Blog

On Saturday, 3 June 2017, the sixth edition of Premier Interschools moves to Durban for the derby between Glenwood High School and Monument High from Krugersdorp. This encounter is relatively new on the calendar as both schools saw the need to exchange pleasantries over a weekend of competition to the benefit of all learners.

They previously only met on festivals and on the rare occasion at the Easter Tournaments. Since 2010 however they have played each other regularly and while Glenwood have only won once, the encounters have always been tough and uncompromising.

Glenwood started the 2017 season on a roll, winning six games on the trot before coming unstuck against Paarl Boys’ High at the Wildeklawer tournament in Kimberley. They returned to their winning ways in the next two games comfortably beating Kearsney College and Menlopark before narrowly losing to arch rivals Durban High School on their reunion day. This result hurt their pride and they will not want to lose another game on Dixons this year, so Monument can expect a very fired up Glenwood waiting for them.

Results through the years:

2016	Monument	40	Glenwood	15	Krugersdorp
2015	Monument	21	Glenwood	8	Durban
2014	Monument	30	Glenwood	19	Krugersdorp
2013	Monument	26	Glenwood	20	Durban
2012	Glenwood	25	Monument	18	Krugersdorp
2011	Monument	16	Glenwood	8	Durban
2010	Monument	26	Glenwood	5	Krugersdorp

The good form of the team resulted in 13 of their players being picked for the KwaZulu-Natal Craven Week side while another five players were picked in the Academy-side. The Glenwood players who will be representing KZN are Jordan Clark, Edward Laubscher, JJ van der Mescht, Dylan Kruger, Dylan Pretorius, Rynard Jonker, Conan le Fleur, Morné van Rensburg, Siyanda Cele, De Wet Truter, Thabiso Mdletshe, Brendon Schwultz and Jaden Hendricks (all Craven Week). Lunga Ncube, George Luzolo, Joe Jonas, Rory Atwell and Jhacques Thyssen (all Academy Week)

Monument will thus have a huge task at hand coming down to Durban to virtually play a provincial side brimming with talent.

Glenwood results for 2017 so far:

2017/04/13 Framesby 21 10
2017/04/15 EG Jansen 24 19
2017/04/17 Noord-Kaap 25 20
2017/04/22 Westville Boys’ High 38 12
2017/04/29 Garsfontein 38 12
2017/05/01 Paarl Boys’ High 12 31
2017/05/06 Kearsney College 59 7
2017/05/13 Menlopark 39 0
2017/05/27 Durban High School 17 20

Their opponents on the day in Monument have had a far busier season having already played 14 matches thus far. They suffered only 2 losses so far, both unexpected on the day against Eldoraigne and Boland Landbou. Their last win coming against a very good King Edward VII side that was to date unbeaten.

The “Wit Bulle” as they are affectionately known, has shown that they are a contender to be one of the top teams in the country this season and is evident in the 19 players selected for the four Lions Craven Week trial teams. At this stage, seven players are knocking very hard at the selector’s door for inclusion into the Lions Craven week team.

Hooker, Morné Brandon, Locks Christen van Niekerk and Stephan le Roux, captain and 8th man PJ (Pot) Jacobs, scrumhalf Tinus Combrinck, flanker Franco Schutte and utility back Luke Rossouw all have a very good chance of being selected for Craven Week. Also in contention is the two Dandre’s in prop Dandré Degenaar and fullback Dandré Prinsloo.

This weekend could be seen a preview to a Lions vs KZN game with all the possible provincial players on show!

Monument results for 2017 so far:

2017/03/11 Pietersburg 85 13
2017/03/18 Eldoraigne 22 27
2017/03/25 HTS Middelburg 14 12
2017/04/13 Dale College 33 16
2017/04/15 HTS Middelburg 40 8
2017/04/17 Selborne College 19 12
2017/04/22 Garsfontein 45 21
2017/04/29 Oakdale Landbou 32 8
2017/05/01 Boland Landbou 22 24
2017/05/06 EG Jansen 50 13
2017/05/13 Waterkloof 20 17
2017/05/20 Kempton Park 50 13
2017/05/27 King Edward VII 24 19

Rugby at Monument

When the school opened in 1921 ML Brink held a meeting of boys to find out what games they wanted to play. They all opted for soccer, as was the custom on the bare fields of the Highveld at the time, and he then democratically decided that they would play rugby. The school played its first match on 1 April 1921 and drew 3-3 with Krugersdorp High School.

