Western Province star goes from SAU19 disappointment to Khaya Majola Hero

Western Province bowler Siyabulela Plaaitjie set aside his disappointment at not making the SA 19 team for the ICC U19 World Cup by playing a match-winning role in Western Province's first win against Gauteng since Potchefstroom in 2012.

When he wasn’t picked he was disappointed and looked for guidance from his mentor at Western Province Cricket, Graham October.

Graham told him that he had two options, the first was to feel sorry for himself and to curl up in bed and cry and the second was to go to the Khaya Majola Week and play the best cricket he can play.

Graham left the decision to Siya because it’s one of his policies is to let the boys in his care make their own decisions.

“Graham is like a father figure to me and he always directs me in the right direction, being left out of the world cup side is a real disappointment. He explained my options and I chose to focus on my game and to make sure that I do well and, hopefully,  make the SA Schools team,’ said Siya.

His earlier performances at the Khaya Majola Week had not been up to his high standards until he faced Gauteng in the traditional clash of the titans at the tournament.

Western Province had not beaten Gauteng at the Khaya Majola Week since the ‘main game’ of 2012. Since then they have lost five finals against Gauteng and it was looking as if they were going to lose again at Michaelhouse on Thursday, until Siya bowled an inspired spell that broke the back of the Gauteng run chase.

Siya has always been a fighter, he comes from a very poor single-parent family in Langa, Cape Town, where his mother tries her very best to give him the opportunities that most boys in that area are not able to get.

Through his cricketing ability, Siya created his own opportunities and was spotted at an early age by Western Province Cricket. He has had many mentors at the union including the current Gauteng coach Siyabonga Sibiya who, even though his team lost to Western Province, was one of the first people to congratulate him for his brilliant effort. He was clearly emotional because he knew what Siya had been through to get this far in life.

Graham October was the most emotional. He ran up to embrace the boy that he knows so well and brought tears to the eyes of many of the spectators on the field.

‘Coach Graham helps me out emotionally, financially and with my cricket. It is awesome to have someone like him in my life, along with the other mentors at Western Province cricket who help me,’ said Siya.

Siya is at Wynberg Boys’ High on a bursary, supported by the Western Province Cricket Union and he is part of a truly South African Western Province team in which privileged kids from schools like Bishops can play as equals with a boy like himself, from Langa and they can be friends.

it’s a story is that Khaya Majola would have loved playing. A testament to his vision for the tournament has been named after him.

Siya and Graeme

SA Rugby Media Release - SA Schools team announced for U19 Series

Six players who featured in the SA Schools and SA Schools A teams in the Under 19 International Series last season will add experience to the 28-member squad named on Thursday for the 2017 edition of the tournament in Cape Town.

Centre Rikus Pretorius was a member of the triumphant SA Schools team that registered a whitewash in the 2016 series, while scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba, flankers Dylan Richardson and Mark Snyman, lock Juan van der Mescht and prop Keagan Glade all represented the SA Schools A team.

The SA Schools team, sponsored by Coca-Cola, will face Wales on Friday, 11 August at City Park Stadium in Crawford; France on Tuesday, 15 August, at Paarl Gymnasium; and England on Saturday, 19 August, at a venue yet to be confirmed.

In total 18 players in the squad featured in the final match of the U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week at St Stithians College in Johannesburg last Saturday between the Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions and the Sharks, which the home team won 45-18, with each side boasting nine players.

The tournament marks the sixth edition of the international schools tournament, which has become a highlight on the schools rugby calendar. The SA Schools team will again be guided by head coach Lance Sendin, who is also the Hugenote Hoërskool First XV team coach, while Tshepa Trading Griffons U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week assistant coach Roean Bezuidenhout has been named as his assistant coach.

The SA Schools team will gather in Stellenbosch on Sunday, 6 August, to begin their preparations for the tournament. The captain and vice-captain is set to be named once the coaches have had time to work with the players.

