Griquas, though eager to make a mark in this year’s SA Rugby Under-21 Shield competition, faced a tough opening match against the 2022 champions, the Griffons, and suffered a 50-21 defeat in their opening encounter.
THE EXCITEMENT is building with the SA Rugby Under-21 Shield already well and truly under way.
With eight teams competing in this year’s inter-provincial tournament, the competition is divided into two sections, with teams from both the South and North battling it out for a place in the final.
In the South section, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, and SWD are fighting for dominance, while the North section features the defending champions, the Pumas, 2022 champions the Griffons, with Griquas and the Valke hoping to make their presence felt in 2024.
Each team will play home and away matches in a single-round format, providing ample opportunity for thrilling encounters.
The semi-finals, featuring the top two teams from each section, will be held on October 19, with the winners facing off in the final on October 26.
All eyes will be on the Pumas who claimed victory last year after a pulsating final against Eastern Province in Middelburg.
Griquas, though eager to make a mark in this year’s competition, faced a tough opening match against the 2022 champions, the Griffons, and suffered a 50-21 defeat.
This week, after having a bye, the Kimberley team will regroup for their second fixture against the Pumas in Kimberley on Saturday.
Griquas will be looking to capitalise on their home-ground advantage this time – and hopefully some vocal supporters – to bounce back from the early loss.
Fans in Kimberley will no doubt be keen to see how the local boys fare in the upcoming matches, with standout players such as Kgosi Mashogane, Stephan Labuschagne, and Jayden Eiman expected to shine on the field.
As the tournament progresses, Griquas supporters will hope their team can secure enough points to push through to the semi-finals and possibly even clinch the coveted title.
Keep an eye on the action as this year’s SA Rugby Under-21 Shield promises to deliver intense competition and high-level rugby action.
Griquas Fixtures:
September 21 (Kimberley): vs Pumas
September 28 (Kempton Park): vs Falcons
5 October 5 (Polokwane): vs Limpopo
October 19: Semi-finals
October 26: Final
Griquas Under-21 Squad:
Kgosi Mashogane, Wilmen Schreuder, Stephan Labuschagne, Thandile Alie, Stephan de Lange, Lindokhule Zodwa, Ruben Pienaar, Zander Minie, Kamua Gobani, Jandre Marais, Stephan du Toit, Dwane Lubbe, Owen Havanga, Conzay Hendricks, Jayden Eiman, Liam Payne, Devron Januarie, Dominique Malander, Melvin Dedericks, Believe Hawabi, Tylan Rose, TJ Majiedt, Buhle Mpangala, Raeese Schahabodien, Justin Pieterse, Jaiden Faiwers, Calvin Paulse, Dimitri Prousaloglou, Boitumelo Bopane, Haneke Brits, Kwanda Diamini, Jarred Williams.