Since then the school has had many great sides – as in 1924, 1953, 1979, 1980, 1984 and 1993 when the team scored 143 tries in 28 matches.

Monument first won the Administrator’s Cup in 1953. It won again in 1973 and then again in 1992 and for the seven years which followed. In 2003, they were Media 24 National Schools champions.

These are all huge achievements given the number and quality of the competing schools.

After Brink, famous coaches have been Jan Lange (1936-53), Pa Pelser, the famous Transvaal loose forward and coach, and Hans Coetzee who still has a finger in many of rugby’s pies. Hans says nobody is compelled to play rugby but the players live for the game.

In 1993, the 1st XV toured France and Britain and went unbeaten.

Monnas, as the school is usually known, has by far the largest representation of any school north of the Vaal River at Craven Week and in SA Schools.

Monument might soon have their 9th springbok with prop Ruan Dreyer being named in the 2017 squad to play France.

SPRINGBOKS

Christo Wagenaar, Brendan Venter, Jaque Fourie, Jorrie Muller, Heinke van der Merwe, Willem Alberts, Jaco Taute, Julian Redelinghuys.

Rugby at Glenwood

Rugby at Glenwood is the major sporting code. It is a sport that instills values such as integrity, sportsmanship, loyalty, discipline and hard work. Glenwood’s policy of participation in extra mural activities as well as the passion shown by the boys enables almost five hundred youngsters the opportunity of experiencing the ultimate team sport.

Glenwood fields thirty teams on a regular basis. This allows boys from all levels and ability to be part of this wonderful game. The sports department endeavors to provide games for all teams, this has allowed Glenwood to embark on tours out the province to play fixtures against some major rugby playing schools in South Africa such as Affies from Pretoria and Grey College from Bloemfontein.

The player base at other schools is diminishing at an alarming rate. Schools, educators and parents owe it to our children to provide them with an environment that will foster a healthy life style and the opportunity to experience a real childhood. Perhaps instead of instilling a win at all cost attitude we should rather emphasize the fun part of playing rugby.

The School represented South Africa at the Sanix Youth tournament in Japan in 2008 and again in 2016 and won top honors on both occasions.

The first 90 years (1910 to 2000)

Glenwood has produced some good sides and players over the years, particularly 1954, 1957, 1965, 1972, 1978, 1979, the late 90s and in the past decade. The 1965 side is still considered by most Old Boys and KZN pundits as the greatest produced by Glenwood, playing 14 and winning 14, scoring 283 points while only 50 points were scored against. Seven players represented Natal Schools that year and included great names like Kevin Sclanders (capped 3 times for Natal Schools), Hylton Aylward (capped three times for Natal Schools & Captain in 1964 & 1965), Dennis Morrissey (capped 2 times for Natal Schools), R.D Shaw, E. Sclanders, A.J Delport, A.R Wallace, D.M Lawson and C.R Chambers.

1979 saw Glenwood produce their best side since 1965. Although 2 games were lost by the narrowest of margins, there was little doubt that they were the best side in Natal. They played magnificent rugby, combining superb forward power with intelligent backline play. Their margins of victory over some of the best sides in Natal say it all, College 33-6, DHS 32-4, Westville 44-9 and Hilton 53-12. Derek La Marque was simply superb. Probably the only schoolboy to represent South Africa at water polo while still at school and captain both SA Schools rugby and water polo in one year. He was capped 3 times for KZN Schools in 1977, 1978 and 1979. He went on to have a good career with Natal and helped Natal make the 1984 Currie Cup final, playing with greats like Wynand Claasen, Craig Jamieson and Hugh Reece-Edwards.

The next great side came in 1984 where Glenwood had three boys picked for Natal Schools of which one was probably the best backline player ever to play for Glenwood, Dennis Baronet. Seldom has a schoolboy caused so much panic in an opposition backline, carving them to pieces with his speed and guile. He was rewarded in 1985 with an SA Schools cap, Glenwood’s second.

