Over-aged players shame SA schools rugby
1 Jun 2012
GARETH DUNCAN reports on the KZN over-age saga that shocked the national schools rugby scene.
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Last weekend, reports emerged that several KZN schoolboys were found to be older than the U18 and U19 age-group school and provincial teams they were selected for. One of the players was reported to be 22 years old.
These players presented fake birth certificates upon high school enrollment. However, KZN head of high school rugby Noel Ingle confirmed that one schoolboy was caught out when a particular school was compiling matric entries. A provincial investigation followed.
The KZN High Schools Rugby Association, with the support of the local schools, employed an immigration expert to carry out a verification process. This was to ensure that no players representing the province or their respective schools at any level were over age.
Siyabonga Tom
No names have officially been released, but keo.co.za’s Schoolboy Derby has it on good authority that two of these schoolboys were Glenwood captain and wing Siyabonga Tom and DHS fullback Mbembe Payi. Both players hail from Port Elizabeth and were granted sport bursaries to attend the respective schools. They both played 1st XV rugby and are KZN U18 Craven Week representatives.
Tom also made the SA Schools team and started against France U18 in last year’s Tri-Nations curtain-raiser in PE. He was then selected for the SA U18 Sevens side that competed at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man. However, he was dropped from the latter squad as he didn’t possess an ID or passport to make the trip to Europe.
Tom and Payi have left their respective schools since being exposed and are reportedly ‘missing’. They were also absent from the Glenwood-DHS clash in Durban last Saturday, which was televised on SuperSport.
Ingle, who couldn’t confirm the names of the players or schools being investigated, said the matter was being dealt with accordingly.
‘Schools that have over-age players have been informed,’ Ingle told this site. ‘Individual schools have dealt with these matters internally in good faith, and due process will take place.
‘The schools that have been mentioned in the press are not the only schools that found over-age players in their teams. It would be injudicious of me to mention either the player’s names or the names of the schools.
‘We have completed a verification process,’ he continued. ‘The problem is not widespread, but nevertheless, one over-age player is a serious matter. The consequences of serious injury due to an over-age player are too horrendous to contemplate.’
Sharks Academy operations manager Roelof Kotze, who was the SA U18 Sevens squad’s team manager during Commonwealth Youth Games, suggested that this is a national problem.
‘If it happened in KZN, you better believe this is happening in other regions too,’ said Kotze. ‘Players, parents and even agents will do anything for the best opportunities to secure a professional rugby career.
‘There are steps that can be put in place to help solve this matter, but this problem is so sensitive. Players will start accusing each other, and innocent players who are accused will complain. We need input from a national union to sort out this mess.’
Saru does not officially manage school matters, but these are monitored by the South Africa Schools Rugby Association (Sasra).
Sasra acting chairman Thys Bezuidenhout stated that these incidents were ‘highly upsetting’ and he was dumbfounded how these players escaped the national verification procedures.
‘When a player is selected for the junior provincial weeks, they have to fill out a form with their birth certificates or ID copies attached,’ said Bezuidenhout. ‘These are then verified through Saru, who pass these on to home affairs to be checked. So how these players managed to get away with it in the first place is a big mystery.
‘I last heard of an over-age incident during the U18 Craven Week five years ago, when two boys were caught out. Since then, we haven’t had any issues.
‘Hopefully we will be able to resolve this incident. The necessary action will be taken.’
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130 Comments
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1 Jun 2012, 13:53 pm
96
Is that the offical Keo line,or is it just wishful thinking????
