Having competed well in the South Section of the Vodacom Cup thus far, the South Western Districts (SWD) Eagles are keen to defend a winning streak on its home turf when the EP Kings descend on Outeniqua Park in George on Friday the 4th of April at 19:00.
“We have 10 local guys from George in our team and they all are really talented rugby players,” says SWD Head Coach, Bevin Fortuin.
“There is always a big rivalry between us and the EP Kings and the guys always lift their games when we play each other. We are really looking forward to this match.”
The Vodacom Cup is South Africa’s premier rugby development tournament with a mandate of unearthing the future stars of South African rugby.
“The Vodacom Cup works for very well for SWD and it is important for the country as it brings the players through the ranks and ultimately creates tomorrow’s Springboks. It is the beginning where all development takes place and gives us a great opportunity to showcase our players,” says Fortuin, who played in the competition for the Eagles at the turn of the century and went on the play Test rugby for South Africa.
When asked who his up-and-coming players are, Fortuin emphatically says: “All of them, I really regard all the players very highly. If I had to highlight a few I would mention Martin du Toit, Mzwanele Zito and Daniel Roberts.
“Du Toit is an under-rated centre who has been playing in the Vodacom Cup for the past three years and I am sure he can go very far if he gets the opportunity. Zito hails from PE and is such an awesome player – I believe he’s a future Springbok.”
Daniel Roberts is a 22-year old fullback who was born in Heidelberg in the Western Cape and was offered a sports bursary by the Headmaster of PW Botha High School in George. “I’ve gained a lot of experience in the Vodacom Cup over the past two years and I hope to use it playing in the Currie Cup and possibly for Super Rugby later on,” says Roberts.
Fortuin concludes: “We have been playing very good rugby in the last six months and our fans have been coming to support us and when it comes to the EP Kings we always draw a good crowd.
“We are using the Vodacom Cup to build momentum towards the Absa Currie Cup and we ask our supporters to come and see us play, pack the stadium full and we will do our best on the field.”
About the Vodacom Cup:
The Vodacom Cup is South Africa’s premier development tournament and is celebrating its 17th year since its inception in 1998. The tagline remains “Tjovitjo” which means “It’s all good” – an apt description for a tournament whose mandate is to unearth the future stars of South African rugby and in doing so, provide opportunity where there previously was none. The goal of the Vodacom Cup is to develop players so that South Africa has the best possible representative side by 2019.
For further information about Vodacom Cup and its players, go to www.saru.co.za