Author: saru

SA Rugby announced on Monday that coaches, parents, and players from schools across the country will be invited to a series of webinars as preparations step up a gear for a return to action later in the year.

An announcement was made recently on the return to non-contact training for all amateur rugby – schools, clubs, and associations – within specific safety conditions required by the current COVID-19 pandemic, in light of the recent easing of adjusted lockdown regulations.

To further assist and educate players from the various Under-18 age groups, SA Rugby’s Rugby Department will share their expertise online and in real-time with players, coaches, and parents at school level.

The programme – which will run from 4 March until 1 April 2021 – was compiled by Hilton Adonis (Manager: Training and Education), Louis Koen (Manager: High-Performance Programmes), as well as Herman Masimla and Nico Serfontein, who spearhead the Elite Player Development (EPD) programmes.

“Our online coaching webinar series last year was a massive success and we decided to do something similar, specifically to assist players at school with the best way to get back into action again after a very long time away from the game,” said Rassie Erasmus (Director of Rugby).

“Hilton, Louis, Herman, and Nico have put in a lot of effort and done great work in this regard, and the series of webinars will be of great value for any player, coach, or parent from Under-15 level upwards.

“While the focus will be on the better players, who have been identified as part of our EPD programmes, any players who are keen to lace up their boots again will find benefit from the information we’re planning to share.”

Four webinars are planned, as well as a final interactive session where parents, players, and coaches will have the opportunity to interact with staff from the Rugby Department.

The first session, which will be conducted by Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber and his Junior Springbok counterpart Bafana Nhleko, will discuss the national coaching blueprint (4 March).

This will be followed by a session on strength and conditioning (11 March), hosted by SA Rugby’s head S&C coach, Tim Qumbu.

SA Rugby Nutritionists Zeenat Simjee and Robyn Moore will talk about diet and the use of supplements (18 March), and the last session, on training management during COVID-19, will be hosted by Springbok Women’s head coach Stanley Raubenheimer (25 March).

The series will conclude with a live feedback and information session on 1 April.

Schools will be informed via their provinces on the details of the webinars, and those looking for more information are urged to get in touch with their provincial unions.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

Four players will make their first appearance at the third SA Rugby Under-20 alignment camp in Stellenbosch this week after being invited by Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux as the planning phase continues for the SA Rugby Academy and SA U20 season in the next few months.

Thabo Ndimande (loose-forward), JJ Kotze (hooker), Keenan Opperman (loose-forward) and Simon Miller (utility forward) will feature in the camps for the first time in a group of 18 players.

Ndimande and Kotze, in particular, are familiar with a number of the squad members, as they played alongside some of them in the SA Under-19 team on their two-match tour to Georgia late last year.

Of the 18 players, 12 attended the two opening camps, and another two players – 2019 Junior Springbok player of the year Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), and Rynhardt Jonker (centre) – attended the second camp last week.

“The alignment camps have been valuable in allowing us to work with the players and to guide them in terms of our standards and expectations with an eye on the talent identification process for the SA Rugby Academy programme and the Junior Springbok squad,” said Roux.

“The players who have attended the last two camps are grasping the structures well, so we are pleased with the progress we are making.

“This week we welcome JJ, Keenan, Simon, Thabo and I am sure they will slot in with ease since they have either played with or against most of the players in this group at some stage.”

The fourth and last alignment camp will follow from 24 to 27 February, while the SA Rugby Academy will run from Thursday, 12 March, to mid-May.

Third SA Rugby U20 alignment camp squad:

Adriaan Alberts (Xerox Golden Lions; lock)
Dewald Donald (Vodacom Blue Bulls; prop)
Sphekahle Dube (Cell C Sharks; prop)
Morne Brandon (Xerox Golden Lions; flanker)
Celimpilo Gumede (Cell C Sharks; flanker)
Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks; scrumhalf)
Hanro Jacobs (Cell C Sharks; prop)
JJ Kotze (DHL Western Province; hooker)
Rynhardt Jonker (Cell C Sharks; centre)
Keanan Opperman (Vodacom Blue Bulls; loose-forward)
Thabiso Mdletshe (Cell C Sharks; prop)
Simon Miller (Vodacom Blue Bulls; utility forward)
Lunga Ncube (Cell C Sharks; lock)
Thabo Ndimande (Xerox Golden Lions; flanker)
Evan Roos (Cell C Sharks; No 8)
Sibusiso Sangweni (Xerox Golden Lions; loose-forward)
Cullen van der Merwe (Cell C Sharks; hooker)
Emile van Heerden (Cell C Sharks; lock)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

Fifty-three of South Africa’s most talented Under-18 rugby players from across the country will assemble in Stellenbosch on Thursday, 27 February, for a four-day Elite Player Development (EPD) camp.

