Author: hnienaber

South Africa’s under 20-side started their title defending campaign in the Junior World Championship in France with a run-away victory of 97-0 over the United States of America. The Baby Boks learned the Baby Eagles a lesson and already built up a handsome lead of 54-0 at the break. 

The Americans had a very difficult job to start off with. They were promoted to the competition in place of Italy after winning the Junior World Rugby tournament last year. The Baby Boks are the defending champions in the Junior World Championship. 

South Africa just missed out on the century when their captain and eightman, Ruan “Stoney” Steenkamp knocked on the ball in the last movement behind the tryline. The Americans produced a good effort in the end, but could not manage to breach the South Africans goal line. 

South African Sevens’ stars Seabello Senatla, Justin Geduld and Cheslin Kolbe was too fleet footed for the Americans in the first half. Senatla scored three of his four tries in the first half. Kolbe’s stepped his way through the USA’s defence every time that he got his hands on the ball. He also scored on of the Baby Boks’ tries. Geduld recorded a brace of tries as he sliced open USA’s defence.

But undoubtley the performance of the game was produced by the big South African flanker, Jacques du Plessis. He worked tirelessly in the loose and gained valuable metres with the ball in hand.  

The South African coaching staff got a chance to give all their replacements a run with quite a few of them getting a run just after half-time. 

Scorers:

South Africa 97 (54) – Tries: Seabello Senatla (4), Justin Geduld (2), Luther Obi (2), Michael Willemse (2), Jesse Kriel (2), Andrew Beerwinkel, Jacques du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Ruan Steenkamp. Conversions: Robert du Preez (5), Handré Pollard. Penalty: Pollard. USA 0.  

DIE generaal vir die Vrystaatse o.18-rugbyspan vir die 50ste Cravenweek vir hoërskole sal heel moontlik ‘n speler wees wat tydens die Paasnaweek laas vir sy skool se eerste rugbyspan uitgedraf het. Julian Delicado is in die Vrystaatse span op losskakel ingesluit wat Saterdag op die Noordwes-stadion in Welkom teen sy eweknie van die Griffons te staan sal kom. Delicado het vanjaar nog net twee keer vir Grey se eerstespan teen die Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad en op Kearsney-kollege se Paastoernooi teen Framesby uigedraf. Sedert dié Paastoernooi speel hy op senter vir Grey-kollege se tweede span die Cherries. Delicado het ‘n driekuns aan drieë teen Rooiskool behaal.

Delicado was egter die uitstaande losskakel tydens die reeks proewe. Hy het ook Dinsdag in die laaste proefwedstryd van die Vrystaat meer as genoeg gedoen om sy plek in die beginspan te verseker. Die span wat Saterdag teen die Perses uitdraf is die voorlopige Cravenweek-span. Die span word na afloop van dié dag se wedstryde gefinaliseer.

Dit sal Saterdag ook die eerste keer vanjaar in ‘n amptelike wedstryd wees dat Grey se skrumskakel Heinrich Sander vir Delicado met balbesit vanaf die oond sal voer.

Die keurders het twee spelers wat verlede jaar vir die Vrystaat op die Cravenweek diens gedoen het, Stefan Kruger (flank, Sentraal) en Dylan Harlen (slot, Grey) uit die span gelaat.

Grey se stut, Andrew du Plessis is op haker in die beginspan gekies. Hy, die vaskopstut Ruan Kramer en Ox Nche was ook verlede jaar in die Baai in aksie. Daar is vir Du Plessis wat oor goeie hande beskik en woelig in die los is plek in die beginspan gemaak met dié skuif. Nche het verlede jaar al die Suid-Afrikaanse Skole-span verteenwoordig.

Die Vrystaat-span bestaan slegs uit spelers uit twee skole, Grey-kollege en Louis Botha. Grey het vanjaar 13 verteenwoordigers in die voorlopige span, terwyl Louis Botha die oorblywende nege spelers verskaf.

Griekwaland-Wes het intussen hulle twee Cravenweek-spanne vir Polokwane gefinaliseer. Die toernooi vind van 8 tot 13 Julie in Limpopo plaas.

Die spanne is:

Vrystaat: EW Viljoen, Henry Immelman, Stephen Rautenbach, Ali Mgijima, Sheldon Fortuin, Julian Delicado, Heinrich Sander, Andries Kriek, Marius Louw, Refiloe Rampeta, Casper Fourie, Victor Maruping, Ruan Kramer, Andrew du Plessis, Ox Nche. PLAASVERVANGERS: Martin Wipplinger, Ruben Terblanché, De Wet Bezuidenhout, Whaseem Gallant, Sharwin Cupido, Masego Toolo, Patrick Mbangi.

