WP / Stormers BACK TO THE FUTURE!

[assfly]

Its getting better
Malcom Marx
https://www.news24.com/citypress/sport/ ... x-20210411

That will be the best signing WP have made in years, if it comes through.

But I think a lot will depend on what happens with the Rainbow Cup. If it is cancelled, I'm not sure how any of our unions are going to stay afloat and I doubt Marx will want to come back to play Currie Cup rugby 3 times in a year.

[Chilli]

Its getting better
Malcom Marx
https://www.news24.com/citypress/sport/ ... x-20210411

That will be the best signing WP have made in years, if it comes through.

But I think a lot will depend on what happens with the Rainbow Cup. If it is cancelled, I'm not sure how any of our unions are going to stay afloat and I doubt Marx will want to come back to play Currie Cup rugby 3 times in a year.

This is particularly true.

[OomStruisbaai]

We,ll go ahead with our own Rainbow Cup to prepare for the Lions tour. That's enough motivation for any Springbok, even PSdT.

They,ll all sign short term.

[OomStruisbaai]

When you have a strong structure there will always be depth

SARugbymag

All will not be lost for the Stormers even if Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi opts to leave Cape Town, writes CRAIG LEWIS.
When it comes to the professional arm of WP Rugby, there have been some much-needed encouraging signs in recent weeks.
At the end of March, Frans Malherbe opted to sign a contract extension with Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR) despite significant interest from Japan.
Malherbe’s extension followed shortly after up-and-coming props Leon Lyons, Sazi Sandi and Neethling Fouche all committed their futures to the Stormers.
Damian Willemse has also recommitted to the Cape side, while another World Cup winner in prop Steven Kitshoff is set to be named as the Stormers’ captain as he finalises details around a new contract.
Add to this the three-year extension agreed to by hooker Scarra Ntubeni, and it’s become clear that the mass player exodus some predicted will not be materialising despite some of the off-field issues related to the union’s amateur arm.
READ: Why Malherbe opted against big-money Japan move
Despite the series of good-news re-signings for the Stormers to celebrate, there is still no clarity around the future of Mbonambi, who is believed to still be weighing up his options.
A few weeks ago, the 30-year-old was believed to have indicated a clear intent to stay with the Stormers, but he has since been linked with the prospect of becoming the next rugby star to join the well-known Roc Nation Sports agency.
It’s led to growing suspicion that he could be set to follow in Siya Kolisi’s footsteps by making the move up the east coast to the Durban-based Sharks.
A decision may only be finalised after the British & Irish Lions tour, but it’s understandably prudent for the Stormers to conduct some due diligence in the meantime as they prepare for the possibility of moving forward without Mbonambi.
And this planning has been ambitious.
Serious consideration has turned to exploring the possibility of luring either Japan-based Malcolm Marx or Bordeaux’s Joseph Dweba to Cape Town next year should the need arise to find a senior replacement for Mbonambi.
It’s merely exploratory at the moment as Marx is on a considerable salary with his Japanese club, while Dweba is keen to expedite his progression after a quiet start to his club career in France. Both are also only expected to be available in July next year.
For now, though, the Stormers will have the services of Mbonambi for the PRO14 Rainbow Cup before he will then join the Springbok squad for the Lions series, with international commitments sure to take up most of his time from June onwards.
In the interim, the Stormers will continue to explore their options, while also testing their depth.
Before too long, opportunities can be expected for the prodigiously talented 19-year-old Andre-Hugo Venter, son of former Bok great Andre.
Venter Jnr, who played for WP U21 last year, has caught the eye most recently in the Varsity Cup for Maties, where he has scored five tries in the first three rounds.
There is also JJ Kotze, who has featured for WP U21, Maties U21 (Young Guns) and for the SA Rugby Academy last year, while the more experienced Chad Solomon provides further depth.
When Mbonambi is on Bok duty, though, Ntubeni should remain firmly in possession of the No 2 jersey. He remains one of the most underrated players in South Africa, boasting accuracy at the lineouts, robust scrummaging and often unexpected mobility.
So, as much as the Stormers want to keep Mbonambi on their books, there will hardly be cause for panic if they have to contend with a lamentable, but not wholly unexpected, player departure.

[Chilli]

Please don't shoot the messenger

https://rugby365.com/countries/south-af ... 19j8dvcrB4

[OomStruisbaai]

The messenger only post the negative kak.

