After their outstanding performance at Learners With Special Educational Needs (LSEN) Craven Week in George last month, two talented local rugby players, Delano Draai and Luvuyo Yeye, from Kleinfontein, Hankey, have been selected to join the South African national u/18 rugby union team.
According to Delano’s grandfather, Nicolas Draai, the two first began playing rugby at the age of seven, when they were learners at Hankey Primary School, under the leadership of rugby coaches, Ashton Walsh and Randy van Rooyen.
In 2020, Delano and Luvuyo, who are cousins, joined Bergsig Special School in Kariega, where they received excellent training from rugby couches, JD Esterhuizen and Jeandre Schoultz, who saw their potential and were able to mould them into strong rugby players.
This year the two put in hard work and great effort to further their careers in rugby which saw them being chosen for the LSEN Eastern Province team in May, where Delano led the team to great success as the captain.
Their hard work did not go unnoticed as they were selected to participate in the LSEN Craven Week from June 27-30.
Nicolas said it was amazing to watch the live stream video of the rugby games played during the Craven Week and to witness their fighting spirit. “It was great to see the expression on their faces and how they were truly living out their passion each time they ran with the rugby ball,” said Nicolas.
The hard work and determination that Delano and Luvuyo displayed during the LSEN Craven Week proved to work in their favour as they were recently selected for the u/18 SA rugby team.
Nicolas said Delano and Luvuyo’s family and friends were excited and overjoyed when the two were chosen for the u/18 SA rugby team.
“This is a great achievement for Hankey, and we cheer with pride. We wish them all the best now that they have been chosen for SA rugby and for their bright future ahead,” said Nicolas.
He said being chosen for the SA rugby team would provide the two with a stepping stone to achieve greatness in their career as rugby players.
“Joining the SA rugby team means developing their dreams and careers and to assure other kids that they can reach their dreams by working hard,” said Nicolas.
