Four Western Province Youth Rugby teams were last night capped at the union’s annual prestigious Capping Ceremony ahead of the various 2014 Youth Rugby Weeks taking place across the country in the coming weeks.
The DHL Western Province Under-13, Under-16, Under-18 Academy Week and U18s Craven Week players were all capped on Tuesday, June 17 in front of their parents and those schools coaches and principals who were present amongst the total of 400 guests who filled the Railway Mall at DHL Newlands. WPRFU President Thelo Wakefield addressed all the players and congratulated them on their selections, before presenting the proud players with their brand-new WP caps with the help of some members of the WPRFU Executive Committee present and also Kosie Cordon (Chairman Primary Schools) and Kervin Grove (Chairman High Schools). WP Rugby CEO Rob Wagner, who made the official welcome on the night, WP Director of Rugby Gert Smal, Danny Jones (GM Amateur Rugby: WPRFU) and DHL Stormers players Nizaam Carr, Nic Groom, Demetri Catrakilis, Louis Schreuder, Oli Kebble, Kobus van Wyk, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Sti Sithole, Jurie van Vuuren and Mike Willemse were also all in attendance. Mr Wakefield commented: “It’s always a pleasure to see all this young rugby talent in a room together – congratulations to all the players selected and to the coaches and managers who will no doubt take good care of the players.
“We wish all our teams well – from the Under-13s to the Under-18s, from Durban to Middelburg. Fly the Western Province flag with pride!”
Aside from the capping of all the players, the four team captains for 2014 were also announced on Tuesday evening, whilst the respective team managers and coaches were also capped. Bellville’s André Bester will lead the DHL WP Under-13 Craven Week team, Boland Landbou’s Athi Magwala will captain the Under-16 Grant Khomo side and Michael Meyer – from Paul Roos – will skipper the Under-18 Academy Week squad. Inside centre Edrich Venter, from Paul Roos, will captain the 2014 DHL Western Province Under-18 Craven Week team. THE 2014 WP RUGBY YOUTH TEAMS: Under-13 Craven Week (Durban) | Team here. Under-16 Grant Khomo Week (Pretoria) | Team here. Under-18 Academy Week (Worcester) | Team here. Under-18 Craven Week (Middelburg) | Team here. * The Under-13 Craven Week takes place from June 30 to July 4, with the Grant Khomo and Academy Weeks both taking place in the week of July 7-10. The 2014 Under-18 Craven Week tournament commences on Monday, July 14 until Saturday, July 19. * SEE A FULL PHOTO GALLERY FROM LAST NIGHT HERE!
