A second successive very tough season. Many hours of time, effort and commitment but not a lot of “W’s” in the column that counts. The boys must be commended on their efforts in the majority of the matches this season. Despite many heartbreaking defeats, they always pitched up the next week and gave their best. They can be very proud of themselves and will take away numerous life lessons and lifelong memories.

The first eight matches of the season were largely positive. The fields were dry and we stayed true to our vision to play high-tempo attacking rugby. The team produced some lovely passages of play and scored some superb tries. We won three but should have won at least another three of those initial games. Unfortunately the issues that cost us those matches, mainly lost lineouts and poor game management, perpetuated for the entire season and continued to cost us games right until the end. 

Four of the five matches to conclude the second term were against traditional rivals with heavy packs. Injuries began to mount, the weather turned and it became more difficult to play the type of rugby that we wanted to. We were hanging on by a thread by the time the first Wynberg match rolled around. 

Like what happened in 2022, the second “half” of the season felt more positive. The boys realised that, for most of them, time was running out on the high school rugby careers and consequently they upped the ante. Unfortunately this year, the urgency was thrown more into attack than defence. We leaked too many points to allow us to score a famous derby win, even though we led both Rondebosch and Bishops by fifteen points. As before our old bugbears, lineouts and game management (“coach killers”) were still haunting us until the bitter end. They may be called “coach killers”, but we as coaches will accept our share of responsibility for some of the narrow defeats that plagued our season. 

We say goodbye to three loyal servants of SACS Rugby, who have all played 1stXV for three seasons, namely Ali Osman-Bosch (captain for two seasons), Aya Machuli (fullback) and Ilitha (Mister) Ntinini (wing). Aya was the only player to play in all eighteen matches this season. In addition, with seven tries, he was the combined top try-scorer for the season with right-wing Jack Benade. Flyhalf Rayaan Solomons was the top points scorer with eighty-five points from the kicking tee. Jack and Rayaan are both in Grade 11 and will be back next season. 

Other Matrics, who have been stalwarts for two seasons, are Daniel Dayaram, Raashied Conrad, Richard Skeeles, Khwezi Ndlovu and Niche Koopman. We congratulate Ikhona Maxegwana who was selected for the WP Craven Week XV as a Grade 11. 

A massive thanks must go to Ashieq Wise, who conditioned the boys in preseason and coached the backline. Ashieq is both knowledgeable and reliable. He wears his heart, which pumps blue and white, squarely on his sleeve. Josh Strauss was integrally involved in all aspects of our preparation, especially the forwards. His experience is invaluable, as is his ability to get the best out of the boys. Ghaleel Achmat and PJ la Grange looked after the boy’s physical needs throughout a long arduous season. Their role has been invaluable. We are lucky to have them. 

Thanks to Nick Maurer (Head of Rugby) and Mr. Grant (Headmaster) for their advice and support. Special thanks to the parents who supported us wherever we went. The results may not always have gone our way but having you in the stands meant so much to the boys. 

Regular team members: Ali Osman-Bosch, Ikhona Maxegwana, Tumelo Noah, Alex Pybus, Seth Kros, Alex Vieira, Zach Kennedy, Khwezi Ndlovu, Pierre van Selm, Richard Skeeles, Ben van Coller, Connor King, Niche Koopman, Sean Grant, Seth Bradford, Rayaan Solomons, Raashied Conrad, Endinako Peter, Daniel Dayaram, Nick Reynolds, Oliver Bergman, Ilitha Ntinini, Jack Benade, Aya Machuli.

GRAEME WEPENER
Coach