Free State get a new U19 league

The leagues, which is a programme initiated by the Free State Rugby, will aim to identify and retain new and local talent.

"Too many players with potential stop playing rugby after school and are lost for the region," said Franco Smith, the Director of Rugby at the Free State Cheetahs.   

"With the U19 league, Free State Rugby aims to feed and strengthen professional and club rugby from junior levels up.

"Free State Rugby are seen as the breeding ground of talent and opportunity,"

The Free State has always been seen as a natural source of rugby talent and Free State Rugby wants to ensure that players that recently matriculated are given an opportunity to make their rugby dreams come true.

The league will be played over six weeks starting on Friday, February 9 and ending on March 10.  There will not be a final match.  

On March 10, the teams will play against first and second, third and fourth and fifth and sixth respectively in that sequence.

Matches on the February 9 will be kicking off at 15.00 SA Time and played at Grey College.

To encourage attractive and running rugby, a rule will be enforced were only a forward will be allowed to kick at goal (penalty or conversion).

There will be a festive atmosphere at the games and everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

Teams participating in the league:

– Bloemfontein Invitational team (consisting of players from CUTII and Bloemfontein Academy, coached by Hendrik Ras and coordinated by Skillie Bester)

– Free State Invitational team (consisting of all the clubs in Bloemfontein and the Cheetah Academy, coached by Jan du Toit, Bobby Joubert and Carel Bester and coordinated by Bertram Johnson)

– UVI (coached by Rasheed Isaacs and Justin Pappin, Isaacs is the coordinator)

– UVII (coached by Rasheed Isaacs and Justin Pappin, Isaacs is the coordinator)

– CUT (coached by Rynhardt Erwee and coordinated by Skillie Bester)

– Grey College (coached and coordinated by Wessel du Plessis)