From 1985 to 1997 Glenwood produced some average sides who had some great individuals like T. Labuschange and P.Senekal.
The 1992 side could have been Glenwood’s biggest pack of all time with Leyton Pardey the 120kg loose head prop making KZN Schools along with David Terblanche (No8). 1997 was probably the turnaround after the ‘darker’ early to mid 90’s where Glenwood lost more than they won. It heralded the rising of a rugby beast. Victor Tsewu, Nicholas Strauss and Cedric Mzolo kicked started a new generation and one that continues today.

The 2000s

Since 2000, Glenwood has produced 47 KZN Schools Craven Week A team representatives, including 5 SA Schools players (Petros Methula, Shaun Malton, Jayden Hill, Ricky Schnetler & Siyabonga Tom) and 2 SA Academy players (Nteta & Makhabela). This is probably the biggest contribution by any school in KZN with Westville and Maritzburg College 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The 2000 side played 37 and only lost 2. Unfortunately, Glenwood rise has seen a decline in the rugby standard of their biggest rival, DHS or Horseflies from the across the Berea.

In the past Glenwood have battled to beat this great Durban school but in the last decade it’s been pretty one sided.
Glenwood have created a great rivalry with Westville and College in the past 5 years and always seem to be fighting out with them for top honours in KZN. Glenwood have won the best performing rugby school award in KZN for the past 4 years. Many an envious parent from opposition schools has claimed Glenwood ‘buying’ players and recruiting players with bursaries.

Glenwood have been clever and promoted the school at primary school level and by having a winning 1st team has attracted the best players in the province. Having a Boarding Establishment that can house over 200 boys helps here too. With success brings demand for other provinces schools to play Glenwood.

In the last five years, Glenwood has set up home and away traditional fixtures with Affies and Grey Bloem, two of the country’s best rugby schools without doubt. Glenwood’s finest rugby hour came in 2006 when they beat the mighty Grey Bloem for the first time on fortress Dixons, 14-10. A great achievement and something that will be remembered for generations to come.

List of Glenwood Springboks (Test Caps Only)

Wally Clarkson (1921), Mauritz van den Berg (1937), Roger Sherriff (1938), Don Walton (1964), Rodney Gould (1968), John Allan (1993), Warren Whiteley (2014).

Glenwood can also be very proud of Warren Whiteley who was named the 58th Springbok captain for the 2017 test series against France, the first Glenwood old boy to have this honor bestowed upon.

The game will be broadcast live on Saturday 3 June on SuperSport Select channel 210 at 13.55

Die Griffons het sewe spelers in hul voorlopige Cravenweek-span ingesluit wat verlede jaar al op die gesogte toernooi in aksie was. Die ses spelers is JW Meades, Francois Klopper (albei stutte), Andrew Kota (heelagter), DJ Hattingh (slot), Jason Wagman, Dealine Jafta (albei losskakel) en Triumph Baloyi (vleuel). Vanjaar se Coca-Cola Cravenweek vind van 17 tot 22 Julie op die velde St Stithians College in Johannesburg plaas. 

Die Perses sal op die eerste dag van die toernooi die ryp van die gras af teen Griekwa-platteland speel. Die span se eerste opwarmingswedstryd wat ook as verdere proewe gebruik sal word sal teen die Valke op Dinsdag, 13 Junie in die Isak Steyl-stadion in Vanderbijlpark wees. 

Die Perses word deur Roean Bezuidenhout (Welkom-Gimnasium) en Nico Pretorius (Bothaville) gebrei. Pretorius het voorheen die Griffons se o.16-span afgerig. Bezuidenhout was verlede jaar die hulpafrigter, maar het die pos as hoofafrigter by Kassie Kasselman (Wessel Maree) oorgeneem. 

Die spanbestuurder sal die Griffon-speler Tertius Maarman wees. Karen Hitge is die fisioterapeut.

