Grey College five old-scholars in victorious Bok-squad
Grey College in Bloemfontein became the first school in the world to have five players in a World Cup winning side when the South Africa won the William Webb Ellis trophy for the second time this year. This year’s tournament was held in France.
South Africa defeated England 15-6 in the final of the tournament played at St. Denis. They would have equaled the record held by Auckland Grammer of New Zealand who had four players taking part in the 1987 tournament. The All Blacks won the tournament in 1987 on their home turf. But Jannie du Plessis was brought in by Springbok coach, Jake White, in the place of the injured prop, BJ Botha.
Du Plessis which is a doctor by occupation was busy with a caesarian when he was called by Peter Jooste, convener of the selection committee that he was needed in France.
Ruan Pienaar (scrumhalf), Bismarck du Plessis (hooker), Frans Steyn (utility back) and CJ van der Linde (prop) were the other boys from Grey College in the victorious South African team. Bismarck and Jannie are brothers with the lather being the oldest.
They mad history earlier this year when played next to Van der Linde in the front row in a test for the Springboks. It was the first time a solitary school was represented in the starting front row of a test for South Africa.
Hannes Nienaber covered schools' rugby in South Africa for Volksblad, Beeld, and Rapport for 11 years. He also created the biggest school rugby website in South Africa - School of Rugby - back in 2007. It eventually morphed into Supersport Schools Plus. He still occasionally milks cows.
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