EP to host U16 Grant Khomo Week in 2021

The cream of SA’s U16 rugby talent will be heading to Nelson Mandela Bay in 2021 when the EP Rugby Union hosts the Grant Khomo Week for the first time.

Twenty teams, including two from outside SA, will compete in the event, which is regarded as one of SA Rugby’s flagship tournaments.

The Iqhawe team, comprising players from rural areas and non-traditional rugby schools, will also compete in the week.

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that EP will get to host the Grant Khomo Week for the first time,” EP Rugby union GM Thando Manana said.

One of the things to note is that this tournament has never been hosted in Port Elizabeth before. So this will be the first time U16 teams will gather in the Friendly City alongside two teams from outside the country and the Iqhawe.

“In total, there will be 20 teams and that is very good.

“Just a month ago we got word that we would not be hosting Craven Week as it was announced earlier in the year.

Craven Week is going to the Gauteng Lions in 2021 and then Western Province in 2022.

In terms of Craven Week, it is a three-year cycle.

“The first year of that cycle was EP, the second Lions and the third Western Province.

Because of Covid in 2020, the SA Schools Association decided to move to the second year of that cycle.

“It is just unfortunate.

“But I will put my case forward that when the next cycle is announced that PE gets another bite at hosting in 2023.

“After the Craven Week news, I made submissions and obviously one was to get the next best tournament. It took a couple of weeks of holding thumbs to get a favourable response, which we now have.”

Manana said individual schools could bid to host Grant Khomo matches during the tournament.

“Work will start in earnest from our side soon on the process of which venues will host matches in the Bay.

“Any school that sees fit to host matches will be given an opportunity and will open up a bidding process for those schools.

“I will explain later how we go about hosting the week.

“This event will not be hosted by Nelson Mandela University.

“Unfortunately NMU fell away because there is no Craven Week here in Port Elizabeth.”