Die spanne is: 

Cravenweek: 15 Andrew Kota (Welkom-Gimnasium), 14 Triumph Baloyi (Goudveld), 13 Virlyn van Vollenhoven (Welkom-Gimnasium), 12 Keith van Aswegen (Welkom-Gimnasium), 11 Francois Maree (Welkom-Gimnasium), 10 Jason Wagman (Welkom-Gimnasium), 9 Owen Kleynhans (Hentie Cilliers), 8 Ulrich Stander (Welkom-Gimnasium), 7 Christo Steyn (Welkom-Gimnasium), 6 Brandon Botha (Welkom-Gimnasium), 5 Husayn Banzi (Welkom-Gimnasium), 4 DJ Hattingh (AHS Kroonstad), 3 JW Meades (Witteberg), 2 Dillon Minnaar (Welkom-Gimnasium), 1 Francois Klopper (Voortrekker). Plaasvervangers: 16 CJ Sheppard (Hentie Cilliers), 17 Daniel Jordaan (Witteberg), 18 Carl Senyane (Welkom-Gimnasium), 19 Regard Smalberger (Voortrekker), 20 Marnich Thessner (Welkom-Gimnasium), 21 Georgen Kiewiet (Welkom-Gimnasium), 22 Dealine Jafta (Hentie Cilliers), 23 Brendan van der Walt (AHS Kroonstad).

Akademie-week (Stedelik): 15 Austin Adams (Hentie Cilliers), 14 Tresor Wilondja (Witteberg), 13 Lorenzo Cloete (Goudveld), 12 Johnny Scholtz (Voortrekker), 11 JW Viljoen (Welkom-Gimnasium),10 Heinrich Boshoff (Affies), 9 Kobus Hattingh (Welkom-Gimnasium), 8 Marius Liebenberg (AHS Kroonstad), 7 Jon-David Duthie (Hentie Cilliers), 6 Jubaren Adriaan (Goudveld), 5 Johannes van Graan (Witteberg), 4 Wikus Nieuwenhuis (Goudveld), 3 Dian de Bruyn (AHS Kroonstad), 2 Edlee Wiggens (AHS Kroonstad), 1 Jannie Crous (AHS Kroonstad). Plaasvervangers: 16 Morena Sekoai (HTS Welkom), 17 Deavan Geswindt (Hentie Cilliers), 18 Kamahelo Khampepe (HTS Welkom), 19 Lerato Mohlabe (Welkom-Gimnasium), 20 Jaco Vermeulen (Hentie Cilliers), 21 Slade Douse (HTS Witbank), 22 Kyle Ortman (Welkom-Gimnasium), 23 Craig Colby (Goudveld). 

Akademie-week (Platteland): 15 Sefan Diniso (Hennenman), 14 Docter Makhubu (Riebeeckstad), 13 Boitimelo Maleka (Kroonstad), 12 Riekus Faber (Hoopstad), 11 Nyakallo Masitha (Harrismith), 10 Jaco Burger (Hoopstad), 9 Tiaan Venter (Ficksburg), 8 Nkile Mpomelelo (Bothaville), 7 MC Grobler (Bultfontein), 6 Nathen Fourie (Riebeeckstad), 5 Leriche Fouche (Bultfontein), 4 Gerhard van der Merwe (Theunissen), 3 Thembelani Mguni (Harrismith), 2 Nhlanhla Kubheka (Retief), 1 Siyanbonga Miya (Harrismith). Plaasvervangers: 16 Calvin Meyer (Bothaville), 17 Stiaan Olivier (Ficksburg), 18 Vincent Geldenhuys (Ficksburg), 19 Thapelo du Preez (Ficksburg), 20 Lebogang Moopela (Riebeeckstad), 21 Siza Mthembu (Harrismith), 22 Rodriques Cornelius (Ladybrand), 23 Willem van der Merwe (Bothaville).

