“There is more than just winning on the scoreboard”

2 June 2023

“At half-time, when we asked who would like to play for the KZN Development side, the whole team put their hands up. Afterwards, the photos speak volumes.”

On Thursday, Pinnacle Schools sat down with the coaches involved in the game that has so many talking: Maritzburg College under-14C vs a KZN Development Team. The words above were spoken by Vian du Plessis, the Housemaster of Hudson House, whose idea it was to mix the two sides.

“Something very special”

Dauw Steyn, who coaches the C and D sides with Liam Smorfitt, commented: “It was something very special to see. It was amazing. I just loved it.

“It was not about the score. Even up until now, on Thursday, the score in the game has not been mentioned. We have no idea what it was. We forgot.”

Before the game, Liam said, he had been concerned that there might be a large disparity in the strength of the two teams, and he cautioned his players to “not over-celebrate, just enjoy the game. That’s how the game started, but 20 minutes in it was already 50-0.” The mismatch was stopped.

Onboard with the idea

By then, though, the plan to combine the two sides had been percolating for 10 minutes already. The coaches wanted all of the players to be afforded a full hour of rugby. The Development Team’s coach was onboard with the idea.

“At first, the boys were a little shellshocked, because they never thought it would happen. [For too many] schools and coaches today, it’s about how many points we can put on the opposition,” Dauw said.

On the field, an evolution unfolded in front of the coaches’ eyes. “When the teams swopped, a spark went off in those Development boys,” Vian reckoned. “They were tackling the guys, College guys included, who were in the opposition team. They ran with fire.

A reimagined goal

“We told our boys that the goal was to get the ball to the Development guys, help them to experience a higher level of play.”

There was another man who made a telling contribution, Dauw said: “A big compliment to the referee. He blew the game so well. He enjoyed it. He let the game flow. If there was a small knock-on in the ruck, he would let it go. He knew what it was about. It was amazing.

“One of their players, the scrumhalf, scored three tries, just because he had a bit of guidance. For that boy, it was very special.”

And when the Development side scored, the Maritzburg College kicker, who had joined their team, handed over the kicking duties to his Development Team counterpart. This was about growing the game, empathy for others, about growing as young men, too.

The stuff of memories

What might have been a humiliating experience for one team and a forgettable outing for the other became the stuff of memories that last a lifetime.

“Next to the braai one day, that’s what they’re going to talk about. They’re not going to talk about the game being stopped early. They’re going to talk about playing with College boys, and the College boys are going to talk about how they played with the KZN Development Team. We had fun. We had a jol,” Dauw said.

Vian weighed in: “We always want to play, and we always want to win. But there is more than just winning on the scoreboard.”

“It was amazing for rugby. For the boys and for us. We need to develop them,” Dauw said.

“The next Makozole Mapimpi or the next Siya Kolisi come from situations like this. You never know, in two World Cups’ times, we might see a development player there.”

“We have people in South Africa with soft hearts”

Considering the very positive reaction to the story, he said: “I think it is more evidence that we have people in South Africa with soft hearts. They care about children. They love them, and they care about their development.

“There is a place for everyone, even if you’re just learning the game. And I think that is what makes this place so special. At College, we develop, and we care about you. Even if you’re not wearing the red, black and white, we will care about you.

“We care about players, and we love rugby. ”