CHASING THE EGG | Understanding SA Rugby | MARITZBURG vs AFFIES OLD BOYS

My trip to South Africa is about FAR more than 2 epic Test Matches between the World Champs and the 6 Nations Champs. I'm trying to understand what rugby means here. That journey took me to Pietermaritzburg for an Old Boys match between 2 proud South African rugby schools.

[@ThabangNong-bl6do]

We have become so accustomed to your content to a point that if you don’t post for 24 hours some of us get worried 😂😂 . Love your channel

[@SB-wh9kf]

Yes 🙂 It is not always safe. Being unfamiliar with all the crime spots can be disadvantageous.

[@alexiachamberlin8019]

True

[@nadinelund5681]

Love this comment

[@eleanorjames1118]

Exactly. Call me paranoid, but I got a bit jittery there. Was really starting to think he might have gotten himself mugged on one of those beautiful, desserted beaches.

[@MqondisiKhuluse]

It's so great to see an Englishman visiting our country as a South African 🙌🙌🇿🇦

[@coatknight]

A lot of Englishmen who visit SA end up staying, or visit regularly.

[@MondliNhlaka]

You are genuinely having the trip of a lifetime with the sport you love. I love it for you

[@EggchasersRugby]

Appreciate it. And you're 100% correct

[@Ebendejongh1]

Why does youtube hide comments.

[@dumisaralane]

Tim the way you are promoting the sport of rugby is so refreshing. As a South African you made me aware of how ingrained rugby is to our culture. For me to learn that from an Englishman as opposed to my fellow countrymen speaks volumes about your passion for rugby. Well done 😎👏🏽🇿🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@conneltheunissen2997]

As a teacher/coach at Durban High School I spent many hours in opposition to Maritzburg College mostly on the losing side😢 but it is an awesome school. Not only Jesse Kriel but also WC winning Flyhalves Joel Stranski and Butch James. So glad you have had the opportunity to savour our rugby culture at all levels.

[@mattbargeable]

I was born and raised in Durban, lived for 3 years as a child in Joburg, went to high school in Martizburg and have now lived in Cape Town for 20 years, so your adventures through SA are highly nostalgic for me! I feel so proud and happy that you've enjoyed SA so far and I am excited for you t come see Cape Town later on! I have also always taken the rugby infrastructure here for granted so its great to see an outside perspective on it. I also have come to really appreciate how Rassie, Siya & the team have managed to expand the interest in rugby in this country!

[@BB_SA2027]

Thank you for your love for South Africa OUR LAND🇿🇦 You have shown the world all that is right with 🇿🇦

[@alexanderweideman324]

This is South Africa at its best!!!! Love this. Rugby is in our blood

[@gregjohn6034]

That South African sun set, nothing beats it. I miss home.

[@FloatLikeABee]

me too

[@ShredderZA]

@@FloatLikeABee Me three. I'll visit home in 2 weeks. Absolutely buzzing!

[@johnwagenhauser9835]

You have done so much for South Africa and SA rugby. Thank you

[@Potemkin2000]

Tim's enthusiasm has me visiting the rugby club again to see school boys and minor club teams playing again! Awesome!

[@stevedavidson666]

As a pom who played his best rugby in the Eastern Free State, the sight of the College field made my knees twitch, and the memories of the screams after the games when I first washed the dust out of the grass burns on them and then again when I threw on the red mercurichrome to sanitise them, came back and reminded me of the fantastic times I had there (no, really)

[@myshepspud1]

Oof yes I forgot about the grass burns.

[@Pooler29]

I played for Eastern Free State while doing my national service in 1982-83. I still have my blue and white checked jersey

[@stevedavidson666]

@@Pooler29 Great! I didn't get into the EFS side, but had a fantastic time playing with the Poultneys at Riverside in 1971. I can take you to the spot at Goble Park - which I revisited for old times' sake in 2011 - where I got nailed at a lineout and still have a sore neck... Good times. Then I got transferred to Sishen where Joggie Jansen's brother Koot reminded me it was time to retire.

[@jamesmcclarty-miller7886]

If there is one thing I appreciate about going to school in South Africa ( Jeppe Boys, but most of our schools ), was the effort to instill manners and respect in us at a young age. Left school 15 years ago and I still call any person I meet Sir/Ma'am when I meet them.

[@myshepspud1]

Agreed!

[@etiennebeukes9384]

Matriculated at Jeppe 47 years ago and I’m so proud to see that the ethos is alive there and in other schools in South Africa.