The camp – which will be hosted at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport and concludes on Sunday, 1 March – is the first of three EPD camps that will be hosted this year, with Under-16 and Under-17 camps set to follow later in the season. These camps are in line with SA Rugby’s development structures.

The main objectives of the camps are to assess the players’ physical and technical abilities and to guide them with the goal of preparing them to advance through the structures in future.

The players will participate in a series of training sessions over the four days, where they will have the opportunity to work with a handful of coaches within the SA Rugby structures.

Players invited to the SA Rugby U18 High-Performance camp:

Props – Phatu Ganyane (Cell C Sharks, Glenwood), Sebastian Lombard (DHL Western Province, Paarl Boys High), Phillip Masango (DHL Western Province, Wynberg), Thansville Mayman (Vodacom Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Tielman Niewoudt (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College), Heiko Pohlman (Xerox Golden Lions, Monnas), Friedrich Weilbach (DHL Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Phumelelo Xhego (Cell C Sharks, Westville)

Hookers – Keagan Blackenberg (DHL Western Province, Bishops), Ricardo Fourie (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College), Tiaan Lange (Vodacom Blue Bulls, Menlopark), Lukanyo Vokozela (DHL Western Province, Rondebosch)

Locks – Marco de Witt (DHL Western Province, Boland Landbou), Connor Evans (DHL Western Province, Bishops), Coetzee Le Roux (DHL Western Province, Paarl Boys High), Reinhardt Ludwig (Vodacom Blue Bulls, Affies), Cornelius Rahl (SWD Eagles, Oakdale)

Loose forwards – Renzo du Plessis (Limpopo Blue Bulls, Ben Vorster), Phillip Kleynhans (SWD Eagles, Oakdale Landbou), Armand Maritz (DHL Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Gcinokuhle Mdletshe (Cell C Sharks, Westville), Rynhard Mouton (Xerox Golden Lions, Monument), Abulele Ndabambi (DHL Western Province, Paarl Boys High), Siyambuka Nongiza (Cell C Sharks, Maritzburg College), Willie Potgieter (Vodacom Blue Bulls, Affies), Hardus Rothman (Vodacom Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Josh van Vreden (Border, Selborne College), Cornelius Volschenk (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College), Sisonke Vumazonke (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College).

Scrumhalves – Rowan Cloete (Vodacom Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Neil Le Roux (SWD Eagles, Oakdale Landbou), Juan Olivier (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College), Nico Steyn (Cell C Sharks, Glenwood).

Flyhalves – Sihlalo Benge (Border, Queens), Sacha Mngomezulu (DHL Western Province, Bishops), Jean Smith (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College), Compion Von Ludiwg (DHL Western Province, Paarl Boys High).

Centres – Reagan Izaks (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College), Ethan James (DHL Western Province, Paarl Gymnasium), Josh Jonas (Border, Hudson Park), Mnqobi Mkhize (Cell C Sharks, Westville), Keagan Smith (DHL Western Province, Paarl Boys High), Sonwabo Sokoyi (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College), Brandon Wilkie (EP Kings, Framesby).

Outside backs – Luke Burger (DHL Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Diego Cupido (Xerox Golden Lions, Helpmekaar), Curwin Gertse (DHL Western Province, Paarl Gymnasium), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Western Province, Bishops), Matthew Jacobs (DHL Western Province, Paarl Gymnasium), Franco Knoetze (Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Grey College), Duran Koevort (DHL Western Province, SACS), Hakeem Kunene (DHL Western Province, Paarl Boys High), Keanan Wentzel (DHL Western Province, Boland Landbou)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

The SuperSport Rugby Challenge will deliver a combination of school, club and provincial rugby action at their rugby festivals in 2020, with two new venues, also added to the already impressive variety of communities across the country reached by this popular tournament.

