Paarl Gym 150th year & Ruaan Smith

[Pfitzy]

Jeez the weather looks great Oom! The way the light hits those hills behind the school reminds me of the farm I grew up on.

 

[PaarlBok]

Nick we have the baddest summer weatherwise in history. Still to cold for this time of year. Me, TanniePB & kid love to sleep outside on the stoep. Have been caught now a few nights or early morning have to scamper into the house when the rain starts. Paarl/Wellington is known for hot weather, easily hit the 40s in summer but not this season.

 

[PaarlBok]

Find this one about Ruaan Smith at Keo

Ruan Smith

Smith was set to join the growing list of young South African rugby talent to have been lost to Australia when, as a member of the Queensland U18 side, he was chosen for Australian Schools.

Luckily, this time it was not the case as Smith?s family, who decided to experience life in Australia for a year, returned to South Africa and the 18-year-old went back to playing at Paarl Gymnasium.

In 2008, he was a member of Western Province?s U18 Craven Week team and his performances at the tournament earned him a place in the SA Schools side, a call-up he admits was a surprise.

?It?s a really great honour and I didn?t expect to get chosen,? says Smith. ?There are about 20 great players in my position so I feel really privileged and lucky to get there.?

While he is happy to be back in South Africa, Smith admits he enjoyed his time in Australia and believes the experience has improved his overall game.

?I really enjoyed my time over there. It?s very different, they have their own way of doing things and it?s very competitive but I picked up a lot of experience and it has made me a better player.?

Standing 1.90m tall and weighing 126kg, Smith is already an imposing figure.

For a big man, he has a great turn of pace and is very quick off the mark ? making him extremely tough to bring down once he gets going.

His Paarl Gym coach, Nico Momsen, believes Smith is one of the most talented ball players he has ever seen at school level.

?Ruan is certainly one of the most skilled props to have come through the ranks here at Paarl Gym, certainly in my years as coach,? says Momsen. ?His handling skills are as good, if not better than most backline players.?

For all his potential, Smith remains a level-headed young man and is well aware of where he could improve his game.

?My tight phases are pretty good, and one of my strong points is my ball-carrying but there is some room for improvement, especially my fitness and my work rate at the breakdown.?

Momson believes we are yet to see the best of Smith and feels that if he is placed in a professional set-up and is nurtured, he will prove to be an unstoppable force.

?If Ruan is taken into the right set-up and is conditioned perfectly, he will become a machine. I think he has got everything he needs to reach the highest level in South African rugby.?

Smith has signed a two-year contract with Western Province and will go straight into the Academy side when he finishes his matric year.

 

[PaarlBok]

Long time I got news about Ruaan Smith. He is in the WP Rugby Academy and playing for the U19s. The U19 CC starts on the weekend and both Ruaan and his twin brother JP has been picked to be WP U 19s fatties.

Coach Nazeem Adams today announced his team as follows:

15. Ruan Combrinck
14. Tythan Adams
13. Burton Klaassen
12. Louis Jordaan
11. Sergio Torrens
10. Gary Van Aswegen
9. Louis Schreuder
8. Reuben Johannes
7. Garrick Matthee
6. Helmut Lehman
5. Reniel Hugo (C)
4. Quin Roux
3. Ruan Smith
2. Shameeg Allan
1. JP Smith

Reserves:

16. Albie De Swart
17. Brummer Badenhorst
18. Grant Hattingh
19. Sam Mabomba
20. Fred Muller
21. Kurt Coleman
22. Ryan Nell.

I bold the Paarl Gym boys. The 9 , Louis Schreuders mum teach my kid maths at KleinGim and the team will be capt by Neil Hugo's boy. Neil Played many a year for WP lock.

 

[Lance Free]

Interesting stuff about Ruan Smith. I saw him play a couple of times for Toowoomba Grammar School in the Queensland GPS competition and at the Queensland trials. He played in the same trial team as James 'Rabbit' O'Connor. Huge guy and really damaging runner with the ball in hand. Great to see him progressing.

