March 2024
Queen’s College gets up and running for 2024 when they take on Stirling at the Grens Festival.
On paper this is a very talented Queen’s team.
In 2022 as the u16A, the core of the 1st XV lost just one game all season. All 10 players that were included in the Border Grant Khomo side that year have been retained and will feature against Stirling. They are van der Berg, Mdingi, Stuma, Bolotini, Magongoma, Mda, Denston, Mbulana, Fenako and Mqulo.
Interesting one of the college’s most talented players, wing Jed Stone who 1.80m and is a powerful devastating runner plus hard hitter on defence was not in the 2022 Grant Khomo team but made the Border Craven Week side for 2023. If he remains injury free, there is no reason why his game cannot reach the standard that attracts the interests of the national u18 and SA Schools selectors. He is jack of trades type, excelling at athletes as a provincial sprinter (u16), first team hockey and squash as well.
Lively left-footed scrumhalf and goalkicker Ryan Denston is also a talented cricketer who is part of CSA cricket camps and has a chance of impressing to the extent. He is just one of three high quality kickers in the team. Fullback Mveli Mqulo, an exciting threat from the back, while flyhalf Itha Mbulana possesses a territorial kicking game ability that adds dimension to the Queen’s game.
The forward pack is quite a sizable one. Tighthead Abubele Bolotini (Border Craven Week 2023) is the real deal and comes off a very good 2023 season to boot. As a burly and powerful prop he is noted for his scrumwork, carries the ball up with physicality and does not shirk on his defensive duties either. He is certainly a player who needs to set his goals very high this season.
Other useful players to watch out for are Ryan Gudmanz (lock), Mbasa Mda (looseforward) and Thina Fenako (outside centre).
It’s a season in which Queen’s can reach the summit of the Eastern Cape and perform very well on the national rankings.
| TEAM | QUEEN’S | |
| 1 | Kuhle Stuma | |
| 2 | Sinelizwi Deleki | |
| 3 | Abubele Bolotini | |
| 4 | Ryan Gudmanz | |
| 5 | Angalakha Magongoma | |
| 6 | Olunje Tyala | |
| 7 | Mbasa Mda | |
| 8 | Liyakha Sipunzi | |
| 9 | Ryan Denston | |
| 10 | Itha Mbulana | |
| 11 | Jameel Fleshman | |
| 12 | S’babalwe Magebu | |
| 16 | Thina Fenako | |
| 14 | Jed Stone | |
| 15 | Mveli Mqulo | |
| 17 | Lunje Ndabambi | |
| 18 | Siya Mkeka | |
| 19 | Angelo vd Berg | |
| 20 | Aza Mdingi | |
| 21 | Jeffrey Nllano | |
| 22 | Bulela Manqina | |
| 23 | Siya Madzidzela | |
| 24 | Imelwe Sixaba | |
| Coach | CLINTON LOEST |
This is a special age group gents. I remember watching this age group vs Selborne in EL. I was impressed immediately, especially by my favorite player in the team tight head Abulele Bolotini.
Their backs and forwards worked very well together. On paper, this QC side is well balanced
This Queens side could finish in the top 15 in the country if they perform to their potential. It would have been nice to see them play Boys High at Kes fest.
@RuggaFreak (Comment #1)
Queens is a special institution and definitely one if the top Schools in South Africa, I sincerely hope they again become the powerhouse that they once were….
This year also commemorates 150 years of Queen’s College rugby, cannot wait to see what this side can achieve this season !