Ian Adendorff - FNB Player of the Week
Player Profile
On Saturday Glenwood travel to the sleepy hollow of Pietermaritzburg for a FNB Classic Clash that looks set to bring fireworks to the town. Not only is it Maritzburg College’s Old Boys' weekend, but two of the form teams in KwaZulu Natal go head-to-head on the legendary Goldstones field.
In Ian Adendorff Glenwood have one of the more multi-talented players in the country. Those who watched the St Stithians Easter Festival will remember the big Glenwood No. 8 who played a blinder and kicked for poles.
Glenwood started the season well but went into a slump when they returned to KwaZulu Natal from the Easter festival. Recently they decided to try a few new combinations, and Ian has taken one for the team as it were and moved to outside centre position three games ago. Ian played centre in junior school at Dirkie Uys and in Grade 8 at Port Natal but has been a loose forward since moving to Glenwood in Grade 9. With some experience in the position and the team performing well, Ian is happy to do his bit but says he would prefer to be getting a bit more ball.
Of his incredible pole kicking skills Ian says that he really thrives on the added responsibility. He has been doing it successfully for some years and says it makes him always feel part of the game.
Ian Adendorff was born in Durban on 3 December 1987 and lives on the Bluff. He was spotted by Glenwood and offered a scholarship in Grade 9. He made the move to Glenwood, and it is one he has never regretted.
Ian has a younger brother in Grade 8 at Glenwood who played for the KwaZulu Natal Under-13 Craven Week team last year. His dad, also Ian, was a good schoolboy player who represented KwaZulu Natal Schools in his day but whose career was cut short by injury. His dad currently coaches the Under-20’s at the Collegians club and previously coached the 1st XV at Harlequins.
It was at Harlequins that Ian met his role-model Pedrie Wannenburg. Ian says Pedrie is a great person who has similar strengths on the rugby field in that they are both strong ball carriers and defenders, with the ability to turn over ball if and when required. It goes without saying that Ian wants to take his rugby career as far as possible but definitely, like his hero, as a loose forward.
Ian repeated Grade 11, making him under-19 this year and unavailable for the Craven Week team. He did play for the Academy team last year though. Next year Ian hopes will be going to a rugby academy but he and his father have yet to decide which one. He has been approached by both Western Province and KwaZulu Natal but he is weighing up all his options before making a decision.
Glenwood have got their season back on track and recorded a resounding win over local rivals Durban High school two weeks ago. Ian described that win as his best win ever as Glenwood ready themselves for another big one on Saturday. Glenwood lost both games to College last year and with College coming off a huge win over Affies they must be favourites. The trip up to Maritzburg and Goldstones may be daunting but with their strong pack, and Ian Adendorff running strongly at the back Glenwood will take some stopping.
