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Junior Springbok assistant coach Bafana Nhleko was honest in his assessment of the team’s performance in their 48-20 World Rugby U20 Championship victory over Georgia in Rosario on Saturday, and said there were a number of things they had to fix going into their final pool match.

The SA U20s will line up against New Zealand on Wednesday in the crucial match that will decide which team top Pool C and gains automatic entry into the semi-finals. The Junior Boks and the NZ U20s are two of only four unbeaten teams left in the competition – defending champions France (Pool A) and Australia (Pool B) are the others.

The three pool winners at the conclusion of the round-robin stages and the next-best placed team in the competition will advance to the semi-finals.

After two rounds of matches, the Junior Boks are at the top of the Pool C log with 10 log points after two bonus-point victories – the same as New Zealand have also achieved – but they hold a slender one-point lead in points’ difference over the Kiwis.

But this didn’t cloud Nhleko and the rest of the Junior Springbok coaching team’s judgement of the match against Georgia.

“We are quite happy that we scored eight tries and with the forwards’ showing in the scrums, but we also take pride in our basics and details, so we take it personal that we made so many errors.

“Our handling, breakdown play and discipline are massive issues and we were also below average in some of our defensive decision-making. The good thing about the match against Georgia is that it is done. We have to fix those errors, but I believe we will be up for the next game.”

Nhleko said they were satisfied with their position at the top of Pool C log after two rounds: “If you had offered this option to us at the start of the campaign, we would definitely have taken it.

“It is a World Rugby U20 Championship so one has to have the mindset that you have to be on top and win your games. We still have one pool game though, and that will be the most important one to determine where we stand in the competition.”

Looking forward to the clash against New Zealand, Nhleko said their focus in the SAU20 camp would be on what they had to do to advance to the semi-finals.

“We are looking at New Zealand,” said Nhleko. “They are a good outfit and the points’ difference between the two sides is minimal.

“But the biggest focus for us is that if we get things right and do what we know we are capable of, we will hopefully get a positive result.”

The Junior Springboks had a recovery day on Sunday, and will return to the training field on Monday to begin their preparations for the clash against New Zealand. 

 

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

This will be our last rankings of First XV’s as we take a break for the June/July school holidays. There was not a lot of schoolboy rugby played on Saturday, but the match between Rondebosh Boys’ High and Diocesan College (Bishops) had an impact on our latest rankings.  

Bishops won the Premier Interschools’ match by 36-26 therefore seeing Rondebosch dropping out of our Top 10 for the first time this season. Bishops also moved closer to getting a spot within our top ten school teams in South Africa.

Waterkloof had to work extremely hard to edge Noordheuwel by 32-31 in Krugersdorp. Don’t worry we will continue our ranking when the new school term starts and we can’t wait for Super August. 

Please note that we don’t take matches against international opposition into consideration in our rankings. These games will however still be recorded and shown in our results.

These rankings are not an official ranking as there is no official ranking on schoolboy level and this is only to get the discussion on school rugby on South Africa flowing. We however take our responsibility on reporting school rugby very seriously. 

To see each team’s results so far this season click on their name in the rankings. If you see any results missing please don’t hesitate to contact Hannes Nienaber via e-mail on hannes@rugby.supersportschools.com – and please feel free to discuss and differ from us in the comments section. 

The Rankings: 

 

