OLD BOYS of the 10
The magnificent Maritzburg College 1st XV of 1972
Legendary coach JM “Skonk” Nicholson’s 1972 Maritzburg College first XV is widely regarded as one of the half-dozen-or-so best rugby teams the school has produced in its ever-distinguished 159-year history.
I had just turned 8 at the start of the 1972 schools’ winter sports season and that year is my earliest – and most vivid – memory of watching College on Goldstones although my late dad, Roy (Maritzburg College Class of 1944) recalled taking me along in 1970 and 71.
Skonk’s 1972 team featured a remarkable 10 Natal Schools’ Craven Week players and, had it not been for untimely injuries, a few more names might have been added to that illustrious list.
And, as was Skonk’s wont, this Flagship Rugby Team of The Year 1972 epitomised what is a mastery of the game’s fundamental elements, the increasingly unfashionable but ever-necessary platform skills that lay down the framework for the eye-catching fancy stuff that captures the hearts and minds of the myriad schoolgirls (who are also catching the eye) in the precinct of Basher Ridge.
And to cap it all, the 1972 Boys in Red Black and White – astutely captained by the little general, scrumhalf Roy Davidson, enjoyed all the other hallmarks of the renowned Maritzburg College rugby sides from both earlier and, there after:
A rampaging machine-gun-efficient ruthless tight five who took no prisoners before or after the game – I spot the broadest shoulders in the team in prop forward Pip Anderson (second from left, back row) though for some reason I can’t recall right now whether Pip was the this celebrated team’s loosehead or tighthead(?). Peter Rodseth, Colin Heard, John Nolte et al perhaps you can enlighten me?
The trademark marauding Red Black White loose forwards fed a surfeit of quick, clean possession to a classically nimble of-thought-and-invention halfback combination in Messrs Davidson and his Perfect 10 – the most natural athlete of all natural athletes – one helluva flyhalf, Neville Daniels, whose tactical acumen with ball in-hand-and out- orchestrated the Grand Show that thrilled the Goldstones Faithful to the end.
And then came the Rolls Royce moments… what a joy it was to see the likes of Top Gun winger Laurie Sharp and Silky Smooth 15 Mark Hedley at their schoolboy peak; sublime skill-sets that were an ace-of-base MasterMix – a fabulous salad dressing of no-frills economy of movement sprinkled with the most sophisticated motor skills yet seen on the schoolboy stage.
Aaaaa-aaaaah it was good.
So good.
Remembering one of Durban High School’s finest rugby teams
Who, who watched them play, could forget the scintillating and successful rugby delivered by the 2018 Durban High School first XV.
Head coach Scott Mathie, forwards coach Ronnie Uys and manager Lyle Matthysen were gifted with a remarkably talented, enthusiastic and dedicated group of DHS rugby boys, but their guidance was surely the catalyst that set up the consistently high quality of play through the season.
Here are just some of the milestones I gleaned from the DHS archives of the compilation by Mr Matthysen.
The DHS 1st XV was unbeaten at home in 2018, the first time since 2003 that a DHS 1st XV was unbeaten on Van Heerdens.
The 60-10 victory over Westville was the first time that a DHS 1st XV had scored 60 points against Westville; this also resulted in the greatest winning margin (50 points) since this particular inter-school match began.
The 2018 “Double” was achieved over Westville; the last time back-to-back victories were recorded against the Westville 1st XV was in the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
Extreme right Scott Mathie DHS 1st XV head coach with forwards coach in white shirt Ronnie Uys
The 50-27 victory over Northwood was the first time a DHS 1st XV scored 50 points on Northwood’s main rugby field, Reece-Edwards.
The 2017 season was the first time a DHS 1st XV had scored more than 40 points against Maritzburg College – and this was achieved on Goldstones. The 2018 season saw another win for DHS – and on this occasion it was the first time that a DHS 1st XV had scored more than 40 points on Van Heerdens against a Maritzburg College 1st XV.
