EP Schools Preview for 16 May
There will be plenty to play for when the Meyer Sauerman tournament takes place at Brandwag in Uitenhage on Saturday (May 16) as players from around the province vie for spots in the provincial teams for the junior weeks to be played in July.
Securing a spot in your provincial age-group team must be top of the agenda for any aspiring young rugby player and EP's triumph in the Craven Week in Middelburg last year brought recognition for many of the region's junior stars.
The Meyer Sauerman tournament effectively acts as the final Under-18 trials and the Under-16 trials, for the Grant Khomo Week, nd will take place on Saturday, with the teams expected to be announced a few days later. The Under-18 selectors will choose two teams for the Craven Week, to be played in Stellenbosch fromy 13-18 Jul, as well as two Academy sides for the Academy Week in Vanderbijlpark from 6-9 July.
The Grant Khomo Week will be held in Oudtshoorn from 6-9 July.
The trials will lead to a shortened schools programme this weekend, but there are still some interesting fixtures on the schedule.
Coming off the high of beating St Andrew's, Graeme will have to quickly get back to earth when they host the dangerous Queen's team. The Queenstown side were pushed all the way by Kingswood last week, but showed their resilience by pulling away in the last minute in a high-scoring match.
St Andrew's and Kingswood will also host Border rivals, with the Andreans looking to bounce back against Cambridge, while Kingswood should have the beating of Port Rex.
In PE, Ithembelihle will be out to regain the winning touch against Humansdorp at the New Brighton Oval, while Victoria Park will be looking to continue an excellent season when they host DF Malherbe.
Woodridge, who suffered a narrow one-point loss to York last weekend, will be looking to bounce back when they host a competent Alexander Road side.
In East London, Selborne can expect a backlash when they host a Grey College team thirsting to get back to their winning ways after three straight losses. Selborne will be no pushovers, but they are sure to come up against a fired-up Bloem outfit.
The fixtures, subject to change, are (home teams first, 11.30 start unless stated): Woodridge vs Alexander Road, Adelaide Gym vs Cradock, Bertram vs Solomon Mahlangu, Port Alfred vs Cillie, Victoria Park vs DF Malherbe, Ithembelihle vs Humansdorp at New Brighton Oval, Otto du Plessis vs John Walton, Uitenhage vs McCarthy Street, St Andrew's vs Cambridge (14.30), Kingswood vs Port Rex (14.45), Graeme vs Queen's (14.55), Selborne vs Grey College (12.30).
By Neale Emslie
