Author: saru

The SA Schools and SA Schools A squads – featuring four returning players from 2018 – to contest the U18 International Series against their age-group counterparts from Argentina, England, France, Wales in August were announced by SA Rugby on Monday.

Jacques Goosen (hooker, Border), Jarrod Taylor (flanker, Border), Keketso Morabe (flanker, Thepa Trading Griffons) and Jurich Claasens (scrumhalf, Assupol Blue Bulls), all of whom played for the SA Schools team in 2018, were again included following the successful hosting of the Under-18 Youth Weeks in Bloemfontein at the beginning of the month.

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

Mzwakhe Nkosi (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions, SA Schools) and Phiwe Nomlomo (Border, SA Schools A) are the respective coaches.

SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux, congratulated the players on their selection and wished them well for the forthcoming series.

“It is a rewarding and exciting time for the selected schoolboys as they get the opportunity to play for their country and give justice to their talent and hard work put in,” said Roux.

“The selection of these squads is in line with our elite player development pathway of which the SA Schools teams form an important part.

“We invest time, money and resources into their matches with a view to them graduating through the age group levels to the very top of the game, so good luck to all involved, including the coaching staff of Mzwakhe and Phiwe respectively.”

The squads (with provinces and schools) are:

SA Schools:

Outside backs: Geraldo Flusk (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Garsfontein), Keane Galant (Boland / HTS Drostdy), Zeilinga Strydom (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Garsfontein), Tarquin Manuel (DHL Western Province / HS Stellenberg).

Centres: Tyler Bocks (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High), Henco van Wyk (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Monument), Mntungwa Mapantsela (Border / Selborne College).

Flyhalves: Kean Meadon (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High), Boldwin Hansen (Boland / HS Hermanus).

Scrumhalves: Jurich Claasens (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Garsfontein), Dylan Alexander (DHL Western Province / Paarl Gymnasium).

Loose forwards: George Cronje (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College), Gideon van Wyk (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High), Jarrod Taylor (Border / Selborne College), Siyemukela Ndlovu (Cell C Sharks / Northwood HS), Keketso Morabe (Thepa Trading Griffons / Welkom Gymnasium).

Locks: Simon Miller (Assupol Blue Bulls / St Albans), Dylan de Leeuw (DHL Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium), Connor Evans (DHL Western Province / Bishops), Wandile Hlope (Cell C Sharks / Maritzburg College).

Props: Blaine Golden (Cell C Sharks / Glenwood HS), Bryan le Roux (DHL Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College), Okuhle Siyeni (Cell C Sharks / Westville Boys High).

Hookers: Jacques Goosen (Border / Selborne College), Andre Venter (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College).

Management – Head Coach: Mzwakhe Nkosi (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions). Assistant coach: Cobus van Dyk (Assupol Blue Bulls). Manager: Dean Moodley (Cell C Sharks).

SA Schools A:

Outside backs: Sibusiso Javu (Border / Selborne College), Sonwabo Sokoyi (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College), Nsuku Baloyi (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Menlo Park), Indiphile Tyeda (Border / Dale College).

Centres: Jacques Rossouw (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High), Joseph Iye (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / King Edward School), Quan Horn (Western Province / Paarl Boys High).

Flyhalves: Sihlalo Benge (Border / Queens College), Jordan Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks / Glenwood HS).

Scrumhalves: Daimon O’Connell (Border / Selborne College), Kabelo Mokheti (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Jeppe Boys High).

Loose forwards: Izan Esterhuizen (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Monument), Jarod Cairns (DHL Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium), Renzo du Plessis (Unitrans Limpopo Blue Bulls / HS Ben Vorster), Pierich Siebert (DHL Western Province / Paarl Gymnasium), Josh van Vreden (Border / Selborne College).

Locks: Marco van Rhyn (DHL Western Province / Paarl Gymnasium), Sisonke Vumazonke (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs / Grey College), Cornelus Rahl (South Western Districts / Oakdale HS), Raynard Roets (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Garsfontein).