[OomStruisbaai]

JdJ on his way back.
https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/de-jongh-s ... omecoming/

Youngsters commit to WP
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/prom ... s-20210416

[OomStruisbaai]

Specially for the trolling messenger
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/how- ... s-20210416

[Chilli]

The messenger only post the negative kak.

[FalseBayFC]

Oh vok! Juan de Jong! And he's only 33. The other teams may as well surrender. Imagine a midfield of de Jong and Michael Haznar playing outside Wonderkid Wolhuter. Unstoppable. And they've given him a two year contract.

[OomStruisbaai]

Oh vok! Juan de Jong! And he's only 33. The other teams may as well surrender. Imagine a midfield of de Jong and Michael Haznar playing outside Wonderkid Wolhuter. Unstoppable. And they've given him a two year contract.

I know the Sharks enjoyed his macarena

[OomStruisbaai]

Kitshoff sign on the dotted line
SARugbymag

Steven Kitshoff has signed a three-year contract extension with Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR) and has been appointed Stormers captain.
The 2019 World Cup winner is no stranger to the role, having captained the Stormers regularly over the past year and, going forward, he will be supported by new vice-captain Salmaan Moerat.
Kitshoff made his Stormers debut in 2012 as a fresh-faced 19-year-old and has since accumulated 101 caps for the team he grew up supporting.
His vice-captain, Moerat, also has extensive leadership experience although still only 23, having captained SA Schools, the Junior Springboks and Western Province U19 before leading the Stormers in two of their preparation matches this year.
Moerat is one of a number of players who are still under contract with WPPR until at least 2022, along with the likes of Herschel Jantjies, Warrick Gelant, Ruhan Nel, Sergeal Petersen, Marcel Theunissen, David Meihuizen and Rikus Pretorius.
Kitshoff’s extension comes on the back of key players such as Damian Willemse, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Seabelo Senatla, Neethling Fouche, Sazi Sandi, Leon Lyons, Nama Xaba, Kwenzo Blose and Evan Roos all committing their futures to WPPR.
Stormers head coach John Dobson said that having a player of Kitshoff’s stature commit his future and lead the team, while ably supported by Moerat, is hugely significant.
‘Steven is a world-class player on top of his game who has the respect of everyone in the rugby world. To have a person of his calibre and deep connection to this team as our talisman going forward is immense.
‘Both Steven and Salmaan are proud products of our youth system and are inspirational figures both in our squad and for our faithful supporters. Their decision to remain with the Stormers is testimony to the good developmental work that has been carried out over the decades. We look forward to continue building off the rock-solid foundation they will provide for our team.’

[Chilli]

https://rugby365.com/tournaments/currie ... activated/

VIDEO: Just a couple of months ago, there was a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the Stormers.

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However, it seems like the appointment of Ebrahim Rasool as Chairman of Western Province Professional Rugby (Pty) Ltd has been accompanied by a sense of stability, in terms of the squad.

In recent weeks, the Stormers secured the signatures of key players such as Damian Willemse, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Seabelo Senatla, Neethling Fouche, Sazi Sandi, Leon Lyons, Nama Xaba, Kwenzo Blose and Evan Roos.

While on Monday captain Steven Kitshoff signed a three-year contract and vice-captain Salmaan Moerat also completed a contract extension.

Moerat is one of a number of players who are still under contract with WPPR until at least 2022, along with the likes of Herschel Jantjies, Warrick Gelant, Ruhan Nel, Sergeal Petersen, Marcel Theunissen, David Meihuizen and Rikus Pretorius.

There is still uncertainty surrounding World Cup winners Bongi Mbonambi and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who are both under contract with the Stormers until October.

Nonetheless, Rasool is confident that the franchise will do everything in their power to keep the duo in the Cape beyond October as they build towards the three-year plan.

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“A month ago the Stormers coach [John Dobson] and I had a discussion on how to plan for the future and we emerged from that discussion with – Vision 2023/24,” Rasool told reporters on Tuesday.

“We made a deal and told the coach; ‘you get the players you want to and we will budget for the vision 2023/24’.

“However in return, we want to win the Currie Cup trophy during this period; we want to be in play-offs of the expanded Pro16 and we were so ambitious to say that we want 50 to 60 percent of the Springboks squad that goes to France in 2023 from this region.”


Rasool added: “With this plan in mind, we want the coach to be part of this vision and most importantly we want the captain [Kitshoff] and vice-captain [Moerat] in place.

