One step at time for EP – coach
Craven Week defending champs feel pressure
EASTERN Province return to the Coca-Cola U18 Craven Week as defending champions but head coach Louis Gerber says they will be taking matters one step at a time.
“All the teams are very well coached and must be respected. The hosts, WP, will be one of the favourites, along with the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and SWD. We are not looking further than our first match against SWD,” Gerber told The Herald Youth team.
“That will be our main focus for now, we want to achieve the same as last year and therefore create our own legacy for the team of 2015.
“I was also the coach last year and therefore we will work much harder this time to make sure we are well prepared for this edition,” he said.
The side enjoyed mixed fortunes in a warm-up tournament at Langenhoven Gymnasium, beating Boland 34-21 on Saturday but then losing to Western Province 32-6.
The Craven Week tournament has given birth to some of the biggest names in South African rugby. Held in July, it is an annual tournament where young upcoming rugby players battle it out for glory, representing their respective unions.
Bolstered by last year’s victory, the EP Craven Week team is undergoing preparations for this year’s tournament, which takes place at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch from July 13.
The journey to selecting EP’s two squads began during three rounds of trials over a recent sixweek period. After that, teams were selected for the annual Meyer Sauerman Day (the Eastern Province and Eastern Province Country Districts tournament) for a final set of trials.
“It is a long process to pick two EP Craven Week teams. The first one is the “flagship team” that is the best from city and country. Thereafter a second team, consisting only of country and rural players, is chosen and both teams go to the Craven Week,” Gerber said.
Preparation for the tournament has already started and the team is set to play three warm-up matches, against Boland, Western Province and EP Country Districts. “We will also be holding a three-day training camp during the holidays before departing.”
This year’s side will be led by Grey High School lock Michael de Marco and the 22-man squad boasts 10 Grey High players, six from Framesby, three from Daniel Pienaar, two from Marlow and one from St Andrew’s.
With EP having claimed last year’s title, there will be great pressure on this year’s players. The squads are: EP Craven Week (15-1): Riaan van Rensburg (Framesby), Sihle Njezulu (Grey), Heino Bezuidenhout (Daniel Pienaar, v-capt), Josiah Boafo (Grey), Mohamed Connelly (Grey), Curwin Bosch (Grey), Louis Strydom (Framesby), Kwezi Mafu (Grey), Ruben Pretorius (Framesby), Duan du Plessis (Daniel Pienaar), Michael de Marco (Grey, capt), Kamva Dilima (Grey), Pieter van Taak (Daniel Pienaar), Andre Lategan (Framesby), CJ van Niekerk (Marlow). 16-22: Arno le Roux (Marlow), Siwe Masosiwe (Grey), Zaci Sandi (St Andrew’s), Ruben le Roux (Framesby), Malan Marais (Framesby), Lubabalo Dobela (Grey), Khanyo Mafunda (Grey). Head coach: Louis Gerber (Framesby); assistant coaches: Johan du Toit (Daniel Pienaar), Sizwe Kobese (Motherwell); manager: Shaun Felix (Humansdorp Secondary); conditioning coach: Stefan de Klerk (Framesby). Craven Week Country (15-1): Athi Halom (Kingswood), Gevanhier Blom (Midlands Secondary), Siba Mzanywa (Kingswood), Josie Niewoudt (Nico Malan), Kwezi Ansah (Union High), Anthony Dakin (St Andrew’s, capt), Zander Stotter (Marlow), Dirk Staats (Nico Malan), Luyolo Tshangwina (Graeme), Janco Kruger (Aliwal North), Pieter Swanepoel (Nico Malan), Roux Jansen (Marlow), Mike van Breda (Kingswood), Michael Uys (Nico Malan, v-capt), MC van Damme (Burgersdorp). 16-22: Wian Ferreira (Marlow), Ewan Pieters (Kingswood), Thembi Mangwana (Kingswood), Jason Liesmore (Kingswood), Khanyisa Thsuni (Union High), Xolile Mdlokovana (St Andrew’s), Grant Dixie (St Andrew’s). Head coach: John de Vos (Midlands); assistant coaches: Damien Arends (Aliwal North), Gert van Wyk (Union High); manager: George Lamani (Nathaniel Nyaluza).
‘ We will work much harder this time to make sure we are well prepared for this edition