Props: Sibusiso Shongwe (Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions / Jeppe Boys High), Philip Masango (DHL Western Province / Wynberg Boys High), Rynhardt Rijnsburger (DHL Western Province / Paarl Boys High), Dimakatso Lebelo (Assupol Blue Bulls / HS Waterkloof).

Hookers: Jacques-Lois du Toit (Assupol Blue Bulls / Afrikaans Boys HS), Teague Loelly (Cell C Sharks / Westville Boys High).

Management – Head Coach: Phiwe Nomlomo (Border). Assistant coach: Wessel du Plessis (Bizhub Free State Cheetahs). Manager: Ofentse Moeng (Assupol Blue Bulls).

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

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

The SA Schools and SA Schools A sides can prepare themselves for a tough time when the annual U18 International Series takes place in the Western Cape next month, with Stellenbosch, Paarl and Wellington hosting matches.

With a team from Argentina added to the annual international showpiece for the first time, and U18 sides from England, Wales and France joining the spectacle yet again, the South African school boys will be in for a proper test.

The U18 International Series will feature three rounds of matches, on Friday 9 August at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, Tuesday 13 August, at Paarl Gymnasium, and Saturday 17 August at Hugenote High School in Wellington respectively.

The SA Schools A team and France will kick off the tournament in a round that will see England meet Argentina and the SA Schools team line up against Wales.

The SA Schools team will then meet Argentina at Paarl Gymnasium, with the SA Schools A team taking on Wales in the second round, while they will meet Argentina and England respectively in the closing matches.

The SA Schools team, which will be coached by the Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions’ Mzwakhe Nkosi, and SA Schools A team being led by Border’s Phiwe Nomlomo, are expected to be announced during the course of next week. 

Under-18 International Series fixtures:

Friday 9 August 2019 – Paul Roos Gymnasium

13h00 – SA Schools A v France U18

14h30 – England U18 v Argentina U18

16h00 – SA Schools v Wales U18

Tuesday 13 August 2019 – Paarl Gymnasium

13h00 – SA Schools A v Wales U18

14h30 – SA Schools v Argentina U18

16h00 – England U18 v France U18

Saturday 17 August 2019 – Hugenote High, Wellington

12h00 – SA Schools A v Argentina U18

13h30 – France U18 v Wales U18

15h00 – SA Schools v England U18

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

Bidvest Waltons Golden Lions coach, Mzwakhe Nkosi, will take charge of the SA Schools team and Border’s Phiwe Nomlomo of the SA Schools A-team in August when the two South African sides take on France, England, Wales and Argentina in the annual U18 International Series.

Matches will be played on Friday, 9 August, Tuesday, 13 August and Saturday, 17 August at school venues across the Western Cape.

King Edward School’s Nkosi, who was assistant-coach for the same team from 2016-18, replaces Sean Erasmus, who took up a professional coaching contract with the Golden Lions Rugby Union. Nkosi, head coach at KES, was assistant coach for the Xerox Golden Lions Under-19 team in 2018.

Nkosi will be assisted by Cobus van Dyk, who was head coach of the Phakisa Pumas in 2018, but recently moved to Waterkloof High School in Pretoria.

Nomlomo, a teacher and head coach at Selbourne College in East London, will be assisted by Wessel du Plessis, head coach at Grey College in Bloemfontein.

Previously, Nomlomo was head coach at the Eastern Province Academy where he was part of the coaching staff of the Under-19, Under-21 and SuperSport Rugby Challenge sides.

Dean Moodley (Sharks, SA Schools) and Ofentse Moeng (Blue Bulls, SA Schools A) have been named as respective Team managers, SA Rugby Confirmed on Tuesday.

SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux, congratulated Nkosi and Nomlomo.

“These teams are important in our youth rugby landscape. The SA Schools sides are an important development step in the careers of many of our top schoolboy players, which means Mzwakhe and Phiwe will have a big job to deliver well-balanced teams as these boys prepare for the next step in their careers.”

