We congratulate Mr Scott Mathie on his appointment as assistant coach to the Tafel Lager Griquas. Scott will take charge of the general skills development of the team and also the backline coaching.
Below is an excerpt from the Griquas press release:
“Scott was a scholar of Durban High School and represented the Sharks Craven week team, gaining selection into the SA u18 Academy team. He then went on to represent Tuks 1 where they won the Clubs Champs in 2003, and also represented the SA u19 team where they got 3rd place at the World cup. He was fortunate enough to progress further and gathered a wealth of knowledge having previously played professional rugby for the Sharks, Bulls in Currie Cup and Super rugby, whereafter he represented Sale Sharks and Leeds Carnegie in the English Premiership, during which time he also obtained a BA in English and History, before ending his career at the EP Kings where they won the Currie Cup in 2012.
Scott previously assisted Janse van Rensburg during his time at Grey high School and the NMMU Varsity Cup team with skills work as well as the EP junior teams. Currently Scott is the Director of rugby and 1st XV Head Coach of Durban High school. During his time at DHS, Scott has also coached the Sharks u16 & U18 teams as well as the Durban Collegians 1st XV as attack /backline coach.
“We really look forward to welcoming Scott upon his arrival in March. A lot has been considered in the process of getting to this appointment. We feel Scott meets the requirements to fulfil this role and will bring the necessary character, work ethic and ability required to serve the team effectively. Having seen him coach previously, he certainly is articulate and possesses a good temperament to go far within this game. He has a good reference point of what it takes at this level and has impacted positively towards the resurgence of Durban High School rugby recently.” said Janse van Rensburg.
“I’m very humbled about the opportunity afforded to me by Griquas Rugby and am excited to be part of a proud and historic rugby union. I look forward to working with Brent and the coaching staff and helping the team achieve its goals for the future. It’s a new chapter for me and one I can’t wait to start!”
Scott joined his alma mater in 2015 as a History teacher and Rugby Coaching Co-Ordinator. In 2016 he was appointed as Head of Rugby and 1st XV Rugby Coach. His contribution to our School has been invaluable both in and out the classroom.
He revitalised DHS Rugby, turning the School back into a force to be reckoned with. Below are the opening paragraphs in his Rugby reports over the three seasons he was the 1st XV coach:
2016 Season:
“The DHS 1st XV 2016 season can be looked back upon as a significant year in DHS rugby history. It was a year in which we celebrated our 150th year as a school, an historic moment! This special occasion presented the perfect opportunity to establish a reformed DHS rugby program. Results wise we have seen a significant improvement, but more than that we have seen the establishment of a playing style, a conditioning culture and an emphasis on character development.”
2017 Season:
“The 2017 season will be spoken of fondly for many years to come as DHS produced some of the most exciting passages of rugby seen on Van Heerden’s for many years. Not only was this side able to entertain through the expansive running brand but they were able to dig deep when it counted most and broke some “hoodoo’s” that have stood for well over a decade.”
2018 Season:
“The DHS 1st XV rugby season of 2018 was one that exceeded all expectations. It was always going to be a difficult task living up to the performances of the 2017 team and with the majority of the team from Grade 11, it was a pleasant surprise to see how the boys took up the challenge. It has shown that the winning culture that we have been creating at the school has started to self-perpetuate.”
Head Master, Mr AD Pinheiro said, “School will definitely feel the loss of Scott, not only in terms of his influence on our Rugby over the last couple of years but more so as a role model of an outstanding Old Boy to the youngsters at our School. We wish Scott all the success he deserves in his new venture.”
Deo Fretus!
S Drew
Editor