The case against a Rondebosch Boys’ High School rugby coach was dismissed in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court. File picture
Rondebosch Boys’ High School has welcomed the dismissal of an assault case involving its rugby coach.
The Wynberg Magistrate’s Court threw out the case against Clinton van Rensburg on Friday 18 August, due to poor evidence.
Mr Van Rensburg was accused of assaulting a former SACS pupil after a rugby match between the two schools in August last year. It was alleged that the coach struck the 17-year-old player with a closed fist after the match held at SACS, where Rondebosch Boys’ won 24-12 (“Coach accused of assault faces judgment this week,” Southern Suburbs Tatler Thursday August 17).
He pleaded not guilty to the charge during his first appearance in court in September last year.
The school’s headmaster, Shaun Simpson, previously told the Tatler that they had no reason to be concerned about the safety of pupils given Mr van Rensburg’s “impeccable history” and that there was no evidence but the allegation for the disputed incident. Mr Van Rensburg had also worked with young men for more than a decade without any incidents of this nature and had an excellent professional reputation as a mentor and coach in club, provincial and schools’ rugby.
School governing body chairman Steve Schlesinger said they had always believed that there was no evidence to support the allegations.
“The alleged assault took place in a very public space where spectators, coaches and educators from both schools, in close proximity, did not witness any incident and where there is photographic evidence which seems to show the contrary. We are pleased that the matter has been resolved in court of law where Mr Van Rensburg’s name could be emphatically cleared,” he said.
Mr Schlesinger said anyone who knew Mr Van Rensburg’s character would immediately know that such an accusation could hold no merit.
“He is a true gentleman in every sense with an impeccable coaching history and an excellent reputation as a mentor and coach in club, provincial and schools’ rugby. For more than a decade, he has found talent in young men from disadvantaged backgrounds who would otherwise not have had an opportunity to play rugby at the highest level. We are pleased that his reputation as a sport’s educator remains unblemished.”
The Tatler was unable to reach Mr Van Rensburg for comment.
Women2Women, the organisation that supported the former SACS pupil, did not respond to questions about the outcome of the case.