THE life of a young player from a non-traditional rugby school in Nelson Mandela Bay might just be transformed in the near future.
At the national Hollywood Foundation Iqhawe Week, the best under-15 players from those non-traditional schools with limited facilities will get the chance of a lifetime.
This annual tournament starts on Sunday at Queen’s High School in Johannesburg. It will run till September 26.
Eastern Province will be represented by a group of 23 talented players, picked from various schools, and coached by the former provincial player, Ashwell Stride.
These players will be keen to perform on a stage higher than they are used to. In the process they can catch the eyes of the talent scouts who will be in attendance in great numbers at all the matches.
This could lead to bigger and better things because since 2018, 80 players have benefited by receiving scholarships to traditional schools after Iqhawe Week.
The unique week started in 2013 and is South Africa’s premier development tournament for under-15 players.
The aim is to reach players from non-traditional rugby schools to participate in a tournament equal in status to the prestigious Craven Week.
Despite the challenges of preparing teams at schools with limited resources, the tournament continues to thrive.
It started with eight teams but has grown to 16 boys’ and six girls’ teams.
The week has an excellent record of producing elite rugby players. The most recent success story to come from the Iqhawe Week is Michail Damon.
He represented Boland in the 2019 week, where he impressed many with his sparkling performances.
Damon went on to play for the South African Under-20 side and is now contracted with the Bulls in Pretoria.
The secretary of the EP High Schools Rugby Association, Neville Botha, believes this year’s success story will be written by a player from Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounds.
Although it is a golden opportunity for individual players to make their mark, Botha stated that EP are in it to win it.
“EP has always been in the forefront when it comes to the final matches but has never been the outright winner.
“This year we have a well-oiled machine, gifted amongst the forwards, with dangerous backline attackers who will test the defensive skills of the opposition.
“I am sure they will be able to compete with any team. The EP management is ery optimistic about our chances to win the trophy for the first time,” Botha explained.
The squad is: Ethan Augustus (JB), Daniel Fichardt (Alex), Lufezo Cele (Humansdorp), Joshua Mafiet (Uitenhage), Lloyd du Preez (Booysens Park), Orian Grafford, Nathan Marias (both PJ Olivier), Awonke Gwija (EZ Kabane), Abongile Mginywa (Andrew Moyake), Marchellin Marss (Uitenhage), Azekhanye Damane (Midlands), Libhongo Ndesi, Dante Duiker (both PJ Olivier), Mihlali Mbombo (Mary Waters), Marlin Hermanes (Uitenhage), Jody Hitzeroth (Rufane Donkin), Janes Olivier (Alex), Awonke Sokutu (Ndzondelelo), Alive Sinxo (Midlands), Emrique Olivier, Damian Ohlson (both Bonzai), Reginald Human (Louterwater) and Ronalddinho Douglas (Chapman).