[@rorkesparks2598]

We left the UK for our son to go to Maritzburg College….. best decision of our lives!!!!

[@queyoung754]

If I may ask why you chose maritzberg

[@thamigama7434]

@@rorkesparks2598 very good decision. Sets him up for life!

[@rorkesparks2598]

@@thamigama7434 it truly has!!!!

[@rorkesparks2598]

@@queyoung754 just everything about this school…. The rich history…. The old school discipline snd values…. And the strength of the Old Boy Society….. as they say at the school.. 5 years for life

[@johanherman8961]

Thanks Tim for the video of the game. I’m an old affies boy living in Godalming Surrey. Really home sick now.

[@RozWentworth]

Tim..would like you to react to school war cries in South Africa...glad you're really enjoying and experiencing first hand our country's genuine love for rugby...hope to see a video up later of pregame rugby gees before the big one...thank you once again for featuring our country on your channel

[@lastmanstanding9389]

I also thought of mentioning school warcries

[@scottwarwick7514]

Something to consider in particular: there are 9 teams playing today in the U19 age group. At minimum, that’s 270 boys that will be playing against each other in one age group alone. While fielding 9 teams is definitely not the norm at all South African boys schools, it is common that a boys school would have at least 6 teams at u19 level (and then four teams for u16, u15, u14, etc.). All of this, while you will still find a massive number of other school boys playing other winter sports (hockey, cross country, etc.) instead of rugby. That’s depth.

[@mariovanrompaey9291]

Well done Tim, this is the real deal, miles away from the big money games but exactly what this great game is all about. What an ambassador for the game of rugby you are, you should definately be presented with match tickets everywhere you turn up! Keep up the great work 👍

[@christodebeer2913]

This channel has fast become one of my favorites to watch🏉 rugby for the win!!

[@amygopal6565]

Thank you for showing that rugby in South Africa is not just about the hard hits.. its also tactical, thoughtful and full of love for the sport.

[@theborgster8497]

Hoping you'll get to visit Paarl Gym and Boy's High when you're here in Cape Town

[@davidpells4298]

For me this is a no frills foundation level podcast ..Maybe your best yet .. Something I can relate to ..

[@EggchasersRugby]

Appreciate it. Thanks for watching

[@davidpells4298]

@@EggchasersRugby watched your series on hard rugby men .. Maybe do a little research while you on A South African theme of One Eyed Martin Pelser ..A bit forgotten with the current generation but generally regarded by us old topies as the hardest man ever in Bok rugby .😁

[@johnhynes3937]

One of your most enjoyable posts. Never been in Africa not mind SA but got a great feel for their Rugby Culture.

[@gysgijsbers4202]

Fantastic vid as an old Affie-boy (1984 matric I remember Billy Beaumont visiting our school as Lions' Captain in 1980), my sister lives in Hluhluwe & her son is in Maritzburg College Boarding School...enjoy KZN & the Ireland/Springbok Test!!! ❤🏉🏉🏉🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@NeilOosthuizen]

Highlight of the day getting one of your videos Tim.

[@petrilabuschagne]

Love your content. Thanks for shining such a beautiful light on South Africa

[@Jay-Leigh863]

Tim, welcome to Joel Stransky's old school. And the Kriel twins, Jesse and Dan. To name just a few Springboks from Maritzburg College.

[@mikebrownphotography2784]

Don’t forget Peter Grant and Butch James

[@sachinbangaru737]

Ntuthuko Mchunu as well.

[@mikebrownphotography2784]

@@sachinbangaru737 definitely

[@thomaselliott7831]

And the greatest cricketer of all time… Kevin Peterson!!

[@tuansnyman_creative]

Fun fact from a maritzburg College old boy, the cricket pitch on the field of Goldstones nicknamed satans table...you can see why 😅

[@EggchasersRugby]

LOVE it

[@MiguelGomes-kg6ml]

Loving the channel Tim, really getting to the soul of what rugby really means to us South Africans🇿🇦

[@alsandraochonogor188]

I’m a South African living in England. I’ve subscribed to your channel, and feel a renewed sense of pride in South Africa and our rugby. I love the way you deliver your you tube channel, respect for rugby, and the insight you give the rest of the world about South African rugby. Love that South Africans always offer you beer, brandy and biltong!

