Border junior teams show grit
U12s, U15s shine in tournaments
Two Border age-group teams did the province proud in two tournaments they participated in recently, once again affirming the abundance of talent in the region.
The Border Under 12 team took part in the U12 Inter Coastal Rugby Tournament in Riversdale, from September 29 to October 1.
They were led by Sam Mabombo as head coach, with our very own Lungi Dube from Queen’s College the assistant coach and Masidumise Nkomo the manager.
Queen’s College was wellrepresented with six players in the team in Liyema Mnqibisi, Syon Mata, Charles Broster, Anayolo Tobeko, Samkelo Guma and Stef van Biljon.
The Border lads lost 8-5 to the Sharks on the first day, and then beat Boland B 15-13.
On the second day, Border lost in two close encounters, 17-12 to Eastern Province and 20-17 to Western Province.
Coach Lungi Dube said the experience gained was invaluable and given more time, as a team, they would perform wonders.
On the other hand, the Border Iqhawe U15 team travelled to Johannesburg for the South African Legends Association Iqhawe U15 Week from October 2 to 6.
They entered the tournament as one of the firm favourites after beating both Blue Bulls and Western Province in the last tournament.
In their ranks they had JT Prince from Hangklip and Ndimphiwe Songqwaba from Sixishe High, with Maxwell Levine the team manager.
The head coach was Wandile Ngoma, Sindisa Mene the assistant coach and Onke Dubase the forwards coach.
The Baby Bulldogs got off to a blistering start in their opening match against Leopards, beating them 45-0.
The boys were in a league of their own, dominating the game in all facets.
It was clear from the onset that the right combinations were selected and the tactical work on attack and defence put in by the coaches was superb.
The second match on day two against Western Province was marred by controversy.
Border dominated the early exchanges but understood this match was going to test the players’ abilities to the limit against the bigger Union.
It was a tight affair with both teams giving it their all, and the lead exchanging hands twice.
However, the end of the match was marred by controversy as the officials blew the whistle with six minutes left on the clock. Even the referee was confused and questioned why the hooter was blown.
WP ended up winning this hotlycontested match 11-10.
The final day was always going to be a test of character for the Border boys as to how they would respond against South Western Districts after coming off a heartbreaking loss against Western Province.
The boys had the mental acumen and character to bounce back by dispatching SWD 26-5 to showcase their true talent.
In all three matches, a Border player was man of the match.
In the first match against Leopards, fullback Requilme Adonis walked away with the honours.
In the second match against WP, Khazimla Manzi scooped the prize.
In the last outing against SWD, prop Silindokuhle Nciza was the best man on the park.
Khazimla Manzi walked away as the Iqhawe Week overall forward player of the tournament.
The Baby Bulldogs got off to a blistering start in their opening match against Leopards