“This is a talented group of players and we are excited to work with them ahead of the tournament,” said Sendin. 

“We have no doubt that a huge challenge awaits in the series, but this is an exciting time of the year for us all and we will give our best to be successful in the series.”

Due to the number of participating teams in the series, the SA Schools A team will not be in action this year.

SA Schools squad:

Forwards (18):

Adrian Alberts (lock), DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High

Morne Brandon (hooker), Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Monument

Phendulani Buthelezi (No 8), Sharks / Durban High School

Jordan Clarke (prop), Sharks / Glenwood

Vian Fourie (flanker), DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High

Keagan Glade (prop), Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / KES*

Travis Gordon (No 8), Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / KES

Ruhann Greyling (hooker), Free State / Grey College

Celimpilo Gumede (lock), Sharks / Durban High School

Joachim Martins (flanker), DHL Western Province/ Paarl Gymnasium

Nkosikhona Masuku (prop), Xerox Waltons Golden Lions/ Parktown Boys High

Fezokuhle Mbatha (hooker), Sharks/ Maritzburg College

Banele Mthenjane (prop), Pumas/ Nelspruit

Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop), Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions/ St Stithians          

Dylan Richardson (flanker), Sharks/ Kearsney*

Mark Snyman (flanker), Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions/ Helpmekaar*

Juan van der Mescht (lock), Sharks/ Glenwood*

Christen van Niekerk (lock), Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions/ Monument

Backs (10):

Diego Appollis (utility back), Blue Bulls/Garsfontein

Hillegard Du Plessis (winger), DHL Western Province/ Paarl Gymnasium

Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Sharks/ Glenwood

Yanga Hlalu (centre/winger), Xerox Bidvest Golden Lions/ KES

Qamani Kota (winger), Tshepa Trading Griffons/ Welkom Gimnasium

Conan Le Fleur (winger), Sharks/ Glenwood

Bonianga Mpeku (fullback), Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions/ KES

Sanele Nohamba (scrumhalf), Sharks/ Durban High School*

Rikus Pretorius (centre), Free State/ Grey College*

Christopher Schreuder (flyhalf), Free State/ Grey College

SA Schools management team:

Head Coach - Lance Sendin

Assistant Coach - Roean Bezuidenhout

Team Manager - Ofentse Moeng

Conditioning Coach - Andre Smith

Team Doctor - Dr Gerhard Coetzer

Physiotherapist - Kim Naidoo

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Coca-Cola Hero of the Day for Day 4 JJ van der Mescht

 

Coca-Cola Hero of the Day for Day 3 Nkosikhona Masuku

COCA-COLA® U18 CRAVEN WEEK HERO TO DON GREEN AND GOLD

Blue Bulls scrumhalf, Embrose Papier, who was named the Coca-Cola® Hero of the Day for day 5 of the U18 Coca-Cola® Craven Week has been selected for the Coca-Cola® SA Schools team which will be taking on England, France, Wales and Italy later this month. 

The team, which is made up of twenty six players, was selected by a panel of national and SA Schools selectors following the conclusion of the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven® Week in Stellenbosch.

Embrose, who hails from Hoerskool Garsfontein, is one of four players to retain his place in the squad and was one of five prestigious daily Coca-Cola® Hero of the Day winners at the U18 Coca-Cola® Craven Week.

The Coca-Cola® Hero of the Day was awarded to a player who inspired or changed his team’s fortunes with a hero moment.  Embrose was selected for a standout run in the Blue Bull’s match against Boland, which lead to a try and inspired his team to a dominant win on the final day of the tournament.

As a result of his heroic play at the U18 Coca-Cola® Craven Week, Embrose will now don the green and gold of the Coca-Cola® SA Schools team in their upcoming international series. 

