Vuka competition reveals talent in less-known sides
MORE than 130 promising rugby players gathered at the Zwide Stadium for the first edition of an actionpacked two-day Saru Legends U15 Vuka tournament at the weekend.
The tournament featured eight regions, with outstanding players who had been selected from round-robin trials in their sub-unions.
In the main game on Friday, PE North beat Koukamma 25-0.
The PE North side played structured rugby with their forwards running good lines.
Cowan Geland had a brilliant game, scoring two tries.
What the players from the Koukamma region lacked in size they made up for in pace and the execution of well-rehearsed set pieces.
Renaldo Miggels stood out and displayed good ball-carrying skills.
Eastern Province High Schools Rugby Union president Willem October said: “This tournament is a stepping stone for aspiring rugby players who do not have many opportunities to play on a platform like this.
“The talent shown by these boys at this level is motivating.
“With the right nurturing and development coaches on board, these young men should go really far.”
Vuka (revive) is aimed strictly at non-traditional rugby-playing schools and those from the rural areas.
EPRU and Saru Legends sides in the tournament are undergoing selection for a 35-member team to represent the Eastern Cape in the Iqhawe tournament, to be held in Johannesburg in October.