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Congratulatory messages pour in for Catrakilis

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Southern Kings flyhalf, Demetri Catrakilis has been called up to the Springbok training squad, and will be joining the rest of the team on a training camp in Durban next week, after the Cheetah’s game.

Catrakilis became the first South African in seven years to exceed 100 points in his Super Rugby debut during the game against the Highlanders, and currently boasts 107 points, ranking as the ninth highest point scorer in the overall competition. He joins just three other fellow South Africans, Morné Steyn (163 points) Pat Lambie (139 points) and Joe Pietersen (125) in Club 100 for the 2013 Super Rugby season, so far.

Last year’s Vodacom Cup Player of the Year, follows in the footsteps of DHL Stormers’ Peter Grant who reached 100 points in his debut Super Rugby season in 2006, while Steyn did it in his debut playing for the Vodacom Bulls in 2005.

Six more South Africans have reached 100 points in their first season of Vodacom Super Rugby – four of them in 1996. They are Jannie Kruger (Northern Transvaal), Henry Honiball (Natal), Joel Stransky (WP), Gavin Lawless (Transvaal) and André Joubert. In 2001, Butch James scored 100 points for The Sharks in his first season.

Eastern Province Rugby President, Cheeky Watson, said Catrakilis’ call up was a testament to what was being accomplished by the new Southern Kings franchise.

“This is just another example of how players, who may previously not have been afforded the opportunity to play at Super Rugby level, have shown the world what they can do through the Southern Kings. These youngsters have stepped up to the challenge and have outperformed even our wildest expectations,” he said.

Southern Kings Director of Rugby, Alan Solomons said he was immensely proud of Catrakilis’ call up to the squad.

“Demetri has really played fantastic rugby this season and fully deserves getting the recognition for his contribution that he has made,” he said.

Solomons said Catrakilis’ call up would, however, not impact on any of the remaining games that the Southern Kings would be playing, and that Catrakilis was still part of the team for the Southern Kings match against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

What Demetri Catrakilis had to say about his selection:

“It’s a dream come true for me, it’s something I’ve been striving towards for the past two years, but ever since I’ve been a kid it’s been a dream of mine, and to eventually be here is a bit surreal,” said an elated Catrakilis.

Catrakilis said he was happy with his form so far this season, but that there was always room for improvement.

“I’m satisfied with what I have done so far, I could always get better and that’s what I am looking to do,” he said.

Asked about his debut super rugby season with the Southern Kings, Catrakilis said: “I’ve learnt in life that some things come at the right time, and this came at the right time for me I think and I’m just grateful for the opportunity and had to grab it with both hands.”

“It’s been really exciting, It is a really nice team, it’s a nice union and PE is a really beautiful place.”


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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.