SACS COACHES 2016: “U16B and 4ths – The Chosen Ones”
SACS High is very pleased with its coaching line up for the 2016 season. We welcome a few new faces plus a number of returning old boys.
Two exciting coaching pairings headline our 2016 roster: In the U16 division the B-Team have the “Dream Team” of our Headmaster Mr Ball ably assisted by old boy Anton Chait. Both these gentleman have impressive CV’s. Mr. Ball played for Rhodes Univ [captain],UPE and Crusaders Club 1st teams [captain at Crusaders], Border u20, EP U20, Border, SWD and EP “B”. He coached Grey HS 1sts, Dale College 1sts, Hudson Park HS 1sts, Cambridge Club [East London] 1sts Team [who won the Border Grand Challenge]. Mr. Chait played for SACS 1st XV 1982/83 (Captain), Boland Defence u20/1st XV in 1984/85 and Villagers Rugby Club 1stXV 1986 – 1994 (Captain). He was then Villagers 1st XV Coach for six season where he won the very competitive Grand Challenge on two occasions. In 1998 he was also the WP Vodacom Cup Coach. These gentlemen have undertaken to improve the depth in the U16 division while grooming aspiring U16 players for senior rugby. We have no doubt that they will fulfil their mandate and then some!
Two men with almost equally impressive credentials find themselves with the U19D team. SACS Rugby legends Paul Gilomee and Rian van der Westhuizen will be imparting their knowledge and years of experience. Players selected for their team are truly lucky to have such great rugby men looking after them.
In the 1stXV Joel Smith has moved up from 2nds where he coached in 2015. Joel is a Varsity Cup player for UCT and a hostel master. He replaces Tiger Bax is an almost like for like swap. The experienced and ambitious Adam Rundle has joined us as an attack consultant and his knowledge and enthusiasm is proving infectious. Adam has travelled far and wide to gain coaching knowledge and locally has coached at both UCT and Rondebosch Boy’s High.
Barry van Selm has moved up from the U16A to take over at 2nd team level. With a good knowledge of the young players he has hit the ground running and it has been good to see so many Grade 11’s in the 2nd team and to see the 1sts and 2nds training together more often. Barry is joined by Matt Curry who joins us from Pretoria Boy’s High. Matt and Adam Rundle were both Head Boys of Pretoria Boy’s High in their day. Mr. Curry went with the 1stXV to the Kearsney Easter Festival so he got an early look at many of the players and a feel of the SACS Rugby “gees. He is very knowledgeable and has already proved a welcome addition.
Brendan Kleynhans and Brent Sanders are again working with the 3rds. They have been joined by UCT 1stXV Captain Jade Kriel who s helping with the forwards. Another ex-1stXV coach Mr Matthew Guiney is looking after the 5ths this year along with his trusty general Stewart Alcock. Further down we have old hand Andre van Wyk working with an interesting addition to the rugby coaching staff in SACS Cricket Pro Mr. Alan Willows. There should be some interesting stuff happening down there!
Nick Maurer leads the U16 division have moved up with his team from U15A. Nick is the coaching co-ordinators at SACS and is our every day on the field in summer and winter. Nick is an old boy who is both knowledgeable and passionate. His team are always extremely well prepared and the U16A will definitely have a successful season under his guidance. Our only IRB Level 3 qualified coach Mr Kallie Cromhout is with the U16C’s while deputy principal Mr Chris Jones looks after the U16D’s.
Tim O’Connor has served his time under the guidance of Nick Maurer and takes over the reins of an A-team for the first time as he heads up the U15 division. Nick is still guiding Tim on his off days but Tim has a huge work ethic and passion for the game. Along with Brendan Kleynhans he attended the Investec Academy Course last year and has coached a SACS for a long time having started coaching here while a student teacher. Tim has had a challenging start to the season but he has a nice pack of forwards to build a team around.
Afrikaans teacher and very keen rugby coach Mr JP la Grange is with the U15B’s. He is being assisted by our 2012 1stXV Captain Cameron Calder (see in the photo scoring against Bishops) who will no doubt instil the deep will to win he had as a player in his charges. 
One of the most consistent and best performing coaches over the years at SACS has been our art teacher Mr Hugo de Villiers. His teams always have a great spirit and enjoy their rugby immensely. He is being assisted by a 1stXV stalwart from 2011-2013 Wesley Futter. Wes spent two years at the Stellenbosch Rugby Academy and was capped by Maties 1stXV at prop. He is currently playing at False Bay Club.
Dr Fred Strassberger is in charge of the U15D and is being assisted by 2014 1stXV hooker Johnno Rauch. Head of Maths Mr Rudy Horn-Botha is looking after the U15E team with the assistance from senior hostel boys.
For the third year in a row the U14 division is been led by sometimes overly passionate old boy Ross Southgate. Ross is great with the younger boys and instils the correct SACS Rugby values in them while having an astute rugby brain. Ross is being assisted by another UCT player in Tino Zakhayo. Tino is a Michaelis Housemaster who lives with and mentors many of the boys in the U14A team. They too have a backline and attack consultant in Warren Griffiths. Sadly Warren attended Bishops where he was a talented player in his own right. It’s great to have him on board.
Mr Lyndon Brandt is again with the U14B team and is being assisted by another 2011-2013 1stXV player in Yandisa Makenuqkana. Yandisa played fifty-six 1stXV matches for SACS and is taking everything he learnt at SACS and passing it onto the eager to learn u14’s.
Mr Doug Skeat is with the U14C team and has with him 2015 Matriculant Danny Kessler. Danny is the son of our 1stXV manager Mr Harold Kessler. He grew up on the side if the rugby field and has studied the game from a young age. His knowledge and enthusiasm will add great value. Mr Gavin Weber, after a few seasons with the seniors, has moved back to the U14D team where he is being assisted by our 2012 1stXV fullback Tando Rudah. An u14 coaching icon Mr Stephen Ludwig will once again bring his brand of fiery enthusiasm to the U14E team. He has been doing U14 cricket and rugby coaching now for decades and always gets the best out of the boys.
Please support you sons and their coaches as much as you can. Enjoy the season with us!
