The final article our series looking at 10 players who were unlucky not to receive their SA Schools colours. There are too many players to mention, such is the depth that exists in schools rugby in South Africa. The feedback is based off conversations we had with school rugby stakeholders as well as our instagram followers.
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Patrick Kitete (Outeniqua)
While some had injury issues, others had form issues and some just had too much competition in front of them Kitete’s tale is a far more complex issue in that he was not able to qualify due to not having a South African passport.
The giant lock was a viral sensation earlier in the season when pictured next to international star Duhan van der Merwe and was an ever present stalwart for the Kwaggas team this year. We hope that a club either locally or abroad appreciates the unique talent we have in Kitete and helps him reach his extraordinary potential.
Lilitha Matziliza (Pretoria Boys)
Terrible luck for the young Pretoria boys lock. The youngster had an outstanding season for Pretoria Boys where he was the standout player for the team.
His versatility is an invaluable asset, he is able to cover both the lock position as well as loose forward and his carries and ability in the contact were amongst the best in the country in our opinion. Many in the Boys High community felt aggrieved but this is certainly not the last you will hear from Lilitha.
Slabbert Maartens (Paarl Gim)
We named Slabbert as one of the top under 16 prospects in the country back in 2020, a powerful unit who is a tower of strength Maartens must be one of the unluckiest players in the country.
What other year do you know of where both locks in the first team received their national colours? This is what happened at Paarl Gim, both are excellent locks and one feels in any other year Slabbert would of not only been a fixture in the Gim team but could of certainly pushed for national honours.
Jeandre Breitenbach (Grey College)
Our heart goes out to Jimmy Breitenbach, a player who leaves nothing on the field of play and is one of the most consistent performers and hard working players you will ever have the privilege of seeing play.
This was to be Jimmy’s year, a leader at Grey College and a player who already got his national colours. Injury unfortunately reared it’s ugly head and the talented young hooker was forced to watch from the sidelines. Remember his name, he is a play that will no doubt achieve greatness if he continues to hone is talent.
Juan Smal (Paarl Boys)
Smal’s talent has been extremely evident all the way back to his days as an under 13 Craven Week standout. Despite many offers he continued his journey at Paarl Boys where he has been a fixture and a dominant player since age group level.
Again we have a situation where there are so many quality players in his position and in most years he would be an automatic for SA Schools.
Despite all this competition Smal has been a standout and was unluckily injured before Craven Week, who knows what could have been.
Armand Combrinck (Oakdale)
One of the players of the tournament, the powerful Combrick stood head and shoulders above most in this tournament with some truly epic displays.
A mainstay in the Oakdale squad this year Armand as we have said repeatedly had a ton of competition in his position but despite this many in the community felt he was harshly overlooked for national colours. Another hidden gem that we should see far more of in the future.
Bernard Bladegroen (Paarl Gim)
Gimmies have had another stellar season, and while their backline has been all the rage the quality of work done by their forwards cannot be understated.
Bladegroen was one of the form prospects in the early part of the season, an EPD player many were expecting him to get his colours. We know however that he will dust himself off and get back to playing the level of rugby we know he is capable of, and then in the future who knows?
Reno Hirst (Paul Roos)
Hirst is an absolute tank! Paul Roos have long produced incredibly tough and powerful props, there must be something in the water there as every year there are gifted front rankers coming through the system.
Hirst’s obvious power at scrum time is one thing, but his work rate and ability in the loose is really what separates him from most of his contemporaries. Injury prevented him from getting what would have inevitably been his SA Schools colours, there is little doubt there.
Kaleb Kriek (Trio)
Earlier this year the school rugby fraternity was given a bit of a shock when it found out the rooi skool and blou skool would be merging into one school henceforth known as Trio.
The obvious question was, how would these once fierce rivals be able to take to the field together? Although early days there have been some signs of hope for the new school with some exciting talents coming to the fore, Kaleb Kriek is one of those talents.
Easily one of the best forwards at Craven Week this year he is truly a dark horse and a player who can certainly build upon these strong foundations and enjoy a huge career in the future.
Zack Maritz (Affies)
Maritz is one of our favourties from the class of 2022, a very classy prop who despite not being the biggest prop packs a serious punch.
He was a consistent performer in the Affies jersey and got a much deserved Craven Week callup, an underrated tighthead that if given a chance will achieve a lot in the game.
