Boonzaaier’s detour into Maties team worth every step : 2017-05-04
Logan Boonzaaier’s story is not just one that proves dreams do come true, or that hard work will get rewarded, but also that the structures Stellenbosch University and Maties Sport put in place to help prospective and current student-athletes, work.
Boonzaaier has just made his debut for Maties in the Varsity Cup series. His first match in the Maroon jersey is only the end of a very interesting story of determination.
“I was eager to study at the Stellenbosch University. So I applied for the SciMathUS programme 2015 so that I could improve the necessary marks and become a Matie. SciMathUS not only helped me to improve my marks and get admission to the US, but it has also taught me to prioritize better. For me to study and get my degree is the most important. I want to achieve something in my life. I want to someday get a good job,” said the native of Franschhoek.
This programme offers learners, who have already passed Grade 12 (with an average of at least 60%) but who do not qualify for higher education, a second opportunity to improve their NSC results in specific subjects to enable them to re-apply for university programmes. he programme offers students a choice between a Science and Accounting stream. Students therefore take either Mathematics and Physical Sciences. These students rewrite the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination in both subjects; or Mathematics and Introduction into Financial Accounting and Introduction in Economics. These students rewrite the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination only in Mathematics. The other two subjects are offered and assessed by Stellenbosch University as part of the Extended degree programme in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. The programme follows an active learning approach where students learn to take responsibility for their own learning.
Boonzaaier got admission and is currently studying BCom Financial Accounting. Boonzaaier played for PCA in the first year tournament last year. Without realising this was his next step to the Maties rugby team. “Everything happened quite unexpectedly. The coach of the Maties Young Guns, Christoff Lotter saw me play. He called me and told me to come train with the Young Guns. I could not believe it! Part of being a Matie for me is to play rugby for Maties. I then played the season for the Young Guns. Shortly before the end of the year I got another call, this time from Coach Hawies (Fourie, Maties’ coach). He asked me if I would be interested in playing for the Varsity team. Will I be interested! I could not believe it. Another dream come true. I give all the glory to God for the wonderful way things happened in my life thus far.”
Boonzaaier se ompad in Maties-rugbyspan elke tree die moeitewerd : 2017-05-04
Logan Boonzaaier se storie is nie net een wat bewys dat drome waar word, of dat harde werk beloon word nie, maar ook een dat die strukture wat die Universiteit Stellenbosch en Maties Sport in plek sit om voornemede en huidige student-atlete te help, werk.
Boonzaaier het pas sy debuut vir Maties in die Varsitybeker-rugbyreeks gemaak. Sy eerste wedstryd in die Maroon-trui is egter net die einde van ‘n baie interessante storie van vasbyt.
“Ek wou bitter graag aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch studeer. Ek het dus aansoek gedoen vir die SciMathUS-program vir 2015 sodat ek die nodige punte kon verbeter en ek ‘n Matie kon word. SciMathUS het my nie net gehelp om my punte te verbeter en so toelating tot die US te kry nie, maar dit het my ook geleer om beter te prioritiseer. Vir my is om te studeer en my graad te kry die heel belangrikste. Ek wil graag iets bereik in my lewe. Ek wil eendag ‘n goeie werk hê,” het die boorling van Franschhoek vertel.
SciMathUS is ‘n oorbruggingsprogram waartydens leerders ondersteun word om hul matriekresultate in kernvakke te verbeter en sodoende toegang tot universiteit te verkry. Studente volg een van twee kurrikulums: Wiskunde en Fisiese Wetenskappe en herskryf die Nasionale Senior Sertifikaat (NSS) eksamen in beide vakke; of Wiskunde en Inleiding tot Finansiële Rekeningkunde en Inleiding tot Ekonomie en herskryf die NSS-eksamen in Wiskunde. Die ander twee vakke word deur die US aangebied en geassesseer.