1 Jun 2012, 14:05 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-96: My thoughts exactly. The fact is: Those in the north, have been waiting for years to ‘control’ Springbok rugby again. Their last effort was rather poor, what his name again? Williams? early 90′s? They have watched the Cape Cabal win 17 games on the trot…they have watched Jake take a WC and they watched P Divvy do what they felt Heyneke should have been doing at the time. Heyneke’s appointment means a heckuva lot to more to this lot, than what we can even comprehend (and it is evident in the way that BB bloggers,BB journalists, BB players(and ex players have been expressing themselves since HM started) For many of them, this is almost a position of entitlement, and they have waited a long time. What’s already funny though, is the way they are all coming down on all previous Bok coaches (even the successful ones), and raising Heyneke to God like levels – before he has won a test – never mind 17. I’m keen to see how Heyneke (and his disciples) handle the following: a) A player refusing to listen gospel songs in the team bus, because he wants to listen to gangsta rap and; b) How Meyer’s disciples are going to react if Heyneke stuffs up at some stage. Interesting times indeed: But all I know is: The Cape Cabal were successful – The Tswane Tea Club haven’t done a thing as of yet.
1 Jun 2012, 14:47 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-102: Interesting that you didn’t mention Harry Viljoen or Carel du Plessis’s ”successful” tenures as Springbok coaches. Probably still embarrassed about it. Young,talented players always wanted to go to the Bulls – because they’re the most successful union in SA. If they can become Springboks going there,why not? Comparing Solomons with Meyer is utterly laughable – a better comparison will be Solomons with Allister Coetzee! You sound very bitter about the Bulls, good luck with tomorrow’s match!
1 Jun 2012, 14:50 pm
102
What a jerk off,did Daddy tell you this.
Both World Cups were won with Northern coaches and captains
The only contribution the Cape Cabal,a name you obviously heard bandied around at Kelvingrove, made to each cup was limiting your contribution to a solitary player in each case.
Piss off shortsop,thank god the control of rugby has moved from the incompetent,corrupt Cape Cabal.
Pieeppie joller,
1 Jun 2012, 15:07 pm
@Loftus(Loftus)-103: Whenever one presents you Bulls lot with an opinion that doesn’t suit the Rugby Bible according to you – you get defensive, and aggressive. I wonder why? Anyway – I used Mallet and co, and Jake because even though they were successful, you BB lot did not have a good word to say about them (and THAT formed the basis of my comment – if you understood it correctly – which is debatable)
1 Jun 2012, 15:10 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-98: @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-93: was Heyneke part of the infamous “Cape Cabal” while coaching at SWD, a gig which saw him coach the Stormers forwards and the Boks under Mallett?
how far removed is Heyneke really to the ’99 World Cup squad? i ask the question because when it suits some his association with Mallett’s Boks is used as positive in that he’s worked in an international environment but when it comes to issues like “dropping Teich” he seems to be conviniently absolved.
As the Boks’ forward coach in ’99 what was Heyneke’s take on the whole Skinstad/Teich debacle?
1 Jun 2012, 15:14 pm
@mad eye(mad eye)-104: You are a borderline jellybaby in terms of mental capacity, and you obviously had no clue as to what I was actually trying to say. I can take photos, or I can design the more traditional flashcards with images? Your choice Forrest?
I refer to a Blue Bulls BOK coach…..
The Cape Cabal was a name given to Mallet and his coaching team little man, and whilst they didn’t win a WC, they certainly had an outstanding win record (did they not?) – which is why I mention folk ‘hating’ them, even though they succeeded. Now I am going to enjoy a cocktail – whilst you finish your shift in some Shoprite parking area. (A word of advice – when one tries so desperately hard to sound ‘tough’, it doesn’t help much when the person you are trying to ‘out tough’, pictures you as a ’50kg Wynie Strydom/Mike Catt type car guard – just a thought.)
1 Jun 2012, 15:25 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-106: Very interesting that. Perhaps one of these Bulls bloggers who seem to have backstage access to the thoughts and opinions of Heyneke Meyer, would answer this? (What the Bulls in particular seem to forget – is that without Mallet, there would have been no Meyer at the BBRU – Did Mallet not push Heyneke into taking the Bulls job at a time when even St Jude (the patron saint of lost causes) wouldn’t have touched the job………
1 Jun 2012, 15:26 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-105: Just for the record, I’ve never had a problem with Mallet nor White – I actually respect both of them. I do have a problem with people that just want to criticise Meyer before he even picked a team. It seems like a lot of people really want to see him fail – mostly Stormers fans. Which is sad,seeing that we all support the Springboks.
