Treu targets schoolboy stars
11 Sep 2009
Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu has invited four schoolboys for testing at the Sports Science Institute in Newlands, Cape Town.
The schoolboys who have been included are all from the Western Cape and all represented the Western Province Craven Week in East London recently.
JP du Plessis, Craig Barry, Heinrich Marcus and Zingisa Ndiki are the players that Treu will be keeping a watchful eye on.
Barry, who has been a standout player for Paul Roos and who scored the decisive try at the final of the Craven Week when WP defeated Free State 19-17 said, ‘I was so excited because the [the SA Sevens squad] are my heroes. We were made to feel at home very quickly and it was a memorable occasion.’
The testing was successful and the head coach was content with what he saw. ‘We have some amazing young talent coming through at schoolboy level and I am pleased with what I’ve seen.’
Coach Paul Treu had a dream run with the team and they won the IRB Sevens series in May for the first time since its inception 10 years ago. However, the side have suffered major player losses due to injuries and provincial unions making sure that the players honour their union contracts and play Currie Cup and Super 14 rugby. Those who will be absent are Howard Noble, Robert Ebersohn, Mpho Mbiyozo, Lionel Mapoe, Philip Snyman and Vuyo Zangqa.
Zangqa, who proved to be a revelation in last year’s series, is out of the game indefinitely after suffering a serious eye injury in a car accident two months ago and is a major loss for the side.
Treu has, however, maintained the nucleus of his squad and has nine contracted players at his disposal to defend his title.
The Sevens Series kicks-off in Dubai in early December before heading to George for the South African leg of the tournament.
8 Comments
11 Sep 2009, 12:30 pm
Go WP! Well done boys!
11 Sep 2009, 13:32 pm
Ndiki and Du Plessis are pick of the bunch
Glad to see Treu is getting the support
Shows what one can achieve with the right structures supporting in all facet.Sasol has been great for 7′s rugby
World champs in less than 3 yrs since inception of Sasol as sponsor,contracted group etc
Well done boys
11 Sep 2009, 14:02 pm
Du Plessis has already signed for Sydney Roosters to play league. Is this to cap him in 7′s so he can play again for SA is later years?
11 Sep 2009, 19:52 pm
***** we have already lost one of them! I can imagine the blue balls union is already plotting a way to plunder the rest of the talent
12 Sep 2009, 07:28 am
I was very relieved when I read the article the headline had me thinking our successful coach had beenexposed as a sexual predator.
15 Sep 2009, 22:05 pm
We can end the season being very proud of our rugby. The future of the game looks incredibly strong and we have just so much talent. Read a very positive story on http://www.saschoolsports.co.za on how rugby is bridging the cultural divide.
16 Sep 2009, 17:40 pm
#3 gecko: Du Plessis changed his mind on advice that there were serious problems at the Sydney Roosters at the moment. He is joining his dad in Jo’burg and has signed for the Lions. He is something special though. So explosive.
Zingisa Ndiki was also disappointing in the Craven Week as he was touted as being “probably the best finisher in schoolboy rugby.” I did see him playing for Wynberg though and he showed why he has been given that hype. The boy seems to be able to find a way to the line no matter what’s in front of him.
19 Sep 2009, 16:21 pm
#7 Sghibha:
Yeah and rumour has it Ndiki is/has signed for the sharks.
As usual wp craven week get raped!!
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.