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“We gave the coach not a licence to lose, but a licence to experiment and adjust the game plan so we can play traditional Western Province Rugby.”


When asked about player retention, Dobson said: “It has been a tough year, but the last few months under Rasool as Chairman we have had tremendous support which gave us the ability to retain our experienced players and some youngsters.

“I think we don’t want to go through [ transfer] stresses and speculations every year and we want to keep this squad for the next three to four years.

“Obviously there will be injuries and the odd youngster joining us but we are determined to complete the squad.”

The coach also revealed that there are some international stars who are keen to join the Stormers.

“We get players from the across the world, some returning and some not, who want to join the franchise.

“For the first time in a long time, CVs are coming to us.”

He added: “While we were training, three CVs – two of which were international – came to us.”

One player who has been reportedly ‘in advance talks’ with Stormers is Juan de Jongh.

Netwerk24 reported that that the 33-year-old is expected to sign a two-year deal with the WP Rugby and will join the team in July, ahead of the Pro16 campaign.

@leezil07
@rugby365com

Great news for the WP!

[OomStruisbaai]

The kak wood has been chopped.

[handyman]

Cream will always rise to the top.

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

[handyman]

Vision 23/24. Ahead of it's time.

[Blake]

That's all management / executive / politician talk.
We have these lofty targets, we'll get the money, and by magical thinking they will be achieved.

Granted, I haven't seen Dobson's plan, but this just sounds like more-of-the same.
Different suits in the same chair, making the same statements.

I understand that "The Plan" cannot be made public, but if that's the case why bother with these say-nothing fluff pieces?
It's like they are trying so hard to convince the fans that they know what they are doing, that I get the impression they don't.

Obviously a player drain is massively disruptive. Once that starts, it's difficult to stop. Between Covid, great offers from Europe & Japan, and a cash influx at the $harks, it makes sense to focus on player retention. But it is also an opportunity and I get nervous when old guys in suits make nostalgic statements about "playing like we used to play"...like they haven't realised the game has evolved in the last 40 years. We are going to play in Europe FFS...Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Yes, sometimes you will be able to chuck it about and play pretty, but sometimes its going to be a slog in the mud.

At least with Jake White you can see in his recruiting what he is up to. He has always been predictable in his quest for massive players all over park; but there is a plan.
With WP and Dobson I just don't see the plan. Keep Kitshoff, Bongi, PSdT and Jantjies for sure...but what are you going to build around them?

Beyond scrumhalf it's a barren wasteland. Wolhuter looked very promising before his injury, but except for him there's nothing exciting on the horizon. Sevens players like Ruhan Nel and Senatla are not long term prospects. Our wings have gas, but none of them will be Bok contenders in the near future, and Willemse will never be able to live up to the hype surrounding him. So now we are talking of bringing in Juan de Jongh. Great I guess, a 33 year old veteran that had no real success in Europe to sub in for Nel when the Sevens season kicks off again.

Where is exactly are they expecting this 50-60% Bok representation to come from exactly?

[FalseBayFC]

That's all management / executive / politician talk.
We have these lofty targets, we'll get the money, and by magical thinking they will be achieved.

Granted, I haven't seen Dobson's plan, but this just sounds like more-of-the same.
Different suits in the same chair, making the same statements.

I understand that "The Plan" cannot be made public, but if that's the case why bother with these say-nothing fluff pieces?
It's like they are trying so hard to convince the fans that they know what they are doing, that I get the impression they don't.

Obviously a player drain is massively disruptive. Once that starts, it's difficult to stop. Between Covid, great offers from Europe & Japan, and a cash influx at the $harks, it makes sense to focus on player retention. But it is also an opportunity and I get nervous when old guys in suits make nostalgic statements about "playing like we used to play"...like they haven't realised the game has evolved in the last 40 years. We are going to play in Europe FFS...Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Yes, sometimes you will be able to chuck it about and play pretty, but sometimes its going to be a slog in the mud.

At least with Jake White you can see in his recruiting what he is up to. He has always been predictable in his quest for massive players all over park; but there is a plan.
With WP and Dobson I just don't see the plan. Keep Kitshoff, Bongi, PSdT and Jantjies for sure...but what are you going to build around them?