Although DHS no longer play College twice a year, the 2-17 and 2018 victories ensured the first back-to-back victories against College since 1999
The 41-34 win over Kearsney College 1st XV in 2018 was the first time that a DHS 1st XV had scored over 40 points against Kearsney. The victories over Kearsney in 2017 and 2018 made it the first back-to-back victories over Kearsney since the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
The two victories over Michaelhouse in 2017 and 2018 also ensured the first back-to-back victories since 2010 and 2011.
The DHS 1st XV was unbeaten at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, winning their games against Selborne College, Queens College and Dale College.
This was the first time since 1995 that a DHS 1st XV were unbeaten at an Easter Rugby Festival, and only the second DHS 1st XV to do so. They 2018 side were also the first DHS 1st XV to beat Selborne since 1996.
The boys of School, in their Old Gold and Oxford Blue colours… a mighty long way since modest beginnings with 7 boys in 2 classrooms in Smith Street back in 1866.
1sts soccer flashback 14-8-2019: Men of House outplay Hilton
Oh how I miss it… flashback to 14 August 2019 and the opening of the newly minted Zungu Soccer Pavilion at Hilton College’s newly dedicated football ground, Zungu Field…
Results in recent years suggested there wouldn’t be much in it, but visitors Michaelhouse were full value for their first team’s 2-0 soccer victory over home side Hilton College on this balmy Autumn afternoon (14 August 2019) in the beautiful KZN midlands.
Jono Cook feature image: The Hilton and Michaelhouse first teams line up before the 14 August 2019 match that heralded the opening of the Zungu Soccer Pavilion on Zungu Field at the Hilton campus.
These results are told from the Michaelhouse perspective: From August 2016, leading into the 14 August 2019 match-up it has been a pretty close race between the Hilton and Michaelhouse first soccer teams.
It is worth mentioning that Boys of Hilton were without their talismanic 2018 SA U17 soccer captain, match-winning goalkeeper and Manchester City trialist Constandino Christodoulou, who is out for two weeks due to injury.
And it is worth speculating whether Costi could have kept out the brace of goals that eluded his replacement, Jacob Kethro, but it would have taken a pair of phenomenal saves to deny first the on-song Men of House striker Alex Vermeulen and then fellow frontrunner the irrepressible Thabo Dlamini.
In truth, Jacob was offered very little protection by his defenders on both extremely well-taken goalscoring occasions so, Costi or no Costi, I think that this match belonged to House by a distance.
The Michaelhouse victory stage was set from the get-go, and Hilton were never given a chance to get back in the game or seriously threaten the visitors’ control.
Michaelhouse striker Alex Vermeulen was a constant threat upfront.
After the initial midfield tussle for possession, a superb through-ball into the big box in the 5th minute found the athletic Michaelhouse striker Alex Vermeulen, who was strongly tackled before he could get in a goalshot.
In the 9th minute, great play on attack by Men of House centre back Luc Pousson saw a turnover but the versatile first XV rugby player was back in a jack-flash to close down a Hilton College counter-attack. This standout cameo of the Michaelhouse intent proved to be a blueprint for the game – Hilton were seldom given space.
Two minutes later a superb curling left-to-right free-kick by Michaelhouse left midfielder Mugabi Lubinga was placed square in the aerial zone of the dangerous Alex Vermeulen but a top-class header out of danger, under tremendous pressure, by Hilton College centre back Tapiwa Mushonga snuffed out the real and present danger.
Then nippy Michaelhouse marksman Thabo Dlamini got in the first of numerous goalshots in this absorbing match but Hilton keeper Jacob Kethro handled the threat comfortably.
Hilton College first team centre back and 2019 SA Schools hockey player Suubi Mugerwa-Sekawabe had a busy afternoon.
It was all Men of House in the opening stages but the Hilton College tackles were decisive, accurate and very hard – there was no quarter asked or given in this annual soccer match – and one sensed that Boys of Hilton were beginning to find their feet.
The snag, though, was that Michaelhouse marksman and incisive 2019 KZN Inland U18 hockey forward Thabo Dlamini and partner upfront Alex Vermeulen [the 2021 Michaelhouse 1st XV captain), ably assisted by Siyanda Mkhize, were looking exceptionally sharp – and being supplied with a striker’s dream – lots of quality ball.