The SA Schools and SA Schools A teams will be announced a week after the conclusion of the Under-18 Craven Week, which will be hosted at Grey College in Bloemfontein from Monday, 1 July to Saturday, 6 July.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux named the same starting team that came out firing against New Zealand for their World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final against defending champions, France, at the Racecourse Stadium in Rosario on Monday.

The last time the Junior Springboks advanced to the final of the tournament was in 2014, while France made the most of their home final last year by defeating England 33-25 to win the trophy. The match kicks off at 20h30 SA Time.

With the player combinations settled and delivering on their roles, Roux said it was important to maintain consistency as they enter the final stages of the tournament.

“We tried to keep the momentum we have built up going, so we opted to name the same team that started in the last game,” said Roux.

The coach expects a big onslaught from France, who proved to be tough opponents in the last two World Rugby U20 Championships – France defeated the SA u20’s 46-29 in the south of France in 2018, while the teams played to a 23-23 draw in the pool stages of the 2017 edition of the competition in Tbilisi, Georgia, before the Junior Springboks defeated them 37-15 in the third and fourth-place playoff to win the bronze medal.

“France have a physical pack of forwards and a solid halfback combination that tends to kick a lot,” said the coach. “They are a talented team and they enjoy speeding up the game. I am not sure what the weather will hold, but if it is wet they will have a good kicking plan, so we need to be ready for that.”

Commenting on what he wanted to see from his team in the vital match, Roux said:

“I think we need to build on what we did in our last match. We need good first phases from the scrums and lineouts to ensure that our backs get quality possession, and we have to play in the right areas of the field. Hopefully our defence will also stand up to them, while it will also be important to use our opportunities when they arise.”

Meanwhile, South African referee Rasta Rasivhenge will officiate the match between Georgia and Fiji at the Old Resians Club in Rosario on Monday.

Junior Springbok team to face France:

15 – Vaughen Isaacs (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 14 – Angelo Davids (SA Rugby contracted), 13 – Marnus Potgieter (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 12 – Rikus Pretorius (vice-captain – DHL Western Province), 11 – Thaakir Abrahams (Cell C Sharks), 10 – James Mollentze (Toyota Free State), 9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), 8 – Phendulani Buthelezi (captain – Cell C Sharks), 7 – Sibusiso Sangweni (Xerox Golden Lions), 6 – Dylan Richardson (Cell C Sharks), 5 – Elrigh Louw (Toyota Free State), 4 – JJ van der Mescht (Cell C Sharks), 3 – Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Xerox Golden Lions), 2 – Fezokuhle Mbatha (Cell C Sharks), 1 – Dian Bleuler (DHL Western Province). Replacements: 16 – Dameon Venter (Xerox Golden Lions), 17 – Kudzwai Dube (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 18 – Keagan Glade (Xerox Golden Lions), 19 – Thabiso Mdletshe (Cell C Sharks), 20 – Jaco Labuschagne (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 21 – Celimpilo Gumede (Cell C Sharks), 22 – Zwelendaba Mnombo (DHL Western Province), 23 – Sanele Nohamba (Cell C Sharks), 24 – Janko Swanepoel (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 25 – Emile van Heerden (Cell C Sharks), 26 – Caleb Dingaan (Cell C Sharks), 27 – David Coetzer (DHL Western Province), 28 – David Kriel (DHL Western Province).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux made three changes to his starting team to face New Zealand in their World Rugby U20 Championship Pool C decider in Rosario on Wednesday, with Elrigh Louw (lock), Sibusiso Sangweni (flank) and Thaakir Abrahams (wing) earning their first starts.

They replace Emile van Heerden, Celimpilo Gumede and Caleb Dingaan respectively in the starting XV for the vital clash at the Racecourse Stadium.

The winning team will gain automatic entry into the semi-finals as the Pool C leaders, while the losing team will have to rely on log points and possibly points’ difference to snap up the last semi-final spot.

The SA U20s are currently the top team in Pool C with a narrow one-point points’ difference over New Zealand after both sides won their opening two matches with bonus points.

