The Eastern Province u/18 rugby team will start next year’s Craven Week with a massive derby match.
On the first day of the tournament, EP takes on their East Cape neighbour, Border.
This encounter could be one of the early highlights of the Week, hosted by Monument High in July next year in Krugersdorp.
EP will be one of the eight teams competing in Pool 1 and are expected to be a huge force again after a brilliant showing last year in George, when they were unbeaten.
It is no surprise then that the EP High Schools Rugby Association (EPHSRA) has shown faith in the Craven Week coaching staff.
The chairperson of the EPHSRA, Gerald Antonie, announced that Elric van Vuuren of Despatch, a former provincial player, will be the head coach for the third consecutive year.
A former Blitzbok, Wayne van Heerden of Daniel Pienaar, and Patdro Somerset (Arcadia) will again be Van Vuuren’s assistants. Santos Cloete (Arcadia) is still the team manager.
EP has also identified a group of u/15 and u/17 players who must attend High Performance training sessions next year.
“They are players that have the potential to play for our provincial teams in 2024.
“Once a month they will undergo training in all aspects of rugby. This will happen in January, February and March,” the secretary of the EPHSRA, Neville Botha, explained.
- U/18 Craven Week: Elric van Vuuren (head coach, Despatch), Wayne van Heerden (assistant coach, Daniel Pienaar), Patdro Somerset (assistant coach, Arcadia), Heinrich Leonard (conditioning coach, Brandwag), Santos Cloete (team manager, Arcadia), Neville Botha (team co-ordinator, Ndzondolelo), Philip Mackay (physio, NMU), Gerald Antonie (EP representative, Booysen Park).
- U/18 Academy Week: Siyamthanda Mpumlo (head coach, Kirkwood), Bidwell Solaan (assistant coach, Loerie), Corné van Heerden (assistant coach, Winterberg), Keith August (manager, Gamble).
- U/17 Sevens: Turtius Douw (head coach, St Andrews), Athi Mahinja (assistant coach, Siya Foundation), Choppie Swartz (team manager, Booysens Park).
- U/16 Grant Khomo Week: Ashley Carolus (head coach, Cillié), AB Smith (assistant coach, Nico Malan), Mteza Msileni (team manager, Molly Blackburn), Christiaan van Schalkwyk (EP representative, Pearson).
- U/18 Girls: Johnny Padda (head coach, Midlands), Anique Martins (assistant coach, Union), Carmen Coltman (manager, Gelvandale), Val Witbooi (EP representative, Chatty).
- U/16 Girls: Mziyanda Sobuza (head coach, Youth Club), Nywabisa Phikwa (assistant coach, Motherwell), Caren Felix (team manager, JB).
- U/15 Iqahwe Week: Xolani Grootboom (head coach, Ndzondelelelo), Duncan Fletcher (assistant coach, Youth Club), Xolile Martin (manager, Ndzondelelelo).
The EP age group cricket teams are expected to make a huge impact at the various Cricket South Africa Youth Weeks, starting on Sunday.
Last year the national u/19 Girls’ Week was very nearly the perfect tournament for EP in Bloemfontein when the girls won three of their four matches.
This year the u/19 Girls’ Week will be played in Cape Town, and seven players in the squad of 13 also represented EP last year. This means there is a lot of experience in the squad, which will be a huge plus.
The seven who are back to do battle are Megan Fourie, Jordan Cole, Lana von Hagen, Iman Bonnasse, Alison Kroon, Asanda Mbodla and Luna Gana.
Fourie and Cole are South African Schools players. They will be leading the EP onslaught and will be looking to produce quality individual performances to make sure they get recognised at national level again.
All-rounder, Lana von Hagen, must have been close to the SA Schools side last year and is another EP player of whom big things are expected.
EP also did very well at the u/16 Girls’ Week last year and two of those players, Sesona Jodwana and Olwethu Kwedini, are now part of the u/19 squad.
The u/16 Girls will play in Pietermaritzburg from December 12 to 16.
They have two players from last year, Tara Nel and Danica Marais, to lead the way.
The u/16 Boys’ Week starts on Sunday in Oudtshoorn and George. Jadwyn Cona and Luhelo Mdyesha were members of last year’s squad.
The Khaya Majola Week for u/19 Boys will be held from December 16 to 21 in Makhanda. EP will face a strong Western Province in the first match at Graeme College.
