Promising junior set to make u-13 Craven Week debut

Irshaad Hanslo, 13, a promising rugby player from Mitchell's Plain and a member of Lentegeur-based Collegians RFC's junior set up, has been selected for the Western Province under-13 Craven Week team due to take part in SA Rugby's Youth Week, at Selbourne College in East London, at the end of the month.

- FUAD ESACK

Zonal convener and WP Rugby schools under-12 assistant coach Brian Meyer considers the youngster a hard, fast and smart player.

"He has the physical skills, game intelligence and understands the flow of the game, allowing him to make quick decisions and communicate effectively," said Meyer, who helped to establish the Mitchell's Plain Primary Schools League in 2022. An all-round sporty kid, equally comfortable with the ball in hand or at his feet, young Irshaad has excelled in school athletics and club soccer.

The eldest of three siblings and a Grade 7 pupil at Yellowwood Primary School, Irshaad swapped his soccer boots for rugby cleats three years ago when Coach Liam Macauley asked his parents to allow him to play for the school. That same year, he joined Collegians.

"I first noticed him in 2023 while on playground duty," Macauley said.