“We had a look at the opposition, and made a few changes,” Roux said of his team selection. “It is important to give a few players a rest, but also to keep the players on form in the team, so that we have consistency.”

The coach expected a big battle against New Zealand and said: “It is going to be a tough game.

“They like to keep ball in hand and they have some exciting runners, so it will be the same as facing any typical New Zealand team, we need to be up for it and be ready for them.”

Roux hoped for a solid performance all round from his charges and said: “Hopefully our defence will be up to the task to put them under pressure, while we also need to win our first phases, as the scrums and lineouts are the foundation of any rugby game.

“If we can do that, I think we will be in with a good chance.”

Meanwhile, South African referee Rasta Rasivhenge will again hold the whistle in what marks the final pool round of the competition as he takes charge of the Pool B match between Italy and Ireland at the CRAI Club in Santa Fe.

Junior Springbok team to face New Zealand:

15 – Vaughen Isaacs (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 14 – Angelo Davids (SA Rugby contracted), 13 – Marnus Potgieter (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 12 – Rikus Pretorius (vice-captain – DHL Western Province), 11 – Thaakir Abrahams (Cell C Sharks), 10 – James Mollentze (Toyota Free State), 9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), 8 – Phendulani Buthelezi (captain – Cell C Sharks), 7 – Sibusiso Sangweni (Xerox Golden Lions), 6 – Dylan Richardson (Cell C Sharks), 5 – Elrigh Louw (Toyota Free State), 4 – JJ van der Mescht (Cell C Sharks), 3 – Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Xerox Golden Lions), 2 – Fezokuhle Mbatha (Cell C Sharks), 1 – Dian Bleuler (DHL Western Province). Replacements: 16 – Dameon Venter (Xerox Golden Lions), 17 – Kudzwai Dube (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 18 – Keagan Glade (Xerox Golden Lions), 19 – Thabiso Mdletshe (Cell C Sharks), 20 – Jaco Labuschagne (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 21 – Celimpilo Gumede (Cell C Sharks), 22 – Zwelendaba Mnombo (DHL Western Province), 23 – Sanele Nohamba (Cell C Sharks), 24 – Janko Swanepoel (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 25 – Emile van Heerden (Cell C Sharks), 26 – Caleb Dingaan (Cell C Sharks), 27 – David Coetzer (DHL Western Province), 28 – David Kriel (DHL Western Province).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux opted for consistency in selection for their second World Rugby U20 Championship match against Georgia on Saturday, with the two personnel changes to his side seeing Celimpilo Gumede and Dylan Richardson earn starts.

Roux reshuffled his loose trio for the clash at the Racecourse Stadium in Rosario, with SA U20 captain Phendulani Buthelezi switching from flanker to No 8 in place of Francke Horn – who returned home due to a shoulder injury – while Gumede and Dylan Richardson (both flankers) were handed starts.

With Horn’s replacement, Janko Swanepoel (lock) only arriving in Argentina on Friday, Roux named only 12 replacements on the bench – of which eight will be allowed to take the field.

“We looked at Georgia and I thought the boys had a good start against Scotland earlier in the week, so I wanted to keep the momentum,” said Roux.

“Obviously one change was a forced due to Francke’s unfortunate injury, so there are only two changes for this game.”

Roux said his charges were ready for a physical onslaught against Georgia, who they last met in the U20 International Series in Paarl in April, as part of their preparation for the World Rugby U20 Championship. The Junior Springboks won the match 58-10.

“We have played against Georgia two years in a row now and they are definitely physical,” said the coach.

“They have probably the best scrum at U20 level, and we need to be ready that. But we know what to expect from them, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Roux emphasised the importance of starting strongly as one of the key areas going into the match, with only one pool game remaining after this encounter to stake a place for a semi-final berth.

“We didn’t get off to a good start in the clash again Scotland after the long trip to Argentina, the fact that it was the first time we played on a synthetic pitch, and it was wet,” said Roux.

“So we would like to start the way we finished against Scotland and try to maintain that momentum going into the second half.”

The Junior Springboks will meet New Zealand in their final pool game on Wednesday, 12 June. The top team in each of the three pools and the next best-placed team on the log table in the competition will advance to the semi-finals on Monday, 17 June, with them winners meeting in the final on Saturday, 22 June.

Meanwhile, South African referee Rasta Rasivhenge will also take to the field in the showpiece on Saturday as he takes charge of the match between France and Wales, also at the Racecourse Stadium.

Junior Springbok team to face Georgia:

15 – Vaughen Isaacs (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 14 – Angelo Davids (SA Rugby contracted), 13 – Marnus Potgieter (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 12 – Rikus Pretorius (vice-captain – DHL Western Province), 11 – Caleb Dingaan (Cell C Sharks), 10 – James Mollentze (Toyota Free State), 9 – Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), 8 – Phendulani Buthelezi (captain – Cell C Sharks), 7 – Celimpilo Gumede (Cell C Sharks), 6 – Dylan Richardson (Cell C Sharks), 5 – Emile van Heerden (Cell C Sharks), 4 – JJ van der Mescht (Cell C Sharks), 3 – Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Xerox Golden Lions), 2 – Fezokuhle Mbatha (Cell C Sharks), 1 – Dian Bleuler (DHL Western Province). Replacements: 16 – Dameon Venter (Xerox Golden Lions), 17 – Kudzwai Dube (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 18 – Keagan Glade (Xerox Golden Lions), 19 – Thabiso Mdletshe (Cell C Sharks), 20 – Elrigh Louw (Toyota Free State), 21 – Jaco Labuschagne (Vodacom Blue Bulls), 22 – Thaakir Abrahams (Cell C Sharks), 23 – Sanele Nohamba (Cell C Sharks), 24 – Sibusiso Sangweni (Xerox Golden Lions), 25 – Zwelendaba Mnombo (DHL Western Province), 26 – David Coetzer (DHL Western Province), 27 – David Kriel (DHL Western Province).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

It will be ladies’ first as SA Rugby’s annual Youth Weeks series – where close to 3000 players will showcase their skills in six tournaments across four venues around the country – kick off next month with the U16 and U18 Girls Week tournaments in Johannesburg.

The fixtures for the two Girls Weeks, as well as the Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) Week – which will trigger a thrilling three-week spectacle of junior rugby – were announced by SA Rugby on Wednesday.

The two Girls Weeks will run concurrently at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg, from Monday 17 to Friday 21 June, while the LSEN Week takes place at Sentraal High School in Bloemfontein, from 17 to 20 June.

These weeks will be followed by the U13 SA Rugby Craven Week and U16 SA Rugby Grant Khomo Week a week later at Rob Ferreira High School in White River.

The final week of the popular school rugby showcase will see the top Under-18 players in the country take to the field at Grey College in Bloemfontein in the flagship event, the U18 SA Rugby Craven Week, and the SA Rugby Academy Week, which will play out from Monday 1 to Saturday 6 July.

This year will be the second that the U16 and U18 SA Rugby Girls Weeks will be hosted at Jeppe High School, with the Leopards and Pumas (A-field), and Griquas and Limpopo (B-field) facing off in the opening games of the U16 tournament on Monday, 17 June.

The day’s play will feature a handful of gripping clashes, with the Golden Lions and Griffons going head-to-head, and 2018’s top team, the KwaZulu-Natal will meet Eastern Province in what promises to be another humdinger after a close battle in the grand finale of last year’s competition. 

In the U18 SA Rugby Girls Week, which begins on Tuesday 18 June, Griquas and the Blue Bulls (A-field), and Border and Limpopo (B-field) will have the honours of getting the action underway in their age group.

Western Province will meet Eastern Province in a repeat of last year’s final match, while hosts, the Golden Lions, will go up against the Griffons in a repeat of the U16 match, and KwaZulu-Natal will take on Zimbabwe in the closing game of the day.

The action will continue throughout the week, with the U16 teams battling it out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the U16 teams on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Similarly to their male counterparts, the top teams in each age group will be drawn in the final match of the respective tournaments where they will battle it out for top honours. 

U16 SA Rugby Girls Week fixtures:

Monday, 17 June:

10h00 – Leopards v Pumas (A field)
10h00 – Griquas v Limpopo (B field)
11h15 – Griffons v Golden Lions (A field)
11h15 – Free State v Valke (B field)
12h30 – Boland v Blue Bulls (A field)
12h30 – SWD v Border (B field)
14h25 – Border CD v Western Province (A field)
15h40 – Eastern Province v KwaZulu-Natal (A field) 

SA Rugby U18 Girls Week fixtures:

Tuesday, 18 June:

10h00 – Griquas v Blue Bulls (A field)
10h00 – Border v Limpopo (B field)
11h15 – Free State v Pumas (A field)
11h15 – Golden Lions v Griffons (B field)
12h30 – Boland v Leopards (A field)
12h30 – Border CD v SWD (B field)
14h25 – Eastern Province v Western Province (A field)
15h40 – KwaZulu-Natal v Zimbabwe (A field)

LSEN Week fixtures: 

Monday, 17 June:

09h00 – Valke v Blue Bulls (A field)
09h00 – Griffons v Sharks (B field)
10h20 – Western Province v Eastern Province (A field)
10h20 – Golden Lions EE v Gauteng XV (B field)
11h40 – Boland v SWD (A field)
13h00 – Golden Lions v Leopards (A field)
15h30 – Free State v Pumas (A field)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

It is exactly a week since Phendulani Buthelezi was named as the Junior Springboks’ captain for 2019, and the Cell C Sharks looseforward says it is such a surreal feeling, it still hasn’t sunk in yet.

Buthelezi, who turns 20 years old on Thursday, 30 May – the day after the Junior Springboks depart for World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina – initially missed out on selection for the SA U20 squad that travelled to the south of France last year, before called up as injury replacement. But this year, he will have honour of leading the side.

“I always knew that I had to step up into a senior role this year, but I really cannot say I expected to be named the captain,” said Buthelezi.

“It is amazing to represent your country at any level, but to captain a team makes it even more special. To be honest, it still hasn’t sunk in yet.

“That said, I am honoured to lead this team, and I understand the magnitude of this responsibility. I am really looking forward to this experience.”

Buthelezi may be new in the Junior Springbok captaincy role, but he has had ample experience as a team captain in recent years, having led the Durban High School First XV team, the Sharks U17 Sevens team, his SA Rugby U18 Craven Week team and more recently the triumphant Cell C Sharks SA Rugby U19 Championship team in 2018.

“The experience of leading a few teams before has been invaluable in shaping how I interact with my team-mates on and off the field thanks to the different challenges and players I have had to work with in the past,” said the talented flanker.

“It taught me the importance of getting to know each player as well as possible on and off the field, so that you know what brings the best out of them.”

Buthelezi has fond memories about how he took up rugby following in the footsteps of his three older brothers.

“I am the youngest of five children – I have three older brothers and a sister – and I remember watching my brothers playing rugby in the garden, and I naturally wanted to play too,” said Buthelezi.

“One of my brothers in particular, Blessing, taught me a lot about the game because he is only three years older than I am, so we went to school together and had a lot in common.”

Being named the Junior Springbok captain is one a few highlights in Buthelezi’s rugby career up to now.

The others were receiving his first Vodacom Super Rugby cap from Springbok and Cell C Sharks stalwart Tendai Mtawarira, being a member of the Cell C Sharks SA Rugby U19 Championship squad in 2018 that won the title after advancing through the competition unbeaten and DHS’ 20-17 victory against Glenwood High in his Matric year, which was the first time he had tasted victory against them.

However, Buthelezi has faced challenges along the way and one of them was missing the cut for the initial 2018 Junior Springbok squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship.

“Being excluded from the initial 28-man squad in 2018 and then being called up to the tournament as an injury replacement taught me a number of lessons,” he said.

“It was a huge disappointment at first, but the lessons I took from that was that one cannot control everything, and that everything happens as it should. It also showed me that if you keep believing and work hard, you can achieve your goals.

“Despite being called up late, it was a huge privilege to go to the World Rugby U20 Championship last year, and being in this position this year is something I will always cherish.”

Coming from a close-knit family, it was no surprise that the first person he called after being named the captain was his mother.

“I always call my mom first when there is big news, so she was the first person I called when I found out I was in the Junior Springbok squad and about the captaincy,” he said.

“And it was quite emotional because she cried on the phone. My siblings were equally delighted about the news, so I really hope I can make them and the country proud.”

Being a man of the moment, Buthelezi – whose role models are Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen and Kieran Reid of New Zealand – opted to look at the near future when talking about his career goals and said: “My main goal now is for the Junior Springboks to win the World Rugby U20 Championship, and then I would like to work my way into a position to be a regular member of the Cell C Sharks Currie Cup team and hopefully the Vodacom Super Rugby side next year. I know this is going to take a lot of hard work, but I am looking forward to it.”

The World Rugby U20 Championship will be hosted in Argentina from 4 to 22 June. The Junior Boks will meet Scotland on Tuesday, 4 June, before taking on Georgia (Saturday, 8 June) and New Zealand (Wednesday, 12 June) in the pool stages in Rosario. The semi-finals will be contested on Monday, 17 June, and the final on Saturday, 22 June.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Five Junior Springboks and 20 former SA Schools players are among 45 players named in the SA Rugby Academy squad for 2019. The academy squad was selected following the Junior Springbok assessment camps in December and January.

Rikus Pretorius, Phendulani Buthelezi, David Coetzer, Asenathi Ntlabaka and David Kriel all played for the SA U20s last year, while the group also includes a host of the 2018 SA Schools team players, amongst others vice-captain Muzi Manyike, as well as Celimpilo Gumede, Evan Roos, Emile van Heerden and Sibusiso Sangweni.

The Academy programme, which was launched in 2015, aims to balance formal education with high performance training and player welfare. Thanks to the vital support from corporates through the Rugby Education Foundation (REF) and Academy sponsors, Remgro (through the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport) and SuperSport, over 100 players have participated in the project and received education bursaries to date.

The 2019 programme, which kicks off on Sunday, 3 February and runs until 20 April, will be steered by Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux, assistant coach Bafana Nhleko and SA Rugby High Performance Manager, Louis Koen.

In line with the programme’s objective of ensuring holistic player development on and off the field, all the participants will be 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.

“These 45 players are among the best Under-19 and Under-20 players in the country, and we are delighted to assist in their development both and off the field,” said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux.

“Last year we had 30 players in the programme, so it is fantastic that we have been able to include more players this year, and this is all thanks to our sponsors. I would like to thank the corporates who support our Rugby Education Foundation, as well as Remgro and SuperSport, for making this possible.”

Roux had high hopes for the squad and said: “The objective of the SA Rugby Academy is to develop top-class rugby players who can advance through our structures to the Junior Springboks and our senior national teams in future, and who can contribute to society off the field after rugby, and we believe this group of players has the potential to achieve that.

“The fact that most of these players have come through our SA Rugby Under-16 to Under-18 Elite Player Development structures is also evidence that our development programme is working.”

Buthelezi, Ntlabakanye, JJ van der Mescht and Fezokuhle Mbatha will join the squad at a later stage due to their Vodacom Super Rugby commitments.