Griekwas: Ryan de Wee, Leon Becker, Dimitrio Tieties, Luke Mason, Kat Mabaleng, Wentzel Matthys, GM Bruwer, Jacques van Zyl, Nardus Bosman, BJ Muller, Bradley Leijdekkers, Thulani Njenje, Doctor Booysen, Daniel van Zyl, Obakeng Phollholo. PLAASVERVANGERS: Willie van Aswegen, Francois Jacobs, Nico Graaff, Gerhard Holtzhausen, Saint-Art Pergoa, Aldro Heyns, Jacques Nel.

Griekwa-platteland: Darryl de Wee, Gavian Cloete, Clinton Toüa, Ruan Venter, Josh van Heerden, Cobus van Niekerk, AJ le Roux, Jasper Wiese, Junior Burger, Theunis Visser, Dillon du Plessis, Rayno Nel, Scott Frits, Hanro Visagie, Jan-Hendrik van Wyk. PLAASVERVANGERS: Morgan Engelbrecht, Henri Nel, Sergio Boer, Ryno Karstens, Bokang Tshabang, Jonathan Steenkamp, Romario van Rooyen.

The South Africa Under-20 team to face the United States in their first match of the IRB Junior World Championship 2013 has been named.
Vodacom Blue Bulls forward Ruan Steenkamp will captain the side from the back of the scrum in the number eight jersey.

Handré Pollard, who starred for the Junior Boks in their 2012 JWC success, was selected at inside centre, the positioned he has played for much of the season for the Vodacom Blue Bulls and UP-Tuks. Pollard is the only survivor of the Class of 2012.

The rest of the team has a rather familiar look because of the number of training and tour matches the players have played together this year in preparation for the JWC.

The backline includes a trio of Springbok Sevens players, namely Cheslin Kolbe (fullback), Justin Geduld (outside centre) and Seabelo Senatla (left wing).

Junior Springbok coach, Dawie Theron, said his troops are raring to go.

“The players are eager to get going and to get the first match under the belt. Our preparations have gone very well and there is a nice vibe in the squad. The players have all worked extremely hard to be here and our preparations have also been good.

“This is an extremely tough competition and you will have to be on your best in every match. Tomorrow it will be the first outing for both teams and I know the USA will be very determined are raring to go against us,” said Theron.

The SA Under-20 team to face the United States at 20:45 at La Roche-sur-Yon:

15. Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Western Province)
14. Luther Obi (Leopards)
13. Justin Geduld (SARU contracted)
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 (Vodacom Blue Bulls, captain)
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. Sti Sithole (DHL Western Province)
18. Aidon Davis (EP Kings)
19. Kwagga Smith (MTN Golden Lions)
20. Hanco Venter (The Sharks)
21. Dries Swanepoel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
22. Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
23. Marné Coetzee (The Sharks)

Paarl Gimnasium recorded an impressive 40-3 victory over Wynberg Boys’ High over the weekend. Gimmies already built up a lead of 26-3 at the break. Their eightman, Rikus Bothma scored a brace of tries.

Scorers:

Paarl Gimnasium 40 (26) – Tries: Wickus Bothma (2), Gavin van den Berg, DJ van Niekerk, Brendon Nell, Johan Momsen. Conversions: Grant Hermanus (5). Wynberg Boys’ High 3 (3) – Penalty: Karl Martin.

Boland Landbou 10 (3) – Try: LJ Venter. Conversion: Tian Nel. Penalty: Nel. Diocesan College 0.

Paul Roos Gimnasium 10 (10) – Try: Daniël du Plessis. Conversion: Joel Heugh. Penalty: Heugh. Rondebosch Boys’ High 5 (0) – Try: Jay Stevens.

Paarl Boys’ High 29 (10) – Tries: Dylan Daniels, Curtley Grain, Daniël du Plessis, Thomas du Toit, Burger van Niekerk. Conversions: Stephan Gouws (2). SACS 5 (0) – Try: Yandisa Maqenukana.

Hugenote (Wellington) 15 (7) – Tries: Jason le Roux (2). Conversion: Nelius Hau[tfleisch. Penalty: Hauptfelisch. Stellenberg 6 (6) – Penalties: Tiaan Swanepoel (2).

Bellville HS 39 (17) – Tries: Jacques van Antwerpen (2), Edwin Punt (2), Rynhard de Waal, Jean Strydom. Conversions: Strydom (3). Penalty: Strydom. Bellville THS 3 (3) – Penalty: Dalen Kruger.

Durbanville 20 (8) – Tries: Jacquin O’Reilly (2), Riaan Heskwa. Conversion: Darren Ruiters. Penalty: Ruiters. DF Malan 0.

