Ikeys in the News: July 2018

SPRINGBOKS

Captain Kolisi

36259248_1704773789572604_4703664400928604160_oThe big news item for the Ikeys was the appointment of Siya Kolisi as Springbok captain. South Africa achieved a series win over England in Siya’s first test as captain, an outstanding achievement for the young captain.

Siya remains a big supporter of Ikey’s rugby and took time out of his busy schedule leading up to the third test to sign an autograph which was part of a framed tribute and which was raffled off at our recent Black-Tie Dinner to raise funds for the Universities World Cup in Japan in 2019. We salute Siya on this achievement.

Another Ikey Springbok to play against the touring England side was Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who has come through the ranks, playing for Wynberg Boys, SA Schools, Western Province and the Stormers.

SEVENS

dylan_sage_Blitzboks_London_Getty_620_395_s_c1_top_topDylan Sage was part of the South African sevens team that clinched The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title in dramatic fashion after South Africa beat England 24-14 in the final of the HSBC Paris Sevens to clinch the gold medal and retain their series title. In one of the most competitive years in the history of the series, the title went down to the very last match as South Africa required a tournament victory to overtake Fiji in the series standings.

Dylan went on to be the only South African selected in the Sevens Dream Team for 2018.

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

usa-marcel-brache-russia-2018Marcel Brache is currently featuring for the USA in the starting 15 and played in June 2018 where the USA had some great wins. The United States Men’s Eagles are undefeated in 2018. Extending a winning streak record to 8-0, the U.S. defeated rival-Canada, 42-17 in front of a loud stadium in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Then for the first time in 94 years – since their victory over France in the 1924 Olympic Games – the United States defeated a Tier 1 Nation in a thriller played in Houston, they defeated Scotland (who were ranked 6 th in the World at the time) 30-29. Scotland went on the following week to defeat Argentina 44 – 15. Huw Jones did not feature for Scotland due to injury and biased Ikeys will say they lost for this reason!

Nic+Groom+Super+Rugby+Rd+11+Reds+vs+Lions+Yk6Xo6XCe88lSUPER RUGBY

A number of Ikeys have and continue to feature for the Stormers in Super Rugby. Scarra Ntubeni, Nizaam Carr, Damian de Allende, Siya Kolisi, Dillyn Leyds and Sikhumbuzo Notshe. DHL Stormers Head Coach remains ex Ikey Robbie Fleck. Nic Groome has returned to South Africa and has been starting at scrumhalf for the Lions.

SUPERSPORT RUGBY CHALLENGE CUP

Absa U/19: Western Province v LeopardsLuke Stringer has been captaining the Western Province team who are the current holders of the cup and who qualified for this year’s quarter finals. Other Ikeys who have featured are Chad Solomon, Michael Kumbirai, Gary Porter and Nama Xaba . The team is off course coached by John Dobson.