The tournament kicks off on the weekend of 25 April, with the first Rugby Festival scheduled for Sunday 26 April when SWD Eagles host the EP Elephants. The venue for this match, and the other festivals, will be confirmed in due course.

These two teams will play in the South Section alongside DHL Western Province, Boland Cavaliers, Toyota Free State XV, Cell C Sharks XV, Border and Zimbabwe Academy, who will again play out of their Cape Town base at False Bay Rugby Club in Constantia.

Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek will host three of the Welwitschias’ home matches as the Namibians will again play alongside defending champions Tafel Lager Griquas, Phakisa Pumas, Vodacom Blue Bulls, Down Touch Griffons, Xerox Golden Lions XV, Leopards and Valke in the North Section.

The latter will host the first festival in the North Section on Sunday, 3 May when they face the defending champions on the East Rand.

The remaining five Rugby Festivals will be played on consecutive Sundays until the semi-finals (13/14 June), with the final scheduled for the last weekend in June. All the Festivals will be televised by SuperSport and will include a school and club match with the SuperSport Rugby Challenge encounter.

The first weekend of action in the North Section will see the Phakisa Pumas take on the Valke, Tafel Lager Griquas hosting Down Touch Griffons, the Xerox Golden Lions XV will face Leopards and the Vodacom Blue Bulls XV will travel to Windhoek to face the Welwitschias.

In the South Section, the Toyota Free State XV will host Boland Cavaliers, the Cell C Sharks XV host Zimbabwe Academy and DHL Western Province will take on Border before the South Eastern Cape derby.

SuperSport Rugby Challenge Fixtures 2020 (home teams first, venues and kick-off times to be confirmed)

Round 1 (24-26 April)

North

Phakisa Pumas v Valke

Tafel Lager Griquas v Down Touch Griffons

Xerox Golden Lions XV v Leopards

Welwitschias v Vodacom Blue Bulls XV

South

DHL Western Province v Border

Cell C Sharks XV v Zimbabwe Academy

Toyota Free State XV v Boland Cavaliers

Festival: SWD vs EP Elephants

Round 2 (1-3 May)

North

Leopards v Down Touch Griffons

Vodacom Blue Bulls XV v Phakisa Pumas

Xerox Golden Lions XV vs Welwitschias

Festival: Valke v Tafel Lager Griquas

South

Cell C Sharks XV v Toyota Free State XV

EP Elephants v Boland Cavaliers

DHL Western Province v SWD

Zimbabwe Academy v Border

Round 3 (8-10 May)

North

Leopards v Phakisa Pumas

Tafel Lager Griquas v Welwitschias

Down Touch Griffons v Vodacom Blue Bulls XV

Valke v Xerox Golden Lions XV

South

Toyota Free State XV vs Eastern Province

Zimbabwe Academy v SWD

Border v Boland Cavaliers

Festival: DHL Western Province v Cell C Sharks XV

Round 4 (15-17 May)

North

Vodacom Blue Bulls XV v Tafel Lager Griquas

Phakisa Pumas v Xerox Golden Lions XV

Welwitschias v Down Touch Griffons

Valke v Leopards

South

Zimbabwe Academy v DHL Western Province

SWD v Toyota Free State XV

Boland Cavaliers v Cell C Sharks XV

Festival: EP Elephants v Border

Round 5 (22-24 May)

North

Tafel Lager Griquas v Phakisa Pumas

Leopards v Welwitschias

Down Touch Griffons v Valke

Festival: Xerox Golden Lions XV v Vodacom Blue Bulls

South

Toyota Free State XV v Zimbabwe Academy

EP Elephants v DHL Western Province

Boland Cavaliers v SWD

Border v Cell C Sharks XV

Round 6 (29-31 May)

North

Welwitschias v Phakisa Pumas

Down Touch Griffons v Xerox Golden Lions XV

Vodacom Blue Bulls XV v Valke

Tafel Lager Griquas v Leopards

South

Zimbabwe Academy v Boland Cavaliers

DHL Western Province v Toyota Free State XV

Cell C Sharks XV v EP Elephants

Festival: Border vs SWD

Round 7 (5-7 June)

North

Phakisa Pumas v Down Touch Griffons

Valke v Welwitschias

Xerox Golden Lions XV v Tafel Lager Griquas

Leopards v Vodacom Blue Bulls XV

South

EP Elephants v Zimbabwe Academy

SWD v Cell C Sharks XV

Border v Toyota Free State XV

Festival: Boland Cavaliers vs DHL Western Province

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

It was a rewarding day for Boland on the final day of the Iqhawe Week at Paarl Gymnasium on Thursday, as they delivered a scintillating performance against Griquas in the final match of the tournament for a 29-10 victory and top honours in front of their home fans.

