Hoërskool Vryburger High School rugby teams are set to play in the semi-finals of the Lions League on June 23.

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The junior team will play against Marist Brothers Linmeyer School and the seniors will face Carleton Jones High School.

Fana Moyo, juniors coach, said it is exciting to be in the semi-finals because the school rugby team was not active for the past four years.

“We had to teach the boys all the basics. Some of them were playing rugby for the first time,” said Moyo.

“Covid-19 contributed greatly to us not competing. The other reason was that we had no boys dedicated enough to step onto the field,” said Moyo.

“The boys have now grasped the basics.

“They understand the game and started to enjoy coming to training,” he said.

He said it was not easy to reach the semi-finals because they faced formidable teams along the way.

“We played against Germiston High School and Hoërskool Elsburg High School to name a few.

“We had a few injuries too,” said Moyo.

He said the team will become better next year because most players are in Grade 11 this year.

“The boys are now writing June exams, which caused a bit of a challenge for training,” said Moyo.

“We are confident in our players,” he said.

They are set to play their semi-finals on June 23 and the finals will be in July.

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Ruan de Lange, the senior team coach and school head of sports, said they have recently received rugby and soccer jerseys from Trans Fire.

“The boys are motivated with the new kit. Our team now looks united. They promised to bring the title home and make us and our sponsors proud,” said de Lange.

Shaun Coertzen, also a senior team coach, said playing sports has contributed immensely to the players’ academics and discipline.

“They have carried the discipline from the field with them to the classroom. Sports also helped them with concentration and participation in class,” said Coertzen.

“Vryburger has improved in the sports department this year. We have seen a mass participation of learners and actually achieved great results,” said Coertzen.

Tshepiso Mgibanyoni, team captain and matric learner, said it took hard work for them to reach the semi-finals.

“We have a talented bunch of players who are fighting to make a name for themselves. The boys are motivated and they carry the winning spirit with them,” said Mgibanyoni.