The Eastern Province girls’ rugby teams have stepped up their preparations after the squads for the upcoming Youth Weeks were named.
“It was a long and thorough selection process to get to the final trials in Makhanda,” said Valerie Witbooi, director: Women’s programme of EP High Schools Rugby.
“We did a lot of travelling but wanted to make sure we don’t miss a single girl who deserved a chance,” she explained.
“In the Northern Areas we started in January with training sessions every Saturday for seven weeks.
“We also identified players from the Township League, also from Walmer, Kariega and Middelburg, before the final trials.
“Now we will have practice sessions at Andrew Rabie High School every Sunday leading up to the Youth Weeks,” she added.
The u/18 and u/16 Girl Weeks will start on July 10 in Johannesburg.
The EP teams:
u/18: Zusakhe Tembani (Motherwell), Michaela Fillis (Middelburg), Wayda de Vos (Middelburg), Yamkela Funami (Linkside), Enzokuhle Mhloto (Collegiate), Othandawayo Mqwebedu (EZ Kabane), Sinazo Venge (EZ Kabane), Sinoxola Soka (Cingani), Lima Duma (Douglas Mbopa), Isanda Mahlangeni (Douglas Mbopa), Alutha Nqcezula (Motherwell), Milani Yakala (Vulumzi High), Zinokha Zethu (Vulumzi High), Iviwe Dumezweni (Rocklands Sec), Aphiwe Vali Vali (EZ Kabane).
Reserves: Anelisa Malahle (Coselelani), Ronel Jansen (David Livingstone), Siviwe Apie (Cingani), Nosipho Qandana (Walmer), Elimayo Awina (Loyiso), Lelethu Lose (Motherwell), Sanelisiwe Ndzamela (David Livingstone), Chandré Jonas (Gelvan).
u/16: Likhona Dyani (Motherwell), Yanela Zulu (Phakamisa), Lolo Lukhanyo (Douglas Mbopa), Yulene Haas (Arcadia Sec), Limise Yona (Khumbulani High), Shanice Stolz (Middelburg), Olwethu Marwana (Coselelani ), Ambesiwe Somsila (EZ Kabane), Lilitha Zono (Phaka-misa), Liyema Khoza (Motherwell), Natalie Louw (Middelburg), Chuma Isaacs (Motherwell), Ayabulela Vali Vali (EZ Kabane), Naledi Banj-wa (St Thomas), Leante Neff (Cillié).
Reserves: Siphokuhle Mntintsilana (Vulumzi), Philasande Ntamo (Phakamisa), Natalie de Vos (Middelburg), Amahle Khonzani (Douglas Mbopa), Emily Gunn (Chatty), Rushayda Lottering (Chatty), Lisa Els (Strelitzia), Zinako Nonganga (Masipatisane).
The boys – the u/18 Craven Week team, the u/18 Academy side and the u/16 Grant Khomo squad – are also hard at work to be ready for their respective tournaments. The EP secretary, Neville Botha, confirmed friendly matches to be played over the next two Fridays.
This Friday EP will face South Western Districts in three matches in Plettenberg Bay, and the following Friday (June 23) the EP u/18 sides, Craven Week and Academy, will travel to Makhanda to take on their Border counterparts.
Friday 16 June
EP v SWD, Plettenberg Bay
12:00: EP u/16 v SWD u/16
13:15: EP u/18 Academy v SWD u/18 Academy
15:30: EP u/18 v SWD u/18
Friday 23 June
Kingswood College, Makhanda
14:00: EP u/18 v Border u/18 – Academy
15:30: EP u/18 v Border u/18 – Craven Week
Fixtures
Friday
Muir College v Nico Malan
Saturday
Cillié v Woodridge, Kingswood College v St Andrew’s College, Kirkwood v Itembelihle, Union High v Graeme College.