The Bolanders got off to a flying start in the grand finale of the Under-15 competition – which is a joint venture between the South African Rugby Legends Association and SA Rugby – scoring four tries before the break, which included two by Michail Damon (fullback), to race to a 26-5 halftime lead.

This paved the way for their convincing 29-10 victory, despite the only points scored in the second half being a penalty goal by Boland and a try by Griquas. The win marked their third in as many games – a feat only Boland and the Sharks achieved in the tournament.

The Sharks, in turn, overcame a tightly-fought first half against Eastern Province in which they led 12-10 to force their way to a 26-15 victory, while the Leopards also ensured that they finished the competition strongly with six different players crossing the try line en route to their 43-5 victory against the Pumas.

The Golden Lions, meanwhile, scored four tries to three by SWD for their 31-17 victory, with their more effective goal-kicking handing them a distinct edge on the scoreboard.

There were also a number of tight contests spicing up the final day’s action, with the Griffons and Valke playing to a 17-17 draw as they scored three tries and one conversion a piece, while Border pipped Western Province 32-31 after surviving a strong second-half fightback by the Capetonians who found themselves trailing 20-5 at the break.

Free State had to work hard for their 21-19 victory against the Blue Bulls, with their extra conversion proving to be the difference on the scoreboard as both teams touched down three times.

Iqhawe Week Day 3 results (Thursday, 26 September):

Western Province 31-32 Border
Blue Bulls 19-21 Free State
SWD 17-31 Golden Lions
Griffons 17-17 Valke
Eastern Province 15-26 KZN
Leopards 43-5 Pumas
Boland 29-10 Griquas

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

Ten teams will battle it out in two sections in the new format of the SA Rugby U19 Championship, which will be hosted in Paarl and Johannesburg respectively over one week in September.

The Coastal Section, which will run concurrently with the Iqhawe Week at Paarl Gymnasium, features four teams, namely Boland, Eastern Province, DHL Western Province and the Cell C Sharks.

The Inland Section, which will be hosted at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, will feature six teams, namely the Vodacom Blue Bulls, Valke, Toyota Free State, Xerox Golden Lions, Leopards and Phakisa Pumas.

The teams in the Coastal Section will each face each other once during pool play, with the top team on the standings at the end of the three rounds advancing to the final, while the Inland Section will be played in a knock-out format based on the teams’ log positions from the 2018 season, with the top team earning their place in the final.

The final will be hosted at the home ground of the winner of the Coastal Section on the first weekend in October. Should DHL Western Province host the final, the match will be played as a curtain-raiser for the Springbok Women’s Test against Scotland at City Park in Athlone.

DHL Western Province will face Boland in an entertaining Western Cape derby on the opening day’s play of the Coastal Section on Monday, 23 September, with Eastern Province taking on the Cell C Sharks.

The first round of the Inland Section will see the Vodacom Blue Bulls take on the Valke, the Xerox Golden Lions face the Phakisa Pumas, and Toyota Free State and Leopards take on one another.

This will be followed by the second round of matches on Wednesday, 25 September, and last round of pool games on Friday, 27 September. 

SA Rugby U19 Championship fixtures:

Monday, 23 September:

Coastal Section:

DHL Western Province v Boland

Eastern Province v Cell C Sharks

Inland Section:

Vodacom Blue Bulls v Valke (QF1)

Xerox Golden Lions v Phakisa Pumas (QF2)

Toyota Free State v Leopards (QF3)

Wednesday, 25 September:

Coastal Section:

DHL Western Province v Eastern Province

Boland v Cell C Sharks

Inland Section:

Semi-final 1: Winner of Q1 vs Best loser (based on points’ difference)

Semi-final 2: Winner Q2 vs Winner Q3

Playoff: Two other sides face one another

Friday, 27 September:

Coastal Section:

Cell C Sharks v DHL Western Province

Eastern Province v Boland

Inland Section:

Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

Four other sides to play for rankings

Final – Date and venue TBC

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The opening day of the SA Rugby Under-18 International Series delivered some cracking rugby at Markotter Stadium in Stellenbosch on Friday, with the SA Schools, Argentina and France scoring hard-fought wins over Wales, England and SA Schools A respectively.

