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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

Results

 

Players: Percy Basson, JP Britz, JP Meyer, De Wet Mostert, Hugo Meiring, Michael Ryan, Nayren Solomons, JP Swanepoel, Abré Griessel,

Results 

 

		Duineveld	5	Maritzburg College	24	Fichardtpark Rugbyfees
		Duineveld	39	HTS Middelburg	21	Noord/Suid
		Duineveld	7	Hoërskool Nelspruit	34	Noord/Suid
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Players:

The South African u18 squad that will tour Georgia next month has been announced. The squad of 35 players will depart this Saturday for Tbilisi where they will play three matches. 

Grey College of Bloemfontein has with seven representatives the most players in the squad. The lucky seven players are Neels Volschenk, JF van Heerden, Johan Louw, Jeanré Breitenbach, Caleb Abrahams, Jean Smith and Alfondso Isaacs. 

Paarl Gimnasium has with six players the second most representatives within the squad. 

This is not an SA Schools’ squad but a South African u18 team. The team will however be coached the Katleho Lynch (St John’s College) and Cobus van Dyk (Hoërskool Waterkloof). Both coaches were to coach the SA Schools’ side this year.

The management team will also include Bafana Nhleko (SA u20 coach), Dean Moodley (team manager, Kearsney College), and Nico Serfontein (EPD Manager). 

The touring squad is: 

Backs: Diego Cupido (Helpmekaar), Risima Sambo (Affies), Alfondso Isaacs (Grey College), Katlego Letebele (Kingswood College), Logan Opperman (Paarl Gimnasium), Suleiman Hartzenburg (Diocesan College), Keagan Smith (Paarl Boys’ High), Bruce Sherwood (Diocesan College), Damian Markus (Stellenberg), PA van Niekerk (Paarl Gimnasium), Compion von Ludwig (Paarl Boys’ High), Imad Khan (Diocesan College), Jean Smith (Grey College), Liam Koen (Paarl Gimnasium), Caleb Abrahams (Grey College), Niel le Roux (Oakdale Landbou).

Forwards: Philip Kleynhans (Oakdale Landbou), Abu Ndabambi (Paarl Boys’ High), Neels Volschenk (Grey College), Paul de Villiers (Oakdale Landbou), Sibabalwe Mashahe (Hudson Park), Liselihle Maphekhula (Graeme College), Gcino Mdletshe (Westville Boys’ High), JF van Heerden (Grey College), Jan-Hendrik Gouws (Graaff-Reinet Volkskool), Sandile Nzuza (Glenwood), Hennie Sieberhagen (Paarl Gimnasium), Phatu Ganyane (Glenwood), Johan Louw (Grey College), Sifiso Magwaza (Monument), Stiaan de Bruyn (Affies), Dian Heunis (Oakdale Landbou), Corné Lavagna (Paarl Gimnasium), Luca Bakkes (Paarl Gimnasium), Jeanré Breitenbach (Grey College), Bryce Calvert (Westville Boys’ High), Zach Porthen (Wynberg Boys’ High).

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The South African u18 squad that will tour Georgia next month has been announced. The squad of 35 players will depart this Saturday for Tbilisi where they will play three matches. 

Grey College of Bloemfontein has with seven representatives the most players in the squad. The lucky seven players are Neels Volschenk, JF van Heerden, Johan Louw, Jeanré Breitenbach, Caleb Abrahams, Jean Smith and Alfondso Isaacs. 

Paarl Gimnasium has with six players the second most representatives within the squad. 

This is not an SA Schools’ squad but a South African u18 team. The team will however be coached the Katleho Lynch (St John’s College) and Cobus van Dyk (Hoërskool Waterkloof). Both coaches were to coach the SA Schools’ side this year.

 

The touring squad is: 

Backs: Diego Cupido (Helpmekaar), Risima Sambo (Affies), Alfondso Isaacs (Grey College), Katlego Letebele (Kingswood College), Logan Opperman (Paarl Gimnasium), Suleiman Hartzenburg (Diocesan College), Keagan Smith (Paarl Boys’ High), Bruce Sherwood (Diocesan College), Damian Markus (Stellenberg), PA van Niekerk (Paarl Gimnasium), Compion von Ludwig (Paarl Boys’ High), Imad Khan (Diocesan College), Jean Smith (Grey College), Liam Koen (Paarl Gimnasium), Caleb Abrahams (Grey College), Niel le Roux (Oakdale Landbou).