 

[PaarlBok]

Yep he got all the talent in the world. His biggest obstackle is between the ears. If you want to play with the top guns you have to work really hard, specially in this area. We saw now Paul Roos beat Grey, paarl Boishaai had a great year and Paarl Gim and Boland Landbou not far behind, so a talent pool of schoolboy players many will dream to have.

Anyway just want to gloat a bit with my own kiddies Paarl Gim age group of sport.

They just finished their season unbeaten in rugby and hockey. Their toughest game of hockey was over the weekend against a Somerset West school, called De Hoop. From U7 they use to lost 5-0 to them every year. On saturday Oom Paarl took that backs and told them before the match this one they'll have to produce. and Produce they did, after a nervous start our kiddies scored two goals. Mine the first from a shortie. He lost the plot a bit after breaking one of the opponents noses with his swing and felt really bad about it. Wasnt his fault tho because the some of the youngsters still need to learn the trade of going in at the wrong time and learned the hard way. De Hoop came back strong in the second half and score two quicks to level the score just after half time. Well our lot show their famous Gimmie Guts keeping them out and ending at 2 all. The rugby team beat them 15-0 unexpected with ease. Well quite a enjoyable day of schoolboy sport. Now its back to cricket. They are also unbeaten after the first term and will try and do the same in the last term. Cricket interschool also included in this term.

 

[Flippie van der Merwe]

Ya broet, this Ruan Smith boitjies has got to be as groot as me!

 

[PaarlBok]

Welcome on board Filppie!

 

[spectator]

Long time I got news about Ruaan Smith. He is in the WP Rugby Academy and playing for the U19s. The U19 CC starts on the weekend and both Ruaan and his twin brother JP has been picked to be WP U 19s fatties.

Quite a positional change for JP. If I remember rightly he was a centre when they played for TGS in the GPS rugby comp in Qld a couple of years back.

 

[PaarlBok]

He change last year, did not make Paarl Gym 1st team and playing from the bench. JP & Ruaan have similair build and maybe fatty is the best position for him too.

 

[PaarlBok]

OK so WP U19s lost in the semis against the Tin Ears and myself understand the Smith Twins is at the moment in Australia for their holiday. Maybe they'll end up that side of the ditch.

 

[Flippie van der Merwe]

Jou bliksem Paarl, die skool boykies can't keep changing sides? Ag man, it's just not cricket!

 

[PaarlBok]

Jou bliksem Paarl, die skool boykies can't keep changing sides? Ag man, it's just not cricket!

Jy weet dan Flippie, goed om jou hier te sien.

 

[Lee Grant]

understand the Smith Twins is at the moment in Australia for their holiday. Maybe they'll end up that side of the ditch.

They'll love Melbourne. :fishing

 

[PaarlBok]

Jessie Lee , they are still youngsters but I honestly wont be surprise if they go. In SA they'll still have to play two years as U21s , then they'll get to CC level and maybe a S14 franchise. Say three years of rugby before they'll get to the same level.

 

[PaarlBok]

The latest on Ruaan is that he made the SA WC U20 prelimanry squad. So it look like his going to stay.

SARugby.net

FOUR MATRICULANTS JOIN SA UNDER-20 TRIALS Posted: 3 December 2009

Four matriculants have been selected for the SA Under-20 Trials and Training Camp which will be held in Saldanha from Saturday 5 December to Thursday 10 December.
Carl Wegner (Grey College), Nizaam Carr (Bishops), Siyamthanda Kolisi (Grey PE) and Heinrich Marcus (Excelsior) have been selected to the 46-man squad following their outstanding performances at this year’s Coca-Cola Under-18 Week.

Wegner, Carr and Kolisi were involved in SA Rugby’s Under-18 High Performance Squad early this year and are selected in the SA Under-20 Trials and Training Camp following their consistent performances for the SA Schools in internationals against the England Under-18s and an Italy XV earlier this year.

Marcus, who was one of the outstanding players for Western Province in this season’s Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week, also represented the SA Under-18 High Performance squad in international friendlies against France and Namibia.

Golden Lions Under-19 centre Wandile Mjekevu, another participant in the SA Under-18 High Performance programme, has also been selected to the Saldanha Trials.

