Kyden Ward escaping defenders with another weaving run.
Curro Salt Rock rugby vice-captain Kyden Ward will suit up for the Sharks U18 Reitz Week team later this month.
Ward is one of Curro’s brightest rugby prospects and one of only two rugby players from North Coast schools to make the touring squad. Ashton International College Ballito will also field a representative after Jared Scheepers’ inclusion to the provincial team.
Ward was one of the standout performers at last month’s Curro sports Festival.
The 17-year-old will swap golf spikes for rugby boots when he travels to the Free State for a five-day tournament at Reitz High School, from 30 June to 4 July.
Reitz Week is the second tier of representative schoolboy rugby for KZN schools, behind only Craven Week.
The Salt Rock flyer is no stranger to scoring tries.
“We are incredibly proud to announce that Kyden Ward has been selected to represent the Sharks at the upcoming U18 Reitz Week,” said Curro head of rugby, Sifiso Shabangu.
“It is a massive achievement and a true testament to his dedication, resilience, and leadership. Kyden is more than just a standout rugby player. As vice-captain of our Curro Salt Rock First XV, he leads by example.
“He brings unwavering grit, humility, and heart to every training session and match. His influence on and off the field has shaped the spirit of our team this season.”
Ward is equally at home playing fullback in 15-a-side or as a sweeper in sevens rugby.
Shabangu noted how the grade 11 pupil showed courage to battle back from a serious injury that kept him from playing last season. Ward, who plays fullback in 15-a-side rugby and sweeper in sevens, bounced back, starring at the Curro Sports Festival 7s tournament in May.
“What makes this moment even more powerful is Kyden’s journey after being sidelined last season. He faced months of recovery, but instead of stepping away, he put in the work, staying close to the team, and came back stronger than ever,” he added.
Curro Salt Rock head of rugby, Sifiso Shabangu with Kyden Ward. Photo: Curro.
Rugby Results at Grace College 7s Festival
It was a successful weekend of rugby fixtures as Curro’s senior rugby teams travelled to Hilton to participate in the Grace College 7s rugby festival over the weekend.
Curro’s 7s 1st team completed another successful tournament. Photo: Curro.
The 1st team won three of their four games, only losing out to a strong Treverton College side by two points. There were, however, convincing wins against Grace College and Wembley College and a two-tries-to-one victory over Wartburg Kirchdorf School in the opening game.
The U15 A team went unbeaten, winning two matches without conceding a point.
1st Team
Curro 12 – 5 Wartburg
Curro 29 – 7 Grace College
Curro 34 – 12 Wembly College
Curro 5 – 7 Treverton College
The Salt Rock U15 sevens team won all their matches in the midlands. Photo: Curro.
U15 Rugby Results
Curro 14 – 0 Grace College
Curro 17 – 10 Wartburg
Curro 24 – 0 Wembly College
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Kaylan has been with The North Coast Courier since 2024 after spending more than a decade as a sports journalist in the United Kingdom. He graduated with First-Class Honours in Sports Journalism from the University of West Scotland and went on to work as the digital editor for Super XV, digital content editor for SCRUM magazine and as a Cricket Scotland correspondent before returning home to South Africa.
