Author: saru

Craven Week back with a bang

The return to the SA Rugby rugby calendar of their flagship schools tournament, the Under-18 Craven Week, was celebrated with a barrage of tackles, sidesteps, counter-attacks, and ultimately, tries at Rondebosch in Cape Town on Monday, with four matches celebrating the resumption of the tournament in 2022 after a two-year absence.

No less than 30 tries were scored with the two sides from the host union, Western Province in particular, in dazzling form.

The DHL Western Province side, playing in the final match of the day, scored five tries in a pulsating win over Border, while earlier the DHL Western Province XV dazzled the crowd with ten tries in a 65-7 win over Fin Global Boland.

Earlier in the day, the Sharks High Schools side outplayed Valke 33-12 and in the opening match of the tournament, Griquas and Eastern Province delivered an exhilarating opener, with the Kimberley side securing a 39-22 win.

The opening match yielded eight delightful tries as the two teams attacked from all angles. This resulted in a highly entertaining match, with a number of flowing movements, especially from the Griquas, who attacked through their willing backline on every occasion.

The EP side returned the compliment but lacked the finishing touches displayed by the Northern Cape side early on. Griquas outscored EP four tries to nil for a 27-3 lead at the break, but then the EP side came back strongly.

They scored three late tries in a desperate rally to overhaul the deficit, helped by a red card to Griquas for a reckless ruck entry, but the Kimberley boys had the last say with a breakaway try that sealed the match.

The Sharks/Valke match was a more direct affair with both sides trying to outmuscle the other.

The Sharks had a more structured approach, and their game management was excellent. They took all points on offer, with flyhalf Deano Boesak kicking four penalties, something that proved decisive in the end.

They held a 12-5 lead at the break but only outscored the Gauteng side three tries to two, but Boesak’s accuracy off the tee proved the difference.

DHL Western Province XV was just too slick for their Western Cape neighbours, Boland, and it seemed that their backs would score every time they were in possession.

Boland simply had no reply to the speed and skill of the home side’s backs and the 34-0 scoreline at the break was just reward for the blue and white hoops’ attacking endeavor.

The second half was a bit more disjointed, as Boland had to turn defence into attack and ran from everywhere.

That did deliver a try, but the home side’s relentless pursuit of five-pointers continued and they left the field resounding winners, with fullback Jandre Genis bagging 25 points to become the leading points’ scorer on day one.

In the final match of the day, the DHL Western Province team started like a house on fire, scoring two quick tries before Border found their feet in defence and answered back with two penalty goals.

The Province pack was in command though, mainly due to some storming play by prop Zachary Porten and a third try was never far away. That was scored by centre Jameel de Jongh.

Border kept plugging away though and a try by flank Tiaan Jacobs earned them some reward for staying in the fight, earning a 22-11 scoreline at the break.

Province scored soon after the restart and what a beautiful try it proved to be on the counterattack, with wing Luke Graham swan-diving to celebrate.

Border had a try canceled and generally found the going much easier in the second half, but conceded a vital try late in the clash when Graham charged a kick and raced away to score with nine minutes to play. There was no return for Border after that, trailing 34-11.

Flanker Michael Maseti scored a gem, showing great strength to crash over amidst a heap of Province defenders, but the early lead by the home side proved defensive.

Scorers:

Griqualand West 39 (27) – Tries: JP Senekal, Damian McClean, Eldrige Jack, Melvin Diedericks, Ruben Pienaar. Conversions: Wynand Botha (4). Penalties: Botha (2). Eastern Province 22 (3) – Tries: Joshua Swart, Max du Pisani, Burrie van Heerden. Conversions: Logan Muller (2). Penalty: Muller.

Sharks 33 (12) – Tries: Wandile Mlaba, Dwight Pietersen, Lihle Bester. Conversions: Christopher Roy (2), Deano Boezak. Penalties: Boezak (4). Valke 5 (5) – Try: David Twala.

Western Province XV 65 (34) – Tries: Angelo Daniels (2), Hugo-Ben Horn (2), Jandre Genis (2), Matthew Beckett (2), Aiden Muller, Danio Botha. Conversions: Genis (6). Penalty: Genis. Boland 7 (0) – Try: Matt Romao. Conversion: Jayden Fortuin.

