FACING UP TO SCRUM TIME
Border teen stars head into battle
The Border U12 rugby team is gearing up for its biggest challenge of the year when it will take part in the Riversdale Coastal Tournament in Riversdale at the end of the month.
A strong 23-boy team has been named, after a gruelling selection process that began in July between the three regions, namely Northern, Southern and Coastal.
“Part of being the head coach of the Border U12 is that you are involved in the selection process,” explained Border coach Lwazi Zangqa.
“Selectors are looking to share the view of the person taking charge of the team, it is with this that I am very happy with selection and truly believe that these boys are the best of all three regions.”
The team has been hard at work training since the final squad was named and only have a few more sessions before they take on some of the country's best U12 talent at the Riversdale festival.
“After the selection process and the final 23 boys were announced, we merely had seven weeks to prepare,” said Zangqa.
“The boys have truly understood the value of each training session and have put in a valiant effort in all sessions.
“I believe we have prepared well and that putting what we have learnt on the field is our next big challenge.”
With the players coming from different schools and only being able to train on Sundays, the team has had a tricky time getting ready for the tournament, but Zangqa believes that the extra effort required will now bring the best out of his team.
“With the boys being involved at their respective schools whilst trying to juggle our training sessions, it has been tough. This just means that the boys have to work harder to get to know each other for the betterment of the team.
“It is always interesting to see the re-occurrence of players migrating to boys from their school at the first training session, we make sure we have systems in place to break this unconscious migration, allowing for the players to get to know the boys from other schools in other regions within the team.”
One of the goals of the Border U12 team is to get the team ready for the following year when most of those players will be included in the U13 Craven Week team.
“It's aim is to earmark boys, so the selection process for Border U13 Craven Week is made easier,” admitted Zangqa.
“The current Border U13 coach is involved with the U12s so he can better understand and prepare for the boys for the coming year.”
So far the team has played a warmup game against a Hudson Park in an effort to give the coaches insight to see if their plans are working and to prepare for the festival, but their first competitive game will be at the tournament. Last year’s Border team had a mixed bag at the annual event, but did beat WP.
“My goal is to see these young men not only gain satisfaction in knowing that they are the best in their age group but take away a provincial experience that will grow their rugby careers,” said Zangqa.
“This team carries a lot of potential and could possibly go and win four out of four games in Riversdale. I often say they give me goosebumps at training sessions, due to the energy and accuracy in which they perform tasks.”
The Border U12 squad:
The boys are aware of the value of training sessions and worked very hard
Luke Stegman (Hudson), Luke Randall (Dale), Bibo Makwedini (Komga), Dominique Kamangu (Stirling), Imivuyo Kemka (Voorpos), Lovemore Hunter (Cambridge), Daniel Breetzke (Selborne), Qhamani Mlalandle (Queen’s), Landile Gidi (Hudson), Chad de Beyer (Selborne), Simphiwe Nana Dwayi (Gonubie), Jed Stone (Queen’s), Jameel Fleshman (Queen’s), Deacon Swartz (Selborne), Itha Mbulana (Queen’s), Babalo Matshini (Gonubie), Chad Henderson (Lilyfontein), Abulele Botonini (Voorpos), Bakula Banyolo (Selborne), Praise Matsila (Queen’s), Qiqa Qwesha (Beaconhurst), Zingca Simka (GRPS), Imelwe Nxesi (Queen’s).