Forwards: Philip Kleynhans (Oakdale Landbou), Abu Ndabambi (Paarl Boys’ High), Neels Volschenk (Grey College), Paul de Villiers (Oakdale Landbou), Sibabalwe Mashahe (Hudson Park), Liselihle Maphekhula (Graeme College), Gcino Mdletshe (Westville Boys’ High), JF van Heerden (Grey College), Jan-Hendrik Gouws (Graaff-Reinet Volkskool), Sandile Nzuza (Glenwood), Hennie Sieberhagen (Paarl Gimnasium), Phatu Ganyane (Glenwood), Johan Louw (Grey College), Sifiso Magwaza (Monument), Stiaan de Bruyn (Affies), Dian Heunis (Oakdale Landbou), Corné Lavagna (Paarl Gimnasium), Luca Bakkes (Paarl Gimnasium), Jeanré Breitenbach (Grey College), Bryce Calvert (Westville Boys’ High), Zach Porthen (Wynberg Boys’ High).

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Results 

1	01/05/2021	Jim Fouché	12	Goudveld-Hoërskool	15	Welkom
2	08/05/2021	Jim Fouché	40	Fichardtpark	13
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Players: Barend Steyn, Kevin McIntyre, Wian de Kock, Zander van der Berg, Albert Smit. 

 

Results

1	24/04/2021	Helpmekaar	12	Stellenberg	34	Monnas Centenary Festival
2	28/04/2021	Helpmekaar	14	Outeniqua	41	Noord/Suid
3	01/05/2021	Helpmekaar	5	Paarl Gimnasium	52	Noord/Suid
4	08/05/2021	Helpmekaar	31	Marais Viljoen	32	Virsekerbeker
5	15/05/2021	Helpmekaar	24	EG Jansen	47	Virsekerbeker
6	22/05/2021	Helpmekaar	–	Noordheuwel	–	Virsekerbeker
7	29/05/2021	Helpmekaar	–	Monument	–	Virsekerbeker
8	12/06/2021	Helpmekaar	–	Waterkloof	–	Virsekerbeker
9	19/06/2021	Helpmekaar	–	HTS Middelburg	–	Virsekerbeker
10	25/06/2021	Helpmekaar	–	Menlopark	–	Virsekerbeker
11	31/07/2021	Helpmekaar	–	Garsfontein	–	Virsekerbeker
12	07/08/2021	Helpmekaar	–	Glenwood	–	Wildeklawer
13	09/08/2021	Helpmekaar	–	Noord-Kaap	–	Wildeklawer

Players: Diego Cupido,  Joshua Smith, Michael van Rooyen, Jason Amiras, Nathan Lianis, Gerhard Swanepoel, Ruan Slabbert, Christiaan Pauer, Murray Ferreira, JP Beyer, Brenden Venter, Ryan Coetzee, Shaan van der Walt, Reynard Boshoff, Waldt Human, Hanno Venter.

Coaches: Shaun Jackson and Dietlov Coetzee.

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Eastern Transvaal 28 () – Tries: Willem Nel (3), Louis Collins (2). Conversion: Jaco Viljoen (4). Free State Country Districts 9 () – Penalties: Albertus van Buuren (2). Drop Goal: Van Buuren.

South Western Districts 24 () – Tries: Naudé Marais (3), Donnie Keys. Conversions: Rudie van Vuuren (4). Transvaal XV 12 () – Try: Wade Newell. Conversion: Newell. Penalties: Newell (2).

Day 5

Transvaal 7 (3) – Try: Tiaan du Toit. Penalty: Calla Reichel. South Western Districts 6 (0) – Penalties: Rudie van Vuuren (2).

Lowveld 15 (3) – Try: Kobus Marais. Conversion: Louis Holtzhausen. Penalties: Holtzhausen (3). Boland 3 (0) – Penalty: Vincent Castle.

