Testing week for top rugby schools
Proud tradition continues with 2015 Cape challenge
EVEN with the proliferation of schools rugby festivals around the country in the last two decades, the Standard Bank Cape Schools Rugby Week, in association with Powerade and Spur, continues to play a prominent role in the annual programmes of the Eastern Cape’s participating schools.
Starting with the inaugural tournament in 1980, 2015 hosts Grey High, Queen’s, Selborne and Dale have attended every Week, held biannually, and Muir have been a constant presence since their first appearance in 1986.
This year the Week will take place from June 27 to July 1.
Asked what significance the Cape Schools Week still held for them, the coaches of four of the schools left no doubt that it still played a major part in their annual planning, giving them a wonderful opportunity to test themselves against their Western Cape counterparts.
The proud history of schoolboy rugby in the two regions results in a thrilling festival of the game, with the sides from each area, normally fierce rivals in their regular derbies, getting a chance to support each other.
Grey coach Tim Fraser, whose team are on a roll and again proving to be one of the top guns in the Eastern Cape, said there was plenty of excitement in their camp looking ahead to the Week.
“. . . there is a lot of excitement around our three fixtures at CSW [Cape Schools Week],” Fraser said. “We are certainly looking forward to testing ourselves against such respected opposition.”
Grey, who have wins against other Cape rivals Bishops and Wynberg this year, will be up against SACS, Rondebosch and Boland Landbou, meaning they will be tested throughout the week.
“All three have had very good seasons so far,” Fraser said. “Rondebosch and SACS, who enjoyed a great win over the formidable Affies earlier in the year, play exciting rugby, where they combine an intelligent kicking game with some pretty impressive skill levels across both forwards and backs with ball in hand.
“We end the week with Boland Landbou, who historically are physically impressive and pretty direct in their approach. More recently they have been successful in bringing in a more expansive approach to their game, when required, which makes them pretty dangerous.”
Muir are aware they will need to punch above their weight at the Week, but Lyntin Gouws said there was a strong excitement in the team as for many of their player this would be their first [CSW].
“We hope our players will learn from the Week and developing their game will be an achievement for both team and coaching staff,” Gouws said. “Having a few wins in the bag will be great as well, but we know it will be tough.
“Both SACS and Rondebosch will be physically taxing for the boys. These are great rugby-playing schools. The last time Muir and Rondebosch met, the scoreboard was in Muir's favour. So we have a challenge ahead to en- sure we repeat this and I am sure Rondebosch will try and make sure it does not happen again.”
Gouws said the Week was a massive part of their rugby programme, giving the Muir players exposure to a slightly higher level.
“In my opinion, it is one of the toughest festivals around – mostly traditional boys schools going at each other, and the men of the mountain [Western Cape] trying to outplay the men of the land. Being invited to Cape Schools is an honour.”
Border schools Queen’s and Selborne are equally enthusiastic about the forthcoming challenge.
“Queen’s always look forward to a festival in which they can test their skills against schools from the Cape,” coach John Duncan said. “We look forward to playing against SACS and Paarl Gym who are both having fantastic seasons.
“Cape Schools is vital for rugby development. It allows our boys to compete and make friends with boys from different regions.”
Selborne’s Max Norman said they were looking forward to renewing contacts with old Western Cape rivals.
“The team is excited about the challenge presented by playing top Western Cape opponents and look forward to renewing contact with old friends at what still is a special festival,” Norman said.
“Cape Schools stands out among festivals as it has a long history and provides the opportunity for the same group of schools to renew contact every two years.
“It also enables a school’s rugby and cross-country teams to travel together. The history, atmosphere and healthy rivalry that are part of Cape Schools ensure it remains a very important part of our school calendar.”
‘ In my opinion, it is one of the toughest festivals around