The SA Schools team delivered a 23-13 over the Welsh, while Argentina outplayed England 29-19 in their first appearance of the Series, now in its tenth year.

In the opening match of the series, the French team had too much attacking prowess for the SA Schools A side, winning 43-19.

SA Schools A coach, Phiwe Nomlomo said their slow start cost them. “We did not start well at all,” he said. “We possibly took too long to get into the game and that cost us in the end.”

The coach remained positive that they can turn their fortunes around for their next match against Wales on Tuesday.

“Some things worked well for us. We looked good with ball in hand, our loose forwards were especially monstrous with ball in hand. We will try and get them into the game a bit more next time around.”

He warned that the team will have to improve their defence as well: “For sure, defensively we will have to improve a bit, especially our one-on-one defense and if we do that, we will be a better team already.” 

SA Schools coach, Mzwakhe Nkosi, said the second half effort from his team showed their character.

“There is a lot to take out of this game,” he said. “We won the big moments and that was important. Our attack was not the greatest. They did beat us to the breakdown in the first half, but we had a look at that and improved so much in the second half.”

They now face Argentina: “It is going to be another tough match,” he said. “We need to take the lessons from this, improve on that and then take on Argentina with those boxes ticked,” he said.

Summary of results and scorers:

SA Schools A 19 (14), France (31) 43

France – Tries: Leo Barre, Logan Tabet, Jessy Maizier, Ethan Randale, Eric Boussard, Killian Tixeront, Theo Ntamack-Mayenga. Conversions: Nolann Le Garrec (4).

SA Schools A – Tries: Indiphile Tyeda, Philip Masango, Teague Loelly. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2).  

Argentina 29 (17), England 19 (7)

Argentina – Tries: Bautista Grenon (lock), Facundo Villalba (scrumhalf), Bautista Bernasconi (hooker), Justo Piccardo (centre). Conversions: Julian Hernandez (flyhalf, 3). Penalty: Hernandez.

England – Tries: Louis-Hillman Cooper (centre), Matthew Ward (wing), Sam Bryan (replacement-flyhalf). Conversions: Orlando Baily (flyhalf, 2).

SA Schools 23 (6), Wales 13 (10)

SA Schools – Tries: Jurich Claasens, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jarrod Taylor. Conversion: Kian Meadon. Penalties: Meadon (2).

Wales – Try: Mason Grady. Conversion: Thomas Mathews. Penalties: Thomas Mathews (2)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The coaches have laid out their plans, the squads are settled in and all of SA Schools, SA Schools A, Argentina, England, France and Wales are ready for the U18 International Series that will kick off at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch on Friday, 9 August.

The highly successful series is celebrating a decade of delivering the next generation of stars and the 2019 version will be no different, as the best age-group players of the respective countries takes to the field.

On Friday, SA Schools A will take on France in the opening match at the Markotter Sports Fields, while England and Argentina will clash before the SA Schools team round off the day with their international against Wales.

The U18 International Series continues in Paarl on Tuesday 13 August and conclude at in Wellington on Saturday, 17 August.

SA Schools captain and hooker, Jacques Goosen, said they are very keen to get going and test themselves against Wales, a team they hold in high regard.

“We have settled in nicely and everyone is very keen to get going,”said Goosen, who hails from Selborne College in East London.

“We came together nicely as a squad and the guys are ready to go out and execute on our plans. Wales are a tough side, I recall that last year we only managed a win in the last minute of play. So we are taking nothing for granted. We just want to go out and enjoy the moment of playing for our country.”

The SA Schools A side will be keen to keep the enjoyment factor in mind in their match against France, said their No 8 and captain, Jarod Cairns. It will be a memorable day for the loose forward, who hails from Paul Roos Gymnasium and will be leading the side at his alma mater.