Boonzaaier het toelating gekry en studeer tans BCom Finansiële Rekeningkunde. Boonzaaier het verlede jaar vir PSO in die eerstejaarstoernooi gespeel. Niksvermoedends was dit sy volgende tree na die Maties-rugbyspan. “Alles het nogal onverwags gebeur. Die afrigter van die Maties Young Guns, Christoff Lotter het my gesien speel. Hy bel my toe gebel en sê ek moet saam met die Young Guns kom oefen. Ek kon dit nie glo nie! Deel van Matie wees is vir my om vir Maties rugby te speel. Ek het toe die seisoen vir die Young Guns gespeel. Kort voor die einde van die jaar kry ek toe nog ‘n oproep. Die keer van Coach Hawies (Fourie, afrigter van Maties). Hy het my gevra of ek sal belangstel om vir die Varsitybeker-span te kom speel. Sal ek belangstel!? Ek kon dit nie glo nie. Nog ‘n droom wat waar geword het. Ek gee alle eer aan God vir die wonderlike manier waarop dinge in my lewe gebeur.”
Beyers calls halt on rugby career : 2017-05-04
He would have loved to end his career on his own terms, but to take chances with his health was not an option for Maties legend Beyers de Villiers.
De Villiers recently called halt on his career after the game against Tuks – the first in the Varsity Cup – in which he got a hard knock on the head and specialists advised him not to play again.
“Since my school rugby days I got concussed some 13 times and the last two years it was every two or three months. The side effects only became worse. I had headaches, difficulty with concentration and there were also times of amnesia. Before this year’s Varsity Cup I returned to the specialist and they told me that if I get concussed again they wont clear me to play. I lost consciousness for a few moments after the knock in the game against Tuks. And I knew … It just became too dangerous to play,” said De Villiers.
“It was a difficult, but also an easy decision to stop playing. The injury in fact made the decision for me. The doctor gave me no choice but to stop playing. There was no choice for me. So in that sense, it was easy. The hard part is that I am missing out on my last year of rugby. And that it happened at the beginning of the season. I would love to have played this year.”
To play with his health was never worth the risk, said De Villiers. “Any other injury – shoulder, leg, knee, hand – you can recover from. With good rehabilitation and treatment you can play, but with your brain…”
De Villiers made his debut for Maties in 2011. After six seasons what De Villiers will miss most at Maties is the off the field memories. “The culture, the feeling of being part of a family and the lessons I have learned. These are the highlights. I have made many friends and build relationships. Stellenbosch is also special. We played in two Varsity Cup finals, but unfortunately did not win. So I will remember the family culture the most form my time at Maties.”
In his time at Maties De Villiers played under Chean Roux, Chris Rossouw and now Hawies Fourie. “Maties Rugby is definitely on the right track. Hawies’ approach is one of establishing structures for support and a professional culture. Players get support so that they can study, go to the gym, etc. We will soon be where we should be. Like those universities that are linked to a union, such as Tukkies.”
De Villiers’ advice is to get complete concussion tests at the beginning of each season. “Find out what your baseline is. If you get with a few knocks – it’s difficult to assess the damage with every knock – go for tests again. Be honest with yourself about the symptoms. You’ll know instantly if it gets worse; when your memory or concentration deteriorates. Do not throw away your life because you want to play rugby for another year.”
Beyers klaar rugby gespeel : 2017-05-04
Hy sou baie graag sy rugbyloopbaan op sy eie terme wou afsluit, maar om kanse te waag met sy gesondheid, was nie ‘n opsie vir Maties-legende Beyers de Villiers nie.
De Villiers het onlangs halt geroep op sy rugbyloopbaan nadat hy in die wedstryd teen Tukkies – die eerste in die Varsitybeker-rugbyreeks – ‘n harde stamp teen sy kop gekry het en spesialiste hom aanbeveel het om nie weer te speel nie.
“Ek het sedert my skool-rugby dae al 13 keer of meer harsingsskudding gekry en die afgelope twee jaar was dit elke twee of drie maande. Die newe effekte het net erger geword. Ek het kopseer gehad, gesukkel met konsentrasie en daar was ook kere van geheue verlies. Voor vanjaar se Varsitybeker-reeks was ek weer by die spesialis en daar is toe vir my gesê as ek nog een stamp kry, hulle my nie verdere toestemming kan gee om te speel nie. Teen Tukkies was die stamp so hard ek was vir ‘n paar oomblikke bewusteloos. En toe weet ek… Dit het net te gevaarlik geraak om te speel,” vertel De Villiers.