Fetsi Mbele Coca-Cola Africa’s Senior Communications Manager: Brand Experience commented, “Coca-Cola South is extremely proud to support the development of South Africa’s next rugby heroes through the sponsorships of the Coca-Cola® SA Schools team and the Coca-Cola® Youth Weeks.  The development of heroes such as Embrose is what the Coca-Cola® Youth Weeks are all about.  We at Coca-Cola have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the success of the Coca-Cola® Youth Weeks and the incredible foundation they have created for schoolboy rugby in South Africa. The sponsorships of the Coca-Cola® SA Schools team and the Coca-Cola® Youth Weeks also signify the importance of living an active healthy lifestyle through participation in sport.  Playing sport, together with a balanced diet, may play an important role in maintaining a healthy way of life.  I look forward to following the progress of Embrose and his fellow graduates of the 2015 U18 Coca-Cola® Craven Week as they carve out a career for themselves in South African rugby”  

The Coca-Cola® SA Schools team will face Wales on 7 August at City Park Stadium in Cape Town, France on 11 August at Outeniqua Park in George and England on 15 August back at City Park Stadium in Cape Town.

[ENDS]

Media Contact

Shawn Belluigi

Tel: 083 675 4338

Email: shawn@intunecom.co.za

About The Coca-Cola Company

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A woman making an impact in the world of soccer at the Danone Nations Cup

When Machibini Primary School of Mtubatuba run onto the field for the KwaZulu-Natal provincial playoffs of the under-12 Danone Nations Cup competition, at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont on Saturday May 16^th, they will have, in their technical area, have Mrs Happiness Mchunu as team manager.

Happiness is remarkable not only because she is a woman making an impact in the man’s world of soccer, but also because she, almost single-handedly, got sport established at the school.

When she started teaching at the school in 2004 they didn’t do any sport at all so, because she loves sport, she decided to get it going. Now they participate in athletics and soccer and are working towards adding other codes.

She entered the school in the in the Danone Nations Cup for the first time last year and to their surprise they made it into the provincial finals at their first attempt. “We didn’t expect to reach that level and were pleasantly surprised at our success,” she said.

Happiness gives credit for making it to the finals again this year to the boys. “When a coach has a committed team, anything is possible,” she said. “Last year we managed to reach the provincials, beating schools that are regulars in this tournament, it shows that the team and I were committed to making a success out of this tournament.  I instil in the boys that they need to be passionate about the sport- play soccer because you love it and it’s what you want to do,” is her advice.

Her love for soccer comes from being an avid fan. “I love the game and have been a dedicated follower all my life. I watch local and international soccer. My favourite team locally is Orlando Pirates and Internationally it’s Chelsea FC, who have just won the English Premiership.”

This year she is the manager of the team as the school has acquired the services of Lungani Biyela as a coach. He joined the school this year and they have been working closely together.

 “We don’t have a lot of female coaches in South Africa and my goal is to eventually be a qualified coach, but still remain involved in soccer development focusing in rural areas,” Mchunu said.

On their way to the provincial finals Machibini played a total of 22 games – at zonal, circuit and district level – and won them all. “It was not an easy road for us, making it into the provincials is a very big deal for us and we consider it a huge achievement for the team,” Mchunu said.

“Our defining moment was when we played our district finals game against Hluhluwe Primary School. They were the host team and the stadium was filled with their supporters, but we pulled through and we beat them 3-0.  That has been our best game to date this year.”

The teams participating in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial finals are:

Masihambisane Primary School - Amajuba District

Dinuphozo Primary School - ILembe District

Mthethousha Primary School - UMgungundlovu District

Nkelabantwana Primary School - Sisonke District

Celimfundo Primary School - UThukela District

Phumza Primary School - UGu District

Mzweni Primary School - UMzinyathi District

Nhlabonisi Primary School - UThungulu District

Sherwood Primary School - EThekwini District

Mophela Primary School - Pinetown District

Ningizimu Primary School - Zululand District

Machibini Primary School - UMkhanyakude District

About Danone

Danone Southern Africa is part of the Danone Group, one of the fastest-growing food companies in the world.  Danone is present in over 120 countries across all continents. With 160 plants and around 100,000 employees, the Danone Group is the number one worldwide for Fresh Dairy Products. Danone’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.

