After giving it a lot of thought and some advice it was decided to continue in 2019 as we did in 2018. Therefore, a weekly update on all rugby u/20 and below will be done.
International
The u/20 Six Nations Tournament's 3rd round is being played today. Unbeaten Ireland should breeze past Italy while France should not have any problems with Scotland. The big match will be between Wales and England. Both teams lost in week one but won their second-round fixtures two weeks ago and will need a win to stand a chance to be crowned as 2019 u/20 Six Nations Champions.
England must be the favourites after their performance against France and especially the performance of their massive pack of forwards. However, the loss of 7 players due to Premiership commitments, 4 up front could cost them. Although Wales also had to change 5 Wales will be at home for the first time in this year's tournament. Expect a very physical battle up front with England desperate to earn the maximum of 5 points.
UK
With the half term break drawing to a close, the 7s season returns this weekend with the prestigious Christ College Brecon 7s. Twenty schools will meet in Wales, split across four groups of five each, with the top two sides in each group heading to the Cup quarter-finals Third and fourth in each group head to the Plate quarter finals, while the team finishing bottom of each group will go to the Bowl semis finals.
Millfield is the reigning champions, they beat Monmouth 31-12 in last year’s final, and the Somerset side return in Group D this year.
South Africa
1stXV
It is the start of the formal season for the Pukke Super 16 Series tomorrow. Reigning champions Pionier will start the defence of their 2018 crown against Piet Retief while Riebeeckrand will start their first match in this competition against Overvaal. Riebeeckrand replaced Alberton in this competition.
Tonight see two Night Series being played. On the KwaZulu South Coast at the Lord's Night Series Kuswag are the favourites to win both the u/13 as well as the 1stXV competitions. Both of Kuswag's teams are unbeaten during the league matches and should take home the two winners cheques at the end of the night.
Tonight at the Voortrekker PMB night series Voortrekker will have the first taste of the bitter medicine Glenwood is known for while Maritzburg College will play in their second game of the year after their win against Vryheid (50-24) at last weekend Sarel Cilliers Rugby day. Sarel Cilliers will be Maritzburg's opponents tonight with both sides learning a lot from their opponents after the Sarel Cilliers Rugby Day.
In a friendly Marais Viljoen is hosting Potch Volkies tomorrow in preparation of their Pukke Series starting next weekend. Ruggas will be at this game and was promised a lot of fireworks between the quality sides of these two proud schools.
The CJ Baard Rugby Day is played tomorrow with some close games expected as the organisers attempted to schedule matches that will guarantee strength vs strength.
u/13
Diamantveld High's u/13 Tournament promises some great matches as schools like Op die Voorpos, Die Poort, Stephanus Roos as well as Seodin are seen as some of the best at this age group.
At the CJ Baard Rugby Day Worcester will start their season intent on claiming the number 1 spot on the Ruggas.co.za u/13 Rankings for 2019. I know they are preparing since late 2018 and ja, expect some big wins.