Western Province 34 (22) – Tries: Luke Graham (2), Luca Bakkes, Zachary Porthen, Jameel de Jongh. Conversions: Thurlon Williams (3). Penalties: Williams. Border 18 (11) – Tries: Tiaan Jacobs, Michael Maseti. Conversion: Lesego Botha. Penalties: Botha (2).

Fixtures for Tuesday 5 July 2022

10h30: Pumas v Limpopo Blue Bulls

12h00: Thepa Trading Motswako Griffons v Leopards

13h30: SWD v Free State

15h00: Blue Bulls v Golden Lions

July 4, 2022
Best of the best to assemble in Rondebosch

SA Rugby’s annual Youth Weeks tournaments will come to a highly anticipated conclusion in Cape Town this week with the u18 Craven Week bringing together the best of South African schools’ rugby talent.

Sixteen teams registered at Rondebosch Boys’ High School earlier on Sunday, with hosts, DHL Western Province, afforded the opportunity to field a second team and Limpopo Blue Bulls adding the extra numbers to the 14 existing provincial unions that have graced the tournament for decades.

Despite the undeniable landmark this week has become on the South African rugby landscape, the COVID pandemic prevented the hosting in 2020 and 2021, and it will be great relief at the first kick-off, when Eastern Province and Griquas open the tournament at 10h00 on Monday at this iconic school in Cape Town’s southern suburbs, celebrating their 125^th anniversary this year.

The cancellation of the tournament in the last two years meant missing out on the opportunity for some of the country’s best age-group players, with a number of them currently in Italy, representing the Junior Springboks in the Six Nations Under-20 Summer Series.

Such an example is Junior Bok scrumhalf Niel le Roux, who played for SWD at u16 level in 2019, only for the former Oakdale Agricultural School star to be deprived of the honour to play at the U18 Craven Week level in 2020 and 2021.

“My message to the guys will definitely be to appreciate and enjoy the opportunity and to enjoy every second of it,” said Le Roux.

“For me, missing out on Craven Week was a huge disappointment as it was something I worked hard for. Being selected for the Junior Boks made up for that, but it is still something I could never have. So, the guys must appreciate the occasion and make sure they make memories. Good luck to all the teams out there.”

Another highlight of the tournament is the selection of the SA Schools and SA Schools A sides and this year will be no different. Many a professional rugby career was kick-started this way and this will again provide a pathway to that, and the relevant selectors will be keeping a close eye on all matches.

Speaking about pathways, all eight match officials involved will be on debut at the tournament, with one of them Hanru van Rooyen, a former Craven Week player himself, having donned the No 10 jersey for the Leopards at the 2017 tournament.

The talent on show will be scrutinised and nurtured by four SA Rugby Referee department coaches, while Archie Sehlako and Egon Seconds will also double up as TMO’s for all the matches, to be screened live by SuperSport.

Incidentally, the main field at Rondebosch is named after Tinkie Heyns, who himself was a legendary referee for the host province for many years.

Four matches will be played on the Tinkie Heyns Field on Monday, which will include the opening ceremony of the tournament, with the remaining eight teams running out on Tuesday.

Fixtures for Monday, 4 July 2022

10h00: Eastern Province v Griquas

11h30: The Sharks High Schools v Valke

13h00: DHL Western Province XV v Fin Global Boland

15h20: DHL Western Province v Border

All matches will be live on SuperSport.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

July 3, 2022
Junior Bok skipper wants strong mentality against fired-up Ireland

Junior Springbok flyhalf and captain, Sacha Mngomezulu, has echoed the words of his coach Bafana Nhleko, calling for an overall improvement in their game and a strong mentality if they want to topple Ireland in their second pool match of the Six Nations U20 Summer Series in Verona, Italy on Wednesday.

The Junior Boks kicked off their campaign with a solid 30-22 triumph over England last Friday, and while the team is happy with the winning start, they are less satisfied with a few aspects of their play.

The promising flyhalf was at the heart of South Africa’s attacking moves in their opening game, setting up the first of five team tries and playing an influential hand in several other attacking moves against the powerful England outfit.

Mngomezulu said they are far more settled now that they have one tournament game behind them.

“Now we all know what it’s like playing at this level and how small the margins are,” he said, calling for a strong mentality in their second game against Ireland.

“We didn’t play too well but we won by eight points, and we are happy to take that.

“We know what’s required of us to do well against Ireland and we are training as if we’ve lost (our first game). That hunger and desire (to eliminate mistakes) are very evident in our training.”