“This camp will be conducted by the SA Under-20 coaches, management and the national selectors, who will select a squad of 32 players at the conclusion of this camp to tour the UK and France in January next year,” said Mervin Green, SARU Manager - Playing the Game.

“Our strategic plan is to ensure that our Under-20 players gain international exposure against the world’s top teams. We had a tour to the UK and France arranged this year, but had to postpone it due to the Under-20 Six Nations competition.

“With next year’s IRB Junior World Championship in mind, we are trying to expose our team to play in as many international friendlies as possible to gear themselves up for next year’s event.”

SA Under-20 Trials and Training squad:

Fullbacks: Clayton Blommetjies (Blue Bulls), Lulama Mdzoyi (Eastern Province), Jacobus Scheepers (Free State), Garth April (Golden Lions).

Wings: Sampie Mastriet (Blue Bulls), Jamba Ulengo (Free State), Siyasanga Mkunku (Griffons), Ruan Combrink (Western Province).

Centres: Ernst Dinkelman (Blue Bulls); Zander de Bruin, Francios Venter (Free State); Wandile Mjekevu (Golden Lions), Berton Klaassen (Western Province), Dwayne Jenner (Kwazulu Natal).

Flyhalves: Jean Claude Roos (Blue Bulls), Elton Jantjies (Golden Lions).

Scrumhalves: Louis Schreuder, Frederick Muller (Western Province).

Loose forwards: Christiaan Stander (Blue Bulls), Lubabalo Mtembu (Border), Siyamthanda Kolisi (Eastern Province); Hendrik van der Waldt, Johan Astle (Free State); Rinus Riekert (Golden Lions); Reuben Johannes, Nizaam Carr, Helmuth Lehman, Heinrich Marcus (Western Province);

Locks: Andries Ferreira, Mlungisi Bali (Blue Bulls); Carl Wegner, Johannes Swanepoel (Free State); Ashley Kohler, Sabastian de Chaves (Golden Lions); Johan Schoonbee, Peet Marais (Kwazulu Natal).

Hookers: Eugene Cunha (Blue Bulls), Kenechukwu Okafor (Kwazulu Natal), Louis Fouche (Leopards).

Props: Vincent Koch (Blue Bulls), Thabiso Mngomezulu (Eastern Province), Jean-Pierre van Rooyen (Free State); Louis Albertse, Christiaan du Randt, Ruan Dreyer (Golden Lions); Ruan Smith (Western Province).

Bolded: Glad to see Ruaan's other team mates from Paarl Gim still going great guns.

 

[PaarlBok]

and missed the final cut

Players invited to the SA Under-20 Trials and Training Camp:
Blue Bulls - Clayton Blommetjies, Sampie Mastriet, Ernst Dinkelman, Andries Ferreira, Christiaan Stander, Mlungisi Bali, Vincent Koch, Luan Jacobs, Brenco Du Preez, Lean Schwartz, Jacobus Venter
Eastern Province - Thabiso Mngomezulu
Free State - Jamba Ulengo, Zandre de Bruin, Jacobus Scheepers, Marcell van der Merwe
Golden Lions - Garth April, Wandile Mjekevu, Rinus Riekert, Thurlow Kohler, Christiaan du Rand, Sebastian de Chaves, Ruan Dreyer, Elton Jantjies, Francois du Toit, Divan Ferguson, Jaco Taute
KwaZulu-Natal - Kenechukwu Okafor, Johan Schoonbee, Peet Marais, Lubabalo Mtembu, Sibusiso Sithole, Monde Hadebe Western Province - Berton Klaassen, Louis Schreuder, Helmut Lehman, Ruan Combrink, Willem Badenhorst

 

[PaarlBok]

sorry injury the reason

* Players not considered due to injury or Super 14 involvement: Kenny Okafor, Elton Jantjies, Adri Jacobs, Brenco du Preez, Lubabalo Mthembu, Siya Kolisi, Wandile Mjekevu, Thabiso Mngomezulu, Garth April, Jaco Taute, Ernst Dinkelman, Ruaan Smith, Jonno Ross, Patrick Lambie.