Beyond scrumhalf it's a barren wasteland. Wolhuter looked very promising before his injury, but except for him there's nothing exciting on the horizon. Sevens players like Ruhan Nel and Senatla are not long term prospects. Our wings have gas, but none of them will be Bok contenders in the near future, and Willemse will never be able to live up to the hype surrounding him. So now we are talking of bringing in Juan de Jongh. Great I guess, a 33 year old veteran that had no real success in Europe to sub in for Nel when the Sevens season kicks off again.

Where is exactly are they expecting this 50-60% Bok representation to come from exactly?

James Tedder from UCT would be a good start. He's a good flyhalf who I reckon could cover fullback. Time to ditch Sergeal, Senatla, Swiel, Haznar and even Dan dup who is now 26 and is a very average centre. Also any team that even considers someone like Tristan Leyds as anything other than a waterboy is in serious trouble.

Tristan is now 24 and has very little chance of ever growing his legs no matter how many squats he does. He looks like the most endomorphic hard gainer ever. To put him anywhere near a senior rugby team is a crime.

DewtK3QWAAAeFPj.jpg (111.88 KiB) Viewed 1277 times

[Sards]

I want to unsee those legs..

[FalseBayFC]

I want to unsee those legs..

He's actually very fast. He's an incredibly streamlined little motherfucker. No wind resistance. He also weighs 9kg less than Cheslin Kolbe . They are welcome to play him on the wing opposite Sbu Nkosi when they play the Sharks.

[OomStruisbaai]

Look like CUT have unearth the new Kolbe in the Varsity Cup rooted from the Donkies in Worcester.

SS

Cohen Jasper is in the Cheslin Kolbe mould
12 May 2021 | 11:11
Cohen Jasper © PhotoShelter
Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie says FNB CUT fullback Cohen Jasper has shown his class during this year’s FNB Varsity Cup.

The 20-year-old has scored five tries for the Ixias, who have won five of their six fixtures, including the match-winner against FNB Maties.

Cohen Jasper celebrating FNB CUT’s victory over FNB Maties. Photo: Brendan Croft


Jasper signed a contract with the Cheetahs last year, in conjunction with FNB CUT, which saw him play for the Free State U20 team in the SA Rugby U20 Championship before joining the Ixias squad for their FNB Varsity Cup campaign.

Jasper will start training with the Cheetahs senior side from 1 June and is set to make his debut in the double-round Currie Cup Premier Division later this year.

“Cohen has played really well for CUT,” Fourie tells VarsityCup.co.za. “He’s showed his class. He’s an excellent attacking fullback, runs very good support lines whenever there’s a line break and is a superb finisher.

“Cohen is in the Cheslin Kolbe mould,” Fourie adds. “He’s not a big guy [at 77kg and 1.74m] but he has a lot of skill and the ability to score tries. He has that X-factor.

“Once he starts training with us we will decide where and when to give him playing opportunities, but fullback is his primary position so he will be competing with the likes of Clayton Blommetjies and Malcolm Jaer.”

Fourie also confirmed that the Cheetahs had signed FNB Madibaz No 8 Mihlali Mosi.

“Mihlali’s ball-carrying ability is exceptional,” he says. “He’s really explosive with ball in hand and his lineout work is excellent. He has a few things to work on, but he has a lot of attributes that will fit in with the way we play.”

Jasper and Mosi’s Cheetahs contracts both run until the end of October but based on their FNB Varsity Cup performances, are likely to be extended well beyond that.

[OomStruisbaai]

Its so sad the fancy professional $hark$ don't invest in structures to get any team in the Varsity Cup.

In the new environment its the factory of tomorrow's rugby stars.

[assfly]

Its so sad the fancy professional $hark$ don't invest in structures to get any team in the Varsity Cup.

In the new environment its the factory of tomorrow's rugby stars.

More like the factory for other countries' rugby stars.

For every article about a budding young player in WP, there is another one about another player leaving. Sort that mess out before we talk about factories of rugby stars.

[FalseBayFC]

Its so sad the fancy professional $hark$ don't invest in structures to get any team in the Varsity Cup.

In the new environment its the factory of tomorrow's rugby stars.

Maybe we could do what they do in the Boland mafia. Hire Jurie Roux as a consultant to assist us "invest in structures".

I like this quote from the article below:
"Even if he didn’t benefit financially, funneling education money to rugby coffers in an unbudgeted unauthorized manner equates to fraud! Why is he not criminally charged?"

https://www.biznews.com/rugby/2020/12/2 ... ellenbosch

[Blake]

Its so sad the fancy professional $hark$ don't invest in structures to get any team in the Varsity Cup.

