Two Klipfontein youngsters are reaping the rewards of hard work after being chosen to the EP U15 team to play in the prestigious Iqhawe Week that kicks off at Jeppe High School at the end of this month.
The Alexandria High learners, Daniel Fischat, 15, and Janes Olivier, 14, are keeping their little hamlet’s flag flying.
Iqhawe Week is South Africa’s premier rugby development tournament for u15 boys and girls sponsored by the Hollywood Foundation and is a joint venture between the SA Rugby Legends and the South African Rugby Union.
The pair’s quiet demeanour is misleading because the young front-rowers can mix it with the best on the field of play. Klipfontein is “rugby country” with the game being formalised through the establishment of a club in the former farming community in 1988 – though many elders say rugby had been played in the area as a recreation sport prior to that.
The two teenagers had come to watch the community’s pride and joy, Klipfontein United, take on Rosebuds of Alicedale in a Sedru League fixture at the local field when Talk of the Town met up with them.
Daniel says though it is the second year running he has been chosen to the EP u15s he remains excited by the prospect of putting on the hooped jersey once again.
“I have been playing this game since I was two years old running around playing rugby with my two older brothers. I started out with a Mr Coltman playing “Bulletjie” rugby.
“By age six, I played an U9 match for the first time against Station Hill. I played flyhalf, and from that day I started to believe that God gave me a future in the game.
“By the time I was U13 I began to pick up weight and my teacher decided to place me in the front row position at hooker. It is six years now that I am playing in that position,” added Daniel.
Daniel says his older brother who serves in the police force – and who played the game – inspires him the most. “He always tells me, “when you run on to the field of play, maintain your respect on on and off the field of play’”.
Janes, who shares a close bond with Daniel that makes them inseparable, said he felt “great” about his selection as prop to the EP U15 squad.
“We both also look up to our rugby coach at Alex High Mr Enrico Williams as he has taught us a lot. “My parents are proud of me because they know that professional rugby is my dream,” he said.
The two Grade 8 learners admit training is “tough” with preparation sessions conducted every Sunday in Gqeberha for a period of five weeks to have them match-ready for the Iqhawe Week.
“We have a warm-up game against Gelvandale Academy (Gqeberha) and then we will attend the capping ceremony on September 20 before departing the next day to Johannesburg,” the boys said.
“The fixtures we will be playing are against Western Province, the Falcons, Blue Bulls and Cheetahs, which are very tough sides.”
Both players said they were motivated to do well against the best U15 development sides in the country.
Daniel, whose rugby-playing hero is Springbok hooker, Bongi Mbonambi, has his sights set on putting on the green and gold one day. But the pair agree that their schoolwork is just as important.
“It is difficult with not having enough teachers at our school but we ensure that we are up to date with our homework and our assignments,” they say.
Their school coach Enrico Williams believes the young rugby stars are destined to scale the heights in their chosen sport.
“Daniel is a very committed player … I have never seen a player who loves his rugby like he does. His nickname is “Buffalo” because that’s what he is on the field. He is an excellent leader and I predict that he is going to be a Bok one day. Janes is a quiet character but he is a workhorse and his scrum power is his biggest asset – I predict big things from him in the future.”
Janes whose hero is prop Ox Nche of the Springboks says: “My parents are proud of me but they are always making sure I prioritise my schoolwork.”
Both players said playing trial matches towards EP selection was a tough assignment as all Albany district teams had to play a few matches before the final team was chosen at the EP trials.
Janes and Daniel train with the Klipfontein United senior team during the week and are acutely aware they have to maintain game fitness. “Fitness is a priority but we also practise ball skills, handling and defence and speed work.”
And hobbies outside the game of rugby? “We love our fishing,” the two rugby-playing friends agree almost simultaneously.
- This article was first published in Talk of the Town, September 5, 2024. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays.