“Dit was ‘n moeilike, maar ook maklike besluit om op te hou speel. Die besering het in werklikheid vir my besluit. Die dokter het namens my besluit! Daar was geen ander keuse vir my nie. So in daardie opsig, was dit maklik. Die moeilike deel is dat ek nou uitmis op my laaste jaar van rugby. En dat dit sommer aan die begin van die seisoen gebeur het. Ek sou baie graag die jaar nog wou speel.”
Om met sy gesondheid te speel, is egter nooit die moeitewerd nie, sê De Villiers. “Enige ander besering – skouer, been, knie, hand – kan herstel. Met goeie rehabilitasie en behandeling kan jy weer speel, maar jou brein…”
De Villiers het in 2011 sy debuut vir Maties gemaak. Ná ses seisoene is De Villiers beslis oor wat hy die meeste gaan mis van Matie-wees. “Die kultuur, die gevoel dat jy deel van ‘n familie is en die lesse wat ek geleer het. Dit is die hoogtepunte. Ek het baie vriende gemaak en verhoudings opgebou. Stellenbosch is ook besonders. Ons het in twee Varsitybeker-eindstryde gespeel, maar ongelukkig nie een gewen nie. So vir my is dit die familie-kultuur by Maties wat ek altyd sal onthou.”
De Villiers het in sy tyd by Maties onder Chean Roux, Chris Rossouw en nou Hawies Fourie as afrigters gespeel. “Maties Rugby is beslis op die regte pad. Hawies se benadering is een van strukture vir ondersteuning en ‘n professionele kultuur daar te stel. Spelers kry ondersteuning sodat hulle kan studeer, kan gym toe gaan, ens. Daar word hard gewerk aan die kultuur en strukture. Ons sal binnekort wees waar ons moet wees. Soos dié universiteite wat gekoppel is aan ‘n unie het, soos Tukkies.”
De Villiers se raad aan ander is om vir volledige harsingskudding toetse aan die begin van elke seisoen te gaan. “Vind uit waar jou basislyn is. As jy weer ‘n paar stampe kry – dis so moeilik om te bepaal wat die skade met elke stamp is – gaan weer vir toetse. Wees altyd eerlik met jouself oor die simptome. Jy sal dadelik weet wanneer dit erger word en wanneer jou geheue of konsentrasie agteruitgaan. Moenie jou lewe weggooi omdat jy graag nog ‘n jaar of wat wil rugby speel nie.”
Luke continues the Schooling-legacy : 2016-10-31
Being a Matie is somewhat of a family tradition and one that Luke Schooling was more than happy to continue!
First year Matie Luke followed the example of dad Doug, mom Norma and sisters Meg and Kimmi to study at the Stellenbosch University. “I have always wanted to be a Matie. My mom played hockey for Maties and I always wanted to follow in her footsteps. And after watching Maties play in the Western Province Grand Challenge the past few seasons I just knew I had to wear that maroon shirt!”
Schooling is an LLB-student and resident of Simonsberg. “The year has been going really well and I definitely made the right call in what I study and being at Maties.”
The former SACS-pupil not only excelled in hockey, but also water polo. “It is like hockey a family passion with my dad and sisters also having played water polo. But I don’t have any regrets choosing hockey over water polo.”
Fans of Maties Hockey are just as happy that Schooling choose hockey. In the final match of the WPGC this year Schooling scored the winning goal. It was one of a handful of goals the youngster scored in a season, which you could see him grow with confidence and get better every game.
2016 FNB Varsity MEN’S Hockey, Round 4, Monday 09 May 2016, UJ Hockey Field, Gertjie Lamprecht of NWU PUKKE in action with Luke Schooling of US MATIES during their varsity cup men clash on monday evening in Johannesburg Gauteng.
Photo by: SASPA
According to Schooling finding balance between hockey and studies is something of a trial and error process, but he did get a lot of help from those around him. “I get to feed of the players around me in the team and in my res there are various HP sportsman and seeing what they do helps. Having played hockey and water polo at school while focusing on studies as well prepared me a bit.”
