The players selected to represent the Blue Bulls during the various youth weeks, i.e. the u/18 Craven Week, u/18 Academy Week, u/16 Grant Khomo Week, u/17 Provincial Team for the VKB Week, as well as the u/16 A and B Teams for the Noordvaal Week, were capped by the Blue Bulls High Schools Rugby Association during a prestigious ceremony hosted at Loftus Park on Wednesday.
The trials and selection process of the various teams were thorough and rigorous. The selectors had a tough job selecting the best of the best and the players who were fortunate to make the grade represent 28 schools across Pretoria.
The ceremony was a very proud occasion for the players, their parents and supporters alike. Willem Strauss, President of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, congratulated all the players and stated that they will be representing the largest rugby union in the world. He also thanked the teachers for their roles as coaches and managers for the teams and gave a special thanks to the parents who support their sons in all aspects.
To the players, he had the following message: "Boys you must remember one thing, you are in the inside lane, you have not arrived yet. There are hungry boys out there who have not been selected for these teams". He mentioned Springbok Marcell Coetzee as an example, who was at a small school in Port Natal and never played Craven Week but was selected for the Springboks at the age of 21 years.
He further stated that "effort always beats talent any time of the week...you are in the inside lane - make use of the opportunity and enjoy it!". His final words to the players were that they should always keep the following values of rugby in mind i.e. discipline, integrity, teamwork, respect for the opponent and respect for the referee - these are the values that rugby is built on and that are needed to make the country function.
A hearty congratulations to all the players and all the best for their matches during their various weeks.
Article by Francois du Toit