HOERSKOOL CENTURION

School profile

Centurion, a posh area south of Pretoria, was first called Lyttleton, then Greater Lyttleton and then in 1967 Verwoerdburg, named after HF Verwoerd the prime minister who had been assassinated the year before. It was not a politically correct name and so was changed to Centurion in October 1995. 

The change was interesting because the town/city took its name from the cricket field, Centurion Park.  The cricket field was built by the municipality of Verwoerdburg which then sought a name for the ground.  Because of the large number of military bases in the area it was decided to call the field Centurion Park – from the rank in the Roman army.

The School

The school underwent similar name changes.  It was founded in 1958 as Hoërskool Lyttleton, then in 1975 became Hoërskool Verwoerdburg and now Hoërskool Centurion.  It is very much a neighbourhood school.  The name Verwoerdburg is retained in much adapted form in the nickname for the school – Woeries.

The school is a co-educational, Afrikaans-medium school with some 1300 pupils.

School information

Motto of school: Steeds hoër (Ever higher)
Date of foundation: January 1958
School address: Selborne Avenue, Lyttleton
Number of rugby teams: 14

Rugby

In 1971 and 1975 the school won the Northern Transvaal Administrator’s Cup.  At that time as many as seven players were chosen for the Northern Transvaal Craven Week side.  In 1975 Barry Schoeman was chosen for SA Schools.

Since 1990 the rugby season has ended with a dinner, attended by all 1st XV players, their parents and coaches, and all the captains of the various teams and outstanding players and personalties as guest speakers.

Famous players

Louis Moolman – Northern Transvaal & South Africa
Johan Roux – Northern Transvaal, Transvaal & South Africa
Niell de Plessis – North West & South Africa Under-21.