1stXV squad is announced for Grey PE Tour

SACS 1stXV – Squad for Grey PE Tour

After an arduous pre-season, predominantly under the able guidance of Steve “Mad Dog” McIntyre, coaches Graeme Wepener and Nick Maurer have selected a squad of 22 players for the first three matches of the season. The first game is a shortened (20 minute-a-side) game at Newlands as part of the WP Rugby Schools Day on Tuesday 25 March followed by two games at the Grey High Festival on 31 March (HTS Louis Botha) and 2 April (DHS).

All the squad members are to be congratulated on their work ethic and commitment throughout the hot summer months. The coaches had to make an initial cut at some point but there are still 19 more matches when they get back from this tour so there is still plenty of opportunity to impress.

The initial SACS 1stXV squad is: Brandon Sweet, Johnno Rauch, Chayse Tyler, Alexander Duckitt, Justin Williams, Tommy Posen, Robbie Mylrea, Thabiso Binta, Lwazi Monakali, Chad Reich, Neal  Hoogwerf, Blake Greenwood, Michael Henning, Rau-ees Arendse, Michael Meiring, Jordan Chait, Keagan de Villiers, Ciaran Dayaram, Thunzi Dike, Brad Smith, Damian Rawstorne, Lecander Salies

The only notable omission is Aidan Deary (fullback) who is ill and unable to play.

The squad is a very inexperienced one with right-wing Damian Rawstorne the only players with almost a full season of 1stXV Rugby under the belt. Scrumhalf Michael Henning played the first half of last season before he was injured while Mylrea (lock) and a few others mustered a couple of caps between them mostly off the bench.

As ever the SACS 1stXV face a challenging season but if they continue to display the attitude and commitment they have done in pre-season they will definitely do the school proud.