In the new environment its the factory of tomorrow's rugby stars.

I actually like that all the unions don't have the same systems. Let's test them and see what works.

The Western Cape seems committed on persisting with their model:
Get noticed by one of the elite rugby schools, get into one of the 3 VC teams, get into the WP U20 team, WP, Stormers

But because this model is a funnel, and we have so many players, we will lose 80% of our talent to other unions.
It's tricky. You get first dibs at some of the best players sure, but your scouting and talent identification needs to be exceptional...otherwise you drain your budget and sit with dud players on contract.
They drain your budget AND occupy slots in your team rosters.

The Bulls also had this model, but their funnel was even narrower and just wasn't sustainable.

The Lions revitalised their union using Moneyball. Deeply in debt, dwindling crowds and inconsistent revenue due to getting screwed over by relegation out of Super rugby, they had to play clever.
Ackermann and Straeuli did an amazing job developing a unique gamplan that no other Union was using, and recruiting players that were rejected by other teams for not fitting traditional gameplans of the time.
Players like Faf and Jantjies and Whiteley and Jaco Kriel. Moneyball.

I actually like the Sharks' hybrid model. It throws the net wider and makes peace with the fact that you won't get first dibs, but also limits your risk.
You save up to buy players you need and that have a proven record at a premium, and fill the other slots with rejected players from other Unions' feeder systems that are actually good, were overlooked for non-playing reasons; contracts, not attending the right school to get on the fast track etc. It's like the best of both worlds...they have some good junior programs with a very narrow funnel to the Sharks Academy, and then the financial backing to buy what they need from other unions...be it players for specific gameplans or positions, or for marketing and branding or to meet transformation targets. Seems smart to me.

Varsity Cup is nice and all, but it is too niche. Too elitist. If you didn't / don't attend one of those Universities, or have a close relative attending, why would you be invested in the teams?
I still maintain "Varsity Cup" should be national club competition similar to the USA's NCAA March madness bracket.

Get 32 or 64 clubs to "qualify" and get drafted into a massive bracket; and then play for National Championship Title. Winners advance, losers drop to lower tier brackets to play out their season there. In the early rounds it might have to be regional drafts to keep costs down. I have no doubt that the big university teams will likely still dominate in the final rounds, but I would find this type of tournament much more compelling personally.

[OomStruisbaai]

Blake there aint no VC, u20 CC anymore.

You want me to name all the current franchise players who came through Varsity Cup?

[OomStruisbaai]

Its so sad the fancy professional $hark$ don't invest in structures to get any team in the Varsity Cup.

In the new environment its the factory of tomorrow's rugby stars.

Maybe we could do what they do in the Boland mafia. Hire Jurie Roux as a consultant to assist us "invest in structures".

I like this quote from the article below:
"Even if he didn’t benefit financially, funneling education money to rugby coffers in an unbudgeted unauthorized manner equates to fraud! Why is he not criminally charged?"

https://www.biznews.com/rugby/2020/12/2 ... ellenbosch

What are you trying to prove?

[assfly]

You want me to name all the current franchise players who came through Varsity Cup?

I bet you couldn't.

[Blake]

Blake there aint no VC, u20 CC anymore.

You want me to name all the current franchise players who came through Varsity Cup?

You can, and I'd love to see the list, but I don't think it will prove the point that you think it does.

Our current structures yield impressive players. The proof is in the pudding. We are exporting more players to Europe and Japan than we can possibly sustain at home. I understand the fear in messing with something that seems to be working well. I get that.

But I still maintain that there are flaws in this design and those flaws are causing us to miss out on some possible talent, and to make big bets on certain players very early in their careers. We are struggling to convert a lot op prospective talents into consistent performers at Super Rugby and International Level. Not always, but often, and that frustrates me.

When you have such a massively wide potential player base, it seems foolish to me to limit your scouting in the way we do. When you are a talented from an underprivileged area player, if you don't get snapped up and get a bursary from an elite rugby high school, you won't get noticed and chances are you won't get into University either, and then you are lost to the game forever. You might join a club, but that is just to stay involved in a game you love. Chances of advancing from there are slim to none.

