The UXi Western Province Rugby Academy was in for an exceptional experience as they were invited by Gravity Sport to partake in the renowned Momentum National Youth Rugby Invitational Tournament held in Windhoek, Namibia. Twenty-three of our talented U/19 UXi WPRA players were selected to represent the Academy in this eXhilarating tournament, where four U/19 Namibian school teams and four South African touring teams battled it out for the coveted winner’s trophy. The tournament, hosted at Windhoek High School, spanned across the second week of July.
Our UXi WPRA team embarked on an epic journey, enduring a lengthy bus ride of 1,474 km, spanning over 23 hours, to reach Windhoek. Despite the long travel, the eXperience proved to be immensely rewarding. Our team resided together in the Windhoek High School hostel, fostering a strong bond among the players as they prepared for the challenging matches that awaited them.
In their opening match, the UXi WPRA displayed outstanding performance, securing a convincing victory against Technical High School Windhoek. We eXtend heartfelt congratulations to Junior Malaza, who earned the well-deserved Man of the Match title for his remarkable debut performance, scoring a hat trick (3 tries) in the game. Although the team faced narrow defeats in their next two matches, their resilience and determination led them to the Shield Finals, competing for third place. With an impressive display of skill and teamwork, they emerged triumphant against the host school, WHS, claiming the Shield!
Here’s a recap of the team’s scores:
Match 1: UXi WPRA 64 – 19 Technical High School Windhoek
Match 2: UXi WPRA 35 – 39 Curro Windhoek Gymnasium
Match 3: UXi WPRA 15 – 21 Windhoek Afr Private School
SHIELD FINALS: UXi WPRA 34 – 8 Windhoek High School
Furthermore, we are thrilled to announce that seven of our WPRA players were selected for the prestigious Gravity Sports “Barbarian teams”, who competed against each other as part of the tournament’s proceedings. These teams comprised of the top players selected from the tournament, showcasing the immense talent of our athletes.
The “Fly Namibia Jets,” coached by our very own Jason Hector (Director of the UXi Rugby Institutes), included: Joshua Fritz, Andre Beukes, Lethan Rhodes, and Junior Malaza. The “Momentum Rhinos,” coached by our dedicated Morne Booyens (UXi Player Recruitment Consultant), included: JD Gouws, Ashton Plaatjies, and Bubele Thibini.
What an eXtraordinary eXperience it was! A community of like-minded individuals united by their passion for rugby came together, fuelled by the spirit of competition. We applaud all our players, coaches and management for their unwavering dedication, eXceptional skills displayed on the field, and their embodiment of the true essence of UXi RI. The event serves as a reminder that the path to athletic greatness is not about perfection, but about rising above challenges, overcoming adversity, and pushing forward.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Gravity Sport for their generous sponsorship throughout the tournament. Your support made this incredible journey possible, and we deeply appreciate our partnership. It is a joy to reflect on the unforgettable memories created, the friendships forged, and the invaluable lessons learned. May we return stronger, more determined, and better than ever before!