In the 17th minute Michaelhouse’s busy Gareth Kemp – playing in an attacking role behind the forwards – got in on the act but once again the goalshot attempt was fielded with relative comfort by the alert Hilton keeper Jacob Kethro.
A minute later it was Thabo Dlamini’s turn to just about wriggle his way through the crowded Hilton College goalmouth but the hungry sharpshooter was dispossessed at the moment critique.
2019 Michaelhouse first team soccer captain and ace goalkeeper Noah Stanger before the match. Photo Jono Cook
Uncertainty under the sustained Michaelhouse pressure in the attacking third began to reveal itself when Siyanda Mkhize intercepted an errant Hilton College clearance but the Gareth Kemp goalshot was superbly saved by keeper Jacob Kethro diving to his left.
Into minute 21 and Gareth Kemp and Thabo Dlamini both got in (off-target) goalshots before a heavy tackle on Gareth Kemp a minute later earned Michaelhouse a direct free-kick just outside the big box, but the Alex Vermeulen strike flew high and wide.
The neutral scoreline was finally altered soon after, when Michaelhouse’s Kwanele Khumalo threaded his way through the left channel before his layoff was slammed into the Hilton College net by striker Alex Vermeulen to make the score Michaelhouse 1 Hilton 0.
Into the 25th minute and following a wayward Alex Vermeulen goalshot, Hilton took the opportunity to break out fast but their rare attacking move amounted to zero, as Men of House’s back four moved smartly to contain the threat.
Michaelhouse retaliated with back-to-back attacks at the other end that came close to nudging the scoreboard further in their favour.
About 29 minutes gone and finally Hilton garnered a great goalshot opportunity but captain Simi Bhembe blazed his strong strike over the crossbar, which led into halftime, the score reading Michaelhouse 1 (Alex Vermeulen) Hilton College 0.
* One could not help surmising that Men of House might come to regret they didn’t convert at least one more goalshot opportunity into something tangible on the scoreboard, but that would depend on what unfolded in the second half.
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Into the second half we went and I don’t know what Hilton College coach Cele Mbanjwa said to his lads but they looked a much-improved outfit. Would it be sustained throughout the half, though? Michaelhouse were certainly not going to give up their lead without a fight.
And as if to underline the Men of House resolve, a crucial intercept by Michaelhouse centre back Luc Pousson stymied a top-quality Hilton attacking sortie out left.
7 minutes into the second half and a beautifully-weighted through-ball ball by Michaelhouse centre midfielder Michael Ross set up Alex Vermeulen but his goalshot brought a fine reflex save from Hilton keeper Jacob Kethro.
After their promising start to the second half, the pressure on the Hilton defence was beginning to build again – a la the first half –and not much more than a minute or two after the Kethro save, it was the pocket Men of House rocket Thabo Dlamini put in the clear… and he coolly picked his spot to jettison Michaelhouse into a 2-0 lead.
Star goalkeeper Costi Christodoulou was the outstanding footballer of his era at Hilton College and was recently awarded a prestigious scholarship to a top American university.
A match constant was the Michaelhouse and Hilton supporters cheering, chanting and drum-rolling their first teams on to greater heights as they searched for victory in this annual match in the long history of these two great South African schools.
Well into the second half, Michaelhouse captain and keeper Noah Stanger finally got a meaningful touch on the ball but the Hilton chance was once again lost and the retaliation from deep saw Michaelhouse striker Thabo Dlamini set free with a seemingly sure-fire gold-rush opportunity – only to see his goalshot flash past the wrong side (the right side, from a Hilton perspective) of the far post.
A heavy tackle in midfield on Hilton College captain Simi Bhembe saw a Michaelhouse man yellow-carded and one pondered whether this could be the moment opportune for Hilton to erase the 2-goal deficit?
However, Michaelhouse centre back Nick Crampton again displayed a telling example of the Men of House’s resolve in this intriguing derby – tall and strong – a tower of stability and measured calm – in the heart of the visitors’ defence.
Then when Hilton had a player banished to the sin-bin after a heavy tackle, the visitors’ 2-0 lead in this annual marquee soccer match was already inscribed in the history books for the Men of House.
