by Dave Alexander | Feb 2, 2025 | Rugby
SABAT LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW CHALLENGE
Man of many skills, talents
“He brings with him a lot of expertise and experience as coach, manager and administrator. I don’t doubt it that he will add value to the BBRU brand, values and standards,” says BBRU Willem Strauss on the appointment of Sabat [Jaco] Dames as the designated GM of the BBRU.
“During the interview process to select a new GM, Sabat impressed with his thorough understanding of the challenges amateur rugby faces, from senior clubs to schools, and his appreciation of the important leadership role the BBRU plays in South African amateur rugby,” remarked Strauss.
“An incredible array of intellectual property comes with him,” Strauss remarked.
Dames himself is over the moon “as my blood has always been Blue and I could not have hoped for a more appropriate opportunity to end my coaching career for one in administration at the BBRU. It was high time to make this switch.
“My dad played for Northern Transvaal between 1970 and 1973 and there was never any doubt about what team I will be supporting to this day.
“I am super excited about the new challenge awaiting me.”
Principals at schools where Dames was involved as either Director of Rugby of Head of Sport, and other role players like SA Rugby’s Nico Serfontein had high praise for him, describing him as:
• Outstanding in his field of expertise
• Highly professional employee
• ‘The outside the box’ thinker and doer
• Work ethics that makes him an asset to any employer
• Excellent planning and organisation skills
• Extreme passion for and commitments to rugby and his work
• Can think on his feet, and make plans to best accommodate last minute changes
• Performs well under pressure
• Very innovative, enthusiastic, and creative
• One of the few who understands the industry
• Vision to appreciate the bigger picture
• Humble and hard working
• Willingness to learn
• Always part of the solution rather than the problem.
by Dave Alexander | May 6, 2024 | Rugby
Wildeklawer 2024 Day 1 , 2 and 3.
Day 1 Rugby
An impressive opening ceremony for the 2024 version of the 14th edition Wildeklawer Festival saw over 4000 learners pack the rugby field at Diamantveld High on Wednesday evening.(1 May 2024)
The learners represented 192 teams from 111 schools from all over South Africa as well as two from overseas, ie St Johns College from New Zealand and Kirkham Grammar School from England. .
Two matches were played, one before the opening which was between the host, Diamantveld and Marlow, which produced a titanic battle but it was the home team who ran out victors 57-25. In the the second match after the main opening, saw Affies get the better of a more fancied Paarl Boys High, where the Pretoria outfit proved too strong for Paarl, running out winners by 42-21.
Day 2
The first match of the day, between Noordheuwel and Glenwood, saw Noordheuwel running out comfortable winners 55-13.
In the second fixture between Waterkloof and Outiniqua, the Pretoria outfit proved too strong for the fancied Outiniqua outfit by 51 points to 32, which actually saw a tougher game, as the score show, as scores from previous matches, yesterday and this morning. The best game yesterday was the Affies Paarl Boys High, although there were only two matches.
Next was the turn of Durban High and Oakdale and here the two sides appeared to be more evenly balanced. The halftime score shows how tough the game was, 13-7 to Durban High.
The Durban outfit started putting pressure on in the second half taking the score to 25-12 with a try to each team and with 7 minutes left, Durban increased their lead by 16 points, to 28-12, via a penalty in front of the posts. .Durban eventually ran out victors by 33 points to 14.
Paarl Gym started off strongly in their fixture against E G Jansen, leading 19-7 at the halftime break, but scored three tries to one of EG Jansen in the second half taking the score to 35-14. EG Jansen came back strongly in the, scoring three tries, converting 2, taking the final score to 36 to Paarl Gym and 33 to EG Jansen. A very tight match, the best of the tournament so far.
Next on the program was between Boland Landbou and Helpmekaar, Helpmekaar opened the score line with a converted try and a penalty, taking an early lead 10 nil., increased their lead with another converted try taking the score to 17 nil.the halftime score was 24 nil to Helpmekaar.The score moved on to 31 nil with another converted try for Helpmekaar, proving that they were too strong for Boland Landbou. However Boland Landbou fought back strongly towards the end of the match with two converted try of their own taking the score to 31-21. In the end it was Helpmekaar who ran away with the match, winning 43-21.
