Preparations for the U18 Coca Cola Craven and Academy weeks are winding down as the Border U18 Craven and Academy sides gear up to head to Johannesburg on Saturday.
The two teams enjoyed a short friendly match yesterday morning against each other, where the players got in a decent run out and some valuable contact training ahead of the two massive tournaments taking place at St Stithians College from Monday.
In the match that lasted only 30 minutes, 15 a half, the players got to front up and both sides managed to cross the tryline a couple of times, while some solid defence was also shown by both teams.
“There is no substitute for actual contact rugby. It is the best type of practice and allows you to see what you are doing right and fix up what you are doing wrong, and I am glad we got to have this run out,” said Border Craven Week coach Mark Farnham.
“Training has been really good. We had two solid warm-up games before this and this is our last little warm-up game before we go.
“It is also nice to play against the Academy team. Most of the guys know each other and it was played in very good spirit.”
The Craven Week team will have one more practice session today before the players get a couple of days rest ahead of the week of action.
“I have been able to focus on rugby thanks to the parents of the boys who have helped immensely in all other facets, which has allowed us to stay focused and not worry about anything else,” said Farnham.
The preparations for the Academy team ended with the game yesterday, and they will now be kicking back for some down-time before leaving for their tournament.
Their first match will be on Tuesday next week, so they will most likely get in a short session once they have arrived in Johannesburg.
“We have prepared very well for the week,” said Border Academy coach Reinhard Gerber.
“It was good to give the guys a bit of contact and to see what we have practised in action.
“I am very happy with what I have seen. There is still a couple of things we need to fine tune but our defence is looking great, attacking is looking exciting and all-round I am very happy.”
The team has a strong coaching staff and they have been working hard to make sure the players are at optimum strength come game day on Tuesday.
The players have been in a camp for the last week and should be fully prepared.
“This is the best team of coaches I have worked with: James (Winstanley) with the forwards, set pieces and defence and Ruan Jacobs with the backline. It is a really phenomenal coaching staff,” said Gerber.
“We have been going for the last five or six days and have covered all our bases and ticked all our boxes, so I am satisfied.”
Both teams fly to Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
Border U18 sides raring for action
The two teams enjoyed a short friendly match yesterday morning against each other, where the players got in a decent run out and some valuable contact training ahead of the two massive tournaments taking place at St Stithians College from Monday.
In the match that lasted only 30 minutes, 15 a half, the players got to front up and both sides managed to cross the tryline a couple of times, while some solid defence was also shown by both teams.
“There is no substitute for actual contact rugby. It is the best type of practice and allows you to see what you are doing right and fix up what you are doing wrong, and I am glad we got to have this run out,” said Border Craven Week coach Mark Farnham.
“Training has been really good. We had two solid warm-up games before this and this is our last little warm-up game before we go.
“It is also nice to play against the Academy team. Most of the guys know each other and it was played in very good spirit.”
The Craven Week team will have one more practice session today before the players get a couple of days rest ahead of the week of action.
“I have been able to focus on rugby thanks to the parents of the boys who have helped immensely in all other facets, which has allowed us to stay focused and not worry about anything else,” said Farnham.
The preparations for the Academy team ended with the game yesterday, and they will now be kicking back for some down-time before leaving for their tournament.
Their first match will be on Tuesday next week, so they will most likely get in a short session once they have arrived in Johannesburg.
“We have prepared very well for the week,” said Border Academy coach Reinhard Gerber.
“It was good to give the guys a bit of contact and to see what we have practised in action.
“I am very happy with what I have seen. There is still a couple of things we need to fine tune but our defence is looking great, attacking is looking exciting and all-round I am very happy.”
The team has a strong coaching staff and they have been working hard to make sure the players are at optimum strength come game day on Tuesday.
The players have been in a camp for the last week and should be fully prepared.
“This is the best team of coaches I have worked with: James (Winstanley) with the forwards, set pieces and defence and Ruan Jacobs with the backline. It is a really phenomenal coaching staff,” said Gerber.
“We have been going for the last five or six days and have covered all our bases and ticked all our boxes, so I am satisfied.”
Both teams fly to Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
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