And so it was; leaving the big crowd satisfied with what they had witnessed as a spectacle, albeit with slightly mixed emotions depending on which side of the N3 your allegiances may lie.
FINAL SCORE
Hilton College 0
Michaelhouse 2
Alex Vermeulen
Thabo Dlamini
TEAMS
Hilton College
1 Jacob Kethro
12 Motheo Makwana
2 Kopano Segoale (vc)
14 Tally Tshekiso
3 Tapiwa Mushonga
6 Suubi Mugerwa-Sekawabe
11 Tanaka Matsa
7 William Raw
9 Wandile Zulu
10 Simi Bhembe (c)
8 Jonathan Tlhagoane
18 Sabelo Moshesh
15 Lwazi Mkatshana
13 Onye Adirika
17 Mamucha Munthali
5 Vuyo Zungu
Head coach Celo Mbanjwa
Michaelhouse
1 Noah Stanger (c)
3 Luc Pousson
8 Nick Crampton
5 Michael Bradford
6 Mugabi Lubinga
10 Kwanele Khumalo
1 Conor MacColl
7 Gareth Kemp
4 Michael Ross
13 Alexander Vermeulen
9 Thabo Dlamini (vc)
18 Matthew Craigie-Stevenson
14 Hugo Ayo
11 Letlotlo Kebonang
15 Arden Scholtz
12 Siyanda Mkhize
Head coach Ryan van Wyk
5 KZN10 Old Boys get rare crack at British & Irish Lions Saturday
It looks like 3 Glenwood Old Boys, 1 Kearsney College Old Boy and 1 Maritzburg College Old Boy are in with a rare career chance (a one-in-12-year-chance) of facing the British & Irish Lions come 6pm this Saturday at Emirates Airlines Park (aka Ellis Park) in Johannesburg.
Recent Glenwood Old Boys, the first XV flyhalves Jordan Hendrikse (20 years today and back from his stint with the Junior Boks) and utility Fred Zeilinga, are in the 26-player (SA franchise) Lions squad that was named late yesterday afternoon to take on the British & Irish Lions in the tour opener of this renowned touring team’s sojourn to South Africa.
Tracey van den Aardweg feature image: Kearsney College’s Sibu Sangweni in his heyday as captain of the first XV here against Michaelhouse.
Recent Kearsney captain and loose forward Sibusiso Sangweni is also among the Lions squad of 26. And Ruhan Straeuli, son of Lions boss Rudolf, who spent his early high school years at Glenwood before relocating with the family to Gauteng where he finished his schooldays at his dad’s alma mater, Menlo Park.
What a thrill at this relatively early stage in their post-school careers.
For all your Toyota needs, Maritzburg College Old Boy Brandon Brokensha is your go-to man. KZN10.com is very proud to be associated with Brandon and the outstanding Halfway Toyota Howick dealership.
And former Maritzburg College centre Dan Kriel, twin brother of Springbok Jesse, is also among the local Lions’ 26 for Saturday at Emirates Airlines Park (aka Ellis Park).
And with Jesse in the Bok mix for the Test series, it adds more Kriel Family colour to the palette.
In November last year, Jesse revealed that his great grandfather, John Hodgson, a loose forward, played for the touring British Lions (as they were then known) in New Zealand and Australia all of 91 years ago.
John Hodgson played for the 1930 British Lions team that beat the All Blacks 6-3 in the Dunedin Test match and in the 15-10 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland.
In all, Dan, Jesse and younger brother Matt Kriel’s maternal great grandad John, a flanker, represented the touring British Lions a total of 15 times and also earned 7 Test match caps for England including against the 1932 Springboks in London.
The Kriel brothers’ mother is Angela, and great grandad John’s Lions cap was sent by English relatives to Angela’s aunt Diana in South Africa during the international travel restrictions late last year.
A wonderful story all-round.
