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The lasting impression of Junior Springbok captain George Cronje’s experience of the 2021 Under-20 International Series was a squad that refused to back down and showed tremendous fight under pressure.

Cronje’s team completed a clean sweep, beating Uruguay, Georgia, and Argentina (twice) to finish the Series – played at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch and Newlands in Cape Town over the last two weeks – undefeated.

Cronje believes this clean sweep in their four matches was down to the never-say-die attitude of the players in the squad, and he added that their three-month journey was one full of rewards and development as a squad.

“We had our backs against the wall a couple of times, but we responded every time and refused to give up. That was a very rewarding feeling,” the No 8 said before the players departed back to their home unions.

“There were a couple of highlights, no doubt. I think the first one was when we were told that the repeated bleep tests we did at six o’clock in the mornings were a thing of the past,” Cronje said with a smile.

“Playing for your country and everything associated with that made this a memorable journey for all of us. Everyone wanted to play for the Junior Springboks and every time we did so, it was with massive pride and honour.

“For me personally, our blazer presentation was a huge moment, because then you realise that your dreams had come true.”

Cronje applauded the players for becoming a close-knit group before they finally became a team.

“That was very rewarding, to experience that moment where you realise that we became one squad with one vision and one purpose. None of us will forget this wonderful journey we shared,” he said.

The Junior Boks dominated the standings with their four wins. They only conceded three tries, while  Argentina (10), Uruguay (15), and Georgia (22) all suffered from the attacking prowess of the South Africans, who scored 18 tries in their four matches.

Selected stats at the completion of the U20 International Series: 

Most points:

63- Ramiro Waisberg (Argentina)

20 – Henco van Wyk, Canan Moodie (both South Africa), Bautista Bernasconi (Argentina)

18 – Jordan Hendrikse (South Africa)

15 – Andre-Hugo Venter (South Africa) 

Most tries:

4 – Henco van Wyk, Canan Moodie (both South Africa), Bautista Bernasconi (Argentina)

3 – Andre-Hugo Venter

2 – George Cronje, Bobby Alexander (both South Africa), Giorgi Maisuradze (Georgia)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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#		School(s)	SA Schools	Craven Week
	Aphelele Fassi	Dale College	No	Yes
	Rosko Specman	Mary Waters/Kingswood College	No	No
915	Scara Ntubeni	King Edward VII
914	Lizo Gqoboka
913	Herschel Jantjes	Paul Roos Gimnasium
912	Rynhardt Elstadt
911	Cheslin Kolbe	Brackenfell
910	Damian Willemse	Paul Roos Gimnasium
909	Marco van Staden	Bekker
908
907
906	RG Snyman	Affies
905	Embrose Papier	Garsfontein	Yes	Yes
904	Robert du Preez	Kearsney College
903	Marvin Orie
902	Akker van der Merwe	Outeniqua
901	Thomas du Toit	Paarl Boys’  High
900	Curwin Bosch	Grey High School
899	Ruan Dreyer	Monument
898	Andre Esterhuizen
897	Makazole Mapimpi
896	Ivan van Zyl	Affies
895	Kwagga Smith	HTS Middelburg
	Jason Jenkins	St Alban’s College
	Ox Nche	Louis Botha
	Lukhanyo Am	De Vos Malan
	Louis Schreuder	Paarl Gimnasium
	Warrick Gelant	Outeniqua
	Dan du Preez	Kearsney College
	Wilco Louw	HTS Drostdy
	Dillyn Leyds	Diocesan College
	Andries Coetzee	HTS Middelburg
				1

 

Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko has handed the halfback duties to Sacha Mngomezulu and Bobby Alexander for the U20 International Series final against Argentina in Cape Town on Saturday.

The match, which is scheduled to kick-off at 15h00 and has been moved to Newlands, will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Mngomezulu will take over at flyhalf from Jordan Hendrikse from the side that outplayed Argentina 33-26 earlier in the series, while Alexander, who missed that match due to a leg strain, takes over from Bradley Davids at scrumhalf.

Hendrikse, who kicked 18 points against Los Pumitas, has been released back to the Emirates Lions for their clash against the British & Irish Lions on Saturday.

Nhleko also named Dalvon Blood in place of the injured Canan Moodie on the wing, while the coach opted for Jacques Goosen at flank in place of Sasko Ndlovu, who will play off the bench.