Hockey is part of the Maties Sport High Performance Programme. “It was something I have never experienced before. At the beginning of the year I could see the senior guys adapting faster to the intensity. The HP programme helped my game immensely, especially the physical training sessions. The intensity of all our sessions is vital for the success of our hockey. Having someone like Revs (Paul Revington) around is very beneficial and it was phenomenal to experience.”
Schooling added: “The past 10 months have been incredible. Not a single regret. You can’t beat Stellenbosch…so glad to be here.”
2016 FNB Varsity MEN’S Hockey, Round 3, Sunday 08 May 2016, UJ Hockey Field, Johannesburg Gauteng.
MATIES v NMMU
Dylan Swanepoel (c) of MATIES
Photo by: CATHERINE KOTZE/ SASPA
Luke sit Schooling-tradisie voort : 2016-10-31
Om ‘n Matie te wees is ietwat van ‘n familie tradisie en een wat Luke Schooling meer as gelukkig was om voort te sit.
Eerste jaar Matie Luke het die voorbeeld van pa Doug, ma Norma en susters Meg en Kimmi gevolg om by die Universitiet Stellenbosch te studeer. “Ek wou nog altyd ‘n Matie wees. My ma het hokkie vir Maties gespeel en ek wou nog altyd haar voorbeeld volg. En nadat ek die afgelope paar seisoene vir Maties in aksie gesien het, het ek met net meer oortuiging geweet ek wil daardie maroen-trui oor my kop trek!”
Schooling is ‘n LLB-student en inwoner van Simonsberg. “Die jaar het baie goed verloop. Ek het beslis die regte besluit oor my studies en Matie-wees geneem.”
Die voormalige SACS-leerling het nie net in hokkie nie, maar ook waterpolo uitgeblink. “Dit is soos hokkie ‘n familie-passie met my pa en susters wat ook waterpolo gespeel het. Maar ek is nie spyt oor die keuse wat ek gemaak het om hokkie bo waterpolo te kies nie.”
Aanhangers van Maties Hokkie is net so bly oor Schooling se keuse. In die eindstryd van die WPGC het Schooling die wendoel aangeteken. Dit was een van ‘n handvol doele wat die jongeling aangeteken het die seisoen, waar jy kon sien sy selfvertoue en spel verbeter met elke wedstryd.
Volgens Schooling is om balans tussen hokkie en studies te vind ‘n interessante proses, maar dat hy baie hulp van sy spanmaats kry. “Ek sien ook wat die ander HP-sportmanne in my koshuis doen. Die feit dat ek hokkie en waterpolo op skool gedoen het en ook op my studies moes fokus, het my so bietjie van ‘n voorsmakie gegee.”
Hokkie is deel van die Maties Sport Hoë Prestasie-program. “Dit was iets wat ek nog nooit voorheen ervaar het nie. Aan die begin van die jaar kon ek sien hoe die senior ouens vinniger by die intensiteit aanpas. Die HP-program het my baie gehelp met my algemene spel, veral die fisiese oefensessies. Die intensiteit van al die sessies is noodsaaklik vir die sukses van ons hokkie. Dit is ook voordelig om iemand soos Revs (Paul Revington) te hê wat ons help. Dit is ongelooflik om te beleef. ”
Schooling het bygevoeg: “Die afgelope 10 maande was ongelooflik. Nie ‘n enkele iets om oor spyt te wees nie. Jy kry nie beter as Stellenbosch nie… ek is so bly om hier te wees.”
Nuwe Maties-krieketkaptein Erasmus slaggereed vir uitdaging : 2016-10-31
Dié voor hom het diepspore by Steinhoff Maties Krieket getrap, maar die nuwe kaptein wil egter meer as net in hul voetspore volg; Gerhard Erasmus is vasbeslote om sy eie stempel af te druk.
Erasmus is pas aangewys as Maties-krieketkaptein vir die nuwe seisoen. Dewald Botha en Emile Kriek was die afgelope paar seisoene die leiers in die span. “Emile en Dewald was nie net goeie leiers nie. Hulle was ook briljante spelers en goeie mense. Hulle was die toonbeeld van goeie studente wees. Hulle het hard gewerk, hard geoefen en hard geswot!” het Erasmus gesê.