The Johannesburg-based Lions’ 26-man squad is: Pieter Botha, Ruan Dreyer, Jannie du Plessis, Jordan Hendrikse, Francke Horn, Dan Kriel, Jacobus Kriel, Sibahle Maxwane, Nathan McBeth, Reinhard Nothnagel, Burger Odendaal, Marthinus Pelser, Manuel Rass, Carlu Sadie, Sibusiso Sangweni, Ruben Schoeman, Sithembisu Sithole, Dillon Smit, Ruhan Straeuli, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Jamba Ulengo, Morne van den Berg, EW Viljoen, Gerrit Visagie and Fred Zeilinga.
* If there is a KZN10 Old Boy or two that I have somehow overlooked among the 26 players above, please let me know.
Thank you Hilton College Old Boy Rory Smith of Absolute Containers for sponsoring these 2 wonderful Powerbanks to ensure that Jono and his smartphone remain fully charged when it really matters!!! No wonder Absolute Containers are the trendsetters in customised containers and modular solutions! Take a look https://absolutecontainers.co.za/
DHS Old Boy Hashim Amla scores big for Surrey
London, the last week in April and the last week in May, have been good to the Durban High School Class of 2000’s Hashim Amla.
To close out the month of April, “The Mighty Hash” hit an unbeaten double hundred for Surrey against Hampshire in the County Championship and then wrapped up the month of May with another big score, 173 against Gloucestershire this time, in the same competition .
First up, Hash – who captained the DHS first XI in the year 2000 – compiled an unbeaten 215 in 8 hours and 11 minutes at the crease (367 balls with 22 boundaries) at The [Kia] Oval that helped set up victory for Surrey by an innings and 289 runs over Hampshire.
Hash, who was born on 31 March 1983, eventually retired hurt after conjuring up his 7th double century in first-class cricket over a first-class career that has now spanned 246 matches.
It is the same ground where Hash, now 38, became the first South African to make a triple Test hundred – against England in 2012 – a monumental 13 hour-and-10-minute knock of 311 not out that bore telling testimony to his considerable durability, patience and skill.
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha for their support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various advertising options and more. #TogetherWeAreOne. And why not email brandon@halfwayhowick.co.za or take a look at www.halfwaytoyota.com
Of the Hampshire rout, ESPN cricinfo’s Matt Roller reported that Hash “had managed only 78 runs in his first 3 games of the season, including a pair at Lord’s [the week before] but this innings was a throwback to his heyday, as he punched through cover, steered through third man and whipped through midwicket with a roll of the wrists.
“Amla was thwarted by birds more regularly than by Hampshire bowlers: a back-foot punch through the covers was stopped by a flock of pigeons grazing in the deep, and he backed away moments before a Liam Dawson ball that pegged back his off stump as one flew across his line of vision, resulting in a dead ball.
“Scott Currie, the 19-year-old seamer, induced a couple of false shots and had him dropped at wide slip on 184…” but apart from that it was vintage Hashim Amla, doing what he does best, dictating the course of a match.
The DHS first XI of the year 2000 that included names destined to distinguish the school across numerous fields.
The DHS Old Boy’s School first XI of 2000 included the likes of fellow Proteas cap and current Hollywoodbets Dolphins head coach Imraan Khan, Scott Mathie of DHS (and more) rugby playing & coaching renown, as well as the current headmaster of the independent Lynford School (in Ixopo) Luke Hounsom, and was coached by Alan Norton, the current principal of Durban North College who put 30 years of his teaching and coaching career into “School” as DHS is affectionately known.
Four weeks after his 215 it was another big Amla innings on his home county ground that influenced another big Surrey victory, this time by an innings and 47 runs over County Championship Group 2 high riders Gloucestershire, the men from the West country’s first defeat of the campaign.
Amla scored 173 this time round, compiled during an 8-hour-and-23-minute marathon out in the middle in which he faced 347 deliveries and hit 16 boundaries for his 54th first-class century.
“If Surrey supporters could name one thing that they missed most about not being able to come to The Oval in recent times, the sight Hashim Amla in full flow would surely have been high on the list,” reported ESPN cricinfo’s Alan Gardner, “… there are few batters in world cricket so unarguably worth the admission fee.”
“Those who made the pilgrimage for Surrey’s encounter with Gloucestershire were duly rewarded. Amla moved serenely to 3 figures during the dying embers of the [second] day, as if to order for those wishing to slip in for a glimpse of greatness on their way home from work.