Goosen played at hooker in the first three matches, but Nhleko explained that he was picked for a specific role in mind against Argentina.

“We have against played them and have seen their matches against Georgia and Uruguay, so we have a good idea of what they can do and where their strong points and weaknesses are,” said Nhleko.

“Every player is aware of what is expected of him during the match and how they contribute to our collective goal of making the team better. We have picked Jacques to fulfil a very specific role of us.

“The call might seem a bit strange, but the Springboks used Schalk Brits at No 8 at the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019, and that served the bigger picture in the Boks’ effort very well.

“We hope to use Sasko later in the game, when it opens up and becomes a bit more free-flowing and that we will benefit from his strong points in that regard.”

The coach confirmed that the 33-26-win last week has been shelved in the memory banks.

“We need to be much better than that day, in fact, I would say we will need to play at least 30% better if we want to achieve the result we are hoping for. The boys have prepared well and are excited at the prospect of another opportunity to improve on our series performance,” he said.

“Argentina have shown their prowess in the tight exchanges and set plays and once they dominate, they become pretty direct, so we really need to make a statement there if we don’t want to chase them around all day.”

The decision to move the final round of matches (which will also see Georgia and Uruguay in action at 13h00) to Newlands, due to the state of the field at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch, was received with great joy by the Junior Boks, according to Nhleko.

“The opportunity to play at Newlands is a welcome boost and when the players were informed of the venue change, you could feel the energy surge,” he said.

“The last time the Junior Springboks played there, was the Junior World Championship final in 2012, which we won, and we will now most likely be the last South African national team to play there, so it will be huge for the players. We have told them about the history of the field, not only for the home team, but the Springboks as well.”

The team:

Junior Springboks: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Dalvon Blood, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Tyler Bocks (vice-captain), 11 Ethan James, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 George Cronje (captain), 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Jacques Goosen, 5 Simon Miller, 4 Reinhardt Ludwig, 3 Corné Weilbach, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: Blaine Golden, Nolan Pienaar, Sibusiso Shongwe (nominated front row), Dylan de Leeuw, Raynard Roets, Sasko Ndhlovu, Izan Esterhuizen, Rynard Mouton, Nico Steyn, Bradley Davids, Kian Meadon, Mnqobi Mkhize, Curwin Gertse.

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The Biggest Interschools in the world – the Paarl Interschools have been postponed due to the third wave of infections of the Coronavirus-pandemic in South Africa.

The five schools involved in the interschools Paarl Gimnasium, Paarl Boys’ High, Klein Gim, Klein Boishaai, and Paarl Girls’ High released a statement earlier today to confirm that they were forced to postpone the interschools that was scheduled for the 14th of August in the picturesque Boland town. 

“As soon as the adjusted school terms and examination dates are announced by the WCED (Western Cape Education Department), we will discuss potential alternative dates,” states the release signed by all five headmasters from the schools involved. 

Last year’s interschools was cancelled for only the second time in the history of this major event. The previous time was way back in 1928. The annual interschools started back in 1915.

Annually more than 20 000 (probably closer to 25 000) spectators cram into the Faure Street Stadium to witness the highlight of the week-long interschools of Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys’ High First XV’s battling it out for bragging right. 

Old-Boys and -Girls from around the world as far as the United States of America, New Zealand and the United Kingdom travel to the town of Paarl usually on the first Saturday of August to come and renew old friendships and show support to their respective schools. 

During the week no one is allowed to sit on the fence of who you will be supporting. You are either a Galpil (Paarl Boishaai) or a Bloedwors (Paarl Gim).

With this match being postponed it is quite foreboding for the rest of the schoolboy rugby season in South Africa. 

 

The Springboks will take the field for the first time in 608 days with three players potentially making their debuts in Friday’s clash against Georgia.

The three new Springboks are Rosko Specman (Mary Waters/Kingswood College), Aphelele Fassi (Dale College) and Jasper Wiese (Hoërskool Upington). 

The test kicks-off at 19:00 on Friday at Loftus Versfeld. 

 We take a look at these three players and their school origins. It is also worth it that Wiese hails from a small town called Grootdrink in the Northern Cape. Directly translated is means “Big Drink”.

Specman matriculated from Mary Waters High School in Grahamstown back in 2007. He also did a post-matric in 2008 at Kingswood College. He never represented Eastern Province at the Craven Week, but he did manage to make the union’s Academy-side in 2007. 