Grant Khomo-week (o.16): 15 Fernando Galant (Witteberg), 14 Neo Mohlabai (Retief), 13 Juan-Roscoe Ruiters (Hentie Cilliers), 12 Dylan Smith (Goudveld), 11 Mpho Ntsutle (Witteberg), 10 FC du Plessis (Welkom-Gimnasium), 9 JC Allan (Goudveld), 8 Keke Morabe (Welkom-Gimnasium), 7 Tebiso Mofokeng (Voortrekker), 6 MT Steyn (Reitz), 5 Rian Olivier (Goudveld), 4 K. Moss (Voortrekker), 3 Chris Burger (Hoopstad), 2 Amonelane Matima (Riebeeckstad), 1 Ruhan Marx (Hoopstad). Plaasvervangers: 16 Marnus Nel (Witteberg), 17 JP Knoesen (Goudveld), 18 Teboho Matibe (Ficksburg), 19 Heinricht Cloete (Goudveld), 20 Maxwell Mashiya (Bothaville), 21 Shaquile van Heerden (Welkom-Gimnasuim), 22 Cammi Roux (Voortrekker), 23 Masada Tshabalala (Voortrekker).

Die Hoërskool Waterkloof is voor ‘n kruispad oor sy verdere deelname in die Virsekerbeker (voorheen Virseker Beeldtrofee).

Klofies is glo ‘n ultimatum deur die Noordvaal Skolerugby-vereniging (NVSRV) gestel om sy ligawedstryde teen die Hoërskool Garsfontein voor 30 Junie na te kom of die skool sal nie verder aan vanjaar se Virsekerbeker (voorheen Beeldtrofee) kan deelneem nie.

“Ek het ons bekommernisse met die voorsitter van die Blou Bulle se Skolerugby-vereniging (BBSRV) bespreek. Ons is besig om ‘n kompetisie totaal en al ‘n klug van te maak,” het Leon Bantjes, skoolhoof van Garsfontein, gesê.

Die BBSRV het ook glo klagtes van skole wat aan die B-afdeling van sy Makroskole-liga deelneem, ontvang oor die wat hulle sien as ‘n manipulasie van die stelsel. Twee skole wat veral ontevrede behoort te voel in dié afdeling sal Centurion en Eldoraigne wees.

Waterkloof se beheerraad het reeds vroeg in die jaar besluit dat hy nie sy rugbybepaling teen Garsfontein sal nakom nie. Die besluit is toe reeds in ‘n brief aan Garsfontein se beheerraad oorgedra. Die twee skole se spanne moes op 20 Mei kragte gemeet het in ‘n wedstryd wat moontlik sou bepaal het wie die Blou Bulle se voorste Makroskool is.

Klofies se bemarkingsbestuurder, Yolande de Nyscchen, het by navraag gesê dat die skool se standpunt sedert sy brief aan Garsfontein se beheerraad nie verander het nie.

“Die Beheerliggaam het besluit dat Hoërskool Waterkloof voortaan nie meer teen Hoërskool Garsfontein rugby sal speel nie. Die aanloop tot hierdie besluit het ‘n lang geskiedenis. Hoërskool Waterkloof het homself in die verlede aan die onaanvaarbare en onetiese praktyk om spelers van ander skole te “koop” en af te rokkel, skuldig gemaak. Ons het hierdie praktyk in 2011 gestaak en weier voortaan om enigsins aan soortgelyke praktyke deel te neem, of om dit ooglopend goed te keur deur teen skole wat sulke praktyke beoefen, deel te neem,” het die brief van Klofies se beheerliggaam aan Garsfontein gelei. Die brief is ook op die skool se D6 Communicator aan sy ouers gedeel.

Waterkloof se rugby beleidsdokument van 2016 wat op die D6 Communicator beskikbaar is stel dat die skool “beoog om sy grootste werwingspogings met graad ses en sewe-leerders te doen. Ons voorsien dat sleutelposisies tot ‘n maksimum van graad 11 gewerf kan word indien nodig. Ons beoog om geen speler in graad 12 vir die skool te werf nie.”

Hoewel Garsfontein die afgelope twee jaar die kampioen van die oudste skolerugbykompetisie in die land was, sou Klofies se eerstespan as die gunsteling op die veld gedraf het.

Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool van Pretoria het in 2014 aan sy “ligawedstryde” teen Garsfontein en Menlopark onttrek. Affies het wel net aan die liga op vriendskaplike basis deelgeneem. Affies se skoolhoof, Dr. Pierre Edwards, het destyds gesê die besluit is geneem op die skool se beleid om nie teen skole te speel wat van sogenaamde post-matrieks of huursoldate gebruik maak nie.