[@jean-pierreduven7234]

Your uploads are brilliant, I love how you capture the behind the scenes stuff and really express what things are like, great job as always

[@jamestorlage1461]

First time I’ve come across your Channel - awesome! As a College Old Boy (Class of ‘96) that was an amazing trip down memory lane on the sacred turf of Goldstones - so many good memories. Just have to add, my team beat Affies in my 6th Form year 😉 Both incredible schools. 🔴⚫️⚪️

[@JasonBullrich]

Went to St Charles in PMB. Could feel the temperature there. Freezing in the morning and it gets warm quickly. Thank you for being in my heartland. I really hope you remember the trip for a long time. Jason, Colchester, UK

[@danielskilton3575]

Amazing school. As a Westville old boy they were really fun to play against in school, especially against Dan and Jesse Kriel

[@chrisvonfintel1194]

Having been tackled on that cricket pitch in the middle of the field, I can confirm that it’s rock hard! Love watching your travels and getting amongst the locals! Keep it up

[@truetone2525]

Tim... so so happy you get to experience and tell about our culture... super chuffed!! Lekka!!

[@Davido2369]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, you do a great job at promoting the essence of rugby culture

[@user-rc7ly2fr4y]

Im glad you showing the world why Springbok rugby is where is at today is because it starts from the School grounds ,and it shows you how passionate we are as a nation for the game towards the game of rigby but thank you for this you showing the world and please do visit our country again in the future and tell people in England about our beautiful county and hospitality all the best for you and i hope you ejoy your stay in the motherland

[@BOBINKINGA]

Being an OC myself it makes me proud to see the traditions of my school have not changed ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@trevoroutim8519]

You're really experiencing our country's rugby culture 100%. So awesome Tim.🙌

[@tdp7244]

From an Old Affie I really loved this coverage and loved seeing you in a Affie jersey Tim. Awesome stuff and thank you.

[@globallatitude-dmacorporat5886]

College fields are hard! Used to have steel sideline flags in the junior matches. Played against them frequently from u13 and up. They had about 14 open teams back then. Awesome school with proper discipline.

[@andrewwarren3566]

I am so happy you came to experience our rugby culture, respect 👊

[@grahambennetts]

They don't grow grass on Goldstones...just paint the concrete green. Was a very happy schoolmaster there for 20 odd years... respect to all of our traditional rivals. See you at PBHS next weekend. Great work, Tim.

[@ltvtech]

Thanks for broadcasting the prayer as well. That is very much part of South African Rugby

[@Aesyrbane]

Special video for me as I was in line to attend Maritzburg College back in 1999 but my family migrated to Australia at the start of that year. It's an incredibly prestigious high school with a proud history as you found out. Thanks for a great video!

[@thembelihlemnikathi2231]

Welcome, I'm from pietermaritzburg,I started following your page during the rugby world cup, and you are amazing

[@JB-qo6no]

Super proud of SA people making you feel so welcome and part of the action. Well done 🇿🇦

[@BretIrwin-pv4rd]

Always love your content Tim. Always look for the notifications. Thanks for putting in the hard yards and putting out proper content worth watching.

[@paulcoetzee6663]

Always great content Tim, thank you. Glad you have a taste of my old homeland, enjoy. 100k soon mate!

[@neilcollins6514]

Awesome Tim, these big school derby weekends are unbelievable

[@kierontreas5971]

Of all the schools in the world, you end up visiting mine. Love it and love to see the comradeship between College and Affies is still alive and well! 🔴⚫️⚪️

[@HayManned]

Affies and Maritzburg are great schools both great competition

[@adrianincapetown7043]

A couple of other Maritzburg old boys are Joel Stransky and Butch James. Both World Cup winning flyhaves.

[@CalvinLacockUK]

Tim, genuinely thankful for your video's. I've tried to explain to the school my boys go to (Surrey) how different schools rugby in SA is and I just dont think any of them can get their heads around it. I may have missed it but I genuinely hope you can make a proper western cape school derby - say Paarl Gim vs Paarl Boys High or something with Paul Roos - when you are down for the Boks vs Nz as it's MASSIVE. I turn up at 1st team matches here in Surrey and we'll have 50 spectators on a good day - lacking that rugby and community culture - and I feel soo sad that we cant recreate some of that here in the UK !

[@lawrance5453]

Thanks Tim! So lekker to see you showcasing Rugby culture in our beautiful country 🇿🇦

[@theoclarke5510]

What a heartfelt review, tears of pride for my country brother, thank you...

[@kennethpayle3670]

You need to visit games on the Cape west coast, Saldana and the 'Coloured' communities of Boland, Paarl and SWD to get a feel of SA rugby. Also rugby among black communities in the Eastern Cape. Get a full picture. Currently you are getting a history of traditional white rugby in SA. These schools then recruit from these black and coloured communities mentioned.

