Warriors look to retain status at South Coast 7s
The players will probably be hoping for some cool weather on the day.
Status Warriors will be out to defend its South Coast 7s rugby title at Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground this Saturday (24th).
There are two major changes to the tournament. One is that of a new sponsor, Halfway Toyota Shelly Beach.
The Jones family has sponsored Port Shepstone High School rugby for years.
It’s great that the company has now come on board for the South Coast 7s, a sport which is gaining in popularity around the world.
ALSO READ: Here’s what happened in 2017 – Warriors defeat Klerksdorp to defend 7s title
The other change for the Status Warriors is that of the captain.
Last year Juan van den Berg and his deputy Chris ‘George’ Mitchell handled matters.
This year they’ve handed over the reins to Nico Smuts, who is something of a 7s specialist.
Play on the day will start at 8am with pool games (16 teams divided into four pools of four) played on both fields.
The Status Warriors play Kokstad at 8am, Orion Ballito Badgers at 9.20am and Living Ball at 10.40am.
But they’re not the only local team to watch – there’s also Warriors 2, South Coast Breakers featuring some veterans, two Sharks Academy SKZN teams and two SKZN Development teams.
There’ll be a lunch break at noon for 20 minutes whereafter the knockouts will start.
Then there’ll be semi-finals and finals for the Shield, Bowl, Plate and main one, Cup trophies.
The semi-finals for the Cup will be at 2.20pm and 2.40pm, the earlier game most likely to feature the Status Warriors.
The main final will be at 4.45pm, followed immediately by prize-giving.
Pool A: Status Warriors, Kokstad, Orion Ballito Badgers, Living Ball.
Pool B: Amanzimtoti 1, Sharks Academy SKZN 2, SKZN Development 1, Warriors 2.
Pool C: Amanzimtoti 2, Golden Reapers 1, Kapaailand, South Coast Breakers.
Pool D: Sharks Academy SKZN 1, Matatiele, Golden Reapers 2, SKZN Development 2.
Status Warriors: Nico Smuts (captain), Chris Mitchell, Juan van den Berg, Dawie Durrheim, Tienie Viljoen, Theo Nicholls, Arnold Kruger, Devan van Eeden, Marchell Sass, Donovan Horne, Tiaan Gericke, Charles Dube.
South Coast Breakers: Doug Strachan (captain), Chris Sharpe, Sihle Jackson, Damon Cousins, Andromar du Toit, Graeme Bester, Lourens Kruger, Jade Nyman, Andrew Binikos, Ryan Elliott, Jarred Keylock.
Sharks Academy SKZN 1: Luyanda Sithole (captain), Diego Storm, Kamvile Fatyela, Senamelo Ndlazi, Bongumenzi Dhlamini, Brandt Fields, Divan Bezuidenhoudt, Sbu Mkhize, Emanual van der Whye, Cameron Camp, Duan Potgieter, Lwanga Methusi.
Sharks Academy SKZN 2: Marcus Botha (captain), Mangwe Marubelela, Lu-Shayne Marias, Lwazi Madiba (vice-captain), Yonela Baleni, Ivan Baadtjies, Finlay Conway, Keith Chiwara, Johannes Mofokeng, Siya Cele, Wessel Strydom, Samkeliswe Nkwentsha.
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