The two Covid years Grade-8 intake proved to be difficult ones for Grey High of Gqeberha from a rugby perspective. As a result their 2024 and 2025 first teams will start off with ratings well below the usual expectations of Grey 1st XV’s. It might not be such a bad place to be, as it takes a bit of the pressure off.
Word is the 2024 group has been working very hard and may surprise their doubters. If they are to succeed, chances are pack domination will be the key that unlocks it all.
Amongst the players to look out for this season:
Powerful outside centre and captain Lavela Pongolo – a big ball carrier. SA u18 Sevens in 2023.
Enforcer lock Likona Sodlaka – EP Academy Week 2023.
Industrious No.8 Jon Hobson – interestingly this player who is always close to the action has been converted from hooker to the backrow.
Dangerous fullback Kyle Callaghan – Very quick and threatening runner.
First up regular season opponents are East Londen based Hudson Park, who have a mixed bag of outcomes in 2023 yet they also have match fix now. Verdict: is a winable match for Grey.
| TEAM | GREY HS | TEAM | HUDSON PARK | ||
| 1 | Alex Ferreira | u18 | 1 | ||
| 2 | Evan Mucka | u17 | 2 | ||
| 3 | Ross Atkinson | u17 | 3 | ||
| 4 | Likona Sodlaka | u18 | 4 | ||
| 5 | Steven Lee | u18 | 5 | ||
| 6 | Greg Dell-Robertson | u17 | 6 | ||
| 7 | Blayton Ward | u18 | 7 | ||
| 8 | Jon Hobson | u18 | 8 | ||
| 9 | Liyema Makabane | u18 | 9 | ||
| 10 | Divan Lamprecht | u19 | 10 | ||
| 11 | Luc de Villiers | u17 | 11 | ||
| 12 | Dylan Garrod | u18 | 12 | ||
| 13 | Lavela Pongolo | u18 | 13 | ||
| 14 | Zubenathi Skosana | u18 | 14 | ||
| 15 | Kyle Callaghan | u18 | 15 | ||
| 16 | Ben Wessels | u18 | 16 | ||
| 17 | Akhanani Zita | u19 | 17 | ||
| 18 | CJ Naude | u18 | 18 | ||
| 19 | Caylum Jansen | u18 | 19 | ||
| 20 | Fletcher Britz | u18 | 20 | ||
| 21 | Ray-Dylan Wilkinson | u17 | 21 | ||
| 22 | Zephyr Smith | u17 | 22 | ||
| 23 | Rick Byszio | u17 | 23 | ||
| 24 | Tanner Howard | u18 | 24 | ||
| Coach | MATT KING | Coach | LWAZI ZANGQA |
@beet Who is Matt King and when did he start coaching at Grey? This Grey side seems good and Hudson have always been competitive. Hopefully we will get the Hudson team list soon as they always have a couple of good players that make the border team.