The three wingers in Eastern Province’s squad for the Craven Week in Stellenbosch was Garth van Rayner (Gill College), JJ Engelb

recht (Grey High School) and Rian Arendse (Die Brandwag, Uitenhage)  

In that 2008 squad of Kingswood College, he had teammates like Grant Hattingh (formerly Lions, Blue Bulls, and Sunwolves), David Denton (Scotland), and Charlie Purdon (San Diego Breakers) who also managed to make a career out of rugby. 

Aphelele Fassi was already during his schooldays at Dale College an attacking force to be reckoned with. Fassi represented Border at the Craven Week in 2016. He played for Dale’s First XV in 2016 and 2017.

Interesting is that the last two Springboks produced by Dale College also started on the wing being Bjorn Basson (2010) and Aphiwe Dyantyi (2018). Fassi will become his schools’ 13th Springbok. 

If Jasper Wiese gets his opportunity from the bench he will be only the fourth Springbok produced by the Hoërskool Upington. Wiese represented Griqualand West Country Districts at the annual Craven Week in 2012 and 2013. He was also winning metres with his bullocking runs as Nr. 8 for Upington’s first team.  

Interesting is that Wiese and the SA Schools’ captain of 2013, Rikus Bothma (Paarl Gimnasium), was classmates at Uppies before Bothma decided to further his schooling career in Paarl.

Bothma was also an eightman and already represented Uppies’ First XV in 2011. Both Wiese en Bothma represented Griqua Country Districts at the Grant Khomo Week of 2011 in Queenstown.

Other Springboks produced by Uppies is Willem Barnard, Daantjie Rossouw and Tiaan Strauss. 

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A third consecutive win in the U20 International Series secured the Junior Springboks the top spot in the four-team tournament, but for head coach Bafana Nhleko, the effort and commitment from his squad in the 42-0 romp over Georgia on Monday were just as pleasing as the final log position.

The Junior Boks started their third match with two debutants and a number of players starting for the first time, and the way those players responded was as important as the result, Nhleko said.

“This tournament is as much as growing depth in the squad and exposing the players to the demands of international U20 rugby as anything else, and that was always part of our wider plan, so I am very pleased that we did that successfully,” said Nhleko.

“The fact that all the players in the squad have now started a match and enjoyed significant game time over the three games have already led to significant positives in our group.”

Nhleko praised the endeavors of the players in their effort against Georgia, which saw the SA U20s score six tries in severe weather conditions.

“It has been raining all day and the conditions made it very difficult, but credit to the guys who really delivered,” he said.

“They displayed very good levels of skills and discipline. We will probably face similar conditions in our last match on Saturday, so we will have to repeat this performance.

“The most pleasing aspect is how we are growing as a team and as a group. The fundamentals today were pretty good and always improving. From time to time, we do not get it right, but that is all part of growing as players and as a squad.

“The fact that we did not concede a try was also very rewarding for our coaching staff. The players are embracing what we want to achieve as a coaching staff and almost running with it, so it is very pleasing to see.”

South Africa will face Argentina in the final match of the series on Saturday.

Scorers: 

Junior Springboks 42 (14) – Tries: Henco van Wyk (2), George Cronjé (2), Dalvon Blood, Nico Steyn. Conversions: Kian Meadon (6). Georgia 0.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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Henco van Wyk will be the only Junior Springbok to earn a consecutive start when the South Africans take on Georgia at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch, in the third round of the U20 International Series on Monday.

The midfielder starred and scored in his team’s 33-26 win over Argentina last Wednesday and will again start against the Europeans, who are still looking for a first win following defeats against Argentina and Uruguay.

Junior Bok head coach Bafana Nhleko opted for a vastly different team from the one that beat Uruguay and Argentina, resting a number of players, including the complete leadership group of George Cronje (No 8), Jordan Hendrikse (flyhalf), and Sasko Ndlovu (flanker), all of whom have been included on the extended bench.

As a result, Jacques Goosen (hooker) will lead the team, with Van Wyk deputising.

“We were going to give everyone a run anyway, so the changes are all in line with our planning and a decision we took at the beginning of the competition,” said Nhleko.

“We also needed to manage some players’ game time, as most of them have not played rugby for quite a while. This will be a wonderful opportunity for those getting a first start to experience test rugby at U20 level, while others will be able to build on the improving performances we have seen from the group.”

