Danielle's first game - 12 September 2026

 Master Liam got a call-up from Tuks for a friendly on Saturday 12 September. They won 30 - 10, and the IPT guys training for the interprovincial tournament end September got valuable game time. 

Mom entertained Gran to help ensure her sanity. Dylan was kind enough to volunteer to keep Grampa entertained, so Dad attented. Spikey joined. 

A very pleasant surprise was when Danielle Theron and her dad also rocked up to watch her guy in action for the first time! Judging by how big her smile got, we assume she had a great time! 

Great to meet you Danielle!

IPT Blue Bulls Youth Rugby Association final 33

 Master Liam has now progressed to the final 33 out of more than a hundred guys at trials. Almost there! 

IPT Blue Bulls u/18 final training squad!

 Master Liam made it through to the final training squad after trials. So far so good. Working hard and slowly adjusting to the dry, hard Naka fields after the year playing and training on those amazing fields at Garsies. Next target - the touring team and Bulls colours again. 

Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour - Blue Bulls vs All Blacks on 15 August 2026

 Loftus Versveld once again had the priviledge to host the mighty All Blacks in one of the 3 warm-up matches against provincial franchises before taking on the Springboks of Rassie Erasmus on Ellispark on 22 August. The first of 4 test matches on this tour. 

The place was packed with a decent crowd although not nearly full. The new stadium lights did not dissappoint and proved again that it has truly elevated the cathedral of rugby in Pretoria to a world class stadium. After a tough battle the Blue Bulls succumbed to the better rugby of the AB's who won 50 points to 21. 

The Bulls were led by captain Marcell Coetzee and the All Blacks by captain Codie Taylor.

The Marais were there. Mom Glenda, Dad Henk, Master Liam and Big Dude Dylan. Dylan was accompanied by Kayla and Liam his big buddy Jayden. This was the first time they saw the All Blacks play in person, and of course the first time to witness the ever impressive Haka. 

To sum it all up, words from Liam:

"No I loved every second me and Jayden were saying even tho we lost it was a memorable day and we just loved the atmosphere the light shows the everything it was just so cool."

Memories were made. 

Liam and Jayden. Drinking milk. Obviously!

Mom getting into the spirit of things. 

Monday 10 August 2026 - IPT Blue Bulls trials

 It was that time again. Last year Liam did the trials and was selected for the team playing the yearly IPT tournament. This one was in Krugersdorp. The 2027 tournament is played at the Barnard Stdium in Kempton Park from 27 September to 3 October. This is again for BBYRA Blue Bulls colours. 

And he went through to the training squad!! Now the push to be selected for the tournament team begins. 

Friday 7 August 2026 - Final game with Garsfontein High School

 It had to happen. The final high school game representing Garsies. End of the school rugby season. It had been a character forming year. It took some very serious guts and determination to get through it. Those first months of the training camp were super hard. And his rugby game went to a completely different level due to the very high level of coaching offered by this school. So all in all, this was a really, really good year for Master Liam. He made many new friends, he played a lot of hard rugby, and he trained like a beast. 

Friday, 7 August at 15:30 in the afternoon, he ran out for the 4th team against Dr E.G. Jansen from Boksburg. A field - the famous Berepark! 

Bittersweet, yet so satisfying. Hard game! In the beginning it looked as if Jansen were going to run away with it. But Garsies fought back hard and the game ended with a 31 to 28 loss. 5 tries to 4 for Garsies, and a very good game for our dude. To say he was tired and sore after is an understatement. But even though his heart was sore that this chapter has now come to an end, he was happy that his own game was solid. 

And he was already looking forward to Monday the 10th. The trials for the yearly IPT Blue Bulls team. 

Progress and growth.

 

3 August 2024, playing for Tuks. 

2026 - playing for Garsies


Keep grinding. Keep growing. Keep improving. Keep believing. Keep dreaming.