1 Jun 2012, 15:37 pm
@Loftus(Loftus)-109: That was you then. What about the other 98% of Bulls fans? You know that the sentiment was very negative indeed. I don’t think anyone ‘wants’ Heyneke to fail mate – that would be pathetic from any person calling himself a Bok fan. BUT: I think many people (myself included) are rather curious to see what type of pressure Heyneke gets compared to what other coaches have endured. It just seems as though every time someone questions a decision, or announcement made by Heyneke – all the Bulls fans take it as a personal attack on themselves/Bulls rugby/Heyneke’s honour etc. You guys have to chill a bit.
1 Jun 2012, 15:39 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-107: hahahahaha
1 Jun 2012, 15:45 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-110: Fair enough, interesting times ahead of us!
1 Jun 2012, 15:47 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-108: Yes Mallett did, Heyneke admitted as much in his first interview on Supersport with Xola Ntshinga. he also alluded to a bit of initial skepticism from some quarters as he was “seen” – rightly so – to be too close to the Cape Cabal…
not everything at the Blue Bulls is always honky dory, the following is a report around the time that Stephan Pretorius quit as CEO of the BBC.
“Pretorius survived, but his power dwindled. Increasingly disillusioned, he watched as coach Heyneke Meyer threatened to resign at one stage when the board of directors refused his request to delegate responsibility of the Currie Cup team. Meyer eventually got his way, but the Bulls bosses were shown to be ultra conservative in their thinking.
Then two months ago the BBRU took all control of the junior structures away from the Blue Bulls Company.
According to those close to him, Pretorius felt that this move undermined the system that had made the Bulls the strongest in the country.
The clubs were incensed that top junior stars didn’t play for them and personal agendas also seemed to be behind the process.
All of this contributed to Pretorius’s decision.”
1 Jun 2012, 16:01 pm
110
hPity some of the money spent on your education didn’t result in a few manners.
Your parents must hate you, all that money at Bishops and you resort to an infintile nic like that.
10 of Transformation’s buddies could have lived their whole lives on what it took to get you to the level where you could come up with that.
Why when you played hockey at school do you spend your life on a rugby site.
Friend be careful of the next car guard you walk past it could be me.
Did you ever see Cape Fear,look under the car Daddy bought you tonite you never know
1 Jun 2012, 16:05 pm
@mad eye(mad eye)-114: you know my buddies?
1 Jun 2012, 16:10 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-110:
why would he be under any less pressure than the others?
already the brokeback sewing circle is sobbing hysterically about the blou bokke.
1 Jun 2012, 16:19 pm
114
Sure they share the parking lot with me at Checkers,waiting for our 50 cents that Dog Food hands out to us everytime we don’t molest his car,that daddy bought for him.
1 Jun 2012, 16:19 pm
I must say that I am impressed that the Bulls supporters are even able to post something in English here…..
1 Jun 2012, 16:22 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-116: I have a feeling he will be given a certain amount of leeway by the Bulls faithful, leeway not afforded to any other Bok coach in the professional era. (It is understandable to an extent). It just seems as though every question thrown by the ‘fans’ or ‘experts – (in Mallets case) is met with a chorus of “Leave Meyer alone, he is respected, he is a moral man etc etc etc”. Will he for example be put under the same cosh as P Divvy was if his English ‘fails’ during an interview etc. Who knows – because of the amazing public support, and fanatical hero worshiping of the man from some quarters, he might just be under more pressure than most who have gone before him.
@mad eye(mad eye)-114: Tonight I will light a candle for you. In Memoriam.@Transformation(Transformation)-113: Very interesting indeed!