Paul Roos took on Monument in the following match, with Paul Roos getting the game on the way, scoring the first points via a penalty, 3 nil. However Monument came back with a great pushover try, which was converted, increased their lead, putting them 7-3 in the lead. Monument went on to score another converted try halfway through the first half, increasing their lead to 14-3.Paul Roos came back with a try of their own, which was unconverted taking the score to 14-8, 6 point difference, which did not last too long as they score another, basically from the kickoff, converting and taking the lead 15-14, which was the halftime score. A very exciting game with only two points difference between the two teams with Paul Roos edging out Monument (Monas).
The second last fixture of the day was between Garsfontein and Stellenberg, which started on tan even footing 7-5, a try each except Garsfontein converted theirs. Stellenberg snatched the lead from Garsfontein at the halftime break 12-10, 3 tries, 1 converted to 1 converted try and a penalty. Stellenberg increased their ;lead to 19-10, but Garsfontein scored a try of their own taking the 19-17. However Garsfontein scored a try, with 10 minuted left in the game, but Stellenberg put the final nail in the coffin winning by 26 to 22.
The final fixture of the day was between Grey College and Maritzburg College, which Grey ran out winners by 46 points to Nil, playing outstanding rugby.
Scores from some of the others matches played on the B field were:Drostdy was thrashed by Welkom Gym 54 points to 28, Framesby 51 had the better of New Zealand’s St Johns outfit, who scored 22 and Kirkham Grammar had the better of Nico Malan 45-22.
Day 3
The first fixture on the final day of the prestigious Wildeklawer Festival, saw Stellenberg take on EG Jansen, which saw the Stellenberg outfit running out victors by 19 points to 12. A very close and a well balanced game between the two teams.
The second game, between Affies and Oakdale, Affies proved a bit too strong for the Oakdale lads, running out winners by 32 points to 10, halftime score was 17-10 to Affies. Although there were 7 points difference between the two at the break, Affies then turned on the pressure in the second half as the final score showed.
Next saw Kirkham Grammar School from England taking on Outeniqua, with Kirkham drawing first blood via a converted try in the first 10 minutes. Outeniqua then ran in a try of their own 5 minutes later in the far corner, with the conversion sailing past the uprights, 7-5. Outeniqua then snatched the lead going ahead with a well converted try in the near side corner, taking the score to 12-7.
Just before the halftime break, Outeniqua landed a penalty for the score to go to 15-7 at the break.
Oueniqua drew first blood after the break with a converted try, making their lead 15 points, 22-7.However the visitors came back with a converted try of their own, taking the score to 22-12, narrowing the gap to 10 points. Kirkham then added on the pressure, scoring two more tries, one converted, taking the lead for the first time in the match, 24-22. But Outeniqua snatched back the lead, 25-24, which only lasted a few minutes before the final whistle when Kirkam were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, to snatch a two point victory, 27-25,in a great game of rugby, in the end.
The 12.30 fixture between Boland Landbou and Monument (Monas) was next on the program, also a thrilling game, with Monas taking an early 7 nil lead, through a try under the post, with the movement starting from inside their own half. Boland however scored their first try in the match, leveling the scores on 7 all, but Monas took the lead by scoring their second try, unconverted, 12-7. However, Monas went further ahead scoring a converted try,taking their lead to 19-7. But then, Boland came back and scored a try on the halftime whistle, which was converted, taking the halftime score 19-14 to Monas. However when the fhe final whistle blew, the score in this match saw Monas running out close winners with, Boland Landbou 38-33.
Next on the program saw another exciting, close encounter between Paarl Boys High taking on Durban High, with Paarl Boys putting the first points on the board via a converted try, leading 7 nil. The Durbaniites succeeded with a penalty just before halftime in a ding dong battle taking the score to 7-3 to Paarl Boys High. However, Durban High snatched a slender lead after the break with a pushover try to take the score to 10-7, but a while later Paarl Boys High took back the lead with an unconverted try 12-10. Durban High were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which was converted giving the team a slender one point lead 13-12. However in the end it was Paarl Boys High who ended on top, slotting a penalty, with Durban Boys pushing hard in the Paarl 22, but Paarl actually won the really tough encounter 15-13 in a tough and nail biting encounter to witness.
