In one of its best years, Eastern Province showed it is a real powerhouse in South African Schools’ rugby.
After the u/16s’ unbeaten run at the Grant Khomo Week in the Western Cape last month, the u/18s also won their three matches in George last week.
The u/18s exceeded expectations at the Craven Week, by beating Free State 26–23, Boland 40–26 and the Sharks 33–22.
Utility back, Jamiane Dampies (Brandwag), pointed out some key factors in the success of the team, after he was named Player of the Match against the Sharks.
He said that the players were prepared to give everything they had in every match, and added that the management team made it possible for them to perform at their best.
When the team was under pressure, that fighting spirit came to the fore to pull the match out of the fire.
In the process, EP scored some spectacular tries, even in wet conditions.
Head coach, Elric van Vuuren (Despatch High), and his team, were impressive.
They did their homework on the opponents, prepared well, rotated the squad effectively and came up with some shrewd team selections.
The highlight was the victory over the highly-rated Free State, described by Van Vuuren as “very special”, which gave the players a lot of confidence.
Flanker De Wet Fourie (Daniel Pienaar) was named Player of the Match, and Dampies scored a sensational individual try in this encounter.
Against Boland it was the other flanker, Batho Hlekani’s turn to get the Player of the Match award.
Hlekani (Graeme College) was named Player of the Week, and was included in the South African Schools team which was named after the last match.
Fourie and the EP captain, Imaani Pemba (Grey High, hooker), were picked for the SA Schools A side.
Zibabalwa Booi (Ndzondelelo High, prop) and flyhalf Dominic Malgas (Nico Malan) were named as replacements in the squad.
The two SA teams will take on each other at Boland Landbou near Paarl tomorrow afternoon.
There were many more stars for EP, and a few are unlucky to have missed out on national selection.
On top of the list is the vice-captain, Dempers Meyer (Marlow, scrumhalf), who was outstanding in George.
Dampies, Sinengomso Brawen (Kingswood College, wing) and Burrie van Heerden (Marlow, eighth man) should also have been close to higher recognition.
Lavela Pongolo (Grey High) will represent his country at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago next month.
He was included in the South Africa u/18 Sevens team, who will compete in the Games from Friday, August 4 to Friday, August 11.
Team South Africa will depart on Friday, July 28.