 

[PaarlBok]

The latest on the SA U20s and still part of it
SARugby

South Africa Under-20 coach Eric Sauls on Wednesday confirmed that preparations for the forthcoming IRB Junior World Championship which takes place in Argentina in June are on track.

The SA national selectors on Wednesday announced a 38-man squad that will assemble in Cape Town on Sunday in preparation for their internationals against the Argentina Under-20s. These Tests take place on the 3rd and 6th March 2010.

Golden Lions Under-19 fullback Garth April, centre Jaco Toute (Golden Lions) and lock Kenny Okafor (Sharks) missed the SA Under-20’s recent tour to France due to injury but returns to the Baby Boks squad.

Justin van Staden (Tuks) and Francois du Toit (Shimlas) have also been added to the squad following their consistent performances in the FNB Varsity Cup this season.

Free State Under-18 Craven Week flanker Jean Cook (18) also joins the SA Under-20 set up for the first time. He represented the SA Schools in international friendlies against the England XV and Italian XV, and was a member of the 2009 SA Under-18 High Performance programme.

“We are very close to where we want to be which is to reach those final stages of preparations for the IRB Junior World Championship,” said Sauls.

“So this will be the last opportunity for players to face international opposition before the selectors start to finalise the squad that will travel to Argentina. The selectors will have a close look at how some of the players cope with junior Test rugby.

“We must also not forget that there are Under-20 age group players competing in our other competitions such as the Varsity Cup, the Vodacom Cup which starts this weekend and the Vodacom Super 14. The selectors are also monitoring their progress.

“Hopefully by the end of March, the national selectors will have an idea of the final composition of the squad that will represent South Africa at the IRB Junior World Championship.”

The main reasons for these Tests are to expose the SA Under-20s to as many international fixtures as possible prior to the IRB Junior World Championship which kicks off in Argentina on June 5.

SA Under-20 squad: Garth April, Gary van Aswegen, Brummer Badenhorst, Mlungisi Bali, Clayton Blommetjies, Ruan Combrink, Jean Cook, Sebastian De Chaves, Christiaan du Rand, Ruan Dreyer, Francios Du Toit, Francois du Toit, Divan Ferguson, Andries Ferreira, Monde Hadebe, Adri Jacobs, Elton Jantjies, Helmut Lehmann, Peet Marais, Sampie Mastriet, Shaun Melton, Frederick Muller, Lubabalo Mtembu, Kenny Okafor, Rinus Riekert, Jono Ross, Nico Scheepers, Louis Schreuder, Lean Schwartz, Sibusiso Sithole, Ruan Smith, CJ Stander, Jaco Toute, Jamba Ulengo, Marcell van der Merwe, Hendrik van der Walt, Justin van Staden, Francois Venter.

Ruan making the WP Vodacup team's bench and surely better his change to make the final squad.

 

[PaarlBok]

Lots of schoolboy rugby around easter weekend. On my doorstep we'll have the SA U16 tournament going. Top SA schools plus overseas laaities are going to jol.

Teams:
Afrikaanse Ho?rskool Seunskool Pretoria (AHS)
Boland Landbouskool (HLB)
Brackenfell (BRA)
Brits (BRS)
Centurion (CEN)
DF Malan (DFM)
Dr EG Jansen (EGJ)
Florida (FLO)
Framesby (FRA)
Garsfontein (GRT)
Gimnasium Paarl (GIM)
Grey College Bloemfontein (GRE)
Hoër Jongenskool Paarl (HJS)
Jeppe Boys High (JEP)
Marlow Landbouskool (MAR)
Michaelhouse (MHS)
Monument Krugersdorp (MON)
Outeniqua (OUT)
Punt (PNT)
Stella Maris A (Uruguay) (SMA)
Stella Maris B (Uruguay) (SMB)
Strand (STR)
Tygerberg (TYG)
Waterkloof (WKL)

Paarl Gym has set up a nice link with every little detail and even my house on the main page photo, top right neigbourhood.

http://www.u16rugbytournament.rgcms.co.za/index.php