“Some 2 500 were in the ground, and the majority of them rose to their feet as he stroked his 12th boundary through the covers, then removed his helmet to salute the four corners [of The Oval].
“This was also a captain’s innings, with Amla taking over responsibilities from Test-match bound Rory Burns [the upcoming England vs New Zealand 2-Test series that starts Wednesday].
“Leading with the bat has always come naturally for Amla and, having started well by winning the toss, he coasted up and down through the gears as required to ensure Surrey finished the [second] day ably placed.”
This was a match in which Surrey needed a win over the men from the West country in order to keep their County Championship title hopes alive.
It was Amla’s 3rd County Championship hundred for Surrey.
Gardner went on to say that Gloucestershire were “pummelled for the best part of two days by Hashim Amla’s velvet-gloved iron fist”.
More of Gardner on the Mighty Hash and this match: “Having spent 5 sessions in the field, the majority of which involved the exquisite torture of watching Amla go about his business at close range on the way to 173 from 347 balls, Gloucestershire’s batters had to gird themselves for an uncomfortable examination under suddenly grouchy south London skies. Surrey had the platform they wanted…”
“… Amla would have to be the ‘Boa Constrictor’, squeezing every ounce out of an innings or situation. He had Gloucestershire trussed up in his coils for almost eight-and-a-half hours, slowly tightening, tightening as Surrey set about making good on the attempt to bat once and bat big, before unleashing their spinners on a wearing surface.”
So, all in all, a thoroughly well-deserved “Well done Hash!”
The DHS Old Boy of the “wristy leg-side flick and serene cover drive” as so aptly described by ESPN cricinfo’s Firdose Moonda, ranks right up there with School’s best.
Jonathan Cook of KZN10.com website and social media thanks Hilton College Old Boy Rory Smith of Absolute Containers for sponsoring these 2 wonderful Powerbanks to ensure that Jono and his smartphone remain fully charged when it really matters!!! A heartfelt thank you, dear Absolute Containers! No wonder you are the trendsetters in customised containers and modular solutions! Take a look https://absolutecontainers.co.za/
2017 GLENWOOD HEAD BOY SETS A GOAL AND REACHES IT
The 2017 Glenwood High School head prefect Herendran Reddy set his immediate post-school sights on working towards a degree in strategic brand communication – and he duly did it.
3 short years later Herendran earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Strategic Brand Communication at the renowned Vega School of Brand Leadership in Durban – and this Glenwood Old Boy has just received the paper that proves it.
Mr Reddy is now employed at Boxer Superstores, which is a part of the Pick ‘n Pay group, and is currently a marketing co-ordinator within the Logistics and Finance team.
A hearty congrats to you, Herendran.
#Glenwood is much more than just a rugby school.
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota #Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha for their support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various advertising options and more. #TogetherWeAreOne. And why not give Brandon an email at brandon@halfwayhowicktoyota.co.za.
St Charles College’s new finance manager Brad Robinson misses SA title by millimetres
Brad Robinson, the Maritzburg College Old Boy and new finance manager at St Charles College, came within millimetres of winning the Bowls South Africa National Men’s Singles title in Cape Town over the weekend.
The picturesque vista across the bowling greens at Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town.
Feature photo: Brad Robinson in upbeat mood ahead of the singles semi-finals.
This tournament, along with the SA Masters and the SA Interprovincial, is in the top 3 most prestigious events in the country. And in terms of purely Club Bowls, is probably the number 1 event.
Brad and Niksa Benguric after the final of the SA singles.
Brad, who is a Team Aero player was 18-13 up in the SA singles final on the picturesque Western Province Cricket Club greens.
If he had touched the jack with his next and final shot on that particular end, the necessary 3 points were in the bag to be crowned SA bowls singles champion with a 21-13 victory.
Mason Robinson watches his dad Brad being interviewed.
When approached by KZN10.com a few hours ago as to how close he got with that final shot, Brad smiled ruefully: “Jono I had to touch the jack for 3 and just missed by a few millimetres.”
