The Eastern Province u/17 Sevens rugby squad is trying to get in as much training as possible before the provincial championship.
After a thorough selection process, the squad is down to 12 players and is focusing on their readiness for next month’s action at Grey College in Bloemfontein.
Laurence Christie, of St Andrew’s College in Makhanda, has taken over as coach from Bean van Eeden – the former Grey High coach has relocated to Ireland. Riaan Esterhuizen is the assistant coach.
“It’s my honour and privilege to take over from my good friend Bean, someone I respect a great deal,” said Christie.
“We played together in the past, coached against each other at schoolboy level, and we coached the winning EP u/17 7s side last year.
“I work with a talented young group of players to help showcase their skills on a greater stage against the bigger unions,” added Christie.
He explained that the greatest strength of last year was EP’s ability to leave four days in advance (for Krugersdorp), to stop and train along the way.
“We have planned to do the same this year. If the performance and procedures are correct the results should take care of themselves.
“Performance at 15-a-side festivals is based on teams that recover the best on the off days, where 7s’ tournament results are based on the team that fatigue the least over two days of playing three to four matches a day.”
In getting to the final squad, the selectors watched a lot of matches and saw hugely talented players at the tournaments held at Grey High, Nico Malan, Lilyfontein and George.
“Players were identified from these tournaments, but we also picked a group of players after trials for the sub-unions.
“Then there was a fitness and skills assessment before a final trial,” said Christie.
The various EP teams have performed very well at all the respective Youth Weeks this year and one can expect a good showing from the 7s’ team on October 1 and 2.
The squad includes the South African u/18 player, Lavela Pongolo, and the EP u/16 player, Meyer Prinsloo, both from Grey High.
EP will also be represented at the iQhawe Week from October 2 to 5 at Jeppe High in Johannesburg.
The bigger provinces will no doubt take a good look at the talent in the EP ranks. Two young stars, Batho Hlekani (Graeme College) and De Wet Fourie (Daniel Pienaar), are already lost to EP.
They caught the eye with their excellent performances for the EP u/18 team at the Craven Week in George earlier this year.
Hlekani also represented the South African Schools side and the Sharks were quick to sign him up.
Last week it was confirmed that Fourie will be available for the Lions next year. He was a member of the SA Schools A side.
- Lavela Pongolo (Grey), Jan van Tonder (Volkskool), Lareece Stuurman (Volkskool), Christiaan van der Merwe (Marlow), Murray Wilson (SAC), Khanya Maduna (Aliwal North), Meyer Prinsloo (Grey), Caleb Frisken (Pearson), Sibu Mkantwana (Pearson), Shevan Jacobs (Despatch), Denilo Jordaan (PAHS) and Cameron Doyle (Graeme College).
