Kuswag defends titles at Rugby Nite Series

Kuswag are the reigning Rugby Nite Series champions after defending both titles in action-packed finals at Amanzimtoti Sports Centre on Friday, 22 February.

In the lead-up to the primary schools’ final, Kuswag faced Scottburgh with a clean slate after three rounds. This after Kuswag were 26-0 victors over Amanzimtoti in the first round, smashed Warner Beach Prep 44-0, and thrashed Doon Heights 39-0. In the final they beat Scottburgh 44-5, the five points scored against them in the final minute of the game, the only points they conceded in the tournament. They finished with a record 153 points for and only five against.

Coaches Neil Terblanche, Justin Powell (backline) and Johan van Romburgh (forwards) said they were excited to have defended their title. “It was excellent to win with such healthy competition from the Toti schools. Amanzimtoti always brings a good team but this year Doon Heights and Warner Beach also fielded tough teams.

“Scottburgh, who we hadn’t faced before this series, were tough competition. It was heart-breaking that they scored against us in the final minute, as it would have been awesome to finish the tournament with a clean slate, but the try came from a good movement from them.”

READ ALSO: Kuswag to make rugby history

The Kuswag team fielded a young squad to win last season. “We lost seven grade 7s but we are fortunate to have a good senior group of players this season.”

The youngsters will be in action again when Kuswag hosts a sports week from 12 to 15 March where they welcome teams from the Free State, Northern KZN and Gauteng in rugby and netball. “All matches will be played in the mornings on the Kuswag fields, so that the children can enjoy the fun activities on offer in Toti to enjoy their holiday.”

In the high schools division, Kuswag cruised to the title with a 23-0 defeat of Kingsway in the final. This followed their 33-16 win over Amanzimtoti High School in the first round, a crushing 50-0 hammering of Pinetown Boys’ High in the second, and a 34-0 victory over Kingsway in the third. They scored 140 points and only 16 against, and 21 tries in the tournament. They have now won all eight matches in two years of the series and successfully defended the Bruce Lithgow floating trophy against Amanzimtoti and Kingsway.

Coach Zander Erasmus was understandably extremely proud of his charges, who won all their matches in the tournament. “It is a nice feeling to know that all the hard work has paid off. The credit goes to Neil, who has worked with the juniors. It is easy to take over a product that has had the basics drilled into them in the primary schools by the junior coaches. This was the same team who played in Mauritius, so we have had some continuity and buy-in from the boys. They work hard – this team works the hardest.”

READ ALSO: Kuswag sevens team ends Mauritius tour on a high

The boys will be in action again this weekend when they take on Weston Agricultural School at the Scottburgh Festival. On 12 March they face a touring team from Frankfort, before heading off on tour to the Amajuba Sports Festival in Volksrust.

Their first official match of the 2019 season is against Amanzimtoti High on 6 April, where the Bruce Lithgow floating trophy will again be up for grabs, and they are also scheduled to play a curtain-raiser to the Sharks at the Jonsson Kings Park Rugby Stadium on 13 April.