Mngomezulu expects the wounded Irish to come out firing on all cylinders on Wednesday night after they lost their opening clash to France by 42-21.

“They must be disappointed with their result against France because they won all their games in the Six Nations, so they would want to rectify matters against us,” said the Junior Bok captain.

“Therefore, we are putting in all the preparations to make sure we are physically and mentally ready to handle them.”

On a personal note, it’s been a memorable season so far for the young flyhalf and he described his involvement in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship with the DHL Stormers as a dream come true.

The Cape franchise won the inaugural Vodacom URC title when they beat the Vodacom Bulls in a thrilling Grand Final two weeks ago.

“As a rugby player, these are the things you work towards, and just setting new goals now is the main thing,” said Mngomezulu.

“Whilst I’m with the Junior Boks, my focus is purely on being here and how we can move the team forward and what I can contribute to the team.

“The campaign was an amazing experience, and the lessons I’ve learned there is something I want to bring here to help my further development as a player inside a great bunch of Junior Boks.”

The match against Ireland on Wednesday starts at 20h00 and will be live-streamed on www.springboks.rugby.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

June 28, 2022
Junior Boks name team for England U20 clash in Verona

Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko has named the SA U20 matchday squad for Friday’s opening clash of the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series against England in Verona, Italy, with Sacha Mngomezulu (flyhalf) to lead the team at the Payanini Center.

The match kicks off at 17h00 and will be streamed live on www.springboks.rugby.

Following an SA Rugby Academy programme of almost three months at Stellenbosch, which formed the basis for their tournament preparations, the Junior Boks believe they are ready for what will be a demanding tournament, starting with a testing battle against England on Friday.

“Two years ago, there were no schools and age-group rugby, and last year we played in a strictly controlled environment in our home-based international series because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nhleko.

“Now we have a group of players that will sing the national anthem before playing for their country, for the first time. Exposure to international rugby is a great step up in their development and their future rugby pathway.

“That’s the exciting part and these guys have started on a great journey, but we are under no illusion as to what tough battles await us over the next three weeks, starting with England.

“I believe we are well prepared, but Friday’s match will demand a huge effort because we are competing against teams that are used to playing at this level on a regular basis. We must back up the positive attitude and energy with a good application of our game principles and fundamentals from the start,” added Nhleko.

After their opener against England on Friday, the Junior Boks will face against reigning Six Nations Under-20 Grand Slam champions Ireland and France in quick succession.

Eight countries are in action in the Summer Series – the Six Nations sides as well as South Africa and Georgia – split into two groups of four, with each side playing three pool matches before a cross pool match to decide the winner.

All 16 matches will take place in Italy, with Verona’s Payanini Center and Stadio Di Monigo in Treviso playing host to all the exciting action.

According to the tournament rules, the matchday squad will consist of 26 players instead of the usual 23, meaning the coaches will be able to use all 11 players on the replacement bench.

The Junior Springbok team to face England in Verona:

15 Duran Koevort (DHL WP), 14 Donovan Don (Down Touch Griffons), 13 Ethan James (DHL WP), 12 Carlton Banies (Vodacom Bulls), 11 Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL WP), 10 Sacha Mngomezulu (captain, DHL WP), 9 Nico Steyn (Sigma Lions), 8 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), 7 Ruan Venter (Sigma Lions), 6 Siya Ningiza (Cell C Sharks), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig (Vodacom Bulls), 4 Connor Evans (DHL WP), 3 Corne Weilbach (DHL WP), 2 Lukhanyo Vokozela (DHL WP), 1 Lamla Nunu (DHL WP). Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange (Vodacom Bulls), 17 Juann Else (Vodacom Bulls), 18 Sebastian Lombard (Vodacom Bulls), 19 Corne Rahl (Cell C Sharks), 20 Louw Nel (DHL WP), 21 Imad Khan (DHL WP), 22 Compion von Ludwig, 23 Latica Nela (SA Rugby Sevens contracted), 24 Merwe Olivier (Vodacom Bulls), 25 Paul de Villiers (DHL WP), 26 Gcino Mdletshe (Vodacom Bulls).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

June 23, 2022
Junior Boks hit the road running in Italy

The Junior Springboks arrived in Italy on Tuesday evening and immediately went about their business to fine-tune their preparations for Friday’s opening match of the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series against England in Verona.

The 30-man squad flew out of Cape Town on Monday evening via Dubai, finishing their 24-hour travel schedule with a bus trip from the airport in Milan to their base in Verona.

