Maritzburg College Fly-Half Factory
COLLEGE FLY-HALF SPRINGBOKS
Name
Year
At School
After School
PJ (Peter) Grant
2002
photo still to come
Peter Grant
AD (Butch) James
1996
photo still to come
Butch James
JT (Joel) Stransky
1985
photo still to come
K (Keith) Oxlee
1952
photo still to come
CRITIQUE OF THE 1ST XV PLAYERS
(info: Maritzburg College Magazines)
K (Keith) Oxlee (1952)
Captain, Honours, Natal Schools’ Captain
Coach: Skonk Nicholson, Max Castle
The key man of the side. He proved a great fly-half both in attack and defence. He cut through many an opposing back-line and saved the side time and time again with his magnificent covering defence.
JT (Joel) Stransky (1985)
Honours, Natal Schools Captain
Coach: Dave Dell
In his two years at flyhalf, the 1st XV won 33/34 games, and the lone defeat came when he was injured during the game. His influence on the backline, and on the type of rugby played, will be felt for many years. His total of 392 points, places him second as a points scorer in the school’s history, and first among those who played in two successive years for the school. Despite his individual feats, he was a great team man, and his captaincy of Natal Schools outstanding. He will be remembered with awe for many years.
AD (Butch) JAMES (1997)
Large White Badge
Coach: Colin Heard
He, too, was a talented footballer and also a very good cricketer. He took quite a while to settle into the pattern of play that was required, but, once he understood, he developed in leaps and bounds. I have no doubt at all that, by the end of the season and during the UK tour, he was by far the best schoolboy flyhalf in Natal - certainly, he was the most talented that I have coached I think he has a huge future in the game and I will watch his progress with interest.
PJ (Peter Grant) (2002)
Natal Schools, PMB Schools: Honours
Coach: Steve Botha, Bruce Collocott
He came into the squad as a youngster, but his silky hands, elusive feet and ability to take the right option soon made him the ideal partner for the heard running Kendall. He had the ability to draw defence towards him and then, with the show of the hands and a shimmy, put Kendall away. Later in the season, owing to Wassink’s injury, he moved to his more accustomed fly-half position, where he played with great credit, and his personal tally of twenty points against DHS was a tribute to his skill and temperament. His selection to Natal Schools, at centre, was not a surprise, because you don’t find creatively like his very often.
COLLEGE FLY-HALF NATAL PLAYERS
Please note that this list is not complete. This page is still under construction.
Name
Year
WJ (Wally) Sharratt
1960
RG (Roger) Miller
1961
AJ (Tony) Egner
1964
AC Ball
1967
D (Darryl) Bestall
1970
NP (Neville) Daniels
1973
GR (Gudgie) Dixon
1976
HG (Henry) Coxwell
1981
WJ (Wally) Sharratt (1961)
Honours, Natal School, Captain
Coach: Skonk Nicholson
Led the team very well. Fast off the mark, he gave his backs many chances to attack. Broke with success, and his tactical kicking often turned defence into attack. Equally at home at scrum-half, were he played several fine games.
RG (Roger) Miller (1962)
Honours, Natal Schools
Coach: Skonk Nicholson
Quite the outstanding back in Natal schools rugby. Fast off the mark, with magnificent hands he took gaps and made splendid breaks at top speed. His tactical kicking and covering was brilliant and the opposition never knew what he was going to do next.
AJ (Tony) Egner (1964)
Honours, Natal Schools, School Captain
Coach: Skonk Nicholson
A great fly half who always put his team first. He got his line away with speed and precision. Very fast off the mark, he often outwitted the defence with breaks, dummies, swerves and sudden changes of direction. His tactical kicking was good and his handling was almost faultless.
AC Ball (1967)
Blazer
Coach: Skonk Nicholson
A fly half of considerable promise. Quick off the mark and with a fine pair of hands, he made a good pivot. His tactical kicking improved during the season.
D (Darryl) Bester (1970)
School Captain, Natal Schools' Captain, Honours
Coach: Skonk Nicholson
A great centre in all respects and an outstanding captain. A gifted player, his great ability meant much to the side. He used his speed, change of pace, swerve, side-step and tactical kick to outwit many an opponent and his perfectly timed passes often sent Holmes, his wing, racing for the line. In defence his defence tackling was sure and he often turned up when needed most. To add to his attributes he could place a neat drop goal and he was no mean place kicker.
NP (Neville) Daniels (1973)
Vice Captain, Honours, Natal Schools
Coach: Skonk Nicholson
A splendid fly half. He used a telling tactic kick to keep the opposition under pressure and his place kicking was of great value. He made some fine breaks during the season and got his line away quickly and effectively. His outstanding ability in attack and defence made him an indispensable member of the team. In all he scored 148 points.
GR (Gudgie) Dixon (1976)Honours, School Vice Captain, Natal Schools
Coach: Skonk Nicholson
On the departure of Norton he moved from centre to fly half. A key player in the team, he never had a poor game. His tactical kicks, supporting play and his ability to change the direction of the attack meant much to the side. Quick off the mark and with very safe hands he was able to get his line moving with the minimum of fuss. In addition he was a more than useful place kicker. Dixon combined so effectively with Johnson that some of the leading authorities at the Kroonstad Craven Week felt that as a pair they were the best half back combinations there.
HG (Henry) Coxwell (1981)
Captain, Vice Captain of Natal Schools, Honours
Coach: Skonk Nicholson
Equally at home at centre he had outstanding games in both positions. Quick off the mark his ability to side step and swerve made him an elusive player. His hands were almost faultless and with a keen eye for a gap he was able to make some stimulating breaks. Cool under pressure his flair for switching the direction of the attack put a lots of pressure on the opposition. In all he can look back on the 1981 season with a great deal of quiet pride.