“Ons groot probleem is die feit dat o.19-spelers van die hele land (deur sekere skole) bymekaar gemaak word. Skole vanuit die Kaap waarmee ons ’n goeie verhouding het, is woedend oor van hul spelers wat afgerokkel is,” het Edwards destyds gesê. Garsfontein het egter geen post-matrieks in hulle span gehad nie.

Helpmekaar-kollege in Johannesburg dring vanjaar tot die uitspeelrondes van die Virsekerbeker as die Goue Leeus se naaswenner deur. Dié skool dring sedert 2014 ook direk sonder tot die streekkompetisie se uitspeelrondes deur na die ander skole in die Leeus se Grootskole-liga nie meer bereid was om teen hom te speel nie. Die rede was dat die skole gevoel het dat hulle nie meer met Helpies kan kompeteer nie.

Transvalia van Vanderbijlpark sit vanjaar in dieselfde bootjie na die ander grootskole in die Valke-streek nie kans gesien het om teen hom om dieselfde redes te speel nie. Transvalia dring ook vanjaar as die Valke se naaswenner tot die Virsekerbeker deur.

Six of the eight players in the Junior Springbok squad that featured in the 2016 edition of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester will play in Chean Roux’s team’s tournament opener against France in Georgia on Wednesday.

Flyhalf Curwin Bosch, flankers Ernst van Rhyn – the team captain – and Zain Davids, fullback Manie Libbok, centre Stedman Gans and prop Carlű Sadie were all named in the starting line-up for Wednesday’s clash at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi. Another experienced SA U20 player, prop Kwenzo Blose, will start on the bench.

Bosch will link up with scrumhalf Rewan Kruger in the halfback pairing, while Van Rhyn and Davids will join forces with Juarno Augustus in the loose trio.

The lock combination of 2016 SA Schools captain Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden, and the front row of Sadie, fellow prop Gerhard Steenekamp and hooker Johan Grobbelaar will complete the pack.

In the backline, Gans and David Brits will occupy the midfield, with Yaw Penxe and Wandisile Simelane at wing.

“The experience the players will bring from last year will certainly be beneficial against France,” said Roux. 

“They know what it is like to play for their country in front of a crowd and to sing the national anthem, and hopefully that experience will filter down to the other players making their debuts.

“We had a good idea about the team we wanted to select for this match since our holding camp in Cape Town, so it wasn’t that tough to select the starting side. But that said we have 28 very good players in the squad and any of them can play at any time.” 

The coach expected a tough challenge against France, who finished in second position in the U20 Six Nations earlier this year, but he was confident in his team’s abilities. 

“France are a physical side and they do not like to kick the ball much, so they will want to bring that French flair into their game. That means our defence has to be up to scratch and we need to put a lot of pressure on them,” said Roux.

The match against France will kick off at 13h30 SA time and we will broadcast live on SuperSport 1 (channel 201). The SA U20s will meet hosts, Georgia, in their second pool match on Sunday, and will round off the pool stages against Argentina on Wednesday, 8 June. 

Junior Springbok team to face France in the World Rugby U20 Championship:

15 – Manie Libbok (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
14 – Yaw Penxe (EP Kings)
13 – Stedman Gans (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
12 – David Brits (DHL Western Province)
11 – Wandisile Simelane (Xerox Golden Lions)
10 – Curwin Bosch (Cell C Sharks)
9 – Rewan Kruger (Toyota Free State)
8 – Juarno Augustus (DHL Western Province)
7 – Ernst van Rhyn (captain – DHL Western Province)
6 – Zain Davids (DHL Western Province)
5 – Ruben van Heerden (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
4 – Salmaan Moerat (DHL Western Province)
3 – Carlű Sadie (DHL Western Province)
2 – Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
1 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Replacements:
16 – Kwenzo Blose (Toyota Free State)
17 – Daniel Jooste (DHL Western Province)
18 – Lee-Marvin Mazibuko (DHL Western Province)
19 – Hendre Stassen (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
20 – Nama Xaba (DHL Western Province)
21 – Francois de Villiers (Cell C Sharks)
22 – Damian Willemse (DHL Western Province)
23 – Gianni Lombard (Xerox Golden Lions)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Junior Springbok flyhalf Curwin Bosch says the team has settled in well in Tbilisi, Georgia, and are raring to go two days before their opening World Rugby U20 Championship match against France at the Avchala Stadium.

