139 Centenary Edition 138 The Chronicle 2021 Overview As predicted by so many, the unfortunate situation of COVID-19 restrictions continued in the 2021 season. SARU released a “Return to Play” protocol which had to be followed by schools and clubs in anticipation of a 2021 season. It consisted mainly of a period of conditioning followed by a gradual return to full contact scenarios. This protocol was implemented and basically consumed most of the first term. The second term start was met with relaxed COVID-19 regulations and the Department of Education allowed contact sport again, but without spectators. Our 1st and 2nd XV teams accepted an invitation from Sarel Cilliers, who hosted a rugby festival at the Battlefields Sports Resort near Dundee. The much-needed participation provided both squads with some sort of preparation for the season ahead. Unfortunately, all the other Kearsney teams played their first fixture without match practice, but were grateful for the long-awaited return of some rugby. Unfortunately, our joy was shortlived, and after two weeks contact sport was disallowed again. The players adopted a “train and see” approach to each week. For the second consecutive year our players were denied the opportunities which they crave – friendships, camaraderie and all the other values associated with sport. For the first time in many years we did not have the opportunity to play the highly-contested interhouse competition. Hopefully this event will be staged again in 2022. As we became used to the fluidity of the situation, contact sport surprisingly returned in the third term. Some schools opted for the fifteen-man code, while Kearsney joined others in the Sevens code, as it is our recognised sport during Term 3. Two Open teams and one junior team participated over three weekends. The coaches’ reports appear elsewhere in this publication. The Sharks High Schools Association arranged two inter-provincial fixtures in response to the cancellation of all SARU Youth weeks. I am delighted to report that our U16 and U18 players had the opportunity to participate in the trial process and we are extremely proud of the following selections: Singele Mkhize (Sharks U18A Craven team), Mhleli Khuzwayo and Cameron de Beer (Sharks U18 Academy team) and Devahn van der Walt (Sharks U16 Grant Khomo team) I am sad to report that Messrs Nico Breedt, Keith Thompson, Ryan Horne, Kyle Eysele and Keagan Deponselle will not be part of the coaching fraternity next year as they take up opportunities elsewhere in 2022. We thank them for their loyal and outstanding coaching work over the years and wish them all the best with their future endeavours. The down time resulting from the pandemic afforded us the opportunity to examine our rugby offering closely. A “Think Tank” has already been held with input from many highly respected and knowledgeable stakeholders, and measures are being put in place to ensure Kearsney’s rugby remains highly competitive. This is certainly an exciting opportunity, and we are looking forward to the programme bearing fruit in the years to come. In closing I would like to thank the Kearsney management team, sports office, coaches, support and conditioning staff, estates’ personnel and all the players for their support during this short season. Mr Barend Steyn Director of Rugby First XV Rugby The squad was eager and enthusiastic on their return to school after the disappointments of 2020 season and the lack of opportunity to play rugby. Many of the players commited to conditioning during the December holidays in anticipation of a full rugby season. The season, however, had a slow start in Term 1 as all contact sports were restricted by the Department of Education due to the COVID pandemic. Most of the time was spent on handling skills and conditioning by following the SARU eight week Return to Play protocol. We received the good news of the return of contact sport at the beginning of the Easter holiday, it was met with great excitement and renewed energy. We secured an invite from our Northern Natal friends to join in a festival hosted by Sarel Cilliers at the Sport and Battlefields resort close to Dundee. The 2nd XV joined on this tour and the excitement of all the boys was something to behold. The first fixture against Sarel Cilliers delivered some surprisingly good rugby after the long break from the game. Kearsney scored seven spectacular tries and fullback Trent Coetzee and winger Aya Mngaza showed early promise with electrifying runs. Captain and lock Cameron de Beer and props Mhleli Khuzwayo and Sphe Zondi performed well upfront with good carries and solid defence. Rugby Captain Cameron de Beer talks to 1st team players Back row (L-R): Matthew Campbell, Jason Brien, Max Hastings-Brown, Ben Field, Nhlakanipho Ngubane, Tom Carmody Middle row: Ayabonga Mngaza, Luke du Toit, Luke Sacco, Prince Dube, Trent Coetzee, Sphe Zondi, Matthew Bergset Seated: Singele Mkhize, Mr Barend Steyn (Head Coach), Cameron de Beer (Captain), Mhleli Khuzwayo, Mr Nico Breedt (Assistant Coach), Michael Ngwenya RUGBY 1ST TEAM PROVINCIAL SELECTIONS Sharks U18A Craven team - Singele Mkhize Sharks U18 Academy team - Mhleli Khuzwayo and Cameron de Beer Sharks U16 Grant Khomo team - Devahn van der Walt Cameron de Beer
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