Cardiff Blues in Bloemfontein
Seven international players, including the British Lions Centre, Jamie Roberts, and nine junior international players are included in the Cardiff Blues squad that will play against the Toyota Free State on the 4th of August at Grey College. South African born loose forward, Andries Pretorius, who is earmarked as a future Wales’ international, are also included in the touring squad.
The match was arranged to commemorate the 200th birthday of Sir George Grey, founder of Grey College.
Cardiff Blues Touring Squad:
Forwards: Andi Kyriacou, Andries Pretorius, Benoit Bourrust, Jake Cooper-Woolley, James Down, Josh Navidi, Lou Reed, Macauley Cook, Marc Breeze, Nathan Trevett, Robin Copeland, Rory Watts-Jones, Scott Andrews, Thomas Young.
Backs: Ceri Sweeney, Chris Czekaj, Dafydd Hewitt, Dan Fish, Gareth Davies, Gavin Evans, Jamie Roberts, Jason Tovey, Lewis Jones, Owen Williams, Rhys Patchell, Robert Lewis, Tom James.
Senior International Players:
Jamie Roberts – 2008 – 44 caps + Lions 09.
Lou Reed – 2011 -2012 – 1 cap.
Tom James – 2007 – 10 caps.
Chris Czekaj – 2005 – 9 caps.
Scott Andrews – 2010 -2011 – 2 caps.
Gavin Evans – 2006 – 1 cap.
Ceri Sweeney 2003 – 35 caps.
Age Grade & Sevens International players:
Scott Andrews – Wales 20s captain 2009 – JWC
Macaulay Cooke – Wales U20 captain 2011 – JWC.
Josh Navidi – Wales U20 captain 2010 – JWC.
Dan Fish – Wales U20 – JWC -Argentina – 2010.
Jason Tovey – Wales Senior World Cup Squad.
Beniot Bourrustt – France U20 – 2007.
Gareth Davies – Wales senior World Cup Sevens Squad.
Owen Williams – Wales 20s -JWC -Argentina – 2010.
Dafydd Hewiit – Wales Sevens World Cup Winner.
Coaching Staff
- Phil Davies – Blues Director of Rugby – Wales 85-96 – 46 Caps
- Gareth Baber -Blues Attack Coach – Wales 7s Coach 2007/08
- Xavier Rush – Blues Defence Coach – New Zealand All Blacks – 8 Caps
According to the tour promoter Willem Strauss, spectators can look forward to a great contest between Heineken Cup quarter finalists, Cardiff Blues and the Toyota Free State Cheetahs. “Though it is still early in the season for the Cardiff Blues, the boys form Wales are, like the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, known for their for their attractive style of rugby and this promises to be a great spectacle – definitely a match not to be missed.”
“We are all looking forward to the trip and feel very humbled and honored to be part of such a prestigious occasion” said Phil Davies, Cardiff Blues director of rugby.
“It brings great joy to us to be hosting this special game during this year when we celebrate the 200th anniversary of our founder, Sir George Grey’ birthday,” said Mr. Johan Volsteedt, Principal of Grey College.
Mr. Harold Verster, Managing Director of the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd. is excited about the prospects of the game and said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to pay respect to Grey College for their huge contribution to rugby in the Free State and South Africa and for bringing international rugby to Bloemfontein.”
In one of the main curtain raisers of the day, Grey’s first team will be in action against their peers form Kearsney College in Kwa-Zulu Natal. In other matches Toyota Free State Cheetahs u.21 will play against the Border u.21 team and the Toyota Free State Cheetahs u.19 will take on SWD’s u19’s team. Grey’s u.13 team will be playing against an u.13 Invitation team.
The program for the day is as follows:
09:15 Grey College u.13 vs. Free State Invitational Team
10:05 Toyota Free State Cheetahs U19 vs. SWD U19
11:35 Toyota Free State Cheetahs U21 vs. Border U21
13:15 Grey Kollege vs. Kearsney Kollege
15:00 Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs. Cardiff Blues
Tickets for the game are R60 for adults and R20 for scholars and student are available at the ticket office at Free State Stadium as well as the Reunie Office at Grey College.
Golf Day – 2 August
A special golf day will be hosted as part of the celebrations. The format for the day is a BBS-competition. Cardiff Blues- and Toyota Free State Cheetahs players will take part in the day. The price for a four ball is R2 500. Included is a golf shirt, halfway house, refreshments and a meal.
Gala Function – 3 August
Grey College Reunie will also be hosting a gala function on Friday, 3 August at 18:30 in the Grey College Centenary Hall. Special guests for the evening include the Cardiff Blues- and Toyota Free State Cheetah players, the IRB’s Player of the Millennium, Gareth Edwards as well as Morne du Plessis. Tables are R3 500 which includes a meal.
Contact the Grey College Reunie office at 051 444 5799, oldboys@greycollege.com or Rentia Nell at 083 308 4244 / rentia@fsrugby.co.za for more information or reservations.
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