Keighley Rugby Union Club is to establish links with one of South Africa's best known clubs in an effort to improve the long-term development of young players.

The Utley club also hopes the partnership with one of the strongest rugby playing nations will also strengthen their challenge in the Thwaites Northern League.

Coach Martin Whitcombe has just returned from a business trip to Cape Town and Durban and is excited by the possibilities of a 'twinning' arrangement with Durban High School Old Boys.

"I played with Durban during my time with natal and know the people there to be first-class rugby folk with very high standards in everything they do. I have talked to their coach Andrew Blakeway about a tie-up between our clubs which would allow young players to broaden their rugby experience and his is very supportive of the idea."

He added: "The scheme does not involve any financial commitment from either side. What we are talking about is an extended holiday for a couple of players with each club undertaking to look after their guests, providing accommodation and the chance of temporary employment,

"We have a number of high quality young players at Utley who I know would benefit immensely from a trip to South Africa, while I'm sure we have something to offer and would benefit as a club."

The first step in the new venture will be taken at the end of September when two Natal Under-21 players arrive in Keighley.

Centre Simon Frost and prop Tyrone Adams are both highly rated, and Whitcombe is confident that they will strengthen Keighley's squad.

The tie-up also resurrects memories of the Utley club's most famous days, their Yorkshire Cup & Shield winning campaign in the 1947/48 season.

A man who played an important part in that historic success was Johnny Smith, who later moved to South Africa and was for many years the headmaster at Durban High School.

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