Volgens Erasmus is dit egter nou belangrik dat die sogenaamde nuwe generasie Maties hul eie kultuur vind en vestig. “Ons wil natuurlik voortbou op die tradisies wat reeds deur die jare gevestig is, maar ons is nogal ‘n jong groep spelers en dit gaan belangrik wees om ons eie kultuur te vestig en ons stempel op ‘n unieke manier af te druk. Dit is ons eerste uitdaging.”
Erasmus is ‘n tweede jaar LLB-student en speel sedert sy eerste jaar vir Maties. “Om ‘n speler-student by Maties te wees is wonderlik. Wat Maties vir Maties bied verseker dat mens hier wil wees.”
Oor kaptein wees, is Erasmus passievol. “Dit is vir my ‘n groot eer en voorreg om Maties se kaptein te wees. Leierskap kom natuurlik vir my. Kapteinskap is ‘n aangename verantwoordelikheid. Ek speel beter as ek kaptein van ‘n span is…dit is waar ek hoort.”
Krieket is deel van Maties Sport se Hoë Prestasie-program en volgens Erasmus maak dit ‘n enorme verskil. “Dit is noodsaaklik om ‘n HP-program te hê. Maties se HP-program is alles omvattend en veral Grant van Velden se rol as kondisioneringsafrigter, is van onskatbare waarde.”
Die nuwe Boland-klubkrieketliga het reeds begin.
New Maties Cricket captain Erasmus ready for challenge : 2016-10-31
Those before him left big shoes to fill, but the new Steinhoff Maties Cricket captain wants more than just to follow in their footsteps; Gerhard Erasmus is determined to leave his own legacy.
Erasmus has been appointed as Maties captain for the new season. The past few seasons Dewald Botha and Emile Kriek were the leaders in the team. “Emile and Dewald were not only good leaders. They were also brilliant players and great people. They were the epitome of good students. They worked hard, trained hard and studied hard,” said Erasmus.
For Erasmus it is important that the so-called new generation of Maties establish their own culture. “For sure we want to build on the traditions that have been established over the years, but we are a young squad and it will be important to establish our own culture. It is our first challenge. ”
Erasmus is a second-year LLB student and played for Maties since his first year. “To be a player-student at Maties is wonderful. What Maties offer Maties ensures that you want to be here.”
Erasmus is passionate about captaincy. “It is a great honour and privilege to be Maties’ captain. Leadership comes naturally to me. Captaincy is a pleasant responsibility. I play better when I captain a team … It is where I belong. ”
Cricket is part of Maties Sport’s High Performance programme and according to Erasmus this makes a huge difference. “It is essential to have an HP programme. Maties’ HP programme is all including and especially Grant van Velden’s role as conditioning coach is invaluable.”
The new Boland club cricket league has already started.
As a Matie, Edwill is living his dream : 2016-10-27
Edwill van der Merwe
Foto: Thys Lombard
As a student at Stellenbosch University the 19-year-old Edwill van der Merwe is living his dream.
“I always wanted to be a Matie,” says the Maties rugby player with pride.
Van der Merwe made his debut for Steinhoff Maties this year. He also played for the Western Province u21 team after last year being part of the Western Province Rugby Institute based at Stellenbosch Academy of Sport. Van der Merwe also started his Sports Science at the University last year already.
“I must say that the fact that I have been able to do a few subjects last year and finish it made my life this year so much easier.”
It was a very busy year for the House Neethling resident. After he made his debut for Maties in the Varsity Cup, he was also selected for the Junior Springboks. Although the South African u20 team did not have the best Junior World Championships, it was for Van der Merwe nothing less than successful. He did not only score one of the best tries in the tournament, but was also one of only two South Africans who were included in the tournament’s Dream Team. The other player was Curwin Bosch.
Van der Merwe this year mostly played for the WP u21 team, but he made his senior WP debut in the Currie Cup tournament’s qualifying phase.
“I will never forget my debut for Maties. It was unbelievable. And to score my first try in the Maroon jersey … is something I have dreamed off ever since I was 12 years old and a ball boy at the Danie Craven Stadium for Maties games. I remember staring open-mouthed at the players and simply knowing that one day I want to pull that jersey over my head.”
