I’ve never been one to miss out on an opportunity to raise a celebratory glass of good vino! And so, in the bucolic surrounds of Herefordshire this past week, my stocks rose dramatically with the news that no fewer than 6 ODs from the Covid-hit 2020/21 seasons were chosen to represent U20 teams across four different countries. ‘My cup runneth over’…!

Most noteworthy must be Sacha Mngomezulu (2021F) and Ross Vintcent (2020F) who were chosen to captain the SA ‘Baby Boks’ and the Italian ‘Azzurinni’, respectively. ‘Floreat Founders’...by the way!

Sacha’s appointment came on the back of his well-deserved call-up to the Stormers’ squad in their successful URC campaign. Ross, with his Sicilian connection (Mum’s family), ‘cut his teeth’ at Zebre Parma this last year and was an extremely popular choice to replace the injured skipper, Giacomo Ferrari, at the 6 Nations Summer Series currently taking place in Italy.      

Joining Sacha in the ‘Baby Bok’ squad are Connor Evans (2020W), Suleiman Hartzenberg (2021S) and Imad Khan (2021S).

Representing Scotland at the same U20 Summer Series is Euan Groenewald (2020W) - Mum’s Scottish connection, clearly!

Last, but not least, representing Canada, is Ali Bruce (2021S).

What a remarkable achievement – surely a ‘first’ in Bishops Rugby’s illustrious history?  Bravo to the players and to all those who played such an important part in their development!

Written by Dave Mallett