President defeats Alberton High at Emirates Airline Park

HOËRSKOOL President High School had the honour of taking to the field at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday, May 21, to challenge Alberton High School in a league match.

It was surely an experience the players will not easily forget especially being able to access all the facilities and warm up and play on the field that has become iconic in South African rugby and the spectators who were there, were treated to a really exciting game of rugby.

President started off the better of the two teams on attack and were rewarded with two first half tries with the single reply from Alberton to leave the half-time score at 12-7. After the break President scored three more tries whilst the Alberton side only knocked over a penalty. One player who deserves special mention is Mandla Shabalala who scored a hat-trick of tries. Timothy Bitterbosch and the ever consistent Raymond Jacobs also crossed the white wash.

Having watched a lot of President matches played over the past few years I am more impressed with their defensive effort. This is obviously something the coaches have been working hard at improving. Whenever Alberton had the ball they were put under immense pressure and the tackling was very impressive.

President now boasts two out of two victories in the league.

A big thumbs up must go to the President sports administrators especially Monty Benadie, who used this opportunity to market the school and even had a huge banner specially made that attracted a lot of attention. The President fans were very noticeable and in loud spirits throughout the game.

The biggest thumbs up must go to the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) president Kevin de Klerk and CEO Rudolf Straeuli who are doing an incredible job with the union. Not only are they getting the results on the field but a number of schools have been afforded the opportunity of playing in curtain-raising matches at the stadium. The GLRU has also been holding Currie Cup games at local clubs such as Alberton Rugby Club, thereby allowing a lot of people who might not have gone to watch games to do so. In the process they are supporting these clubs and schools too.

Watch this space for more news on high school rugby.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za