I want a system where we have more Garth April stories than Syia Kolosi stories. Where the SA rugby public actually knows all the rugby clubs in their area. Where anybody can join a club and play. And where if a club team becomes good enough, they can get some visibility on the National Stage. Varsity Cup managed that but it is too elitist. It limits the players to 18-23 year olds and a limited audience IMO. It got a massive injection of funds from sponsors like FNB, but that's a marketing push. As a bank they mostly target high income individuals, so sponsoring a university event and getting exposure among future professionals makes business sense for them.

I just think there is a middle ground, and if it can be financed, the possibility of a bigger, more democratized, club-level tournament that will help us grow the game in other parts of the country with the added benefit of giving some discarded players a lifeline to get back into the mix after they've fallen off the normal conveyor belt system we have. Imagine 2 months where the whole country is watching 64 club teams in a bracket style knockout tournament. Underdog teams slaying a Varsity Cup giant that didn't take them seriously. Journeymen players in their 30's leading a team of scrappers to sneak some upsets. And it has the added advantage of creating some coaching talent scouting as well. To see if any of the coaches at this level have something special.

I just feel it is a level of sport that we are neglecting. Varsity Cup slotted in there because they also saw the gap, but there might be something even better...or maybe not. It'll be expensive, and maybe I'm one of the few people that would be interested in something like that.

[OomStruisbaai]

Varsity Cup
https://www.varsitycup.co.za/news/chang ... ss-stories

Changing Lives: FNB Varsity Cup and Shield success stories
FNB Varsity Cup
12 April 2021 - by Varsity Cup
Three Springboks, three Blitzboks and five trophy-lifting coaches feature on the second FNB Varsity Cup Changing Lives banner at Tuks Stadium.

The FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield have been life-changing tournaments for rugby players, coaches, referees, fans, broadcasters and administrators.
With fans unable to attend matches at this year's tournaments, which are being played in a bio-secure bubble at the University of Pretoria, Varsity Cup decided to use Tuks Stadium as a canvas to showcase those whose lives were changed by Rugby That Rocks.
Five Changing Lives banners will go up at Tuks Stadium during the course of the two tournaments and fans can get the full story on the Varsity Cup website.
The first Changing Lives banner, which was displayed during the first bubble from 4-10 April, featured 20 of the 48 FNB Varsity Cup players who have gone on to represent the Springboks, including seven 2019 World Cup winners.
The second banner, which will be displayed from 12-20 April during the first four rounds of the FNB Varsity Shield, features the following players and coaches:
Springboks
Curwin Bosch (FNB UKZN – 2016 FNB Varsity Shield)
Herschel Jantjies (FNB UWC – 2017 FNB Varsity Shield winner)
S’bu Nkosi (FNB UKZN – 2016 FNB Varsity Shield)
Blitzboks
Kyle Brown (FNB UCT Ikeys – 2008 FNB Varsity Cup)
Seabelo Senatla (FNB CUT – 2012 FNB Varsity Shield)
Kurt-Lee Arendse (FNB UWC – 2019 FNB Varsity Cup)
Coaches
Chester Williams (FNB UWC – 2016-2019; 2017 FNB Varsity Shield winner)
Franco Smith (FNB UFS Shimlas – 2015 FNB Varsity Cup winner)
Hawies Fourie (FNB Maties – 2016-2019; 2018 & 2019 FNB Varsity Cup winner)
John Dobson (FNB UCT Ikeys – 2008-2011; 2011 FNB Varsity Cup winner)
Jonathan Mokuena (FNB NWU-Pukke – 2016-2019; 2016 FNB Varsity Cup winner)
Nollis Marais (FNB UP-Tuks, 2010-2013 – 2012 & 2013 FNB Varsity Cup winner)
The Varsity Cup website is also producing a series of articles throughout the FNB Varsity Cup and FNB Varsity Shield on those whose lives were never the same again after experiencing Rugby That Rocks.
Those featured already include:
Former UCT Ikeys flank Kyle Brown played in the first-ever FNB Varsity Cup in 2008 before going on to become a Blitzboks legend. Read article
Matt Proudfoot, who was head coach of FNB NWU-Pukke in 2008, went on to win the 2019 World Cup with the Springboks as forwards coach and is currently part of the England coaching setup. Read article

Eben Etsebeth, Handre Pollard and Willie Engelbrecht also started at the Varsity Cup

[Blake]

I honestly still don't see what point you are tying to make.
With the coaches I suppose I agree with you, we need more coaches and more opportunities for talented coaches to develop and set themselves apart.
Varsity Cup has done that (to some extent) but the concentration of funds and playing talent also masks a lot of coaching shortcomings in my opinion.


