This week the pressure will even be more than usual on the coaches of the various first school rugby teams in Nelson Mandela Bay.
After the school holidays, preparation is now stepped up to be ready when the fixtures resume this coming Saturday.
The return to action will see some very interesting clashes on Saturday. The match between the Gqeberha teams of Grey High and Framesby is one that catches the eye straight when you look at the fixtures.
Framesby will enjoy home advantage in what should be an intriguing battle. More than a handful EP Craven Week-players will play a key role in the outcome of this one.
Grey will try to get the ball to their exciting EP wings, Luvuyo Nkompela and Matika Olifant, as often as possible to test the Framesby defence.
Mihle Matinise is another Grey-player to look out for. He was one of EP’s star players at centre at the Craven Week in Cape Town.
As in all Framesby’s matches this year, the EP fly half, Logan Muller, will be an important player for the home side.
He was the overall top points scorer at this year’s U18 Craven Week in Cape Town.
This past Saturday saw one EP player participate in the match between the SA Schools and SA Schools A in Cape Town.
Max du Pisani, the hardworking flanker of Nico Malan, did duty for the A-side. It was a tough afternoon for the A-team with the SA Schools winning 57-27.
Du Pisani put in a huge effort, working hard on defence and at the breakpoints.
He is the first player of Nico Malan in 28 years (third overall) to receive recognition at national school level.
Du Pisani is a Grade 12 learner, the deputy-primarius at the Lushof Hostel and among the top 10 academic performers at Nico Malan.
Nico Malan won’t be in action on Saturday, which will give Du Pisani a welcome break.
Saturday’s fixtures:
- Framesby v Grey,
- McCarthy v John Walton,
- Daniel Pienaar v Port Rex,
- Pearson v Graeme College,
- Cillie v Alexander Road,
- Punt v Despatch,
- Cambridge High v Ithembelihle,
- Union High v Gill College.