On debut are centre Mambo Mhkize and flyhalf Sacha Mngomezulu, while Kian Meadon (fullback), Dalvon Blood (wing), Nico Steyn (scrumhalf), Rynard Mouton (flanker) and Sibusiso Shongwe (tighthead) all earn first starts.

“I am very happy for Mambo and Sacha to make their debuts and starting at that,” said Nhleko.

“Both worked extremely hard when they were not part of the playing squad and contributed well in their supporting roles. They now have the chance to shine, and I believe they will do very well.”

Nhleko said his decision to entrust Goosen with the captaincy duties was an easy one: “Jacques captained SA Schools two years ago and Henco was captain of SA Schools Sevens, so both bring good leadership to the squad, especially with the official leadership group only involved in the match only later on.”

Nhleko believes the Georgians will test his side, despite defeats in their previous two pool matches.

“It looked like they got tired in the second half of both those matches, so we will look to play at a high tempo,” he said.

“Except for the two debutants, everyone in our squad had either started a match or played from the bench in both games so they will know how to handle the intensity and how to manage our game plan.

“We will focus on how we want to play, but what we have seen from them so far is that patience on attack will be key. They are a hard team to break down, so we must keep plugging away until they fall off the pace of the game.”

Meanwhile, the Junior Boks will be without impressive wing Canan Moodie, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after sustaining a jaw fracture against Argentina. Prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels is rested for the match against Georgia, but will be ready next Saturday, when the final two matches of the series will be played.

Junior Springboks:

15 Kian Meadon, 14 Curwin Gertse, 13 Henco van Wyk (vice-captain), 12 Mambo Mkhize, 11 Dalvon Blood, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Izan Esterhuisen, 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Rynard Mouton, 5 Dylan de Leeuw, 4 Raynard Roets, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 2 Jacques Goosen (captain), 1 Nolan Pienaar. Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Blaine Golden, Corné Weilbach (nominated front-row), Simon Miller, Reinhardt Ludwig, Sasko Ndlovu, George Cronje, Bradley Davids, Bobby Alexander, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan James, Tyler Bocks, Quan Horn.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

 

Junior Springbok captain George Cronje will start at No 8 and vice-captain Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf when they take on Argentina in round two of the U20 International Series in Stellenbosch on Wednesday, as SA U20 coach Bafana Nhleko made some significant changes to his matchday squad.

Cronje played off the bench in the 29-10 win over Uruguay at Markötter Stadium on Friday, while Hendrikse will make his Junior Springbok debut, as he wasn’t involved in the opening match.

Only four players will run out at the Stellenbosch venue in the same match jerseys as they did against Uruguay – Quan Horn (fullback), Canan Moodie (wing), Tyler Bocks (centre) and Sasko Ndlovu (flank).

There are some positional changes though, with Ethan James moving from outside centre to wing and Reinhardt Ludwig from the side of the scrum to lock, to earn a second cap.

Henco van Wyk (centre) and Siya Ningiza (flank) will earn starting debuts, while all of Simon Miller, Corne Weilbach, Andre-Hugo Venter, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels came off the bench against Uruguay.

Lions scrumhalf, Nico Steyn, has been drafted in by the Junior Boks after Bobby Alexander picked up a leg strain and with only 30 players allowed per squad, Nhleko opted to release flyhalf, Brandon Wilkie.

“We had Jordan, as well as Sacha Mngomezulu in our original squad at flyhalf and drafted in Brandon when they were not quite ready for that first match,” said Nhleko.

“But with Jordan and Sacha available again, we feel it is the best call for the squad to bring in Nico to fill our depth at scrumhalf, and release Brandon. He served us well and I want to thank him for his contribution.”

Cronje said the experience gained from the first match will help his troops in their approach for the Argentina match.

“It was certainly good to get on the field and for the team to go into battle together,” said Cronje.

“We learned a lot from that match and will fix those mistakes we made against Uruguay. We have seen how well Argentina played in beating Georgia and it is clear that we will have to be on top of our game if we want to beat them.

“They are clearly here to play, but we also have some goals we want to achieve against them and one of them is to play good rugby and get the win.”

Cronje, who has played in the senior ranks of the Toyota Cheetahs, said the additions of Hendrikse (Lions), Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), and Venter (DHL Western Province) will assist him with decision-making during the match, making his job easier.