But all of those XVs players you listed were already in the pipeline in some way shape or form. Varsity Cup just gave them some TV time to elevate their profiles by a year or two.

Curwin Bosch - Grey HS and then Paul Roos at 16. Elite rugby schools. Was also in Craven Week teams, so he was on the radar.
Herschel Jantjies - Paul Roos, Craven Week
S’bu Nkosi - got into an elite school (Jeppe) at 16 after being scouted, and then Craven Week
Handre Pollard - Played u13 Craven Week and you mentioned on here how the Bulls and WP were already in a bidding war for him when he was 17 years old
Eben Etzebeth - maybe the exception that proves the rule. Tygerberg maybe isn't in the same league as the other top rugby schools in the Cape, but he still managed to make Craven Week. Fact is, word will spread when there is a 2.03m teenager from a notorious Cape Town family wreaking havoc on the rugby field. I'd be surprised if he didn't get some offers from Paarl and Stellenbosch schools that he just turned down at the time.

All of these guys were on the fast track already and would have gotten there without VC.

The Sevens players are interesting. This is actually exactly what I was referring to. Neil Powell understood that we have a ton of untapped talent still out there and the nature of Sevens allowed him to go and look for players that were overlooked by traditional rugby schools and big unions early in their careers. Maybe it was because of size, maybe these guys were just behind another player that also seemed to have potential at 16, that that guy just never came good, who knowns. But these were players that were always on the edges and clinging only that conveyor belt. They just didn't attend the right school, or they just didn't get scooped up at 18 by a big union. Varsity Cup gave them a lifeline, but there is no reason a high profile club tournament wouldn't have done the same for them, and maybe hundreds of other players, in my opinion.

[OomStruisbaai]

Thats only the top players.

Curwin Bosch never attend Paul Roos. Grey High like Kolisi.

Provinces contract all the top Varsity Cup players during the tournament. Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas are full of Varsity Cup players. That's where most start before being poached by the $hark$.

Varsity Cup, contract with smaller province then the top 4 then NH.

Jake White contracted already schoolboys from the north south schools tournament.

[Blake]

I don't think this conversation is going anywhere Oom.

I'm honestly interested in your view on this, but we are not really engaging in the merits of each others' arguments.
I 100% concede that the current system delivering some results. The Varsity Cup is a lifeline for previously discarded players to get a lifeline and the big unions do watch the tournament closely.

But I am saying that these lifelines are limited in scope (University aged players, attending one of the participating Universities) and that the audience is limited, because Universities are are not accessible to many people so a large audience of rugby fans only have a passing interest in the outcome.

I can't see why a massive, well funded, national club rugby knockout championship (in which all the VC teams could also complete) wouldn't result in a similar feeder system, with a bigger potential audience and much more national attention...especially if some disadvantaged underdog team starts taking big scalps and knocking them our of the bracket.

[OomStruisbaai]

John Dobson selected Ben Jason Dixon on the bench for the Lions. Dixon currently play for Maties in the Varsity Cup. Christopher Schreuder Maties flyhalf in the Varsity Cup is also next man in behind Swiel for the Stormers.

The benefit of using this players is that they are match fit and ready to play.

[Blake]

Or maybe I'm missing your point. Either way; this isn't going anywhere. My idea will never take off anyway. Just more of the same for the next couple of decades.

[assfly]

Great gif

I agree with you Blake. I've never been a big fan of Varsity Cup, but struggled to articulate why but I think you've hit the nail on the head.

The little I have watched, it still looks like an elitist competition that has given a few an opportunity to get noticed, but by and large does little for the development of the game in areas that need it most.

[Chilli]

The Club Rugby Competition from a few years back was excellent.
Maybe include the provincial club champs, along with a Varsity or Tech and play a competition.

[assfly]

I would love to see a proper club competition on TV.

[Sandstorm]

The Club Rugby Competition from a few years back was excellent.
Maybe include the provincial club champs, along with a Varsity or Tech and play a competition.

Didn’t the violence at Boland clubs kill that tournament?

[Sards]

The Club Rugby Competition from a few years back was excellent.
Maybe include the provincial club champs, along with a Varsity or Tech and play a competition.

Didn’t the violence at Boland clubs kill that tournament?

after losing to the Sharks ladies this weekend , the Boland ladies will have moered all their husbands