One of the core values of the Danone Nations Cup tournament is to encourage young people to believe in their dreams. Through this initiative Danone offers a sporting event that reaches out to and inspires millions of children all over the world

Yaseen Valli to lead the 2013 SA Schools team

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday, announced the South Africa Schools side to be lead by King Edward VII’s (KES) Yaseen Valli at the closing function of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week at Kearsney College in Durban. The side includes no less than eight players of colour, which was more than the target set to convenor Linda Zondi and his selection panel.

Zondi is satisfied that the best players in the tournament were selected for both the SA Schools and SA Colts sides. He said: “What’s important is to see the diversity of the team and the talent that we have in South Africa. This shows that CSA is in a good space and cricket is in a healthy space and can produce quality players that can go on to be selected for franchise and national teams.”

For the first time since 1994, KES has produced a South Africa Schools' captain in Valli. Neil McKenzie was the last old boy to captain the schools’ side and before him, the previous captain produced by KES was Lee Barnard, who captained the side twice in 1973 and 1974.

Valli is proud to be selected for the SA Schools side and is honoured to be trusted with the captaincy job.

“It’s a massive honour for me to be chosen to captain the side,” he said. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to test my skills against better guys, I’m really chuffed for this opportunity.”

Valli lead Gauteng to a thrilling, two-wicket victory over Western Province in the final of the tournament. He is impressed with the way his side took on their formidable opponent, fighting to the end to produce the win.

“We knew we wouldn’t get as many opportunities as we would like with all the rain, but the guys really looked after themselves well and were mentally prepared and in the end we were able to pull off a really good win,” he continued.

Three players from Rondebosch Boys' High in Cape Town made the SA Schools' side. The trio include Dayyaan Galiem, Matthew Christensen and Zubayr Hamza.

Next year's Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week will be hosted by Pretoria. 

South African Schools XI:

Yaseen Valli (King Edward VII, Gauteng - Captain), Bradley Bopp (Grey Boys' High School, Eastern Province), Driaan Bruwer (Affies, Northerns), Matthew Christensen (Rondebosch Boys' High, Western Province), Clyde Fortuin (St. Joseph's College, Western Province), Dayyaan Galiem (Rondebosh Boys' High, Western Province, Zubayr Hamza (Rondebosch Boys' High, Western Province), Andile Phehlukwayo (Glenwood, KwaZulu-Natal), Kagiso Rabada (St. Stithian's College, Gauteng), Ngazibini Sigwili (Hudson Park, Border), Keith Dudgeon (Parktown Boys' High, Gauteng - 12th man).

SA Colts:

GM Bruwer (Noord-Kaap, Griqualand West - Captain), Daniël Griesel (HTS Middelburg, Mpumalanga), Wickus Germishuizen (Hugenote, Easterns), Sohail Mahmood (Maritzburg College, KwaZulu-Natal Inland), Mbulelo Mama (St. Andrew's College, Eastern Province), Richard Maree (York High, South Western Districts), Dustin Melton (Pretoria Boys' High, Northerns), Paballo Mogoera (Louis Botha, Free State), Rivaldo Moonsamy (St. Alban's College, Northerns), Jason Oakes (Westville Boys' High, KwaZulu-Natal), Jay Stevens (Rondebosch Boys' High, Western Province), Sithembele Langa (Sakhisizwe, Border – 12th man).

Awards:

Highest Run Scorer of the Week:

Grant Roelofsen (King Edward VII – Gauteng)

Highest Wicket taker of the Week:

Richard Maree (York High – South Western Districts)

Catch of the Week:

Clyde Fortuin (St. Joseph’s College – Western Province)

Spirit of the Week:

The Border team

All-rounder of the Week:

Bradley Bopp

Cricketer of the Week:

Clyde Fortuin (St. Joseph’s College – Western Province)

Summarised Scorecards of Day 5 (Limited Overs):

Western Province 250/7 (Kegan Wheeler 62*, Jean Strydom 45, Zubayr Hamza 41; Kagiso Rabada 2/30); Gauteng 254/8 (Grant Roelofsen 63, Jayden Broodryk 38*, Kagisa Rabada 35*; Dayyaan Galiem 2/41). Gauteng won by two wickets. 

