Brand new countryside derby is born as Welkom High hosts St Anne’s Technical
As the 2023 winter sports season draws to a close, the boys in the countryside felt they had one more game in them, leading to the first of what is to become a yearly inter-schools between Welkom High School and St Anne’s Technical from Virginia to take place on Saturday.
These two schools will be competing in soccer, netball and basketball before the rugby teams square off in the main event of the day.
St Anne’s Technical is a school still in its infancy. Opening in 2018, they first started practising rugby last year, before making their competitive debut this year in the Sandveld B league.
With most of the boys playing rugby for the first time ever, and only a few others having had some experience in primary school, it was a tough start.
That said, it is notable that the majority of the names that were on the team list at the beginning of the year are still present, even after a difficult season, they are still amped to play as much rugby as they can, having completely fallen in love with the game.
Their coach, Mr Malefetsane Nakedi, said his boys’ appetite for rugby is insatiable.
Some of the boys are still figuring out exactly what suits their skill sets best. Sergio Williams, for instance, started the first game of the year at flyhalf back in March but will take the field as the hooker on Saturday.
Since Mr Ndai Ndai, an ex-Harmony Sports Academy player, joined the coaching setup at St Anne’s, alongside Teboho Modisaesi and Nakedi, the boys have shown a lot of improvement.
After getting their first win against the neighbouring Virginia High by 47-0 in May, the St Anne’s boys’ appetite for the game has only grown.
Welkom High School was opened in 1957, with prefab classrooms where Goudveld now stands. Back then, physical education meant students grabbed their picks and spades and flattened out the dustbowl to make a sports field.
Over the years, the first English high school on the Goldfields has grown a proud sporting culture which they continue to expand on by taking on challenges like this.
Welkom High will host this first edition of the brand-new derby, with plans to alternate between the two schools yearly.
The hosts’ general in the midfield, Samson Mongezi (flyhalf) will lead the charge for his team. His fullback, Katlego Molaba, is only in grade 10 this year and could still grow to become a central figure in this team over the coming years.
For St Anne’s Technical, their scrumhalf, Abubaker Malgas, was one of their standout players early in the year, and it will be interesting to see how he has benefitted from the experience gained through the season.
All in all, that is exactly what the day is about, providing the boys from both schools with an opportunity to compete and enjoy the sport they love. We wish them all the best as they continue to grow the game and develop their skills.
Welkom High School vs St Anne’s Technical at 16:15:
Welkom High School: 15 Katlego Molaba, 14 Tshepang Motaung, 13 Nhlanhla Khabane, 12 Oratile Silamashe, 11 Unathi Mel, 10 Samson Mongezi, 9 Reaboka Ntsamai, 8 Abel Tsoeute, 7 Thabang Khiba, 6 Tumisang Modupe, 5 Lesedi Makeke, 4 Khotso Matete, 3 Kabelo Jongile, 2 Ntsimane Motsoeneng, 1 Mojalefa Litabe.
St Anne’s Technical: 15 Lehyden Everton, 14 Kuhle Mdunana, 13 Tumelo Tsolanku, 12 Khalalelo Malelu, 11 Tlhalefo Phatse, 10 Siyabulela Nomandla, 9 Abubaker Malgas, 8 Bongani Makhabane, 7 Botshelo Ndlovu, 6 Khoesha Malgas, 5 Boitumelo Molelekoa, 4 Selso Zembe, 3 Lebajoa Molelekoa, 2 Sergio Williams, 1 Itumeleng Serlhogo.
Other fixtures:
u16 – 15:30 – Welkom High vs Welkom Secondary.
u14 – 14:15 – Welkom High vs St Anne’s Technical.
