THE Eastern Province u/13 rugby team will get the first opportunity to make the province proud in the various upcoming national Youth Weeks.
There is great excitement in the EP u/13 camp since the squad for the Craven Week was announced last week. An EP B-team was also named.
The u/13 team is the first of the EP age groups to be announced and the youngsters will now prepare for their trip to Pietermaritzburg.
Matches will be played at Maritzburg College from June 26 to 30.
This past weekend the selectors had a final look at the best u/16 and u/18 players in the province.
Intensive trials were held at the annual Meyer Sauerman Tournament at Volkskool in Graaff-Reinet.
The u/16s will play in the Grant Khomo Week at the end of the month in Stellenbosch. Matches will be at the Markotter Fields of Paul Roos Gymnasium.
The big one is the u/18 Craven Week hosted by Outeniqua High in George from July 3 to 7.
It will be a tough start to the week for EP as they will take on a strong Free State outfit on the first day of the tournament.
The girls will have the final say in the Youth Week events with the u/16 and u/18 weeks being held at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg from July 10 to 14.
EP will also be represented at the u/18 Academy Week in Johannesburg, and the LSEN Week in Welkom.
The various weeks will be the starting point of many big rugby careers. There are a number of talented EP players who are set to make their mark and grab the attention of major role-players in the sport with top performances.
EP u/13 Craven Week team:
Tiaan Vosloo (Sonop), Keanu Wood (Handhaaf), Alizwa Mankayi (Kabega), Uyanda Mnoypa (Grey), Ethan Constable (Muir), Cornay Fourie (Verkenner), Dian Derbyshire (Sunridge), José Valentine (Cradock), Nqaba Rwanqa (St Mary’s), Reagan de Beer (Verkenner), Khazimla Pita (Westering), Jaco Jacobs (Verkenner), Joshua Robyn (Jeffreys Bay), Amkhita Dlepu (Westering), Oyama Ngeni (Clarendon), Lusindi Zondani (Isaac Booi), Aiden van Wyk (Handhaaf), Sanda Futshane, Singaloni Gabinca (both Grey), Awonke Gaga (Ntaba Maria), Daniel Veldsman (Jeffreys Bay), Owen Paxton (Union), Amile Adams (Altona).
U/13 B-team
Carlo Booysen (Cradock), Christopher Cornelius (Jeffreys Bay), Mivuyo Nangamashe (Fort Beaufort), Jeandré Plaatjies (Graslaagte), Kudzwai Shambeni (Setlaarspark), Mishael Titus (Jeffreys Bay), Dalin Pillay (Muir), Jayden Mildenhail (Jeffreys Bay), Kungawo Zinto (Muir), Jaylian Smith (Bethelsdorp), Creighton Pietersen (Graslaagte), AW Lambrecht (Volkskool), Bryce Booysen (Victory CS), Danré Moos (Hankey), Faython Jafta (Paul Sauer), Bevuya Klaas (Sunridge), Logan Bain (Sonop), Ambesa Vezile (Cotsworld), Jacob Smith (Verkenner), Ayden van Greunen (Gill), Layton Oliphant (Kruisfontein), Zondela Ngqeza (Curro), Valentino Grates (Uitenhage).
With the trials done and dusted, the regular fixtures resume this week with some very interesting First XV clashes coming up.
Today
Chapman v Bertram, Chatty v Arcadia, Gelvan v Sanctor, David Livingstone v Patterson, Booysens Park v Bonzai, Masipahathisani v James Jolope, Motherwell v Douglas Mbopa, Ncedo v Cingani, Ndyebo v Coselelani, Soqayisa v Vulumza.
Saturday
Brandwag v Framesby, Bonzai v Tech, St Andrew’s v Selborne, Graeme College v Grey, Bergsig v Kirkwood, Pearson v Daniel Pienaar, Kingswood v Dale, Hudson Park v Marlow.
