The teams are:
EP Craven Week (15-1): Riaan van Rensburg (Framesby), Sihle Njezulu (Grey), Heino Bezuidenhout (Daniel Pienaar, vice-captain), Josiah Boafo (Grey), Mohamed Connelly (Grey), Curwin Bosch (Grey), Louis Strydom (Framesby), Kwezi Mafu (Grey), Ruben Pretorius (Framesby), Duan du Plessis (Daniel Pienaar), Michael de Marco (Grey, captain), Kamva Dilima (Grey), Pieter van Taak (Daniel Pienaar), Andre Lategan (Framesby), CJ van Niekerk (Marlow)
16-22: Arno le Roux (Marlow), Siwe Masosiwe (Grey), Zaci Sandi (St Andrew’s), Ruben le Roux (Framesby), Malan Marais (Framesby), Lubabalo Dobela (Grey), Khanyo Mafunda (Grey).
Head coach: Louis Gerber (Framesby); assistant coaches: Johan du Toit (Daniel Pienaar), Sizwe Kobese (Motherwell); manager: Shaun Felix (Humansdorp Secondary); conditioning coach: Stefan de Klerk (Framesby).
Craven Week Country (15-1): Athi Halom (Kingswood), Gevanhier Blom (Midlands Secondary), Siba Mzanywa (Kingswood), Josie Niewoudt (Nico Malan), Kwezi Ansah (Union High), Anthony Dakin (St Andrew’s, captain), Zander Stotter (Marlow), Dirk Staats (Nico Malan), Luyolo Tshangwina (Graeme), Janco Kruger (Aliwal North), Pieter Swanepoel (Nico Malan), Roux Jansen (Marlow), Mike van Breda (Kingswood), Michael Uys (Nico Malan, vice-captain), MC van Damme (Burgersdorp)
16-22: Wian Ferreira (Marlow), Ewan Pieters (Kingswood), Thembi Mangwana (Kingswood), Jason Liesmore (Kingswood), Khanyisa Thsuni (Union High), Xolile Mdlokovana (St Andrew’s), Grant Dixie (St Andrew’s).
Head coach: John de Vos (Midlands); assistant coaches: Damien Arends (Aliwal North), Gert van Wyk (Union High); manager: George Lamani (Nathaniel Nyaluza).
EP Academy (15-1): Nicky Ferreira (Grey), Sicole Tole (Muir), Emile du Plessis (Pearson), Aya Oliphant (Grey), Levert Pieterse (Brandwag), Denver Klue (Daniel Pienaar, captain), Yomelila Keswa (Muir), Sisona Makala (Victoria Park), Jean Smal (Daniel Pienaar), Matthew Lawson (Grey, vice-captain), Tristan Brown (Pearson), Ancel Velkers (Muir), Lwando Zinto (Muir), Apiwe Febana (Grey), Patrick van Taak (Daniel Pienaar)
16-22: Temba Boltina (Pearson), Tiaan Coetzee (Grey), Dylan Barendse (Grey), Donavan Stevens (Brandwag), Ethan Jantjies (Newton Tech), Kyle Scott (Pearson), Henco Pieterse (Brandwag).
Head coach: Jaco Jansen van Rensburg (Pearson); assistant coaches: Sebastian Hilpert (Newton), Xola Lupuwana (Masipatisane); manager: Reece Maarman (John Walton).
Academy Country (15-1): Chulumanco Chutu (Union High), Sinethemba Mkaza (Templeton, vice-captain), Stephan Botes (Marlow), Andre Kritzinger (Marlow), Khaya Mdingi (Aliwal North), Courtly Kameel (Volkskool), Luciano Douglas (Adelaide), Renier Pretorius (Marlow), Lifa Thabaneng (Middelburg), Herman du Plessis (Marlow, captain), Dwayne Temango (Marlow), Herman Greeff (Marlow), Brian Welman (Union High), Bongi Ziya (Union High), Franco Dreyer (Volkskool)
16-22: Juan van der Merwe (Union High), Rivaldo Marima (Midlands), Manona Bulela (Templeton), Dian Odendaal (Aliwal North), JC Conradie (Volkskool), Gerhard Potgieter (Marlow), Yonele Billie (Middelburg).
Head coach: Owen Stride (Aeroville); assistant coaches: Neil Schreuder (Volkskool), Neville Botha (Ukhanyo Secondary); manager: Jonathan Plaatjies (Templeton).
EP Grant Khomo (1-22): J Alleson (Grey), V Wolmarans (Framesby), R Jonker (Grey), D Kleinbooi (Framesby), P Wyer-Henderson (Grey, captain), D van Dyk (Grey), H du Toit (Nico Malan), E Smith (Brandwag), N Fleurs (Marlow), V Isaacs (Marlow, vice-captain), C Jaggers (Gelvan), W Solaan (Grey), A Matroos (Grey), C Deysel (Daniel Pienaar), U Tait (Grey), D Minaar (Humansdorp), C Senyane (Framesby), L Stokes (Daniel Pienaar), G Rautenbach (Grey), S Toring (St C), J Lombard (Gill), C Johnson (St Andrew’s).
Head coach: Derik Olivier; assistant coaches: Christiaan van Schalkwyk, Patro Somerset; manager: Gordon Noland
@BoishaaiPa: Oh and by the way, the 2014 champion team with the same head coach, consisted of almost 60% (13 players) from the same three schools you refer to above.
@BoishaaiPa: Same coach that won the craven week for EP last year.
I have to say that by and large I agree with the EP squad, do not know too much about the EP Country boys. I did attend the final trials and obviously there are always candidates who are unlucky not to make the team, same goes for any other side in the country.
Anyways, I may be a bit biased..
I do agree with your last statement though, but not for the same reasons. I think EP rugby is not as strong this year simply because we got less talent than other years.
Interesting approach by EP rugby this year, selecting EP Craven week sides from combined EP and EP Country schools together and thereafter EP Country side from country players only. Same goes for the Academy sides.
I suppose it is to select the strongest possible side for Craven week?
@Domkrag: I just hope the side realise their full potential, they have been tremendous on attack this year.
4 of the Kingswood boys who made the EPCD side are still in Grade 11 as well.
Mike Van Breda is the younger brother of EP Kings Fullback, Scott.
@Queenian: Queens should have a really good chance against Grey High this weekend. It should be an enternaing match. Good luck!
@kcman: I have really enjoyed the rugby Kingswood have been playing this year.
@BoishaaiPa: I have to agree. I have watched a few games where the PE and Uitenhage schools were in action. None of them impressed me much. I think it will be a tough year for EP. At least Bosch is closer to the action at flyhalf, because Grey has not been able to always get him into the game.
@Queenian: Some EPCD schools played in the EP trials as per Andre. Very strange indeed.
Why are there Marlow boys in the EP Craven week team they are part of the EP country districts
@BoishaaiPa: Could not agree with you more. Plus, Grey PE and Brandwag hammered DP in their last 2 fixtures.
The relation between the two coaches of the CW team and the amount of boys picked from those schools is rather obvious…Neither school has had a very good season so far with winratios of 28% and 22% and yet the CW team consist of 40% make-up of these two schools…plus the coaches!..So it is a combination of both unsuccessful teams and coaches at CW…I don’t see how EP can do well this year…
I’m surprised that Ross Ferguson of St Andrew’s did not make any of the u18 teams. He was easily St Andrew’s best player at the Saints festival. He single-handedly beat St Alban’s and kept his side in the game v Wynberg and Helpmekaar. Perhaps it’s because he is still u17…or injured?
Proud to see a good few KC boys in the Country side!