Strand HS 34 (20) – Tries: Roan Badenhorst (2), Christiaan Geldenhuys, Pierre Rabe, Zane Farmer, Jaco de Wet. Conversions: Arnand Swart (2). De Kuilen 11 (6) – Tries: Kyle Hendricks. Penalties: Cameron Oliver (2).

Brackenfell 41 (31) – Tries: Tenk Feldsman, Hendrik Joubert, Jan-George Bender, Duard Robbertse, Morné Swart, Duan Dippenaar. Conversions: Corné Smit (3). Primrose RFC 5 (0) – Try: Ismael Boltman.

Milnerton 20 (5) – Tries: Jesse Herbert (2), Siva Ulanga. Conversion: Elroy Brand. Penalty: Brand. Tygerberg RFC 15 (3) – Tries: Tyrone Brockman, Isa Maker. Conversion: Wayne Pietersen. Penalty: Pietersen.

Other Results:

u19A: Bellville-Suid 58, Tuscany Glen 5.

u19B: Paarl Gim 45, Wynberg 0; Landbouskool Boland 10, Bishops 5; Rondebosch 0, Paul Roos 12; HJS Paarl 43, SACS 0; Stellenberg 29, Hugenote 8; HS Bellville 53, HTS Bellville 0; Durbanville 36, D.F.Malan 10; De Kuilen 22, Strand 37; Primrose-klub 0, Brackenfell 24; Milnerton 7, Tygerberg-klub 3.

u16A: Paarl Gim 34, Wynberg 3; Landbouskool Boland 16, Bishops 6; Rondebosch 9, Paul Roos 42; HJS Paarl 36, SACS 0; Stellenberg 8, Hugenote 10; HS Bellville 69, HTS Bellvgille 0; Durbanville 24, D.F.Malan 10; De Kuilen 0, Strand 19; Primrose-klub 8, Brackenfell 7; Milnerton 0, Tygerberg-klub 10; Bellville-Suid 52, Tuscany Glen 0; Islamia-kollege 5, Fairmont 34.

u15A: Paarl Gim 14, Wynberg 3; Landbouskool Boland 15, Bishops 5; Rondebosch 0, Paul Roos 42; HJS Paarl 34, SACS 0; Stellenberg 7, Hugenote 3; HS Bellville 24, HTS Bellville 0; Durbanville 24, D.F.Malan 0; De Kuilen 0, Strand 0; Primrose-klub 0, Brackenfell 35; Milnerton 21, Tygerberg-klub 7; Bellville-Suid 22, Tuscany Glen 10; Islamia-kollege 5, Fairmont 18..

u14A: Paarl Gim 3, Wynberg 0; Landbouskool Boland 41, Bishops 7; Rondebosch 7, Paul Roos 27; HJSPaarl 38, SACS 0; Stellenberg 20, Hugenote 10; HS Bellville 27, HTS Bellville 0; Durbanville 24, D.F.Malan 0; De Kuilen 18, Strand 13; Primrose-kluk 0, Brackenfell 12; Milnerton 0, Tygerberg-klub 48; Islamia-kollege 15, Fairmont 36.

The opposition knock the ball on and we are rewarded a scrum just inside their half of the field. I check with my centers to see if they are keen to have a crack. Of course they are. I call an attacking move and the message is conveyed to the forwards. Suddenly, I hear one of our coaches yelling my name. I turn to look, and I see him signalling to me to kick the ball into the corner. I don’t understand. We have two of the best attacking schoolboy centers in the country, and wings that were selected for their deadly finishing. Why do we want to play the game without the ball? I matriculated from a prestigious private school in 2012 – a year in which our 1st XV rugby team were very successful. Traditionally, we display a fast, highly skilled brand of running rugby; sometimes scoring full field tries having run the ball from inside our goal line. We had a simple, yet very effective structure in place and our coach allowed the players to express themselves within our basic structures – a coaching style that proved to be highly rewarding for our team. For it is almost every school boys’ dream to be able to play with freedom, making their own decisions on the field as opposed to constantly being told what to do. This type of style sets the tone and boundaries within which schoolboy rugby players can thrive, and develop hugely at the same time.

“Every school boys’ dream to be able to play with freedom”

Having had a triumphant season, a few of our players were selected for the Craven Week side, including myself. I was told by the selectors that I had been picked not simply because I was the first choice in my position, but because I brought a fresh facet to the game plan – innovation and creativity. This came as a surprise to me, and I was thrilled to be able to redefine my position in the context of South African rugby; a position where, according to our rugby culture, a kicker is more sought after than a creative play maker. In our training sessions leading up to Craven Week, we focused on playing the game at a swift pace, catching defences off guard and running teams off their feet. All in combination with a very skilful yet physically demanding pack of forwards. As expected, our structures were much tighter than what I had experienced at school, and we spent many hours working on our defensive system as well as analysing our upcoming opponents visually. It was indeed a very professional set-up.