Brad’s opponent, Niksa Benguric from Gauteng North bowls province, came back into this tensest of title showdowns… and the scores were locked at 20-20.
Just like his brother Mason, Cole Robinson only has eyes for dad.
“Niksa saved game a few ends before the end,” says Brad, who predominantly plays out of Lynwood Bowling Club in Pietermaritzburg and represents the KZN Inland province.
“Then on that last head I narrowly missed the jack to win the final,” says Brad, who was also the runner-up in the 2017 SA National Men’s Singles final.
And the outcome was that Niksa won the SA National Men’s Singles title and gold medal on a 21-20 final scoreline with Brad taking the silver.
Must have been pretty tight out there, Brad?
“Yes Jono, it certainly was a tense game, yet played in a great spirit between old friends. I was relatively calm throughout and was backing myself all the way – even with the last bowl.
“One thing I stand by is that you have to trust your ability,” says Brad, who is a chartered accountant and previously a senior manager at Pricewaterhouse Coopers before taking up his new position at St Charles College.
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota #Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha for their support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various advertising options and more. #TogetherWeAreOne. And why not give Brandon a call at 083 514 1089.
Brad participated in 3 disciplines at Nationals in Cape Town, namely the SA Fours, the SA Pairs and the SA Singles – and it was most definitely a case of near-misses across the board for this Maritzburg College Old Boy of the Class of 2000 .
“In the SA Fours I played with Calvin Hollis [of Maritzburg Bowling Club] and Gerry Baker and Prince Neluonde [of Bryanston Sports Club in Johannesburg].
“We lost in the quarter-finals by 1 shot with the last bowl.”
Brad (right) with his SA Fours competition teammates Calvin Hollis (of Maritzburg Bowling Club) and Gerry Baker and Prince Neluonde (of Bryanstan Sports Club in Johannesburg).
In the Pairs, again playing alongside Calvin Hollis – a Glenwood Old Boy and owner of the popular Kick & Whistle Family Restaurant and Sports Bar in the KZN capital – the two good friends lost on an extra end in the last 16.
So near, yet so…
You can be sure that Brad will not be giving up his quest for gold anytime soon.
Take a look at this previous KZN10.com feature on Brad.
Brad playing for Lynwood.
GLENWOOD OLD BOY JORDY SMITH SURFS THE WORLD FANTASTIC
Jordy Smith is flying the Glenwood flag high as he surfs the World Surf League’s biggest, cleanest and most financially lucrative breaks.
Feature photo: Jordy Smith (at age 20) expertly executing a lightning-fast rodeo clown in the northern summer of 2009, the move invented by the American surfing legend Kelly Slater 10 years earlier at the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii. Brian Bielman
The Durban born and bred Glenwood Old Boy and Red Bull athlete…
Glenwood Old Boy Jordy Smith is one of the Red Bull athletes.
…is currently lying in 5th place on the WSL Championship Tour and qualified 2 years ago for the first-ever Olympic Games surfing competition; the Covid-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which will hopefully still take place this year.
The World Surf League is currently undergoing the Australian leg of this global event and 31-year-old Jordy has ended in second place at the Margaret River Pro, south of Perth.
In 2012 Jordy’s Bending Colours garnered a 2012 Surfer Poll Movie of the Year nomination.
In 2013 Jordy had a year that saw him cement his place as one of the most avant-garde surfers in the world and included the release of Now Now which became a massive YouTube hit.
Watching Now Now it is uncanny how Jordy seems to instinctively feel the wave – the board glued to his feet – WATCH AT 9:25 FOR THE 27-SECOND SEQUENCE and then from 11:40 at Ballito and then the incredible 10-second sequence from 13:00 to 13:10.
Injury plagued Jordy during late 2014 and much of 2015 but came back with a bang in 2016 to gain finish in the runners-up spot on the World Rankings. In 2017 Jordy ended 4th in the world then 5th in 2018.
Just 2 years ago, Jordy was in with a real chance to win his first world champion surfer title but an early exit in the final event (in Hawaii) of the Championship Tour meant he had to settle for 3rd place in the final world standings.