“We are all very proud to be selected for sure, said Cairns.

“We want to play to the best of our ability and enjoy the honour of playing for your country. We have plans in place on how we want to play and will try and do that. This is a great opportunity also to learn from and experience the playing styles from the opponents and we are looking forward to the match-up of our skills against theirs.”

The SA Schools team to play Wales:

15. Zeilinga Strydom (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Garsfontein)
16. Keane Galant (Boland / HTS Drostdy)
17. Henco van Wyk (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Monument)
18. Tyler Bocks (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
19. Tharquinn Manuel (DHL Western Province / HS Stellenberg)
20. Kean Meadon (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
21. Jurich Claasens (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Garsfontein)
22. George Cronje (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College)
23. Jarrod Taylor (Border / Selborne College)
24. Keketso Morabe (Thepa Trading Griffons / Welkom Gymnasium)
25. Dylan de Leeuw (DHL Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium)
26. Simon Miller (Assupol Blue Bulls / St Albans)
27. Blaine Golden (Cell C Sharks / Glenwood HS)
28. Jacques Goosen (Border / Selborne College; captain)
29. Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College)

Replacements:

16. Andre Venter (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College)
17. Okuhle Siyeni (Cell C Sharks / Westville Boys High)
18. Sibusiso Shongwe (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Jeppe Boys High School
19. Wandile Hlope (Cell C Sharks / Maritzburg College)
20. Siyemukela Ndlovu (Cell C Sharks / Northwood HS)
21. Dylan Alexander (DHL Western Province / Paarl Gymnasium)
22. Boldwin Hansen (Boland / HS Hermanus)
23. Mntungwa Mapantsela (Border / Selborne College)
24. Quan Horn (Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
25. Gideon van Wyk (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
26. Connor Evans (DHL Western Province / Bishops)

The South Africa Schools A side to play France:

15. Sibusiso Javu (Border / Selborne College)
16. Joseph Iye (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / King Edward School)
17. Jacques Rossouw (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High)
18. Sihlalo Benge (Border / Queens College)
19. Indiphile Tyeda (Border / Dale College)
20. Jordan Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks / Glenwood HS)
21. Daimon O’Connell (Border / Selborne College)
22. Jarod Cairns (DHL Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium, c)
23. Izan Esterhuizen (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Monument)
24. Josh van Vreden (Border / Selborne College)
25. Marco van Rhyn (DHL Western Province / Paarl Gymnasium)
26. Sisonke Vumazonke (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College)
27. Philip Masango (DHL Western Province / Wynberg Boys High)
28. Jacques-Lois du Toit (Assupol Blue Bulls / Afrikaans Boys HS)
29. Rynhardt Rijnsburger (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High)

Replacements:

16. Teague Loelly (Cell C Sharks / Westville Boys High).
17. Dimakatso Lebelo (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Waterkloof)
18. Gerhard van der Merwe (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Garsfontein)
19. Raynard Roets (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Garsfontein)
20. Pierich Siebert (DHL Western Province / Paarl Gymnasium)
21. Kabelo Mokheti (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Jeppe Boys High)
22. Nsuku Baloyi (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Menlo Park)
23. Sonwabo Sokoyi (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College)
24. Cornelus Rahl (South Western Districts / Oakdale HS)
25. Renzo du Plessis (Unitrans Limpopo Blue Bulls / HS Ben Vorster)

Fixtures: U18 International Series at Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch

SA Schools A vs France U18

Kick-off: 13h00

Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)

England U18 vs Argentina U18

Kick-off: 14h30

Referee: Divan Uys (SA Rugby)

SA Schools vs Wales U18

Kick-off: 16h00

Referee: Pali Deluca (Argentina)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

What do Siya Kolisi, Zain Davids, Phendulani Buthelezi, Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola, Jefferson Poirot and Adam Beard have in common?

The U18 International Series celebrates its 10-year anniversary this season, and judging by the growing list of national players who have come through the ranks, including Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and his 2019 Junior Springbok counterpart Phendulani Buthelezi, it has become an invaluable stepping stone in the various participants’ careers.

The junior international competition had humble beginnings in 2009 with Italy, France and England touring the Western Cape, and over the years it was adapted to include a few Under-19 players from some visiting teams, which saw a change to the U19 International Series.

