THE Eastern Province (EP) squad saved the best for last at the national u/17 Sevens Tournament which ended this past Saturday in Bethlehem.
EP had a tough time on Friday but managed to qualify for the Shield Final the next day against Namibia.
After a terrible start, EP produced their best of the tournament to beat Namibia 24–14.
Namibia dominated the first half and was leading 14–0 at the break but it was a totally different story in the second stint.
EP scored a try in the first 20 seconds of the second half and Captain Meyer Prinsloo followed that up with a brace. The first of his tries was a long-distance effort and a real gem.
At the national u/15 Iqhawe Week last week at Queen’s High in Johannesburg, EP also saved the best for last.
EP started the week with a hard-fought 14–12 victory over the Leopards. They came up against the strong Western Province outfit, the overall winner, in their second match.
WP beat EP 29–0 but the EP boys never gave up and kept trying throughout the match.
In their third and final match EP put their best foot forward. They beat the Pumas 34–12 after it was 7–7 at halftime.
For most of the first half, EP had to defend and they did it brilliantly. After the gutsy effort in the first half, EP was still full of energy in the second to run the tired Pumas off their feet.
EP scored five tries in the second half, in the end outscoring the Pumas with six tries to two in a sparkling display of running rugby.
The 22 young Eastern Cape players who are part of the Mzwandile Mali group, are starting their trip of a lifetime.
The players, aged between 16 and 18 years, will tour in the United Kingdom from Friday till October 13.
This squad was picked from players from 24 schools in Gqeberha and Fort Beaufort who participated in the Mali Tournament earlier this year.
They will be hosted in Kent and will play against Tonbridge School, Sutton Valence School, Brighton College and Sevenoaks School.
This tour will play a huge role in the development of the players coming from grassroots backgrounds.
They will represent the best of what the young East Cape township rugby talent has to offer.
There is always the chance that these players will attract attention from rugby scouts and clubs in England with good performances.
The squad played some practice matches and attended training camps in preparation for the tour.
The camps not only focused on getting the players fit and ready to perform on the field, but they also provided them with psychosocial, cultural and educational support.