The 3.30pm fixture saw Paul Roos taking on Maritzburg College, with Paul Roos racing to a 19 nil lead, scoring three tries, two converted. Maritzburg College allowed Paul Roos to score another unconverted try, which took the score to 24 nil, at the halftime break. However Paul Roos proved too strong for their opposition taking their score to 31 nil. Not long afterwards, Paul Roos forged ahead with another two tries, converting one of them to make the score 43 nil. Paul Roos piled on the score further with 5 minutes left in the match, scoring another unconverted try, taking the score to 48 nil. Basically a one way ticket for Paul Roos, running out winners, 48 nil.
Paarl Gym took on Helpmekaar in the second last match of the tournament, It took 19 minutes for the first points to be shown on the scoreboard, when Paarl Gym ran in the first try, which was unconverted, 5 nil. Paarl’s second try came with 16 minutes left in the half, converted increasing their score to 12 nil. Helpmekaar came back, just before halftime with a penalty, taking the score to 12-3 at the break .However after the break, Paarl Gym went further ahead with an unconverted try, taking the score to 17-3. Shortly afterwards, Helpmekaar came back to score a converted try of their own, but then Paarl Gym fought back strongly to score a converted try of their own, taking the score to 24-10 with 3 minutes left. In the match, but in the end, Paarl Gym ran out winners by 31 points to 10, scoring a converted try to put the final nail in the coffin.
The final and main match of the evening and the tournament was Grey College taking on Garsfontein, in what seemed to be a one sided affair, with Grey running rings around Garsfontein, winning the match by 38 points to 10. One result received from the B field saw, hosts, Diamantveld running rings around the New Zealand visitors, St Johns College winning 40-24.
by Dave Alexander | Oct 5, 2023 | Cricket
FBCA FIXTURES 2023/20244 SEASON
DATE 7 OCTOBER 2023
Promotion League 40 Overs POOL A Round 1 Same Pool
TIME TEAM A TEAM B VENUE
12.00 Old Boys West End 1 Adamantia
12.00 Colts 2 Diamond Diggies CCB
Promotion League 40 Overs Pool B & C Round 1 Cross
12.00 Yorkshire 2 Olympians 2 Yorkshire
12.00 Frank Roro 2 Titans Keeley
12.00 SPU 2 Kings 2 SPU
DATE 8 October 2023
First League 35 Overs Pool B Round 1
13.00 Frank Roro 3 Burma Lads 3 Adamantia
Premier League 50 Overs Round 2
10.00 DHS 1 Yorkshire 1 Yorkshire
10.00 Frank Roro 1 Colts 1 Keeley
10.00 Kings 1 Olympians1 CCB
by Dave Alexander | Jun 12, 2023 | Rugby
Windhoek Draught Griquas Take on Airlink Pumas
Windhoek Draught Griquas, who since last year’s Currie Cup final in Kimberley, have not had the better of the Airlink Pumas, who beat Griquas in Kimberley in the final last year.
Griquas have themselves to blame in this outing as they lost the match 27-17.
The hosts got the match underway against Currie Cup holders, Airlink Pumas at Windhoek Draught Park in the final round robin stage, with a must win for both teams to go through to the semi finals. Coach Pieter Bergh and the players will be left to reflect that it was the Griquas who spoiled their own chances of domestic glory for a second successive year, with this game being a repeat of last year’s Currie Cup final.
The home side, playing with the wind, were camping in the opponents half for most of the first quarter, but with both teams playing attractive, running rugby. Griquas opened the scoring with a long range penalty by George Whitehead to take a 3 nil lead. Pumas flyhalf, Thinus de Beer evened the score with a penalty28 meters out and 8 meters in from the nearside touchline. The two teams, at this stage, with 10 minutes to halftime, were of equal strength, with neither side giving an inch. The hosts scored their first try from a great line break by flyhalf, Lubalala Dobela,to dot down under the posts for Whitehead to convert easily, taking Griquas to a 10-3 lead. Pumas came back after the halftime hooter to score a try by Deon Slabbert, 8 meters in from the near touchline with De Beer evening the score at 10 each, with the conversion, taking the halftime score to 10 all.