After checking into their Verona hotel in the early evening, the group had activation and massages to get rid of the travel stiffness.

The full training programme resumes on Wednesday, which will consist of some gym work in the morning and then planning and field sessions spread throughout the day.

Thursday is reserved for the captain’s run, where the final preparation of the game strategy will complete the on-field training for Friday’s opening clash with England.

Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko said the squad was happy to arrive in Verona after their training build-up in Stellenbosch.

“Everyone is excited to be here and over the next two days we will be fine-tuning our plans for England, which will be a massive game,” said Nhleko.

“We want the boys to settle in as quickly as possible and get into their normal routine because we only have two days before the tournament kicks off.”

It’s the first time in three years that the Junior Boks are playing in an overseas tournament again following the disruption of team travelling because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

June 22, 2022
Junior Springboks wrap up preparations for Summer Series

The Junior Springboks completed their preparations with one final training session in Stellenbosch on Monday, but they will travel to Italy for the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series without Canan Moodie, who was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

However, the Junior Boks were bolstered by the arrival of DHL Stormers flyhalf Sacha Mngomezulu and Vodacom Bulls lock Reinhardt Ludwig, who have both featured in the Vodacom URC, on Sunday at their base camp in Stellenbosch.

Mngomezulu will captain the Junior Boks in Italy, with Ludwig and DHL WP centre Ethan James named as his vice-captains. The Junior Boks will depart for Europe later on Monday.

Moodie injured his jaw in Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final, and as a result of his unavailability to tour to Italy, Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko was forced to make one change to the 30-man squad, with Latica Nela coming in as a replacement.

The Vodacom Bulls player, who was a member of last year’s successful Junior Bok team, which won the International Under-20 series in South Africa, has shown his versatility by playing at fullback and on the wing for the Vodacom Bulls in the Vodacom URC.

Nela, a SA Rugby contracted player who has been part of this year’s Academy programme – which featured an enlarged U20 training group before it was trimmed down to the official 30-man squad – has also played for the SA Rugby Sevens Academy side.

“Canan is an exciting rugby talent and, having had the privilege of working with him last year, I am not surprised by the strides he has made this season with the Vodacom Bulls,” said Nhleko.

“Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game, and his withdrawal now gives Latica an opportunity to be part of the tour. He has been part of our SA Rugby Academy programme for the past three months in Stellenbosch and is very familiar with our environment and our plans, so he should slot in very comfortably.”

Nhleko was pleased to announce his leadership group for the trip, with both Mngomezulu and Ludwig back for second stints with the SA Under-20 team.

“We purposefully kept the announcement of our team leaders until after the Vodacom URC Final, so these young men could prepare as best as they could with their teams and without any added distractions, for what was truly a special occasion for South African rugby,” explained Nhleko.

“The squad worked hard and prepared well during our Academy camp in Stellenbosch, and we are all looking forward to testing ourselves against some very good, quality opposition in Italy.”

After enjoying a break from training duties, the group reassembled in Stellenbosch on Sunday afternoon and had one last training session on Monday before flying out in the early evening from Cape Town to Milan.

The Junior Boks will open their Summer Series commitments against England on Friday, 24 June, and that will be followed by their second match on Wednesday, 29 June against Ireland.

The South Africans will complete their pool fixtures on Tuesday, 5 July against France before playing a final cross-pool fixture one week later, on Tuesday, 12 July, with their opponent to be determined according to the final standings.

Junior Springbok squad:

Props: Lamla Nunu (DHL WP), Corné Lavagna (Vodacom Bulls), Juann Else (Vodacom Bulls), Corné Weilbach (DHL WP), Sebastian Lombard (Vodacom Bulls), Sivu Mabece (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Lukhanyo Vokozela (DHL WP), Tiaan Lange (Vodacom Bulls).

Locks: Reinhardt Ludwig (vice-captain, Vodacom Bulls), Corné Rahl (Cell C Sharks), Connor Evans (DHL WP), Merwe Olivier (Vodacom Bulls).

Loose forwards: Ruan Venter (Sigma Lions), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Ningiza (Cell C Sharks), Gcino Mdletshe (Vodacom Bulls), Paul de Villiers (DHL WP), Louw Nel (DHL WP).

Scrumhalves: Nico Steyn (Sigma Lions), Neil le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Imad Khan (DHL WP).

