St Alban’s College revel in great expectations
Having just come off the best season in St Alban’s College’s rugby history, there will be a target on the back of the popular Pretoria school at this year’s Standard Bank St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival, taking place in Johannesburg from April 18 to 22.
Despite being a smaller school than most, the upstarts won 14 of their 17 fixtures in 2018 and will be looking to build on this momentum at St John’s.
But it won’t be easy, as Director of Rugby and First XV coach Kennedy Tsimba readily acknowledges. Eighty percent of the senior players have moved off, leaving the coach to assemble a young, inexperienced squad.
“We’ve come off a hectic schedule in March, with eight games, many in the holidays,” he explained. “We’re a small school, so there’s always pressure in terms of numbers.”
He’s delighted they are returning to Johannesburg, however, saying that they thoroughly enjoyed last year where they beat Windhoek Gymnasium, the Golden Lions XV and Eye of the Tiger for a clean sweep.
This year ought to be considerably tougher with matches against Australia’s Combined High Schools, followed by mighty Helpmekaar of Johannesburg and HTS Daniel Pienaar, on Easter Monday.
Given Tsimba’s own reputation as a playmaker during his playing prime, for Zimbabwe, Free State and the Bulls, it’s little surprise that he encourages similarly smart rugby from his players.
“They must learn to play what they see in front of them,” he says. “A lot of them haven’t been given that freedom, so a switch must be made. Better decision-makers are what I’m after.”
Among those players are influential figures like lock-cum-loose forward Simon Miller, big number eight Kian Turner and flyhalf Thabang Mogadima, who possesses one of the most cultured boots on the schoolboy circuit.
Tsimba’s expectations of the festival weekend are measured. “It will be our toughest festival yet, especially with Helpmekaar on Saturday.”
He acknowledges that some don’t believe a school like St Alban’s has a traditional rugby culture but is happy to prove otherwise come Easter weekend. “I’m sure our boys will rise up and show grit and courage. We have our own special culture and I expect it will serve us well.”
Having produced several elite-level players, like Springboks Bongi Mbonambi and Jason Jenkins, plus provincial stars Michael Kumbirai (Stormers), Kurt Haupt (Kings and Worcester) and Abongile Nonkontwana (Free State Cheetahs), St Alban’s has already developed a vibrant rugby tradition.
Anyone underestimating them at St John’s will pay the price.
FIXTURES
April 18: VS Combined High Schools (Australia), 11.30am.
April 20: VS Helpmekaar, 11.45am.
April 22: VS HTS Daniel Pienaar, 2pm.