Eastern Province 254 (Bradley Bopp 101, Lyle Petersen 35; Aphiwe Elembi 4/75); Border 141 (Aubrey Ferreira 32; Bradley Bopp 3/10). Eastern Province won by 113 runs.

KwaZulu-Natal 223/8 (Jason Oakes 75, Mekhalin Naidoo 33); Northerns 227/4 (Danie Rossouw 107*, Driaan Bruwer 44*). Northerns won by six wickets.

Easterns 219 (Wickus Germishuizen 73, Jurie Snyman 43, Reder van Rooyen 33); Mpumalanga 126 (Extras 31; Tumelo Simelane 4/15). Easterns won by 93 runs.

Namibia 158/9 (Gerhard Erasmus 46, Malan Kruger 44; Niel Botha 3/28); Boland 142 (Niel Botha 58; Bredell Wessels 4/14, Tiaan Snyman 3/28). Namibia won by 16 runs.

Free State 219/3 (Hanco Olivier 91*, Sine Ntshona 46*, Ryan du Plessis 36); Griqualand West 167/8 (Maghiel Brits 43, Patrick Kruger 39*; Lyle Heilbron 3/34). Free State won by 52 runs.

South Western Districts 117 (Arno Moolman 19; Eddy Human 4/29); Limpopo 37 (Richard Maree 6/28, Lance Roelfse 3/8). South Western Districts won by 80 runs.

North West 87 (Greg Oldfield 4/22, Nick Elliot 2/9); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 88/4 (Greg Oldfield 33, Hendrik Weyers 4/20). KwaZulu-Natal Inland won by six wickets.

ENDS

NOTES:

Video highlight packages of Day 5 of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week and audio clips featuring Linda Zondi and Yaseen Valli can be found on the FTP site below

http://cricketsa.businesscatalyst.com

Gauteng beat Western Province in the thrilling main game of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week

Gauteng turned around their misfortune of last year’s Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week, where they lost to Western Province in the unofficial final, by beating them by two wickets this time around.

The game was a thriller. Province made 250 runs and then had Gauteng in all sorts of trouble, at 189/8. Lower order batsmen Jayden Broodryk and Kagiso Rabada then came together and produced a dramatic 53-run unbeaten stand to reach the target with seven balls to spare.

Broodryk was 38 not out in the end, off 25 balls and Rabada 35 not out off 17 balls, which included one four and four sixes. Rabada brought the proceedings to a close with a mighty six.

Grant Roelofsen laid the foundation for Gauteng with a solid 63. He has scored runs in all his innings in the week and totalled 226, at an average of 56.5 to be the top scorer of the tournament.

The win meant that Gauteng were one of just two teams two come out of the week unbeaten, along with Namibia.

There were two hundred on the final day. Eastern Province’s Bradley Bopp made 101, off 104 balls, with 13 fours and four sixes in his side’s win over Border, and Danie Rossouw was 107 not out for Northerns, off 150 balls, with 11 fours and one six against KwaZulu-Natal.

The best bowling figures of the final day came from SWD’s Richard Maree, who took 6/28 against Limpopo. Maree was the top wicket-taker at the week, with 16.