[@MorgMorg-uf6ps]

Smells like TEAM spirit...when something becomes more than the sum if its parts🙏❤😊

[@annebuchan8879]

Tim, your best video. International rugby gets a lot of attention but getting back to the roots of the game is so inspirational. Thank you

[@OldSchool-om2zo]

Other notable Maritzburg College old boys include Joel Stransky, Butch James, Jonty Rhodes and Kevin Pietersen

[@ItsMeMooky]

Don't forget David Miller

[@malcolmvanhilten125]

Forgot Jonty was there too. Man he was on another level as a sportsman. Hockey. tennis, golf and ofcourse Cricket.

[@russelldold4827]

I'd be very interested in your comparisons if you ever get the opportunity to go to New Zealand and tour their grass roots and schools rugby systems. So glad you're enjoying our country.

[@mazibukomail]

Interestingly enough, the current headmaster of Maritzburg College used to be headmaster of a school in New Zealand.

[@wezvandez]

I'm a teacher in Auckland and it is NOT custom for Kiwi kids to greet visitors 'hello sir', 'hello ma'am'. South African schools need to cherish that tradition.

[@brandwessels8582]

Mostly just part of the culture - my son at varsity tells me that is still.the way there too. I lecture adults in commercial aviation training and still get called "sir" all the time. Many call me "uncle" - and not in a derogatory way.😂

[@wezvandez]

@@brandwessels8582 Still important to grow up with manners enough to greet visitors, every teacher, cleaners and ground staff.

[@wlk2408]

We have so many special Interschool games in our country. Almost every town will have a special Interschools. However you have to go to the Paarl Interschools. It is the biggest rugby interschools in the world. Paarl interschools is a week of sport. Starts Monday and ends on Saturday with the first rugby teams from both schools. The Rugby games start on Wednesday with the primary school games. Thursday the three old boys games. Friday the high school teams, 23 games and then on Saturday the u15 and u16 A teams, the second xv and the first teams. The Saturday game will see between 20 to 28 thousand spectators. After 100 Interschools games the average winning margin is less than four points.

[@skattebol29]

Tim love your content brother, that’s my old school up the 🔴⚫️⚪️🙌🏾

[@malcolmvanhilten125]

Lekker Tim, I went to school up the hill back in the late 80"s Joel Stransky was still at Maritzburg college. We didnt win anything in those days. And to be honest not much before or after. They are a great school and their old boys and current parents keep that public school performing at the highest levels, despite very little support from the govt. Great to see you finding a way into the inner circles, makes for a great video once more. Thank you

[@marcolaubscher9786]

Happens in paarl as well with the biggest interschools rugby game in the world. First weekend in august paarl gimnasiun vs paarl boys high

[@MarkT.BrownMD]

Fantastic video , that hard pitch brought back memories of my high school days at Queens College in Queenstown SA . Great traditions of Schools rugby in SA haven’t changed 💪🏽

[@hyonimarru]

Yes Tim it is a cricket pitch there. It is one of the reasons Goldstone's is one of the most feared pitches in the province. It is hard as hell,😆I played a couple of games there as a kid back in the day.

[@mthunziphakathi4215]

Those who have played on Goldstones know how hard that cricket pitch is on a dry day and how slippery it is on a rainy day.

[@khayasontsele8984]

Great to see you are covering these events too. You are at my proud alma mater this weekend.

[@donovanmostert6692]

School boy rugby is the core of sa rugby culture.go to any game.even the schools down around 150 to 250 rankings and the atmosphere is pure magic.well done Tim to getting down to a school game

[@danienelphoto]

It would be wild if you could stay another 3 weeks and see the Paarl Derby :)

[@neilshrekpurves4521]

Well done Tim, a lovely episode

[@AttieHeunis]

OMG I love this channel! Tim, you have such a great unassuming style.

[@t.bozmkw3562]

Tim you need to go to the Eastern Cape or Western Cape and see rugby in the economically deprived areas. You need to see Kholisi’s journey where a culture exists. He is from 3 generations of rugby.

[@garethclark59]

I like what you’ve done with the title there…🤩😋 very informative videos! Thanks for all your efforts! Keep them coming 😊

[@Burninglash]

You really have been able to get a good glimpse of ourvrugby culture. Hope you have enjoyed your trip here

[@jaycordner3890]

Famous alumni are jonty Rhodes, kevin Pietersen Eng captain and batsman. Joel Stransky world cup winning flyhalf. Jessie Kreil current springbok outside centre. Probably a few more but these I remember.

