Comments on: More over-age KZN schoolboys exposed

By: KZN Fan(KZN Fan)

KZN Fan(KZN Fan) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:47:42 +0000

@ Biscuit – apparently counting rings os not so far fetched – but it is expensive – as an X-ray of the wrist appraently tells an age pretty accurately, but I guess around puberty things can get a little skewed?

By: Biscuit(Biscuit)

Biscuit(Biscuit) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:21:02 +0000

I am sure this is a national problem and applicable to all popular sports were athetic and physical strength plays a role.

I am glad KZN are belatedly vigilant and transparent
I hope other provinces also investigate.
The WP guy has jumped the gun by saying “In 17 years blah blah..”
If one surfaces it will be embarrassing

Of course its more likely to happen at schools that attract out of province kids with bursaries

The trouble is things have changed since professionalism
a) Schools now pay significant bursaries
b) We have problems at Home Affairs where fake documents are available
c) Agents are now involved. The rewards of getting players into Academies are significantly
d) Some boys are form out of country
e) People pose as other people and use their IDs

Its probably difficult to police given the above.
Can’t really cut someone open and count their rings

By: >^..^< katman(katman)

>^..^< katman(katman) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:39:25 +0000

@Tacitus(Deucalion)-12: I was just thinking the same thing. Also Kitshoff and Kolisi.

By: Tacitus(Deucalion)

Tacitus(Deucalion) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:37:46 +0000

Heck, Eben Etsebeth, CJ Stander, Arno Botha and Marcell Coetzee are still younger than some of the guys playing school rugby in KZN.

Mind boggling.

By: KZN Fan(KZN Fan)

KZN Fan(KZN Fan) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:50:25 +0000

Perhaps Grey College can get a few of their current boks to return to school for the last games of the season (by their standards they are having a tough season).

By: KZN Fan(KZN Fan)

KZN Fan(KZN Fan) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:36:32 +0000

Great that this is being exposed and investigated. I am sure KZN is not the only problem child in SA rugby, but we trust that the other provinces also investigate and sort this out.

One problem I have – everyone seems focussed on the U16 and U18 squads. But I believe that this starts when these boys are scouted at the U12 and U13 level. So they are moving through the system their entire high school career.

Why is nothing being said about the junior squads? I saw the KZN U12 and U13 trials and there were some big boys there, some not originally from KZN too (scouted in to top Durban schools on bursaries) – is this the next batch – or I trust that these guys are all above board so this issue has been well investigated.

By: BULLET(BULLET)

BULLET(BULLET) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:05:57 +0000

@Robzim,
Whatever he could get away with. I think its amazing. Not just on the rugby field, I would expect a 22 year old to be in the top 5 academically against 17 year olds as well.

Its amazing what people will do, but imagine the circumstance, youre completely underprivaledged, no money, no chance in life in PE, and some guru agent offers you a bursary and free education to a good school if you sign these papers saying youre 13 (when youre 16)

AMAZING!

I guess its just easier for the agents/scouts/schools to cheat rather than play by the rules. I also think its a case of – well all the other schools are doing it, were getting left behind so stuff it!

By: hensopper1(hensopper1)

hensopper1(hensopper1) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:29:12 +0000

Agents? Schools? agents working for schools players? The world has gone mad.

By: Robzim(Robzim)

Robzim(Robzim) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:20:29 +0000

@BULLET(BULLET)-5: I wonder if the 22 year old played under 16 or under 18, lol.

By: DML(DML)

DML(DML) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:24:01 +0000

All parties should be penalized to the fullest extent. That includes the players, agents and schools. Players have conveniently gone missing. Schools should be accountable for the screening / verification process, they should be well aware of what they are fielding. Besides the cheating and poor sportsmanship, consider the injuries, potential for injuries and loss of opportunity and recognition to other players. This needs to be dealt with sternly and eradicated from our rugby.

By: BULLET(BULLET)

BULLET(BULLET) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:44:58 +0000

Love the fact that the one kid was 22. What a joke!

By: houston, we have a problem...(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)

houston, we have a problem...(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:58:58 +0000

oh oh….

By: Bokfan23(Bokfan23)

Bokfan23(Bokfan23) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:41:03 +0000

‘Main problems are the scouts and agents’ – how much control do these guys have? And are they really faking IDs for the kids?!!! Thats crazy. Saw that Siyabonga Tom was on Union Sports group website but now they have taken him off. Should they be accountable or shouldn’t these agents have known? I also thought you couldnt represent players u18? which they obviously thought they were doing.

By: Oxy moron(cjgrove)

Oxy moron(cjgrove) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:36:20 +0000

This is nothing new in KZN… a little surprised that the bigger schools are being caught now.

By: BULLET(BULLET)

BULLET(BULLET) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:33:59 +0000

Name and shame the schools!

By: Gambit25(Gambit25)

Gambit25(Gambit25) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:33:36 +0000

Wow… Some boys just don’t want to grow up