Flyhalves: Sacha Mngomezulu (captain, DHL WP), Compion von Ludwig (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Carlton Banies (Vodacom Bulls), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL WP), Ethan James (vice-captain, DHL WP).

Outside backs: Donovan Don (Griffons), Katlego Letebele (Vodacom Bulls), Duran Koevort (DHL WP), Latica Nela (SA Rugby Sevens contracted).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

June 20, 2022
SA Rugby Under-20 Cup fixtures confirmed

The SA Rugby Under-20 Cup competition kicks off on the first weekend of August, with all the participating teams ready to give their all to make it to the playoffs in October.

The new Under-20 competition replaces the previous series for U19 and U21 teams, with seven teams taking part over a single round of matches in the build-up to the semi-finals and final, with a number of bye weekends worked into the schedule.

Unfortunately, the U20 Shield competition – which was scheduled to start at the end of August – had to be canceled following the withdrawal of five participating unions, as a result of the COVID pandemic. The other teams will still be allowed to arrange friendly encounters of play against the Cup teams in warm-up matches.

The U20 Cup competition – played over a single round of matches starting on the weekend of 6/7 August – will be contested by the Vodacom Bulls, Toyota Free State, Eastern Province, Leopards, Lions, Cell C Sharks, and DHL Western Province, with the final scheduled for 30 October.

The first round will see a number of big clashes play out at the Vodacom Bulls host the Lions in Pretoria, Toyota Free State travel to Potchefstroom to play the Leopards, and Eastern Province welcome the Cell C Sharks to Nelson Mandela Bay.

“This competition was specifically designed to give the next generation of provincial stars the opportunity to stake their claim for higher honours and we’re excited to see them in action,” said Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby.

“These players have been working hard over the last couple of months and they will be chomping at the bit to get going. The competition has been stretched to allow teams to field fully-fit squads and to hopefully not see many cancellations of matches.”

Fixtures:

(Home teams named first; venue and kick-off details to be confirmed; all fixtures subject to change):

First round: 6/7 August

Vodacom Bulls U20 v Lions U20
Leopards U20 v Toyota Free State U20
Eastern Province U20 v Cell C Sharks U20
Bye: DHL Western Province U20

Second round: 13/14 August

Cell C Sharks U20 v Vodacom Bulls U20
Toyota Free State U20 v Eastern Province U20
DHL Western Province U20 v Leopards U20
Bye: Lions U20

Third round:27/28 August

Vodacom Bulls U20 v Toyota Free State U20
Lions U20 v Cell C Sharks U20
Eastern Province U20 v DHL Western Province U20
Bye: Leopards U20

Fourth round: 3/4 September

Toyota Free State U20 v Lions U20
DHL Western Province U20 v Vodacom Bulls U20
Leopards U20 v Eastern Province U20
Bye: Cell C Sharks U20

Fifth round: 17/18 September

Vodacom Bulls U20 v Leopards U20
Lions U20 v DHL Western Province U20
Cell C Sharks U20 v Toyota Free State U20
Bye: Eastern Province U20

Sixth round: 23/24 September

DHL Western Province U20 v Cell C Sharks U20
Leopards U20 v Lions U20
Eastern Province U20 v Vodacom Bulls U20
Bye: Toyota Free State U20

Seventh round: 8/9 October

Lions U20 v Eastern Province U20
Cell C Sharks U20 v Leopards U20
Toyota Free State U20 v DHL Western Province U20
Bye: Vodacom Bulls U20

Semi-finals: 16 October

Final: 30 October

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

July 29, 2021
Bafana Nhleko names squad for u20 Series opener

Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko named Lions flanker Siyemukela “Sasko” Ndlovu as captain for his side’s opening clash in the U20 International Series against Uruguay in Stellenbosch on Friday, with a bunch of former SA Schools players graduating to the next level.

No less than seven players in the starting team represented the SA Schools and SA Schools A-sides in 2019, but with no junior international rugby in 2020, all of Nhleko’s selections for this match, which kicks off at 15h00 at Markötter Stadium, will debut for South Africa at Under-20 level.

Ndlovu is amongst them, with Tyler Bocks (centre), Izan Esterhuizen (No 8), Dylan de Leeuw (lock), Raynard Roets (lock) Blaine Golden (prop) and Jacques Goosen (hooker) all former teammates of the flanker.