Playing with the breeze, the visitors got the second half going, with the home scoring a runaway try by Thabo Ndimande 12 meters in from the far side touchline with George Whitehead converting, taking the score to 17-10, in the 5th minute of the second half. .Pumas scored their second try, by, Francois Kleinhans,10 meters in from the nearside touchline, converted by Tinus de Beer to put the score on even terms, 17 all. .The visitors took the lead, thanks to a penalty by De Beer, 20-17. Pumas signed and sealed the game after Griquas made a handling error for Wian van Niekerk to dot down under the posts , for De Beer to easily convert, 27-17, the final score. Griquas can’t seem to get the better of Pumas, even since the Currie Cup final in Kimberley last year.
Point Scorers
Windhoek Draught Griquas:
Tries; Lubabalo Dobela, Thabo Ndimande, Conversions; George Whitehead 2, Penalty; Whitehead.
Ailink Pumas: Tries Deon Slabbert, Francois Kleinhans, Wian van Niekerk, Conversions; Tinus de Beer 3, Penalties De Beer 2.:
by Dave Alexander | Jun 3, 2023 | Rugby
Windhoek Draught Griquas at Home to DHL Western Province
Windhoek Draught Griquas played host to the DHL Western Province outfit at the Windhoek Draught Park on Friday 2 June 2023 in a must win game for both teams, to qualify for the quarter finals. The host team played in their pink jerseys in aid of cancer.
The visitors got the match underway with the visitors putting on the pressure early in the game. The first points came from a pushover try in the 4th minute of the match scored by Marcel Theunissen, well converted by Jurie Mathee, 7 nil to the visitors. However Griquas fought back and scored a pushover try of their own, from a lineout, by Dylan Sjoblom, very well converted by George Whitehead, to even the score 7 all. Province replied with a runaway try soon after scored by Paul de Wet, in the far corner, the conversion going wide, 12-7. The match settled down into an even affair with both sides playing into each others half, until eventually Province succeeded in scoring a pushover try, by Marcel Theunissen, his second, under the posts converted by Mathee taking the visitors’ score to 19-7. Griquas came back 4 minutes later on the halftime hooter with a brilliant try, by centre Jay-Cee Nel, converted by Whitehead taking the halftime score to 19-14.
The home side started of the second half, playing with the wind, the little there was with Griquas flyhalf, Lubabalo Dobela, running in another brilliant try from a backline movement, very well converted by George Whitehead, taking the home side into the lead for the first time in the match 21-19. The visitors came back with force, but the home side’s defences held out, but discipline let them down. .However the visitors scored a pushover try from a lineout 15 meters in from the nearside touchline,scored by Willie Engelbrecht, converted by Mathee taking their score to 26. But the hosts came back with a pushover try of their own, by Sean Swart, from a lineout 6 meters fro the nearside touchline, converted by Whitehead taking the home team back into the lead 28-26, and a bonus point for 4 tries. Griquas were not quite finished yet when they scored a runaway try after a good break by Sango Xamlashe, to score near the posts for Whitehead to convert and increase the score to 35-26. Province then succeeded with penalty by Mathee taking their score closer to Griqua;s 35-29. With a minute left in the match Griquas received a penalty, in a kickable position, which Whitehead succeeded with, making the final score to 38-29 and at full points victory by the home side. Griquas really came back in the second half, showing what they are actually made of. Well done KWAAAS.
SCORERS:
WINDHOEK DRAUGHT GRIQUAS:Tries – Dylan Sjoblom, Jay-Cee Nel, Lubabalo Dobela, Sean Swart and Sango Xamlashe. Conversions: George Whitehead (5). Penalty: George Whitehead.
DHL WESTERN PROVINCE:Tries – Marcel Theunissen (2), Paul de Wet and Willie Engelbrecht. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (3). Penalty: Jurie Matthee
