July 2008 Newsletter

[Bosch]

BOSCH RUGBY SUPPORTERS’ CLUB

NEWSLETTER – JULY 2008

BRSC – MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Club has continued this year with its primary goal of assisting the two Rondebosch schools with their coaching needs and providing them with the necessary funds and equipment to this end.

However, Chairman Gary Grant and his committee have also identified a number of areas this year where the Club has been able to make a difference to Rondebosch rugby and to raise the profile of the game at the schools. This includes the cordoning off of the Rugby A field (also a big thank you to Terry Wallace for his contribution), the provision of smart logoed clothing for our coaches, uniform kit for our referees, medical supplies and equipment and logoed jackets for our first aid boys as well as the renovation of the referees and 1st XV changing rooms. Each team also now practices and plays with Rondebosch branded rugby balls.

The Club has also arranged for Old Boy and physio student Gareth Harrington to provide a strapping service for all Rondebosch rugby players on Saturday mornings.

In addition, the Club has further put strategies in place to assist the schools in attracting talented young players to Rondebosch and in deserving cases providing them with financial subsidy. Committee member John Kruger must be thanked for his efforts in this regard.

Membership

It is very heartening to note that the Club now has well over 250 members – the highest that the membership has ever been. What is particularly pleasing is the increase in membership numbers of Prep School parents and the interest and enthusiasm in the activities of the Club from this source.

The present strength and vibrancy of the BRSC can only be of benefit for the future of rugby, and sport in general, at Rondebosch.

Half Season Review

The first half of the season was wonderfully rewarding and enjoyable for Rondebosch rugby. Every boy in every team can feel justifiably proud of his achievements both on the field of play and off the field in supporting fellow players in other teams. The support for the 1st XV from the boys has been tremendous and has contributed in no small measure to the success of the team.

At the same time the coaching staff and management of all the teams deserve special credit for their dedication and commitment which has been instrumental in the turnaround in Rondebosch’s rugby fortunes.

The 1st XV has enjoyed a very successful season thus far and received widespread acclaim for their enterprising brand of rugby. After a highly creditable draw with Paarl Boys’ High in the Newlands Rugby Day, the team proved to be great ambassadors for the school in winning 3 out of 4 matches on their pre-season tour to Argentina.

After going down at home to Paarl Gym in a keenly contested match, the team headed up to Queenstown for the Queens 150th Festival. A loss in the first match to Grey High – arguably the strongest school team in the country this year – was followed by good wins over Dale & Selborne.

Upon its return the team showed great character by defending manfully to holding on to beat SACS and then scoring at the death to beat a highly motivated Wynberg team. The boys then almost caused a major upset in losing narrowly 28 – 30 to Paul Roos out in Stellenbosch.

Unfortunately the big one got away and despite enjoying a decided advantage in terms of territory and possession, Rondebosch failed to make this count in the final game against friends and rivals, Bishops.

This team has started the new term off on a high note with a thrilling victory over Boland Landbou followed by a convincing win over DF Malan.

Coaching Co-ordinator

With the departure of Marius Mostert from Rondebosch, we were very fortunate to have Gareth Wright step into the breach as the Coaching Co-ordinator at the High School.

Gareth excelled during his rugby playing days at Rondebosch and then went on to represent South Africa at U21 level where after he played many years of representative rugby in this country and abroad.

Whilst Gareth has been mainly involved in assisting the coaches with coaching methods, organisation, structures, etc he has also had the opportunity to assist many of the boys in developing their individual skills. Gareth is passionate about rugby and passionate about Rondebosch and his influence has already become evident in all levels of rugby at the school.

Old Boy News

Old Boy Gcobani Bobo was one of the key figures in the Stormers team which came within a whisker of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Super 14 competition this year. Another Old Boy Anton van Zyl made a big impact at lock for the Lions before being sidelined by injury.

Rondebosch was also well represented in the UCT team which was such a revelation in the Varsity Cup Competition played earlier in the year, with their exciting brand of rugby. Old Boys James Martin, Matthew Rosslee, Kyle Wickens and Wesley Chetty were all part of the squad. Another team member Martin Muller – also a member of the SA U21 side – was a preppie at Rondebosch before moving across the road to Bishops.

Coaching Legend

The Rondebosch community was saddened by the death of legendary maths teacher and rugby coach at the school, Tickey de Jager, earlier this year.

This is what former Springbok scrum half Divan Serfontein had to say about him:

“Tickey had the unique ability to marry theory (maths) with practice (sports). When one understands the biomechanics of a pass or a kick, everything becomes easier. I certainly treasure the many hours we spent together at Rondebosch Boys’ High – him coaching and I practicing. I left a much better and more complete rugby player”.

Refereeing Achievements

We are all extremely proud of the achievements of Prep School master, Joey Salmans who has made rapid strides as a referee in recent times.

Joey is presently on SA Rugby’s Provincial Panel of referees and is one of two reserves on the National Panel (Top 10). Apart from refereeing at provincial level, Joey also had the honour of being appointed as an Assistant Referee in certain of the Super 14 matches played earlier this year.

Wine Evening

The stage is set for what promises to be the wine event of the year – certainly in our neck of the vineyards – the Bosch Wine Route on Friday 1st August.

Craig Lardner has done a fantastic job in attracting producers from 28 different wine estates in 8 growing areas to present their wines at the evening. We would remind you that it is not an auction but an evening of wine, food and fun when you will be able to taste the wines from the various estates and purchase their wines at very reasonable prices. There will also be a cash bar available should you prefer a tipple of a different kind.

Dates to Diarise

Please diarise the dates of our forthcoming events:

14th August – Pre-Bishops match function – Centenary Pavilion
27th August – Annual Dinner – Kelvin Grove
27th November – BRSC Golf Day – Milnerton Golf Club