The red machine ready to roar

Following their impressive display during the Easter Festival, the King Edward VII School (KES) first rugby team is ready for the season ahead.

After losing their first game of the festival, the team, affectionately known as the Red Machine, went on to win their next two games and finished on a high.

Team captain Lwazi Monakali said he was happy with the way the team had played so far this season and they were going to surprise a lot of schools.

“We are looking good for the season, some of the guys are still nervous and don’t have the confidence in themselves, but once they build that confidence we are going to head for greater things,” he said.

Before the Easter Festival, the team had not played a game and it showed in their first outing as they made a lot of costly mistakes against Hoërskool Ben Vorster and lost 22-26.

Speaking about the positives taken from the tournament the skipper said, “We saw where our strengths are and where we can attack. When we take the ball wide as a team that’s where we are most effective.”

This year’s team comprises players from Grade 11 and 12 and opposition teams can expect tough encounters when they lock horns with the Red Machine this season.