Nelson Mandela Bay has experienced some high temperatures of late, but the conditions aren’t stopping the best players getting fit and ready for the upcoming school rugby season.
The Eastern Province Schools represent one of the biggest memberships of players, coaches, and administrators in South African rugby.
EP Schools enjoyed an excellent 2023 season and want to make sure this year will be another big one.
“We at the EP High Schools Rugby Association (EPHSRA) are doing our utmost best to bring stability (in EP rugby) to the region, because the EP schools are playing in the top circles of SA rugby.
“In the Eastern Cape it is only EP and Border Schools (not the senior sides) that are playing at that level and competing against all the other provinces,” the chairperson of EPHSRA, Gerald Antonie, explained.
Against this positive background it is no wonder the players and coaches are already working very hard.
The EP High Performance group, consisting of u/17 and u/15 players, has started with training sessions, the secretary of EPHSRA, Neville Botha, said.
“We had to start early in the year with 60 players. We are looking at trimming them down to 20 players by next month. This is players who have the potential to make the provincial teams later in the year. They are getting training in all aspects of the game,” Botha added.
There are also some very exciting events coming up soon. The date of the popular Mzwandile Mali Memorial tournament involving township high schools around Gqeberha will be announced soon.
This tournament is a huge opportunity to assess the available talent in the township schools. It is expected that 20 teams will take up their places.
Many Bay schools will also be involved in various tournaments all over the country next month.
Rugby will be the main attraction at the Sports Day of Despatch High on March 9 and at Andrew Rabie in Gqeberha on March 16.
The Graeme College Week, Oakdale Festival, and Kearsney Festival also take place in March. The various EP teams will no doubt again be a force to be reckoned with at the various provincial weeks later in the year.
One of these tournaments, the Grant Khomo Week for u/16 boys, will be hosted by EP at Grey High from June 17 to 21 in Gqeberha. This will surely be one of the highlights of the local school rugby year.
With lots to play for this year there is no time to waste if you are a school rugby player – work on those fitness levels and skillsets!
Let us know about your important school rugby dates for 2024 at steenkamphenk@gmail.com.
