably well, much better than some of the expertly chosen teams. Fifteen provinces sent teams to East London and out of this inaugural event came names like André de Wet, Andrew van der Watt, Mike Jennings and Joggie Jansen who went on to play rugby for South Africa.

In 1974 for the first time ever, a national schools team was chosen from the best players at Craven Week. Since then, a SA schools team has been chosen every year and though it is still considered a festival of schoolboy rugby and as such there is no official winner, there is no doubt that the last match on the last day is regarded as the final and that the team that wins that are considered the Coca-Cola Craven Week champions.

The next big change to the tournament came in 1980 when Danie Craven forced the organisers to open the festival to players of all races. This forward-thinking move took place fourteen years before apartheid officially ended. In 1987 the Project Tournament was introduced which used a 50/50 quota system and had 16 teams taking part by 1991. The best team from this Project Tournament then went on to play at Craven Week with Springbok players Justin Swart and Etienne Fynn emerging, and Louis Mzomba who became the first Xhosa-speaking international referee. Fynn went on to be the first player of colour chosen for SA Schools at the 1990 Coca-Cola Craven Week. By 1991 the original 16 Coca-Cola Craven Week teams had doubled into 30 and the diversity of those years saw many a great player emerge due to the inclusion of the Western Province League and SA Project team, exceptional players like Chester Williams and Cornel Wiese.

Today the concept of Craven Week has expanded into a spectacular Coca-Cola Youth Weeks aimed at identifying and nurturing talent within South Africa that includes: Under-13 Craven Week where young lads discover a taste for provincial rugby; Under-16 Grant Khomo Week named after a remarkable man who achieved excellence in the game of rugby and as an administrator against all odds; Under-18 Academy Week which is aimed at development and transformation; and LSEN Weeks designed for Learners with Special Education needs which itself has been going since 1982 and serves as a platform for youngsters with learning, visual and hearing impairments and epilepsy to compete. A top LSEN XV team is then chosen and goes on to compete at Academy Week.

So from the hula-hooping, flower power, grooviness of the sixties all the way to the tech-savvy, speediness of 2013, Coca-Cola Craven Week has endured and entrenched itself into the hearts and minds of the South African sporting-mad public. Over half a century 243 Springboks have graduated through the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week and not only is it a festival celebrating schoolboy rugby but has also become its holy grail – an event that is held in high regard both by the players and the many “trainspotters” of the rugby world.

This special 2013 edition of the Coca-Cola Craven Week tournament will see exactly 440 of the country’s top school rugby players take part in 20 teams that includes sides from Namibia and Zimbabwe. For those who can make it to Polokwane (just two and half hours from Pretoria) get ready for not only a feast of rugby, but also a momentous occasion in South Africa’s history. This is “where heroes are made” and the hottest, young talent South Africa has to offer is showcased. For all those too far to travel, SuperSport will be televising the games so you too can witness the greats of South Africa amongst us.