Along with his Maties debut being a Junior Springbok was another highlight of 2016 for the fast winger. “It was not the best tournament for the team, but I had a great time learning and experiencing so much.”
Van der Merwe does not only speak with great enthusiasm about Maties Rugby. He is definitely a proud sportsman and student. “I enjoy my studies. Like I always knew I wanted to play for Maties, I knew that I wanted to study Sports Science so I can be a biokineticist. It is going very well thus far. It’s hard work not only to study, but also to find the balance. But I like challenges and am getting an incredible amount of support from the Maties Sport’s High Performance programme. As HP sport Maties Rugby is on a high level and it means a lot. I know I will be exposed to and experience the best.”
Van der Merwe was named the WP u21 Player of the Year at the WP Rugby Awards and was also named the Maties Young Player of the Year.
Edwill leef sy droom by Maties : 2016-10-27
Edwill van der Merwe
Foto: Thys Lombard
As ‘n student aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch leef die 19-jarige Edwill van der Merwe sy droom.
“Ek wou nog altyd ‘n Matie gewees het,” vertel die Maties-rugbyspeler met trots.
Van der Merwe het vanjaar sy debuut vir Steinhoff Maties gemaak. Hy speel ook vir die Westelike Provinsie se o.21-span nadat hy verlede jaar deel van die Westelike Provinsie Rugby Instituut gebaseer by die Stellenbosch Akademie vir Sport was. Van der Merwe het reeds verlede jaar begin om Sportwetenskap aan die US te swot.
“Ek moet sê die feit dat ek al verlede jaar ‘n paar vakke kon doen en klaarmaak het vanjaar my lewe soveel makliker gemaak.”
Dit was omtrent ‘n besige jaar vir die Huis Neethling-inwoner. Ná hy sy debuut vir Maties in die Varsitybeker-reeks gemaak het, is hy ook gekies vir die Junior Springbokke. Ofskoon die Suid-Afrikaanse o.20-span nie die beste Junior Wêreld Kampioenskapstoernooi gehad het nie, was dit vir Van der Merwe niks minder nie as baie suksesvol. Hy het nie net een van die beste drieë in die toernooi gedruk nie, maar is ook een van net twee Suid-Afrikaners wat in die toernooi se Droomspan ingesluit is. Die ander speler wat Curwin Bosch.
Van der Merwe het vanjaar grotendeels vir die WP o.21-span gespeel, maar het ook sy debuut vir die WP senior span gemaak in die Curriebeker-reeks se kwalifiserende fase.
“Ek sal nooit my debuut vir Maties vergeet nie. Dit was ongelooflik. En toe om my eerste drie in die Maroon-trui te druk…is iets waarvan ek al gedroom het toe ek 12 jaar oud was en baljoggie in die Danie Craven-stadion vir Maties-wedstryde was. Ek onthou hoe ek oopmond na die spelers gestaar het en net eenvoudig geweet het, ek wil ook eendag daardie trui oor my kop trek.”
Saam met sy Maties-debuut was sy Junior Springbok ervaring die ander hoogtepunt van 2016 vir die blitsige vleuel. “Dit was nie die beste toernooi vir die span nie, maar ek het ongelooflik baie ervaar en geleer. Dit was ‘n trotste oomblik.”
Van der Merwe praat nie net met groot entoesiasme oor Maties Rugby nie. Hy is beslis ‘n trotse sportman en student. “Ek geniet my studies baie. Net soos ek altyd geweet het ek wil vir Maties speel, het ek geweet dat ek Sportwetenskap wil studeer sodat ek ‘n biokinetikus kan word. Dit gaan tot dusver baie goed. Dit is harde werk nie net om te studeer nie, maar om die balans te vind. Ek hou egter van uitdagings en kry ongelooflik baie ondersteuning van Maties Sport se Hoë Prestasie-program. As HP sport word Maties Rugby op ‘n hoë vlak bedryf en dit beteken baie. Ek weet ek word blootgestel aan net die beste.”
Van der Merwe is as die WP o.21 se Speler van die Jaar aangewys by die WP Rugby-toekennings en is Maties se Jongspeler van die Jaar.