1 Jun 2012, 16:47 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-119:
How odd.
Are the Bulls faithful the opinion makers and thought leaders in South African Rugby?
There is always going to be partisanship in South African Rugby. there always has been.
How this translates into an easier ride for Meyer is unclear.
I think you are looking for reds under the bed there.
As for what Mallet says he knows his rugby that’s for sure.
However, right now he’s looking for a job and his comments should be viewed in that context.
1 Jun 2012, 16:53 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-120: Well according to the Bulls faithful they are the opinion makers and thought leaders? Or have I summed up 5 years of crowing incorrectly?
How this translates into an easier ride for Meyer is simple: He already knows (if according to stats thrown about so readily by Bulls fans are to be believed) over 50% of the population already back him – purely because they support the Bulls. Which already means 50% less pressure than anyone before him. Doesn’t really matter what way one looks at it, the Bulls faithful can be pretty influential in determining public sentiment towards teams, coaches, players – just ask Mallet, Jake and P Divvy.
1 Jun 2012, 16:59 pm
I think you are reaching.
Winning titles doesn’t make their supporters influential.
lmao.
You seem to be a bit of a conspiracy theorist when it comes to the bulls.
a little less da Vinci code for you I think.
1 Jun 2012, 17:05 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-121:
I think you give the ‘Bull’s Faithful’ far to much credit here. Furthermore, as you alluded to earlier, one should expect some sort of partisanship. After all, it is a ‘Bull’s’ man in charge of the national team and although he is now the national coach, he will always be seen by others, whether rightly or wrongly, as backing the Bulls.
I see where your trepidation comes from, but maybe allow the Bulls supporters this chance to crow and the rest of us non-Bulls can sit back and judge the man on his results. I think it’s a fair compromise. After all, we will be able to tear in to all these Bulls fans should the Boks fail or (and I really hope this happens) we all sit back and enjoy at least four years of winning Springbok rugby. The Bulls fans will then be able to crow till the cows come home and I will gladly give them their time in the sun.
1 Jun 2012, 17:34 pm
RobZimbo, I wouldn’t rush to defend Mullett or Snollymans. Clever, but mercenary. They never denied the details in the Teichman biography which probably means it was true. Skinstad was played injured, rumour has it so Snolly could collect on a Guiness sponsorship. Mullett ended a number of careers starting with Gaffie and ending with Honiball. Like PdV he had fantastic players, achieved some good results but lost respect and the RWC. Set SA rugby back as well.
As for Meyer, we’ll wait and see.
1 Jun 2012, 17:35 pm
methinks dogfood has had too much time reading cape sports media in that “bubble”
1 Jun 2012, 20:16 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-102: listen china, those in the north have delivered two rugby world cups and 3 super rugby trophies – so hush little boy.
1 Jun 2012, 20:50 pm
@RL(RL)-126: haha, woof simply cant understand that re d pus s y.
95 was basically tvl, 2007 was sharks and bulls.
btw, i think your team will get r a ped by the sharks tomorrow.
have another fine weekend pellie.
1 Jun 2012, 23:04 pm
Congratulations Siyabongo Tom, with 25 years old aprox. you can play very well against 17/18 years old guys. Eres cojonudo chaval, cojonudo!!!
2 Jun 2012, 05:22 am
The’ye under 18 in African time. (Just as how the 8 o’clock morning bus really arrives at 10h45 in African time. Or the 7pm Sunday ferry leaves on Wednesday. Sundials don’t work when it’s overcast so you lose hours or days of regular time. And when the sun shines and you keep yourself hydrated with beer you lose a bit more time too. ) Siyabonga is probably only about 11 in Eastern Cape calendar time.
2 Jun 2012, 08:41 am
@mad eye(mad eye)-104: What are you smoking? Smit is an English Boy from Pretoria Boys’ High. Hardly a northern Captain, and he’s been at the Sharks since before time.
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