The Gqeberha boys will travel to Bloemfontein for Saturday’s annual clash with the mighty Grey College.
This is a big challenge, but it is also a highlight in the rugby careers of the Grey High first team players.
To take on the Free State champs on their home ground is a big ask, but it is a match full of tradition and a chance for Grey to measure themselves against the very best.
Not many will give Grey High a chance to produce an upset result, but Captain Lavela Pongolo and his team will be motivated to give their best.
This past Saturday Grey was involved in a tough match against Framesby in Gqeberha. Framesby, playing at home, won the nailbiter 19–17.
Framesby scored three tries against two, in a high intensity match full of penalties.
This effort gave the Framesby first team an unprecedented three victories in a row over Grey, all of them hard-fought thrillers.
Like last year, Framesby won by only two points. In 2022 Framesby were victorious by 14–10 when they beat Grey for the first time since 2011.
The Grey supporters will no doubt join the Bloemfontein tour for Saturday’s big one, but in Nelson Mandela Bay there are also many interesting matches to look forward to.
Eleven players from the Eastern Province u/18 squad had the privilege of attending the inaugural Elite Player Development camp for girls recently.
The EP Girls dominated the national u/18 Week in Johannesburg, where some of the stars caught the eye of the experts with their brilliant performances.
At the conclusion of the tournament, SA Rugby announced a group of 36 players to attend the three-day camp.
The lock from Motherwell High in Gqeberha, Alutha Ngcezula, was named the Forward of the Tournament in Johannesburg.
Ayabulela Vali, Siviwe Appie, Likhona Diyani, Julene Haas, Yamkela Funani, Ywaydha de Vos, Zusakhe Tembabi, Lukhanye Lolo, Shanice Scholtz, and Michayle Hendricks were the EP players at the camp.
They were introduced to the Springbok Women’s vision, received advice from former national players, underwent medical screenings, and caught a glimpse of rugby analysis, strength and conditioning, nutritional education and refereeing.
Springbok Women assistant coaches, Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt, acted as mentors at the camp. Strength and conditioning coach, Naasier Parker, also assisted the girls.
Fixtures Saturday July 20
Pearson v Marlow, Grey College v Grey High, Despatch v Cillié, DF Malherbe v Woodridge, Otto du Plessis v Andrew Rabie, Brandwag v Bergsig, Nico Malan v Daniel Pienaar.
Results, July 12
Framesby 17, Grey 15; Otto du Plessis 26, DF Malherbe 7; Andrew Rabie 73, Newton Tech 3; Brandwag 38, Muir 13; Pearson 17, Graeme College 14; Port Rex 14, Daniel Pienaar 8; Bergsig 26, Despatch 20; Kingswood 27, Nico Malan 13; St Andrews 42, Marlow 14.