A quiz series geared at testing your rugby knowledge while having some fun with family and friends. 

The SPORTS INSIGHT Quiz is a virtual event, which will be hosted on the Zoom App, ticking all the above-mentioned boxes and will be sure to test your rugby knowledge.

So, get the family or your mates together for an exciting evening as we look to build some excitement for the highly anticipated Test series between the Springboks and the British & Irish Lions. 

Along with this amazing quiz, rugby fans will also be treated to a talk show, aptly named ‘On the Couch’ with a former Bok (Robbi Kempson, Krynauw Otto & Braam van Straaten) and former Wales prop Rhys Thomas. They will discuss the latest news surrounding the tour as well as provide some expert insight. 

The quiz master, Larry Benjamin has organised in excess of 2 000 quizzes well over a decade, 13 years to be exact. The virtual event will be hosted on the Zoom-platform.

The SPORTS INSIGHT Quiz will consist of six quiz nights/rounds during the British & Irish Lions Tour. Two quizzes per week, over three weeks, will focus on creating the vibe and energy needed in the build-up to the Test matches. 

The first quiz of the week, on Tuesdays, will be open for school children (19 years and younger) to test their rugby knowledge. The Wednesday edition of the SPORTS INSIGHT Quiz will be open for all rugby boffins, experts, pundits, fans, friends, media, and corporates who are hoping to create a buzz as the tension builds toward the three Saturday Test matches.   

The set of questions will differ for each quiz meaning rugby fanatics from across the globe can test their knowledge and finally put to bed the question ‘who is the greatest rugby mind in our friendship circle’.

DATES FOR THE SPORTS INSIGHT QUIZ EVENTS

Schools & Family Series

Tuesday, 27 July 2021 – former Springbok, Robbi Kempson

Tuesday, 3 August 2021 – former Springbok, Krynauw Otto

Tuesday, 10 August 2021 – former Springbok, Gurthro Steenkamp

Open Series – media, corporates, fans & friends 

Wednesday, 28 July 2021 – former Springbok Krynauw Otto

Wednesday, 4 August 2021 – former Springbok Braam van Staden

Wednesday, 11 August 2021 – former Springbok Robbi Kempson

Sports Insight Panel

RHYS THOMAS was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and represented Wales in seven Test matches as a tighthead prop. Thomas matriculated at King Edward VII in Johannesburg, who also produced Joe van Niekerk and Bryan Habana during the same time when Thomas’ was at the prestigious school. He represented Newport in 126 first-class matches before a heart attack brought his career to a premature halt.

ROBBI KEMPSON has served the game of rugby on various levels and continues to do so as coach at the Kings. Kempson, who provides expert analysis on television, represented the Springboks in 37 Test matches as a prop between 1998 and 2003. 

GURTHRÖ STEENKAMP was part of the Springbok team who defeated the British Lions in the test series of 2009. Steenkamp amassed a total of 53 Tests during his International career. He also represented French top 14 side, Toulouse, in 128 matches and made 60 Super Rugby appearances for the Bulls. Since retiring from the game, in 2018, he imparts his skills and knowledge from experience to front rankers from across the world 

KRYNAUW OTTO made his debut for the Springboks during the successful World Cup campaign of 1995. Otto also formed an integral part of the Springbok side who went on the record-equalling 17 consecutive Test victories between 1997 and 1998. Otto was part of the Springbok team for the Test series against the British Lions in 1997. 

BRAAM VAN STRAATEN scored an unbelievable 56.52% of the Springboks’ points during his test career of 21 matches between 1999 and 2001. It is the biggest percentage by any player in the history of Springbok Rugby. Van Straaten scored 221 of the Springboks’ 391 points during his career.

HANNES NIENABER is a freelance rugby journalist with more than 15 years’ experience, covering the game from schoolboy level to International rugby. Nienaber is also the owner of the exclusive school rugby website, School of Rugby.

LAUREN TERRAS is an award-winning elite sports commercial specialist working with some of the best sporting brands, athletes, teams, and tournaments globally. She has launched three Springbok jerseys, worked on two Rugby World Cups and was the communications consultant for the Blitzboks, Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens, Varsity Cup and Premier Interschools.