[@BaconPancake165]

Thank you for visiting my old school!

[@lwazisomya6493]

You need to visit township rugby derbies and tournaments the next time you are in South Africa. It's another element of SA Rugby you need to explore.

[@Princi350]

The best Schoolboy rugby Derbys in South Africa are our Traditional English vs Afrikaans element 🇿🇦

[@Linda_D]

Welcome to our beautiful province. I’m about an hour away right next to the sea 😄

[@nkanyisomdunge9147]

Hope you enjoyed your visit in my beautiful home town Pietermaritzburg

[@lastmanstanding9389]

Thanks for showing me the history and culture of rugby in my own country,SA.

[@vegman9415]

I’m an old College Number 12 💪🏻thanks for promoting the school in such a way. Goldstones is the hardest field in the country 💪🏻

[@williestrydom515]

I absolutely loved the title😂😂

[@timothynxele8277]

Tim, that's my school... very passionate young lads, keep it up Tim, I'm enjoying this....

[@SipheSithole]

🔴⚫⚪ Old Collegian (2013) I miss playing on Goldstones man!! I've had a few bloody encounters with the cricket pitch we call Satan's Table. Great to meet Tim yesterday. Glad you're having a great time in mzansi 🇿🇦

[@user-mr9xe6lr3y]

College old boy here, very proud of my school and that you went there Tim 💪🏻

[@StephenHough-kk1cd]

I do see a return visit ...

[@robertfridjhon550]

I played varsity-level rugby in Pretoria!! All I can say to the armchair experts who "played a bit a school"! Everything is ten times more!!! .. the size of the opposition, the speed of the game as well as the pain! I played against Henry Honeyball at school!! Ouch!!! It was like trying to tackle an eel made of concrete and KY Jelly!! He was my nemesis!!

[@Jesus_is_Lord_316]

Chasing the Egg nogal!! lol Tim, just immigrate here already and get it over with!! South Africa will never leave your blood now - it's in your head!! 😆

[@AllanBanfield-j8y]

Tim - Thanks for all the good publicity you are posting about SA on your Ireland v Boks tour. Could you assist UK viewers by explaining that Affies is the nickname for Afrikaanse Hoerskool [Afrikaans High School] in Pretoria. This is where Bok legend Naas Botha was nurtured on his way to his Bok career. One of their major rivals is Pretoria Boys High School; the major English High school in Pretoria. It was great to see 'Maritzburg College in your post. The pavilion has been enlarged x3 since my era in 1965. I recall scoring a try on that field against College 2nd XV. Our school - Ixopo High School - only had 150 boys and was not strong enough to take on the College 1st XV. Yet we fielded an U13, U14, U15, 2nd XV and 1st XV each weekend. Saturday is schoolboy rugby day in SA and unfortunately you will be missing a great contest between "College" and "Affies" today. Nevertheless, enjoy the test in Durban and the world's biggest braai in the "Shark Tank" car park after the match.

[@RJH1611]

College, always been a top school...esp with their sports....old rivals, coming from a DHS boy!

[@mazibukomail]

Maritzburg College, that's my high school (Class of 2008)😍❤

[@myshepspud1]

Same year! I was from Kearsney, only from grade 10 so didn't exactly fit the rugby mad traditions thing at first, but it really is an amazing thing to be a part of. I insisted on being a flank, though I was a small player better suited as wing or scrumhalf. Of any of my rugby memories none is so vivid as playing by you guys, and I was running diagonal to try tackle, the ball carrier had broken through and I was the last defender, only for him to literally X me and send me flying back onto my back. I have never been so owned in my life.

[@thamigama7434]

@@mazibukomail 08 baby!!! What a year!!

[@mazibukomail]

@@myshepspud1 Lol Sorry (not sorry) someone I know did that to you but it is what it is. Sounds like this school mate of mine was about the size of one Mini Bhengu!

[@wesrobmat]

This brings a tear to my eye. ❤

[@wallieveldtsman300]

Tim ....you look GREAT in green !!!!

[@BikerwolFF]

Now you got to see why we have such a rugby culture... we statt early in life.

[@stephenfoster1061]

Love your channel excellent content

[@myshepspud1]

If you went and I heard you did up north KZN (Zululand) you will not find a single rugby goalpost in any of the communities. The government talks about growing the game to previously disadvantaged communities and institute the quotas but it's on fields like you were the old rugby schools that the passion stays alive and through these schools the next Canan Moodie or Sasha Mngomezulu will come through. They are the beating heart of SA rugby.