FOR the first time in history 23 rugby players have been chosen from across the Border region to represent the Border province at the U13 Nashua XV TAL tournament in Sasolburg. The tournament starts on Sunday.
The players come from various schools such as Stirling, Selborne Primary, Hudson Park Primary, Laerskool Grens, Dale Collage, Crewe Primary, Voorpos, Cambridge Primary and Queens College.
The tournament has been taking place for the past 10 years where provincial under-13 rugby B teams from across South Africa gather, in a showcase of the best young rugby talent in the country.
They have received an invite before but could not go because of financial constraints, but this year parents wanted their children to get the exposure and worked towards getting them to Sasolburg.
Head coach Jacques Du Preez said if it weren’t for the parents, they would never have been able to go and they are grateful.
“This is very special for the boys and it will be great to be part of this tournament. We are really looking forward to it,” he said.
They have not only been training the boys physically but mentally as well. “They are ready to play with the big teams such as the Lions. They show great potential [during training].”
They played in a Pre Craven Week Tournament in Oudtshoorn which was held on June 15 to 17.
Border permanent rep Andre Matthee said they have been very fortunate because sponsors came on board. “We are very excited, the parents are ecstatic.
“The players are committed to make us proud. There will be big teams and we constantly motivate our boys. Some of them think they deserve to be on the A team, when they get onto the field they must prove that,” said Matthee.
One of the parents, Wendy Mostert said as parents and teachers, they are proud to be part of this. “We hope that what we have started in 2017 will continue for years to come. We would like to thank our coaches for assisting and coaching these boys: Border permanent rep Andre Matthee, manager L Loock, head coach Jacques Du Preez, ass coach J van Heerden, and chaperone J Du Toit,” said Mostert.
Their first game will be on Monday, July 3 against the Lions.