“They are a bit more experienced, having played senior provincial rugby before and it nice knowing they are there to back me up,” said the Junior Bok captain.

The match kicks off at 15h00 and will be broadcast by SuperSport, as will the 13h00 clash between Georgia and Uruguay.

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

Junior Springboks:

15 Quan Horn, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Tyler Bocks, 11 Ethan James, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 George Cronje (captain), 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Sasko Ndlovu, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Corne Weilbach, 2 Andre-Hugo Venter, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: Jacques Goosen, Nolan Pienaar, Sibusiso Shongwe (nominated front row), Raynard Roets, Rynard Mouton, Nico Steyn, Sacha Mngomezulu, Mnqobi Mkhize, Dylan de Leeuw, Izan Esterhuizen, Kian Meadon, Dalvon Blood.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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The Junior Springboks are bustling with cropped-up energy and excitement and cannot wait to run onto the field on Friday when they face Uruguay Under-20, when international rugby finally returns to South African soil.

The Under-20 International Series match, which kicks off at 15h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport, is the second encounter of two in the tournament, with Georgia and Argentina facing each other, also at Markötter Stadium, in the first match at 13h00.

Dylan de Leeuw, Junior Springbok lock, said the preparations went well and that it is now time for the players to go onto the field to express themselves.

“We are very excited,” said De Leeuw.

“We have not played international rugby in a long time; in fact, it will be a first cap for all of us when we face Uruguay tomorrow. There are a lot of nerves, but I think the excitement is even stronger.”

Playing for your country is huge and one needs to stand tall, but De Leeuw knows that. At 2.01m, he is the tallest member of the Junior Bok squad, but size does not mean much if not used well, De Leeuw admits.

“Our pack has a big responsibility tomorrow,” he said.

“We do not know much about Uruguay and have not seen much footage, but they do like to spread the ball around and use their backs.

“So, we will have to soften them up in the forwards and make sure we dominate. When we do that, it will put their backs on the back foot and allow our backs to attack with front foot ball.”

Friday’s clashes in Stellenbosch are the first of four rounds of matches. South Africa will play Argentina and Uruguay will face Georgia on Wednesday 23 June, with the third set of matches to be contested on Monday 28 June when the Junior Boks play Georgia, while the two South Americans sides will clash.

The tournament concludes on 3 July when the two top-ranked teams play each other and the bottom two will meet.

U20 International Series first round fixtures:

Argentina v Georgia

Kick-off: 13h00

Referee: Morné Ferreira

South Africa v Uruguay

Kick-off: 15h00

Referee: Phumzile Mbewu

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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Vir die tweede agtereenvolgende jaar sal daar nie ‘n Wildeklawer-toernooi aangebied word nie. Die organiseerders van die gesogte toernooi is soos verlede jaar deur die Coronavirus-pandemie (Covid-19) gedwing om vanjaar se toernooi af te stel. 

Die toernooi sou vanjaar van 7 tot 9 Augustus by die Hoërskool Diamantveld in Kimberley plaasgevind het. Die toernooi was reeds na later in die jaar verskuif om te verhoed dat die pandemie ‘n impak op hom sou hê. 

Die Exco van ABSA Wildeklawer Sport het die volgende faktore gemeld wat die besluit genoodsaak het: 

• die werklikheid van die derde vlaag van die Covid-pandemie in Suid-Afrka, met ‘n gevolglike toenamedie werklikheid van die derde vlaag van die Covid-pandemie in Suid-Afrka, met ‘n gevolglike toenamein infeksies – slegs sewe weke voor die aanvang van die toernooi;
• die Departement van Basiese Onderwys se opskorting van alle kontaksport, en die hoëonwaarskynlikheid dat die verbod teen 26 Julie, wanneer die skole vir die derde kwartaal heropen,opgehef sal wees. Die verwagting is dat die DBO eers na die heropening van die skole, en op grond vandie heersende Covid-situasie in die land, ‘n besluit sal neem;
• some schools expressed their concern about whether the festival should take place, and even indicated that it should be cancelled;
• the logistics, not only for the LOC, but also for the participating schools, are, due to the uncertainty, becoming more challenging by the day;
• the safety and well-being of all learners and educators remain the highest priority and was a serious factor to consider, as both Absa, Wildeklawer and Diamantveld want to act responsibly, and in an unaccountable manner.

Die 2022-toernooi word vir die naweek van 30 April 2022 in Kimberley beplan.