* When the talented Jordy was a young boy in Durban he faced the choice of focusing on either soccer or surfing… and we know the outcome of that decision.
- At the age of 17 Jordy was crowned ASP World Junior Champion and, still in his teens, he qualified for the pinnacle of the sport, the elite ASP World Tour.
- In his rookie year competing with the best of the best surfers on the planet Jordy finished second in the world title race, this when he was barely out of his teens.
Covid ensured that the entire WSL CT was cancelled, so here’s to Jordy and the 2021 year.
This Glenwood Old Boy is very much a family man and describes happiness in the simple yet essential terms one would come to expect from a unique, vital human being who spends so much time with the elemental energies of nature.
“I like to think that I am easy to be with and happiness for me is when I am healthy and with my wife, family and friends.”
Good on you, Jordy, a true Glenwood Legend.
#greenmachine #greenisgold #surfing #wsl #worldtitle
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha brandon@halfwayhowick.co.za for their much-needed support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various options. #TogetherWeAreMore. And why not give Brandon a call at 083 514 1089.
NORTHWOOD OLD BOY DURAN KRUMMECK IN IRELAND 7s RUGBY TEAM
A big @KZN10.com pat on the back of Northwood School Class of 2014’s Duran Krummeck, who has been selected for the Ireland Sevens rugby team to play against the USA and Great Britain teams in an upcoming international tournament in England.
Feature photo: Northwood Old Boy Duran Krummeck looks completely at home in that Ireland national sevens rugby team shirt.
A DURAN MUST-WATCH ON OVERCOMING SETBACKS, MAKING THE JOURNEY AND MORE
These are Tokyo Olympic Games squads, so the future is looking bright for this proud Northwood Knight, who is a prime example of the quality that is produced by the dedicated rugby coaching staff at one of our favourite schools.
Here’s wishing the name Duran Krummeck a permanent spot in the Ireland national team line-up. #NorthwoodKnights
KZN10.com website and social media thanks the outstanding #HalfwayToyota Howick dealership and its general manager Brandon Brokensha brandon@halfwayhowick.co.za for their support. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com for info on the various advertising options and and. #TogetherWeAreMore. And why not give Brandon a call at 083 514 1089.
A Knight’s Tale: Northwood Old Boy (2014) Duran Krummeck is making his mark in Ireland rugby.
Derek Krummeck and a then still 18-year-old Duran Krummeck at Riverside Sports Club in Durban north during an U20s tournament in March 2015. Photo: Northglen News
KZN10.com schoolboy soccer greats – Mark Tovey of Northwood
Mark Tovey, now 66, is a Northlands Old Boy (now Northwood after the amalgamation of Northlands and Beachwood) who played for Durban City U10 12 and 14 before signing for Durban United aged 16.
At age 23 Mark won the Federation Professional League and Cup Double with one of the great clubs of the segregation era, Durban City. In his second spell at City, Mark won the 1982 and 1983 National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) again under legendary SA coach Clive Barker.
Feature image: Mark Tovey of Northlands Primary and Northlands High School… in the twilight of a remarkable soccer career that culminated in 6 trophies at Kaizer Chiefs.
After joining Bush Bucks, Mark won the first ever National Soccer League (NSL) title (in 1985), once again under Barker, who was known as “The Dog”. In 1987, Player of the Tournament, Mark won the JPS Knockout Cup with Bush Bucks after Bucks won the replay against Orlando Pirates.
Chiefs owner Kaizer Motaung had been after the signature of Mark since Tovey’s teenage years and finally secured this now 33-year-old iconic South African footballer to play under the Amakhosi colours in 1988.
Mark Tovey won 6 titles while at Chiefs and it is widely held that this Northlands Old Boy played an instrumental role in the early career of Lucas Radebe, who became a household name with the national team Bafana Bafana and played with great distinction at Leeds United.
Mark Tovey, older brother of another SA star Neil, is a true legend of KZN schoolboy soccer.
A ncouraging resumption of KZN10.com website and social media, as school sport returns – albeit without spectators – and Halfway Howick Toyota puts its support into assisting in keeping me alive. I urge you to join Brandon Brokensha and his fine dealership in backing me financially. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com