Photo Credit: Franco Johannes
Garsfontein Hoërskool hosted a brilliant evening to thank their 1stXV's sponsors, Barlow World Toyota Menlyn and Ramble, and also celebrated a decade of success on the rugby fields all over South Africa.
Mr Gustav Theunissen said that Garsfontein is proud of its history but are looking to the future with confidence. The opening of their new R 7million Gimnasium facility early next year will be the first step to a brilliant next ten years.
Garsfontein's 1stXV successes on the rugby field included being crowned champions of the Atlantix Sevens (2012), Pukke Series (2012), Beeld Trophy (2015) and VirSeker Competition (2016).
If we take into account the past three year's stars one could easily understand why Garsfontein is regarded as one of the top rugby schools in South Africa who produce brilliant rugby players year after year.
Nine boys from 2020's 1stXV signed contracts at various unions and universities, Kwagga vd Nest (Bulls), Byron Marx (Bulls), Rowan Cloete (Bulls), Carlton Bannies (Bulls), Ruan Delport (Bulls), Geraldo Flusk (Bulls), Hardus Rothman (Bulls), Chadlee Valentine (Tuks) and Dupre Wessels (Tuks).
Zeilinga Strydom, Jurich Claasens and Geraldo Flusk were selected for the SA Schools team while Rynard Roets, AJ Johnson and Gerhard vd Merwe were selected for the SA Schools B team in 2019.
The crop of 2018 produced PJ Steenkamp (Jnr Springbok), Embrose Papier (Springbok) and Jurich Classens (SA Schools).
With all the stars produced one is easily tempted into picking the Garsfontein 1stXV team of the decade. This is our choice and I am sure two more teams could be selected to challenge this team.
Garsfontein 1stXV (2011 - 2020)
- Hendre Eloff (Barritz Olympique Pay Basque).
- Jan-Henning Campher (SA Schools, SA u/20, Lions Super Rugby).
- Johan Bannink (Blue Bulls u/21).
- Le Roux Roets (Super Rugby Sharks, Waratahs, Pumas).
- Hyron Andrews (SA Schools, Shark Super Rugby).
- Ruan Ackerman (Lions Super Rugby, Gloucester).
- Ryno Pieterse (Super Rugby Bulls, Castres).
- Hardus Rothman (Garsfontein 2020, Bulls).
- Embrose Papier (SA Schools, SA u/20, Super Rugby Bulls, Springbok - 8 tests).
- Keagan Johannes (Blue Bulls SuperSport Challenge, Bulls u/21 National Champs).
- Geraldo Flusk (Garsfontein 2020, Bulls).
- Franco Naude (SA u/20, Bulls/Lions Super Rugby, Регби - клуб «Стрела» Казань, Россия Russia).
- Diego Apollis (SA Schools, Bulls SuperSport Challenge, SA 7's Jr Olympics).
- Shawn Williams (Lions u/21, SA 7's Academy).
- Zeilinga Strydom (SA Schools, Stade Francais Paris)