Scorecards

Eastern Province vs Border

Eastern Province 254 (Bopp 101, Petersen 35, Elembi 4/75, Langa 3/30) Border 141 (Ferreira 32, Bopp 3/10) Eastern Province won by 113 runs

Easterns vs Mpumalanga

Easterns 219 (Germishuizen 73, Snyman 43, Corlenius 2/25) Mpumalanga 126 (Simelane 4/15, Mkhondwane 2/18) Easterns won by 93 runs

Free State vs Griqualand West

Free State 219/ 3 (Olivier 91*, Ntshona 46*, du Plessis 36) Griqualand West 167 (Brits 43, Kruger 39*, Heilbron 3/34) Free State won by 52 runs

North West vs KZN Inland

North West 87 (Oldfield 4/22, Elliot 2/9) KZN Inland 88/4 (Oldfield 33*, van Wymeersch 28, Weyers 4/20) KZN Inland won by 6 wickets

KZN vs Northerns

KZN 223/8 (Oakes 75, Naidoo 33, Melton 2/59) Northerns 227/4 (Rossouw 107*, Bruwer 44*, Phehlukwayo 2/2/33) Northerns won by 6 wickets

SWD vs Limpopo

SWD 117 (Human 4/29, Apea-Abu 2/22) Limpopo 37 (Maree 2/28, Roelfse 3/8) SWD won by 80 runs

Namibia vs Boland

Namibia 158 (Kruger 44, Erasmus 46, Botha 3/28) Boland 142 (Botha 58, Wessells 4/14, Snyman 3/28) Namibia won by 16 runs

Western Province vs Gauteng

Western Province 250/7 (Wheeler 62*, Strydom 45, Hamaza 41, Rabada 2/30, Dudgeon 2/53) Gauteng 254/8 (Roelofsen 63, Broodryk 38*, Rabada 35*, Galiem 2/41, Mona 2/55) Gauteng won by 2 wickets with 7 balls to spare

Western Province prove that they are the best team at the 50th Coca-Cola Under 18 Craven week

The win meant that Western Province became the only team at the week to win all three of their games, and they were rewarded with the inclusion of seven of their players in the SA Schools team that was announced at the end of the tournament.

The 28-man squad will make up the teams that will play games against their counterparts from England, Wales and France. They meet England in Cape Town on August 9, followed by clashes against France in George on August 13 and Wales in Wellington on August 17.

Only one other side ended up unbeaten – the Griffons, who won their second and third games after drawing their first.

There were two shock results on the final day – SWD produced a great second half display to beat the Blue Bulls, and the Pumas beat Free State 25-22, thanks to a last gasp penalty in a thriller of a main curtain-raiser.

The SA Schools Squad:
Forwards -Rikus Bothma (Western Province), Daniel du Plessis (Western Province), Daniel du Preez (KZN), Jean-Luc du Preez (KZN), Thomas du Toit (Western Province), Joseph Dweba (Golden Lions), Ruan Kramer (Free State), Thabani Mtsi (Border), Ox Nche (Free State), Abongile Nonkontwana (Blue Bulls), Refuoe Rampeta (Free State), JD Schickerling (Western Province), Francois Steyn (Blue Bulls), PJ Toerien (Blue Bulls), Jacques Vermeulen (Western Province), Conraad van Vuuren (Mpumalanga)

Backs - Daniel du Plessis (Western Province), Remu Galant (SWD), Warrik Galant (SWD), Grant Hermanus (Western Province), Dewald Human (SWD), Malcolm Jaer (Eastern Province), Jurie Linde (Blue Bulls), Justin Phillips (Blue Bulls), Brandon Thompson (Mpumalanga), Duhan van der Merwe (SWD), EW Viljoen (Free State), Leolin Zass (Boland).
Coach: Chris October (Western Province), assistant coach: Roean Bezuidenhoudt (Griffons). Manager: David Coert (Boland).

Results

Namibia 33 Zimbabwe 10, E Province Country Limpopo Blue Bulls 36, Griquas 94 Border Country 5, KwaZulu-Natal 77 Border 14, KwaZulu-Natal 77 Border 14, Griffons 34 Boland 27, Leopards 34 Griquas Country 17, E Province 29 Valke 21, Pumas 25 Free State 22, Western Provincae 45 Golden Lions 29.