In what was a high scoring affair, the Eastern Province u19 side won the ABSA u19 B Division Competition last week against what was up until that point an unbeaten Valke u19 side. They put 56 points on the board, but would’ve been disappointed with their defensive efforts as they allowed the Valke to score 40 points.
Upon chatting with a couple of lads it seems it was a case of Kings scoring and then the Valke replying immediately, it carried on in this manner until the Kings took it away in the end. That being said the Kings u19s were particularly in fine form on attack with both Selvyn Davids and Khaya Malotana grabbing a hat-trick of tries each. Selvyn being the MVP on the day with 5 conversions and 2 penalties added to his hattrick to take him to a tally of 31 points contributed.
The Kings won and deservedly qualified for the u19 promotion / relegation game against Border, who they will take on today. Border might have lost all their games, but they are tough side to beat at the BCM Stadium and will have learnt a great deal from their 1st year in the ABSA u19 A Division Competition. The Kings will need to be on their A game today to emerge victorious in a tough encounter away from home. Coaches, Ryan Felix and Rory Duncan named a side with only 1 injury enforced change showing good continuity.
The front row remains unchanged this week as well with St Andrew’s scholar David Murray continuing at loosehead prop. Grey boy JP Jamieson continues at hooker while Matthew Moore will pack down at tighthead prop. Stephan Ebersohn and Gerrit Huisamen have matured into a very good lock pairing, both for Grey and the Kings u19 side and will look to end their final game as a combination on a high by putting in the hard yards in the engine room. John Henry Schmitt is on the openside flanker while big Tyler Paul will pack down on the blindside flank. Erwin Slabbert who along with captain Mathew has played every single game this season completes the loose trio as he’ll line up at no.8. The forward unit is thus unchanged.
The backline which was responsible for most of the damage last week from a scoring point of view is also unchanged. Jason Baggott continues at scrumhalf and will form the halfback combination with Alex Banfield who will be entrusted with the no.10 jersey. Luan Nieuwoudt who had a few good breaks last week and linked up well with his outside backs starts again at 12 this week, Selyvn Davids will combine with Luan in the centres and the 2 Nico Malan boys who’ve enjoyed a good season as a combination for both school and province will also want to end their season as a combo on a good note. The back 3 is also unchanged with Sherwin Slater on the left wing, Sergeal continues with his stint with the u19s, a stint he told me in particular that he is enjoying, just playing with his mates and guys his age. Last week’s 3 try hero Khaya Malotana completes the back 3 and he’ll start at fullback for the 10th consecutive game this season making him the only backline player to play in all the games.
The 1 change on the bench is Mitchell Turner who comes in for Warren Swarts who was concussed last week. The rest of the bench remains the same, with former Pearson boy Jonathan deputising at hooker for JP Jamieson. Smija Qinelais covering loosehead and Kingswood tighthead prop Mvelo Khumalo completes the front row cover. Bathandwa Cafu is in the no.18 jersey and will primarily cover lock and loose forward while Dewald Meyer will also be deputising for the loose forwards. Francois Nel is covering scrumhalf while Mitchell Turner is a good flyhalf in the no.21 jersey. St Andrew’s schoolboy Ethan Fortuin rounds up the bench with the speed merchant covering outside centre and the back 3.
I spoke to Matty to get his finals words ahead of what is possibly their most important game of their season, “It means a lot to our team to play in this game because we know the union and the supporters are behind us, we want to make EP Rugby great again and back to the top, because they’re fighting for us to playing in the senior A division, so we junior sides also want do our part and play in the A Division.” He added, “It’s going to be tough tomorrow with the rain, but we’re up for it. It won’t be easy, but we’ll put everything into winning tomorrow.”
Matthew had the final word; all I can say from our side as Kings Supporters is good luck to the coaches and the men who will run out in the black and red tomorrow!!!
Kings u19:
15: Khaya Malotana (Queen’s College)
14: Sergeal Petersen (Grey High School, PE)
13: Selvyn Davids (Nico Malan)
12: Luan Nieuwoudt (Nico Malan)
11: Sherwin Slater (Andrew Rabie High School)
10: Alex Banfield (Grey High School, PE)
09: Jason Baggott (St Andrew’s College)
08: Erwin Slabbert (Framesby High School)
07: Tyler Paul (St Andrew’s College)
06: John Henry Schmitt (Oudtshoorn High School)
05: Gerrit Huisamen (Grey High School, PE)
04: Stephan Ebersohn (Grey High School, PE
03: Matthew Moore © (Brandwag)
02: Jean Pierre Jamieson (Grey High School, PE)
01: David Murray (St Andrew’s College)
Reserves:
16: Jonathan Ford (Pearson High School)
17: Similile Qinela (Selborne College)
18: Bathandwa Cafu (Grey High School, PE)
19: Dewald Meyer (Otto du Plessis)
20: Francois Nel (Daniel Pienaar)
21: Mitchell Turner (Selborne College)
22: Ethan Fortuin (St Andrew’s College)
23: Mvelo Khumalo (Kingswood College)
HEAD COACH: Ryan Felix
ASSISTANT COACH: Rory Duncan
Ludumo Nkabi - follow on twitter @ludz19
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