Powerhouse teams promise thrills aplenty
ALTHOUGH they have had little time to gel as a team, the Standard Bank XV will be on a mission when the Standard Bank Cape Schools Rugby and Crosscountry Week, in association with Powerade and Spur, kicks off at Grey High today.
There are several exciting rugby matches on the opening day programme, with the pick possibly being the 1.15pm clash between Border powerhouse Selborne and ace Western Cape outfit Paarl Gymnasium.
Hosts Grey will be looking for a strong start to the week when they take on Rondebosch in the final match of the opening day.
The Standard Bank XV, under the guidance of coach Stegman van Zyl and manager Bruce Stowman, face Queen’s in a midday showdown, with all the motivation to prove themselves.
The team is made up of EP players, mostly in Grades 11 and 12, who did not make the provincial teams and this is their chance to show what they can do. Stowman acknowledged that the build-up had not been easy because the boys were from all over the province, but he said there was plenty of enthusiasm in the squad.
“They are very keen to show what they can do and having been left out of the Craven Week sides, this is their chance to make a point,” Stowman said.
“Our coach Stegman has been work- ing very hard to get the team to gel and we are definitely not there just to make up the numbers.”
The day is set for an explosive start with the slick Dale side taking on the hard men of Boland Landbou at 9.30am, while Muir will put their credentials firmly under the spotlight when they meet one of Cape Town’s leading schools in SACS in the second game, starting at 10.45am.