The SA U20s touched down in Tbilisi on Friday evening after a long journey via Istanbul, and they have adjusted well to the new city and the weather conditions since then.

Coach Chean Roux’s team have had a series of field and gym sessions since their arrival, and have settled into their normal training routine, while the spirits in the camp are high as the excitement builds ahead of the opening round. Roux will announce his match 23 to face France on Tuesday.

“We are feeling great,” said Bosch, who is one of eight players who participated in the 2016 edition of the tournament in Manchester, England last year.

“We have had a few good training sessions in the last few days and we are looking forward to the game. It was a long trip to Tbilisi, but we have recovered well and we are settled in, so our only focus now is on the first match against France.”

Bosch, who was one of the nominees for the World Rugby U20 Championship player of the tournament award last year, admitted that as with all national teams worldwide there was pressure on the players, but the Vodacom Super Rugby player with the Cell C Sharks added they would take each match in their stride.

“There is always pressure when you represent your country, but the guys are handling it well,” said Bosch.

“The important thing for us is to focus on our strengths rather than what France has to offer. So we are ready to go and we are looking forward to a great match.”

The Junior Boks will wrap up their match preparations on Tuesday at their captain’s run. South Africa will face tournament hosts, Georgia, on Sunday, 4 June, and Argentina on Thursday, 8 June, in their remaining pool matches also at the Avchala Stadium.
The semi-finals and final will be hosted on Tuesday, 13 June, and Sunday, 18 June, respectively at the M. Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.

Junior Springbok World Rugby U20 Championship fixtures (SA Times):

Wednesday, 31 May: 13h30 – SA v France
Sunday, 4 June: 16h00 – SA v Georgia
Thursday, 8 June: 13h30 – SA vs Argentina

Issued by SA Rugby Communication

Paarl Boys’ High kept their unbeaten record intact Saturday by defeating Paul Roos Gimnasium by 21-9 in the Brug Street Stadium in Paarl in their Premier Interschools match.

Paul Roos led 9-6 at the break, but two tries by Boishaai’s scrumhalf, Eric Myburgh, in the second half gave the home side the edge.

The team from Paarl celebrated 1 000 days without defeat in South Africa in the lead-up to the clash. The victory was Boishaai’s 48th consecutive in South Africa. The team’s undefeated record ended earlier this year in New Zealand when they lost narrowly against Christchurch Boys’ High (36-38).

It was a tightly contested affair in the first half with the first points of the match only being scored in the 16th minute thanks an Abner van Reenen penalty. The wet pitch played a part in the teams’ performances on the day.

Paul Roos’ fullback, Colia Louis, gave his side a 9-6 lead at the break after slotting three penalties. Van Reenen also slotted another penalty in the first half to keep his side within touching distance.

Van Reenen drew scores level with his third penalty only four minutes into the second half.

Myburgh scored his first try after Van Reenen decided to boot the ball downfield after a turnover from within Boishaai’s half of the field. Paul Roos’ winger Remy Engelbrecht misjudged the bounce of the ball and Myburgh was there to pick it up and fall over for the first try of the match.

Myburgh scored his second after a sniping run after a rolling maul had Paul Roos on the backfoot to bring the final score to 21-9 in Boishaai’s favour. The scrumhalf well deserved was named man-of-the-match for his effort in the match.

Van Reenen was also playing like a true general at flyhalf. It was however all thanks to an excellent performance by the pack of forwards which laid the foundation for the victory.

Scorers:

Paarl Boys’ High 21 (6) – Tries: Eric Myburgh (2). Conversion: Abner van Reenen. Penalties: Van Reenen (3).
Paul Roos Gimnasium 9 (9) – Penalties: Colia Louis (3).