Proud partners to the SPORT INSIGHT quiz series includes www.schoolofrugby.co.za, Premier Interschools, Tag Rugby SA and Veldskoen. 

For more information on the series, or to secure your place, mail events@rugby.supersportschools.com . Tickets for each quiz is sold at R250 per team /screen or R 200 per week if you take all 3 in the series. Please note, only 90 places are available per quiz.

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Paarl Gimnasium and Grey College have with seven players each the biggest representation within the SA u18 High-Performance squad of 45 players who will get together for a training camp at the end of July. The squad will be reduced to 35 players who will depart for a tour of Georgia on Saturday, 31 July 2021. 

The team is not a SA Schools’ side but it consists out of learners from schools from around the country. The players have been identified as part of SA Rugby High-Performance program. The group will get together in Cape Town for three days before the lucky 35 will depart for Tibilisi. 

In Georgia they will play in three matches. This will provide this group of players with an ideal opportunity to take the next step in their rugby careers.  

Paarl Gimnasium managed to defeat Grey (18-16) for the first time since 2012 earlier this year during the Monnas Centenary Festival. Their seven representatives are Logan Opperman, PA van Niekerk, Liam Koen, Michael Koch, Hennie Sieberhagen, Corné Lavagna and Luca Bakkes.  

Koen is the son of former Springbok flyhalf Louis Koen, while Luca Bakkes is the son of former Griquas captain Luther Bakkes.

Grey College’s seven players hopeing to make the trip to Georgia are Alfondso Isaacs, Jean Smith, Caleb Abrahams, Neels Volschenk, JF van Heerden, Johan Louw and Juandré Breitenbach. Smith is the son of of former Springbok and current director of Italian Rugby, Franco Smith. 

Oakdale Landbou fielded probably one of their best teams in the school’s history and four of their stars Philip Kleynhans, Niel le Roux, Paul de Villiers, and Dian Koen made the squad. 

The SA u18 High-Performance squad is: 

Backs (20): Diego Cupido (Helpmekaar), Hakeem Kunene (Paarl Boys’ High), Ritsima Sambo (Affies), Litelihle Bester (Maritzburg College), Logan Opperman (Paarl Gimnasium), Alfondso Isaacs (Grey College), Katlego Letebele (Kingswood College), Suleiman Hartzenberg (Bishops), Damian Markus (Stellenberg), Keagan Smith (Paarl Boys’ High), Bruce Sherwood (Bishops), PA van Niekerk (Paarl Gimnasium), Ryan Manuel (Glenwood), Jean Smith (Grey College), Liam Koen (Paarl Gimnasium), Imad Khan (Bishops), Compion von Ludwig (Paarl Boys’ High), Caleb Abrahams (Grey College), Niel le Roux (Oakdale Landbou), Michael Koch (Paarl Gimnasium). 

Forwards (25): Philip Kleynhans (Oakdale Landbou), Neels Volschenk (Grey College), Abu Ndabambi (Paarl Boys’ High), Guy Bishop (Selborne College), Nick Hatton (Hilton College), Liselihle Maphekhula (Graeme College), Paul de Villiers (Oakdale Landbou), Sibabalwe Mahashe (Hudson Park), Gcino Mdletshe (Westville Boys’ High), JF van Heerden (Grey College), Hennie Sieberhagen (Paarl Gimnasium), Jan-Hendrik Gouws (Graaff-Reinet Volkskool), Sandile Nzuza (Glenwood), Luca Ribbens (Paarl Boys’ High), Abongile Ngandi (Graeme College), Dian Heunis (Oakdale Landbou), Johan Louw (Grey College), Corné Lavagna (Paarl Gimnasium), Phatu Ganyane (Glenwood), Stiaan de Bruyn (Affies), Sifiso Magwaza (Monument),  Zack Porthen (Wynberg Boys’ High), Luca Bakkes (Paarl Gimnasium), Bryce Calvert (Westville Boys’ High), Michael Pieterse (Rustenbuerg), Juandré Breitenbach (Grey College).

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