“We lost in what turned out to be one of the dullest games of rugby I’ve ever experienced”

We reached the unofficial ‘semi-final’ of the tournament after defeating our first opponents convincingly. And yet in this game, despite the success of our expansive style in the previous game, the coaches opted with safety first, playing territory, and we lost in what turned out to be one of the dullest games of rugby I’ve ever experienced.

Reflecting on the week, it was an invaluable experience and I certainly came away as a better rugby player. However, my mind was clouded with doubt about whether the prospect of playing professional rugby in South Africa appealed to me. Would I be prepared to change the way I love playing, my fellow teammates love playing, and the fans love watching, in order to try earn the professional title and the money that goes with it? These questions are never easy to answer. The one thing that stood out for me was the abundance of talent and depth on display. You will not find a schoolboy tournament anywhere else in the world that displays such a wealth of talent. Having said that, why is it that in the international arena, we have a poor record against sides like the All Blacks in the last 5 years? I believe there are two critical reasons: culture, and conservatism. And these problems are deep rooted in our schoolboy rugby systems. At schoolboy level, the coach’s role is to develop the players and spark a passion for the game of rugby. However, the recent surge in competitiveness of schoolboy rugby in South Africa drives an unparalleled level of professionalism, evident in the way the players are conditioned and coached today. Such that, exceptional individuals can even make the jump, or should I say the leap, to Super 15 level or even higher one year out of school. The rise of Sergio Petersen is one example, a player whom I went head to head with at Craven Week last year.

“Coaches tend to focus more on their scorecards… due to the misguided perception that good coaches and good results are contingent”

Schoolboy coaches, especially at 1st XV level and Craven Week, generally choose a mantra of execution over innovation. One that ensures safety, ensures the result and ultimately ensures they keep their jobs. These coaches emulate a conservative approach that includes tight structures and an overemphasis of the importance of a kicking game – all of which stifle players’ creative juices and decision-making abilities. These coaches tend to focus more on their scorecards than the overall development of the future stars of South African rugby, which is undoubtedly due to the misguided perception that good coaches and good results are contingent. The harsh truth is that results without development are meaningless, and we will never truly progress as a rugby nation until parents, players, coaches and schools understand this. As a player, I believe it is important to question the coach constructively if perhaps you disagree with what he is putting in place. However, many coaches in this country refuse to listen to their players deeming it a weakness and undermining the very fabric of what they think a coach is supposed to be. Their belief that the coach must know everything and the players are merely vessels that should listen, absorb and execute like robots is, I believe, unconstructive and never allows us to think for ourselves. It may seem wrong for players to question what they are being told, but is that not what education and sport in general is about? Then again, what would happen if coaches allowed players to freely express themselves within the structures provided? We just need to look at countries such as France and New Zealand. In 2010, I was afforded the opportunity to spend a school term (over two months) at a school in New Zealand, where I was very involved in the sporting arena. The 1st XV rugby coach emphasised skill and style, and encouraged the use of creativity within the structured game plans while allowing for individual brilliance. We can see this in how the All Blacks play, first dominating possession before unleashing the flair of their dangerous backs.

“I find it tragic that players…are withheld from expressing their natural abilities”

With the richness of talent we posses in this country, I find it tragic that players, starting at junior school age group levels, are withheld from expressing their natural abilities, which seems to be a microcosm of our Super 15 teams and international side. It is no co-incidence that our inability to play entertaining, skilful rugby on the international stage reflects the way that certain schoolboy players are being coached from such a young age. South African coaches in general desperately need to dismiss the self-fulfilling, shielded approach of conservatism in order to evolve and adapt to the modern game, and it starts in schools. For it is our inability to change and adapt the direction of our conservative mindset that threatens our future on the international, and Super Rugby stage. We certainly have the talent pool and the coaching capacity to dismiss this approach in favour of far more enriching, and entertaining brand of rugby. I have always wondered what would’ve happened if I chose to run the ball and ignored the coach’s instructions in that semi-final. Would it have changed the outcome of the game? And if it had, would I have been celebrated for taking the risk or scolded for disobeying the authorities? Aren’t the players the ones who play the game? Sometimes, we as players just have this instinct, a feeling in our gut that tells us what to do in a particular situation. It is just up to the coaches to let us do it. -Anonymous player   Find & follow RossRugby