The tournament has become a key feature on the South African rugby calendar, with every player participating in the U18 SA Rugby Youth Weeks competing for places in the SA Schools and SA Schools A teams.

With the likes of Kolisi, Buthelezi, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Handré Pollard, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Warrick Gelant, Zain Davids, Stedman Gans, Curwin Bosch and Salmaan Moerat taking their first steps in the international arena in the competition, it is no surprise that players regard it is the ultimate achievement at school level.

The same applies to the visiting teams – which has included England, France, Wales and Italy over the years – who have seen the likes of Billy Vunipola, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph (all England), Galletier Kellian, William Demotte, Jonathan Danty and Jefferson Poirot (all France) and Adam Beard (Wales), among others advancing to their senior national teams.

What makes the tournament particularly significant is that for all of the players who are selected to represent the SA Schools and SA Schools teams, in particular, it marks the first time they achieve national honours and the first time they face international sides wearing the Springbok on their chests.

The short turnaround time between matches also exposes them to the high demands of international rugby, especially for those who advance to the Junior Springbok team where they are tested to the limit physically with five matches less than three weeks at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

This year, we welcome Argentina to the Series for the first time, and given the strong statement they are making in the international arena through the Los Pumitas and the Pumas senior side, and at provincial level in the Currie Cup First Division and Vodacom Super Rugby level, there is no doubt that their up-and-coming junior players will use this as a platform to launch their careers.

U18 International Series Fixtures:

Friday 9 August 2019 – Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch

13h00: SA Schools A vs France U18
14h30: England U18 vs Argentina U18
16h00: SA Schools vs Wales U18

Tuesday 13 August 2019 – Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl

13h00: SA Schools A vs Wales U18
14h30: SA Schools vs Argentina U18
16h00: England U18 vs France U18

Saturday 17 August 2019 – Hugenote High School, Wellington

12h00: SA Schools A vs Argentina U18
13h30: France U18 vs Wales U18
15h00: SA Schools vs England U18

 

Border hooker Jacques Goosen will lead the SA Schools team, and DHL Western Province No 8 Jarod Cairns has been appointed captain of the SA Schools A team for the forthcoming Under-18 International Series, which kicks off in Stellenbosch on Friday.

Goosen, from Selborne College, will be supported by two vice-captains in the SA Schools team, Tyler Bocks (DHL Western Province and Paarl Boys High centre) and George Cronje (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs and Grey College No 8) respectively.

Cairns, from Paul Roos Gymnasium, will be assisted by Border and Selborne College scrumhalf, Daimon O’Connell, who is the SA Schools A team vice-captain.

The U18 International Series kicks off at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch on Friday, 9 August, with matches to follow at Paarl Gymnasium on Tuesday, 13 August and Hugenote High School in Wellington on Saturday, 17 August.

The SA Schools team will open up their campaign against Wales, followed by clashes against Argentina and England, while the SA Schools A team will meet France, Wales and Argentina respectively.

Unfortunately for SA Schools coach Mzwakhe Nkosi, the injury curse has hit already – only two days into the team’s preparations – with Bryan le Roux (prop) ruled out due to an ankle injury. Sibusiso Shongwe has been promoted from the SA Schools A team, while Assupol Blue Bulls prop Gerhard van der Merwe (from Garsfontein) has been called up to the SA Schools A team as a replacement.

Nkosi was pleased with the progress his team has made since assembling in Stellenbosch on Sunday and said: “We are starting to look like a team, and the vibe in the camp is very good, which is great for us as management.

“This tournament provides great exposure for these players, and it is even better that they get to do so against quality nations like England, France, Wales and Argentina. So we would like to see them grab this opportunity with both hands and show their talent.”

He added: “The opposition will be really tough and organised. Three of the teams had the advantage of playing in a junior Six Nations, so we are expecting enterprising play and physicality from the participating teams.”

SA Schools A team coach Phiwe Nomlomo was equally pleased with his team’s preparations so far and said: “It has been great so far. The intensity has been good and the excitement among the players to represent their country is fantastic. We are expecting a good challenge from the opposing teams, but we also need to go out there and show what we can do.”

Nkosi and Nomlomo will announce their teams for Friday’s opening games on Thursday.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications