{"id":86463,"date":"2025-11-10T14:49:49","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T12:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=86463"},"modified":"2025-11-10T14:49:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T12:49:49","slug":"sa-rugby-announces-53-man-u17-elite-player-development-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=86463","title":{"rendered":"SA Rugby announces 53-man u17 Elite Player Development Squad"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Lamla Mgedezi, fullback of the Free State, dives over the tryline for one of his three tries in his side’s 52-33 win over the Blue Bulls at the FNB u18 Craven Week in Middelburg. Photo: Frans Lombard\/Actionpix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) <\/strong>has announced a 53-man u17 Elite Player Development (EPD) Squad<\/strong> to attend a camp from 29 November to 6 December at Boland Landbou<\/strong>, in the Western Cape.<\/p>\n

“As part of SA Rugby’s ongoing commitment to developing a truly nationwide rugby talent pipeline, we are continuing our comprehensive player identification programme in partnership with our Member Unions,” SARU said in a press statement.<\/p>\n

“This crucial initiative is meticulously designed to expand the junior talent pool and strategically strengthen the player pathway for future national selections, directly aligning with our Strategic Transformation and Development Plan.<\/p>\n

“The dedication shown by our unions has been instrumental in the success of our programmes over the years. Their commitment to nurturing and advancing rugby talent across South Africa is highly valued and supports our collective vision for sustainable excellence.”<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, Western Province (WP)<\/strong>, leads the way with the largest representation of 16 players. Paarl Gimnasium<\/strong> boasts the most individual selections, with six players, including Liam de Villiers<\/strong> and Mickyle Booise<\/strong>, who headline the union’s strong contingent.<\/p>\n

Paul Roos Gimnasium<\/strong> follows with three representatives, including the exciting Tiaan Basson<\/strong>. Juvan Burden<\/strong> and Ethan van Biljon <\/strong>give Stellenberg<\/strong>‘s Jade Brigade<\/strong> <\/em>two reps at the camp, while Rondebosch Boys’ High<\/strong> supplies Caleb Bell<\/strong> and Shellvon Mabooi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Liam de Villiers<\/strong> of Paarl Boys\u2019 High<\/strong>, Ho\u00ebrskool Durbanville’<\/strong>s Zay-Winn Januarie<\/strong>, and Achmat Behardien<\/strong>, of Wynberg Boys\u2019 High<\/strong>, complete the Western Cape contingent.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Sharks<\/strong>, with 12, boast the second-highest number of players, led by three from Kearsney College<\/strong>: Clement Makelele<\/strong>, Nhlanhla Ndlovu<\/strong>, and Lwazi Mbebe<\/strong>.<\/span> Earlier this year, Makalele was part of the SARU u16 EPD<\/strong> squad.<\/p>\n

The northern powerhouse, the Blue Bulls<\/strong>, ranks third with nine players, including three from Affies<\/strong>: Charl Els<\/strong>, Hannes Nagel<\/strong>, and Martin van Niekerk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The smallers unions also provide their fair share of players. The Limpopo Blue Bulls<\/strong> and Pumas<\/strong> had one player selected each, with Stephan Jansen van Rensburg<\/strong>, from Ho\u00ebrskool Pietersburg<\/strong>, flying the flag for Limpopo, while Ho\u00ebrskool Nelspruit<\/strong>‘s Rhandzu Mkhabela<\/strong> does the same for the Pumas.<\/p>\n

Queen’s College<\/strong> provides Zeake Mata<\/strong> and Ncuthu Kepe<\/strong>, who are the only representatives from the Border <\/strong>region. Fleet-footed Lamla Mgedezi<\/strong>, one of the most exciting players in the country in 2025, is joined by his Grey College<\/strong> teammate, O’Ryan Kleyn<\/strong> in the squad. They’re the only Free State representatives.<\/p>\n

The Lions <\/strong>had four players selected, including Jaydon Viljoen, <\/strong>the top points’ scorer at Academy Week, <\/strong>and the gifted Phano Letsie<\/strong>, who is joined in the squad by his Jeppe High School for Boys<\/strong>‘ teammate, Mihle Dyakala<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

South Western Districts (SWD)<\/strong>, who contested the Craven Week<\/strong> final at Ho\u00ebrskool Middelburg<\/strong> in July, also had three players from Oakdale Landbou <\/strong>chosen for EPD camp, including Jacobus de Villiers<\/strong>, who earned SA Schools and SA u18 colours in 2025, and the massive lock, Diaan Augustyn<\/strong>, who was selected for the SA Schools A side and SA u18A teams. Prop, Matthew Prins will be Outeniqua<\/strong>‘s sole representative<\/p>\n

Eastern Province<\/strong> provides three players –\u00a0Luke Doyle<\/strong>, Erin Nelson<\/strong>, and Lucritia Magau<\/strong> – who are all from Graeme College.<\/p>\n

U17 EPD SQUAD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Border (2)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zeake Mata (Queen’s College)
\nNchuthu Kepe (Queen’s College)<\/p>\n

Blue Bulls (9)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Charl Els (Affies)
\nHannes Nagel (Affies)
\nMartin van Niekerk (Affies)
\nQueenton Mcube (Pretoria Boys High)
\nDylan Stumke (Menlopark)
\nMendriano Abrahams (Menlopark)
\nThabiso Simelane (St Alban’s College)
\nDrewyn Baron (Garsfontein)<\/p>\n

Free State (2)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

O’Ryan Kleyn (Grey College)
\nLamla Mgedezi (Grey College)<\/p>\n

Eastern Province (3)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luke Doyle (Graeme College)
\nErin Nelson (Graeme College)
\nLucritia Magau (Graeme College)<\/p>\n

Limpopo Blue Bulls (1)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stephan Jansen van Rensburg (Ho\u00ebrskool Pietersburg)<\/p>\n

Lions (4)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Makomborero Mandihza (St John’s College)
\nMihle Dyakala (Jeppe High School for Boys)
\nJaydon Viljoen (Monument)
\nPhano Letsie (Jeppe High School for Boys)<\/p>\n

Pumas (1)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rhabdzu Mkhabela (Ho\u00ebrskool Nelspruit)<\/p>\n

Sharks (12) <\/strong><\/p>\n

Clement Makelele (Kearsney College)
\nNicolas Salamousas (Michaelhouse)
\nLwandile Mlaba (Westville Boys’ High)
\nSambesiwe Ndamase (Glenwood)
\nNhlanhla Ndlovu (Kearsney College)
\nZander Muller (Hilton College)
\nBulelani Cebani (Durban High School)
\nJamie Wimble (Northwood)
\nOlwethu Kosani (Maritzburg College)
\nNathan Aneke (Durban High School)
\nLwazi Mbebe (Kearsney College)
\nLuxolo Sonkononkono (Westville Boys’ High)<\/p>\n

South Western Districts (4)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Matthew Prins (Outeniqua)
\nAdrian Smith (Okadale Landbou)
\nDiaan Augustyn (Oakdale Landbou)
\nJacobus de Villiers (Oakdale Landbou)<\/p>\n

Western Province (16)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Charles Whitehead (Paarl Gimnasium)
\nLehan Barnard (Paul Roos)
\nJuvan Burden (Stellenberg)
\nJean Dreyer (Paarl Gimnasium)
\nZay-Winn Januarie (Ho\u00ebrskool Durbanville)
\nHendrik van Zyl (Paarl Gimnasium)
\nLiam de Villiers (Paarl Boys’ High)
\nMickyle Booise (Paarl Gimnasium)
\nCaleb Bell (Rondebosch Boys’ High)
\nEthan van Biljon (Stellenberg)
\nTravis Pheiffer (Paul Roos)
\nAchmat Behardien (Wynberg Boys’ High)
\nLouis Koen (Paarl Gimnasium)
\nEthan Barker (Paarl Gimnasium)
\nTiaan Basson (Paul Roos)
\nShellvon Mabooi (Rondebosch Boys’ High)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has announced a 53-man u17 Elite Player Development (EPD) Squad to attend a camp from 29 November to 6 December at Boland Landbou, in the Western Cape. “As part of SA Rugby’s ongoing commitment to developing a truly nationwide rugby talent pipeline, we are continuing our comprehensive player identification […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":77251,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=86463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/77251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=86463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=86463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=86463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}