Garsie Bere has some extra kick with two former Boks joining their ranks
It seems the 2022 rugby season was truly a watershed moment for Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s rugby programme.
Garsies have appointed two former Springboks Morné Steyn and Jaco Kriel to bolster their already impressive coaching team. Steyn was announced to be the kicking coach, while Kriel would focus on the breakdowns.
Another two appointments within the coaching staff for the season is Russel Winter (Blue Bulls forward coach) and WJ Strydom (former Blitzbok). Winter will be helping out as the lineout consultant of the Bere, while Strydom who was appointed as a teacher at the school in 2022 are handling the position specific skills within the team.
The team of 2022 made huge inroads as the team fifth on most ranking systems and produced historic victories over Affies (20-19) and Paul Roos Gimnasium (21-18). Their first encounter against Paarl Boys’ High (19-all) also ended in a draw.
Steyn is still playing for the Bulls and represetend the Springboks in 68 test matches in which he scored 742 points of which two penalties 12 years apart for series victories over the British & Irish Lions stands out.
Steyn is himself a product of Sand du Plessis in Bloemfontein. This his first real step into coaching could be the start of a new career. Two old Sannies Franco Smith and Dawie Theron is currently coaching the Glasgow Warriors and Docomo Red Hurricanes respectively.
All three of them played for Sannies’ first team under Smith’s father, Abé Smith.
Kevin Buys will once again return as the Garsie Bere’s scrum consultant after helping the team’s pack of forwards to be one of the best units come scrum time in 2022.
Sylvester Booysen, who was appointed as the new Director of Rugby at the end of last year, will take the lead in the coaching team with Johan du Plessis. The latter has been part of the coaching team since 2014 and been the head coach of the First XV from 2017.
Garsies have yet another tough fixture list this season as they will face Grey College and Outeniqua during Wildeklawer. Outeniqua is celebrating their centenary and have probably their best side since 2013.
The Bere would also have to travel to Affies to face without a doubt a wounded Wit Bulle.
The Bere who would once again play a part in this year’s first team is Demetri Erasmus (centre), Nicallen Gabrielsen (flyhalf), Abrie van der Westhuizen (flanker), De Wet Lottering (hooker), Zian Cilliers (scrumhalf), Zander Lourens (flanker), Leighton-Jon Cloete (prop), Divan Brits (flanker) and Heinrich Cloete (winger).
Garsfontein’s fixtures for 2023:
| # | nt_header_1 | nt_header_2 | nt_header_3 | nt_header_4 | nt_header_5 | nt_header_6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11/03/2023 | Garsfontein | 47 | Pretoria Boys' High | 21 | |
| 2 | 25/03/2023 | Garsfontein | 28 | Jeppe High School for Boys | 24 | |
| 3 | 01/04/2023 | Garsfontein | 34 | Stellenberg | 29 | Noord/Suid |
| 4 | 04/04/2023 | Garsfontein | 59 | Oakdale Landbou | 7 | Noord/Suid |
| 5 | 15/04/2023 | Garsfontein | 45 | Affies | 38 | |
| 6 | 29/04/2023 | Garsfontein | 9 | Grey College | 23 | Wildeklawer |
| 7 | 01/05/2023 | Garsfontein | 19 | Outeniqua | 8 | Wildeklawer |
| 8 | 06/05/2023 | Garsfontein | 50 | Waterkloof | 21 | Bere Park |
| 9 | 13/05/2023 | Garsfontein | 48 | Menlopark | 6 | |
| 10 | 27/05/2023 | Garsfontein | 64 | Marais Viljoen | 12 | Bere Park |
| 11 | 10/06/2023 | Garsfontein | 39 | Monument | 31 | Bere Park |
| 12 | 22/07/2023 | Garsfontein | 49 | Helpmekaar | 48 | Johannesburg |
| 13 | 29/07/2023 | Garsfontein | 30 | Noordheuwel | 28 | Krugersdorp |
| 14 | 05/08/2023 | Garsfontein | 89 | Nelspruit | 10 | |
| 15 | 12/08/2023 | Garsfontein | 42 | EG Jansen | 36 | |
| 16 | 19/08/2023 | Garsfontein | 29 | Helpmekaar | 20 | |
| 17 | 26/08/2023 | Garsfontein | 41 | EG Jansen | 22 | Noordvaal Cup Final |
