HOERSKOOL KROONSTAD
School History
Kroonstad took its name froma horse called Kroon. Kroon belonged to the great Voortrekker leader Sarel Cilliers, whose museum is in the town. Poor Kroon fell into a pothole in a stream and drowned. The stream was called Kroonspruit, and when a town was established there in 1855 it was called Kroonstad..
Hoërskool Kroonstad, or ‘Blouskool’ has its roots as far back as 1908. In 1994 an amalgamation took place and both the Kroonsatd Agricultural School and the De Wet Nel Technical High School became part of Kroonstad High School. The diversity of the three founding schools led to the school probably having the widest range of subjects available anywhere in South Africa. The school prides itself on its diversity, striving for excellent academic, sporting and cultural standards.
School Information
Name: Hoërskool Kroonstad
Founded: 1908
Motto: Manu et Mente (with strength in mind and hand)
Rugby jersey: Blue and Green hoops with white stripes, navy shorts and socks.
Rugby at Blouskool
Hoërskool Kroonstad is widely acknowledged for its excellent rugby and contribution to rugby. In fact, the three founding schools, now all merged into the oldest among them have been involved with the Springbok rugby team on a continuous basis, without interruption, since 1981 – in either a coaching or player capacity. These Old Boys are Burger Geldenhuys, Gert Smal, Ian Hattingh, Andre Venter, Faan Ratutenbach and Michael Claasens. In a highly competitive Northern Free State league, Blouskool have a remarkable record. They are a competitive school at all levels.
Though Rooiskool (Die Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad) may have had a good run at First XV level in recent years, Blouskool were the first to win the League in three consecutive years (1999-2001). Ninety-seven provincial players (and 41 at Senior level), and four SA Schools players later, the school continues to play a role locally and abroad. Gert Smal’s work with Bok forwards laid the foundation for their World Cup victory, while Michael Claasens is now playing his trade overseas, partnering Butch James at Bath.
Anticipated derbies include the likes of Welkom-Gimnasium, Voortrekker from Bethlehem, Hentie Cilliers and Virginia Sports Academy. The big derby is of course the game against neighbours Die Afrikaanse Hoërskool, or the ‘Rooiskool’.
Often this game is played at Laubser Park, the municipal grounds, to accommodate the 15000 or more specatators that attend Kroonstad’s biggest rugby event, and one of South Africa’s largets schoolboy rugby derbies. It is usually the culmination of a week of reunions – a time when Old Boys return to their alma mater to show their support and loyalty.