SA Rugby Academy squad:

Props: Kudzwai Dube (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Keagan Glade (Xerox Golden Lions), Mthokozisi Gumede (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Hanro Jacobs (Cell C Sharks), Francois Klopper (Cell C Sharks), Nkosikhona Masuku (Xerox Golden Lions), Thabiso Mdletshe (Cell C Sharks), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Xerox Golden Lions)

Hookers: Fezokuhle Mbatha (Cell C Sharks), Dameon Venter (Xerox Golden Lions), Joe van Zyl (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

Locks: Elrigh Louw (Toyota Free State), Lunga Ncube (Cell C Sharks), JJ van der Mescht (Cell C Sharks), Emile van Heerden (Cell C Sharks)

Loose forwards: Phendulani Buthelezi (Cell C Sharks), Vian Fourie (Cell C Sharks), Celimpilo Gumede (Cell C Sharks), Francke Horn (DHL Western Province), Jaco Labuschagne (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Jeandre Labuschagne (Cell C Sharks), Mandisi Mthiyane (Xerox Golden Lions), Dylan Richardson (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (Cell C Sharks), Sibusiso Sangweni (Xerox Golden Lions)

Scrumhalves: Vusile Dlepu (DHL Western Province), Sylvester Hassien (Leopards), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Sanele Nohamba (Cell C Sharks)

Flyhalves: David Coetzer (DHL Western Province), Vaughen Isaacs (Vodacom Blue Bulls)

Centres: James Mollentze (Toyota Free State), Jay Cee Nel (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Rikus Pretorius (DHL Western Province), Marnus Potgieter (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Mnombo Zwelendaba (DHL Western Province)

Outside backs: Thaakir Abrahams (Cell C Sharks), Caleb Dingaan (Cell C Sharks), Sabastian Jobb (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Andrew Kota (Vodacom Blue Bulls), David Kriel (DHL Western Province), Asanda Kunene (Cell C Sharks), Muzi Manyike (Xerox Golden Lions), Prince Nkabinde (Xerox Golden Lions), Sibabalwe Xamlashe (DHL Western Province)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The u18 Craven Week will return to Grey College in the Bloemfontein for the first time since 2005, when the popular schools rugby showcase plays out from 1 to 6 July 2019.

The flagship tournament in the SA Rugby Youth Weeks series will run concurrently with the Academy Week at Grey College, while the Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) week will be hosted at the same venue two weeks earlier from 17 to 20 June.

The U13 Craven Week and U16 Grant Khomo Week will be hosted at Hoërskool Rob Ferreira in Mpumalanga from 24 to 28 June, with the National Girls U16 and U18 Weeks returning to Jeppe High School in Johannesburg from 17 to 21 June.

The U18 Craven Week and Academy Week competitions will follow the same competition format as the last few seasons, which saw the Blue Bulls, Golden Lions, Sharks and Western Province field invitational sides in addition to their regular Craven Week teams.

Zimbabwe, Namibia, will only play in the Academy Week, while Eastern Province Country Districts (CD), Griquas CD and Border CD will have the option of participating in the Academy Week. The U18 Craven Week will again feature 18 teams and the Academy Week 28 teams.

SA Rugby Youth Weeks 2019 fixtures (all subject to change, times TBC):

U18 Craven Week:

Monday, 1 July:

Valke v Leopards
SWD v Pumas
Western Province v Boland
Free State v Sharks

Tuesday, 2 July:

Griquas v Limpopo Blue Bulls
Blue Bulls XV v Golden Lions XV
Griffons v Eastern Province
Border v Blue Bulls
Golden Lions v Western Province XV

U16 Grant Khomo Week:

Monday, 24 June:

Namibia v Border CD
Griquas v Zimbabwe
Golden Lions v Leopards
Valke v Griffons
Western Province v Boland
Border v Sharks
Blue Bulls v Eastern Province
Free State v SWD
Pumas v Limpopo Blue Bulls

U13 Craven Week:

Monday, 24 June:

Free State v Namibia
Leopards v Border CD
Griquas v Zimbabwe
Blue Bulls v Eastern Province
SWD v Sharks
Golden Lions v Border
Border v Limpopo Blue Bulls
Western Province v Valke
Pumas v Griffons

SA LSEN Week:

Monday, 17 June:

Valke v Blue Bulls
Western Province v Eastern Province
Boland v SWD
Free State v Pumas
Golden Lions v Leopards
Griffons v Sharks
Golden Lions EE v Gauteng XV

Issued by SA Rugby Communications