Nhleko indicated that this match-day squad was selected with their pending matches against Argentina and Georgia taken into consideration, while their sole focus has been the first match of the campaign.

“We decided on these combinations for a number of reasons,” said Nhleko.

“There is a short turn-around between matches and player management will be important, so we will need fresh legs against Argentina early in the week. A number of players are earmarked to get a first start then.”

“This starting team will be match-ready. Many of them formed part of the SA Rugby Academy that played a number of matches in recent weeks, and they know and understand each other, which was an important part of our thinking.

“It will be important for us to get a good start to set the tone and standard and these combinations should be able to provide us with that,” he added.

Ndlovu, a former Northwood High School learner who represented the Cell C Sharks at Youth Week level, said the opportunity to get back into top-class action, will be a huge motivating factor for the squad.

“We are facing the best Uruguay can offer and will need to respond accordingly,” said Ndlovu.

“Our guys are really hungry to play. We want to go out there and represent our country and make them proud of us. We are defending their honour. We have been training very hard for this and the time has come, thankfully, for us to apply that on the field.”

Tournament rules allow for squads to have all their non-starting players on the bench; however, a front row must be nominated before the match and only eight players can be replaced in total.

The Junior Boks will play Argentina on Wednesday, 23 June and Georgia on Monday 28 June. The tournament concludes with a last round of matches on Saturday, 3 July where the top two sides and the bottom two teams will play each other respectively.

Junior Springboks:

15 Quan Horn (Lions), 14 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 13 Ethan James (DHL Western Province), 12 Tyler Bocks (Lions), 11 Curwin Gertse (Cell C Sharks), 10 Brandon Wilkie (Cell C Sharks), 9 Bobby Alexander (DHL Western Province), 8 Izan Esterhuizen (Lions), 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 6 Siyemukela Ndlovu (Lions, captain), 5 Dylan de Leeuw (DHL Western Province), 4 Raynard Roets (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 3 Blaine Golden (Cell C Sharks), 2 Jacques Goosen (Cell C Sharks), 1 Nolan Pienaar (Vodacom Blue Bulls). Replacements (from): Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Western Province), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Corné Weilbach (DHL Western Province) – (nominated front row), Simon Miller (DHL Western Province), Rynard Mouton (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Siyambuka Ningiza (Cell C Sharks), George Cronje (Toyota Cheetahs), Bradley Davids (Cell C Sharks), Kian Meadon (Cell C Sharks), Mnqobi Mkhize (Cell C Sharks), Dalvon Blood (DHL Western Province).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

June 17, 2021
Schools and club rugby to resume in April

Schools and club rugby received a massive boost on Thursday as SA Rugby granted permission for the players to return to the field in April following a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While club teams received the go-ahead to return to play on Monday, 12 April, schools rugby will be able to resume with matches a little later, on Friday, 23 April.

The decision was made following an announcement by the Department of Basic Education that it had made an Amendment of Directions in terms of Regulation 4(3) under the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act 57 of 2002), published in Government Gazette No. 44339 of 27 March 2021, indicating that schools can resume matches and national tournaments without spectators, subject to compliance with the relevant health and safety measures.

In accordance with SA Rugby’s return to play protocols, which places player safety and welfare as key priorities, clubs have received the green light to advance from contact training back to playing matches.

However, this is based on the provision that all COVID-19 protocols are strictly adhered to and that every club player must have completed the compulsory four-week non-contact training and four-week contact training window.

Schools rugby players, meanwhile, may resume contact training for four weeks – following six weeks of non-contact training – with the vision that they return to play at the earliest on Friday, 23 April.

“We were delighted to receive the news that schools rugby can recommence as announced by the Department of Basic Education, and we share in the schools and club players’ excitement to return to the field,” said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux.

“However, we will not take any risks. Player safety is of utmost importance to us, and as the custodians of rugby in South Africa it is imperative that the return to play protocols that were followed by our professional teams be applied at schools and club level as well.

“These protocols were designed based on medical evidence with the purpose of ensuring that the players’ bodies are ready to cope with the impact of full contact and to keep injuries to a minimum.

“It would be remiss of us to allow the excitement of returning to play overshadow player safety. Any schools and clubs that defy these protocols will do so at their own risk.

“The fact that these players have missed out on a year of their rugby development, with some of them having missed the crucial Under-16 age group, which will see them being thrust into the Under-18 and Under-19 age group, makes it critical that every precaution is taken to ease their transition back into rugby.”

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

April 1, 2021
Junior rugby returns as SA Rugby Academy kicks off in April

The national junior rugby programme will resume in April after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the SA Rugby Academy set to kick off in Stellenbosch.

The Academy, which is one of the key pillars in preparing the top junior players in the country to make the step-up to the SA Under-20 squad, will run from Wednesday, 7 April until Wednesday, 30 June at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport.

A squad of 41 players – 22 U20s and 19 U19s – have been invited to participate in the Academy, which will be steered by Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko and his predecessor Chean Roux.

Four players in the U20 age group featured in the 2020 SA Rugby Academy squad – Jan-Hendrik Wessels (prop), Dylan de Leeuw (lock), George Cronje (No 8), and Kade Wolhuter (flyhalf).

The programme, which was launched in 2017, aims to balance formal education with high-performance training and player welfare.

Thanks to the vital support from corporates through the Rugby Educational Foundation (REF) and Academy sponsors, Remgro (through the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport), and SuperSport, over 184 players have participated in the project and received education bursaries to date.

In line with the programme’s objective of ensuring holistic player development on and off the field, the goal is to have all the participants enrolled for various degrees, national diplomas, national certificates, and short courses, which will be backed up by life skills and mentorship programmes and regular tutor sessions.

“The SA Rugby Academy is one of the cornerstones in our rugby pathway to bridge the gap between junior and senior level, and we are thrilled that this group of talented players will be back in a high-performance environment,” said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux.

“With a large focus of the programme also centering on education, the players will benefit on and off the field, which will certainly bode well for their futures.

“I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the corporates who support our Rugby Educational Foundation, as well as Remgro and SuperSport, for making this possible and for investing in the future stars of the game.”

Nhleko was equally pleased to see the players return to action and said: “It has been just over a year since the SA Rugby Academy had to be put on hold due to COVID-19, so we are very grateful and excited about the opportunity to be back on the field.

“The Academy serves an important role in the holistic development of the players on and off the field, and it is also a key pathway through the national structures.”

He added: “There is a good mix of Under-19 and Under-20 players in the group with an eye on possible mid-year fixtures, and also to ensure that we can expose the Under-19 group to international rugby keeping next year in mind, so we are very happy for them.

“That said, the door is not closed to the players who have missed out. We will still be monitoring the players and talking to the coaches at the unions, universities, and clubs to ensure that we track all the players in the system, and where possible, to present opportunities for them.”

SA Rugby Academy squad:

Props: Blaine Golden (Cell C Sharks), Okuhle Siyeni (Xerox Lions), Tielman Nieuwoudt (Vodacom Bulls), Sibusiso Shongwe (Xerox Lions), Frederich Weilbach (DHL Western Province), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).

Hookers: Jacques Goosen (Cell C Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter (DHL Western Province), Lukhanyo Vokozela (DHL Western Province).

Locks: Connor Evans, Dylan de Leeuw (both DHL Western Province), Reinhardt Ludwig (Vodacom Bulls), Simon Miller (DHL Western Province).

Loose forwards: George Cronje (Toyota Cheetahs), Wandile Hlophe (Xerox Lions), Keketso Morabe (DHL Western Province), Rynard Mouton (Vodacom Bulls), Siyemukela Ndlovu (Xerox Lions), Siyambuka Ningiza (Cell C Sharks), Jarrod Taylor (DHL Western Province), Sisonke Vumazonke (Xerox Lions)

Scrumhalves: Bobby Alexander (DHL Western Province), Bradley Davies (Cell C Sharks), Nico Steyn (Xerox Lions).

Flyhlaves: Sacha Mngomezulu (DHL Western Province), Brandon Wilkie (Cell C Sharks), Kade Wolhuter (DHL Western Province).

Centres: Carlton Bannies (Vodacom Bulls), Tyler Bocks (Xerox Lions), Nqobi Mkhize (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Zeilinga Strydom, Henco van Wyk (both Xerox Lions).

Outside backs: Dalvon Blood (SA Rugby contracted/DHL Western Province), Geraldo Flusk (Vodacom Bulls), Keane Galant (Vodacom Bulls), Curwin Gertse (Cell C Sharks), Matthew Jacobs (Cell C Sharks), Duran Koevort (DHL Western Province), Mtungwa Mapansela (Cell C Sharks), Keanan Wentzel (Vodacom Bulls).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

March 10, 2021