GORGE NEWS - South Western Districts (SWD) youth rugby took part in various competitions last week, continuing this week with the u.18 Craven Week.
The u.16s at Grant Khomo won two out of three matches, the u.13s Craven Week team won two out of four while the u.13 Academy Week team won three out of four matches.
Finally, the SWD LSEN (learners with special educational needs) won two out of three matches and two SWD LSEN players were selected for the SA LSEN team.
The u.18 SWD teams headed north to test their mettle during a week of senior school rugby games.
The u.18 Stadio Craven Week is being hosted in Krugersdorp at High School Monument and the Academic team's tournament is being held in Johannesburg at Jeppe High School.
The u.18 SWD Craven Week team played the opening game of the 2024 tournament on Monday 24 June against the Falcons and won (41-34). Reinhardt Viljoen (SWD) was chosen as the man of the match. Their second match was played yesterday, Wednesday 26 June, against the Sharks.
The u.18 Academic Week team beat the Leopards (22-19) in a close encounter on Monday 24 June. Their second match was played on Wednesday against the Griffons.
The SWD Eagles u.18 Craven Week team before leaving for the Craven Week in Krugersdorp.
The SWD Eagles u.16 team did extremely well at the Grant Khomo tournament in Gqeberha, held the week of 17 June.
They beat Namibia (26-6) and the Western Province XV (34-31) and were a hair's breadth away from doing the same to the Sharks, who snatched victory after full time was already played (19-21). Despite the team's loss, SWD's Zay-Winn January was selected as man of the match.
The SWD Eagles u.13 Craven Week and Academy Week teams took part in the Craven week tournament at Menlo Park during the same week.
In their first match, the SWD Craven Week team beat the Leopards 15-12, but got a hiding in their second match against WP (8-36).
In their third match they convincingly beat the Griffons (31-10) but went on to narrowly lose their final match against the Cheetahs (33-38). The SWD Academy Week team won three of their four matches.
They started with a victory over the Griffons (19-7) but lost against the Blue Bulls (12-19). In their final two matches they convincingly beat Border (26-6) and won a close match against the Lions (22-19).
The LSEN tournament was also held in Potchefstroom the week of 17 June. The SWD LSEN team beat the Falcons (39-19) and Etin Malgas was chosen as the man of the match. They were thrashed by Eastern Province (3-70), and beat the Cheetahs (26-12).
Both Etin Malgas and Jonay le Roux were selected for the SA LSEN team that competes in the Craven Week Academy tournament.
Both Etin Malgas (left) and Jonay le Roux were selected for the SA LSEN team that is currently competing in the Craven Week Academy week.
A special capping function for all the SWD youth teams were held on 8 June at Eagles Nest Ministries in Pacaltsdorp. Families and friends were introduced to each player from the six different SWD teams as well as their coaches and team officials.
The guest speaker was Hennie Baartman, South African Rugby Union (Saru) executive member responsible for schools rugby.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
