Maseru Select make history by contesting Eastern Free State Rugby semi-finals

Maseru Select (in orange) in action against Ficksburg earlier in the season...

Lesotho will have a team in the semi-finals of the Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League for the first time when Maseru Select take on Bethlehem Oud-Skoliere on Saturday.

The semi-finals will be played at Phuthaditjhaba Stadium in Qwa-Qwa, Free State.

In the other semi-final, hosts Qwa-Qwa will battle Ladybrand for the right to contest the final.

Maseru Select’s appearance in the last four is the first time Lesotho has a team in the semis of the Griffons League – a 10-team championship contested by clubs from South Africa’s Free State province and Maseru Select as a guest team.

Maseru Select played their home games this season in Ladybrand and the side is made up of players from teams in the top-flight National Rugby Championships – Maseru Warriors, Mabote Beavers, National University of Lesotho Spears, LDF Liqhomane and Giants Rugby.

Maseru Select’s semi against Eastern Free State heavyweights Bethlehem Oud-Skoliere will start at 14:00. The two semi-final winners will play in the final while the losers will contest a third-place playoff.

Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League semi-finals:

Phuthaditjhaba Stadium, Saturday

Bethlehem Oud-Skoliere v Maseru Select

Qwa-Qwa v Ladybrand

Maseru Select aiming for top four finish in Free State Rugby League

Maseru Select are aiming for a top four finish in this year’s Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League.

The Lesotho all-star side kick off their season away to Ficksburg Rugby Club on Saturday and are hoping to build on a promising 2017 campaign. To prepare, the side has been training every Tuesday and Thursday.

The Griffons League is a 10-team championship which is contested by clubs from South Africa’s Free State province and Maseru Select. The competition will get underway this weekend and run until June.

Maseru Select, who will play their home games in Ladybrand, is made up of players from teams in the top-flight National Rugby Championships, namely: Maseru Warriors, Mabote Beavers, National University of Lesotho Spears, LDF Liqhomane and Giants Rugby.

In the build-up to their Griffons League campaign, coaches Roy Nyasha-Zhou and Moleleki Moleleki selected a 40-man squad for the competition’s duration although only 22 players will attend games on match-day.

The technical team has set a criterion that will be used to select players for each game. Its four points are: practice attendance, performance, discipline, commitment.

Maseru Select’s opener in Ficksburg is part of a three-game away run to start the season with the side’s first home game only coming on April 21 against Skoliere.

Even so, Federation of Lesotho Rugby secretary general Litšitso Motšeremeli said the team is up for the challenge.

“We don’t know much about (Ficksburg) but they are a South African team so we are expecting a very tough match. But our preparations are very good; all expected players are attending practices. Our team is ready,” he said.

The Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League outing will also serve to help Lesotho’s preparations for the Rugby Africa Bronze Cup scheduled for May 9 to 12 in Ghana.

With Lesotho looking to continue its steady progress up Africa’s rugby ladder, Motšeremeli said Maseru Select have set themselves a lofty bar for the Griffons League: “We are aiming to at least be in the top four.”

Maseru Select’s Fixtures:

Date	Opponent	Venue
17/03/18	Ficksburg	Away
24/03/18	Ladybrand	Away
07/04/18	Qwa-Qwa Leopards	Away
21/04/18	Skoliere	Home
05/05/18	Collegiance	Away
12/05/18	Ficksburg	Home
19/05/18	Ladybrand	Home
09/06/18	Qwa-Qwa Leopards	Home
16/06/18	Skoliere	Away
31/06/18	Collegiance	Home

Squad:

Samuel Takama, Lapi Matsoso, Tlali Nkuka, Chabana Mokone, Khooa Lefa, Motheo Mokhothu, Metsing Mahloane, Thabiso Molise, Linakane Kellelo, Paul Marie, Mofundisi Bokang, Mokhele Sechaba, Molumo Rethabile, Tšepo Nomandla, Tinashe Mugayi, Lebohang Ntsinyi, Moabi Motlatsi, Karabo Mphaki, Thabiso Letsie, Letlatsa Letompa, Retsilisitsoe Thantsi, Ncheke Bokang, Mohasi Lehlohonolo, Mahase Liteboho, Tikoe Phupu, Mosoeu Semethe, Tumo Ramoepana, Bokang Seliane, Mochai Kamohelo, Kubutu Makhakhe, Ntsang Mater, Lebatla Lebatla, Molefi Qejoane, Ntsane Mahlatsi, Kalipa, Selebalo, Thabiso Makuta, Abdul, Bonki Mochesane, Mosala Makeka

Maseru Select to compete in Free State Rugby League

Maseru Select will return to the Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League in March 

The Maseru Select rugby team will once again take part in the Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League in 2018.

The 10-team championship which is contested by clubs in South Africa’s Free State province will start on March 17 and run until June.

The invitation from the league is a welcome boost for Lesotho rugby.

Maseru Select is a selection squad made up of the best players from clubs in the country’s top-flight, the Lesotho Rugby Championship.

The teams are Maseru Warriors, Mabote Beavers, National University of Lesotho Spears, LDF Liqhomane and Giants Rugby.

Maseru Select competed in the Griffons league last year after skipping the 2016 edition and the outing is good news for Lesotho with the national team preparing for the Africa Cup Bronze Cup in May where Likatola will battle Mauritius, Rwanda and hosts Ghana.

Federation of Lesotho Rugby (FLR) secretary general Litšitso Motšeremeli said competing in the Griffons Rugby Eastern Free State League against experienced South African opposition has played a major role in improving Lesotho players’ and providing them exposure to international competition.

Lesotho first participated in the league in 2013 and during that time Likatola have risen from affiliate status to Rugby Africa’s lowest tier – the Division 2 Cup – and now to the Bronze Cup. In total, Lesotho has won six of its nine test matches since its international debut in 2012.

“Since the FLR was formed (in 2011), this league is one of the platforms we have used to groom our players, even the current Likatola players gained their competence through the league. Therefore we are happy that we are back again,” Motšeremeli said.

Maseru Select will play their Griffons League home games in Ladybrand and Motšeremeli said this year the FLR will be looking to put together a younger squad in order to start grooming the next group of stars for Likatola.

Maseru Select have also received an invitation to the annual Welkom Easter Rugby tournament to be played over the Easter holidays.

The competition is hosted by the Bronville Pioneer Club in Free State and last year Maseru Select finished second losing to the home side, Bronville Pioneer, in the final.

The upcoming duo of tournaments will help Lesotho’s preparations for the Rugby Africa Bronze Cup scheduled for May 9 to 12. Likatola assistant coach Morapeli Motaung said the high-level of competition coming up is a timely boost.

“The league consists of highly competitive clubs from South Africa and I believe they are of the right standard to give our players a good challenge,” Motaung said.