
Western Cape Rugby League Association in nearly a decade. South African Rugby League have been hard at work to develop the promising Western Cape province, and this match is the first fruit to be borne by a two year effort from both the SARL Board, and the Western Cape Rugby League Association.
Kobus Botha, President of SARL, was very excited;” This first match is a testimony to the hard work by the development team and by the administration in the Western Cape. Two years ago the area was identified as a key development region, and the process was started. This match, and subsequent matches, will showcase the success of these efforts. Already we are seeing results with a greater number of players in the senior squad, as well as representative numbers in the student and youth squads as well.”
Denzil Watson, chairman of WPRLA, was also positive: “This match is a step in the right direction, and shows the local players in the Western Cape that if you commit to the game, you will get the opportunity to not only play international matches, but also to represent your country. At WPRLA we are thankful of the support of the SARL Board, and the Director of coaching and Development, Fanie Bredenhann, for their continuous efforts to develop and grow the game in the Western Cape”.
The Great Britain and Irish Student Team will arrive in Cape Town on Thursday and will remain in the province for five days before setting off to the citadel of rugby league in South Africa, Pretoria, where they face the current National Club Champions, TUKS Rugby League, in a friendly match the Wednesday (17 September at Groenkloof Campus, Pretoria), before playing the SARL National Student Squad on Saturday the 20th of September at the same venue.
SARL Western Cape Invitational XIII Team: Jean-Claude Mullins (Plains Sharks), Niyaaz Isaacs (Plains Sharks), James Schietekat (Western Warriors), Marco Marais (Western Warriors), Regadt Sedras (Spartans), Keagan Fortune (Spartans), Seraaj Bull (Cape Hyenas), Devon Hooper (Western Warriors), Divan Lotz (Western Warriors), Russel Baadjies (Western Warriors), Bradley Barnard (Western Warriors), Jehan Burger (Western Warriors), Brendon Moodie (Western Warriors) * Captain. Reserves: Nizaam Ismail, Muhidjeen Davids, Keenan Domingo, Ryan Espin, Eugen Wagner, Shuaib Samaai
Great Britain and Irish Student Team: to be announced