#	School	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points F	Points A
1	Grey College	10	10	0	0	503	187
2	Paarl Gimnasium	11	10	0	1	489	197
3	Paarl Boys’ High	10	8	1	1	381	181
4	Garsfontein	10	8	0	2	406	263
5	Monument	11	8	0	3	467	313
6	Paul Roos Gimnasium	4	2	0	2	86	96
7	Selborne College	13	11	1	2	485	213
8	King Edward VII	9	7	1	1	355	251
9	Framesby	16	14	1	1	668	254
10	St Andrew’s College	14	11	1	2	496	186
11	Stellenberg	13	9	0	4	295	240
12	Diocesan College	7	5	0	2	269	198
13	Glenwood	12	8	0	4	351	286
14	Rondebosch Boys’ High	12	9	0	3	390	204
15	Helpmekaar	14	10	1	3	473	309
16	Affies	11	6	0	5	363	336
17	Outeniqua	9	5	0	4	301	194
18	Welkom Gimnasium	13	9	1	3	509	234
19	Hilton College	9	7	1	1	268	166
20	Grey High School	11	7	2	2	501	174
21	Boland Landbou	12	6	0	6	417	402
22	Westville Boys’ High	13	9	0	4	386	265
23	Brandwag (Uitenhage)	12	10	0	2	399	224
24	Menlopark	11	5	0	6	323	321
25	Duineveld	7	6	0	1	203	149
26	Waterkloof	13	8	0	5	425	385
27	EG Jansen	11	7	0	4	428	264
28	Oakdale Landbou	9	4	0	5	208	232
29	HTS Middelburg	16	8	0	8	406	503
30	Noordheuwel	12	6	0	6	316	301
31	HTS Drostdy	11	5	0	6	254	319
32	Diamantveld	12	7	0	5	362	289
33	Hoërskool Middelburg	15	13	0	2	558	310
34	Noord-Kaap	11	6	0	5	249	303
35	Ben Vorster	12	8	0	4	412	338
36	Jeppe High School for Boys’	8	4	0	4	294	250
37	Marais Viljoen	15	9	0	6	432	378
37	Montana	13	9	0	4	433	293
39	Kingswood College	14	9	0	5	479	218
40	Northwood	11	7	0	4	353	248
41	Maritzburg College	12	7	0	5	310	215
42	Frikkie Meyer	13	13	0	0
43	Dale College	12	7	1	4	392	222
44	Pretoria Boys’ High	11	6	0	5	367	285
45	Hoërskool Pietersburg	13	12	0	1	532	155
46	Pionier	9	8	0	1	266	145
47	Hoërskool Durbanville	10	6	0	4	428	221
48	Lichtenburg	14	9	0	5	462	290
49	Hoërskool Bellville	12	7	0	5	337	305
50	Hoërskool Rustenburg	8	3	0	5	307	266

 

Noordheuwel het amper op sy tuisveld vir ‘n opskudding gesorg toe hy amper daarin geslaag het om Waterkloof om te dop. Nories het met die omdraaislag ‘n gerieflike voorsprong van 17-5 geniet, maar Klofies kon daarin slaag om die Blou Tornado aan die gang te kry om uiteindelik met 32-31 as oorwinnaars van die veld te stap.

Die Hoërskool Pietersburg het sy plek in die eindstryd van die Limpopo-liga in Afdeling 2 met ‘n sege van 46-22 oor Ellisras in die halfeindstryd beklink. Pieties sal volgende kwartaal teen Frikkie Meyer van Thabazimbi in die eindstryd te staan kom.

Al die uitslae: 

AFDELING 1
Beker-kompetisie
Helpmekaar	50	HTS Middelburg	5
Waterkloof	32	Noordheuwel	31
Ander spanne – o.16: Helpmekaar 39, HTS Middelburg 34; Noordheuwel 32, Waterkloof 20. o.15: Helpmekaar 17, HTS Middelburg 10; Waterkloof 28, Noordheuwel 14. o.14: Noordheuwel 33, Waterkloof 14; HTS Middelburg 30, Helpmekaar 27.
Skild-kompetisie
Lichtenburg	52	Florida	33
Hoërskool Middelburg	35	Hugenote (Springs)	17
Ander spanne – o.16: Lichtenburg 36, Florida 24; Middelburg 83, Hugenote 0. o.15: Lichtenburg 26, Florida 24; Middelburg 92, Hugenote 5. o.14: Lichtenburg 55, Florida 7; Middelburg 27, Hugenote 5.
AFDELING 2
Tuine	14	Wonderboom	7
Pretoria-Noord	56	CR Swart	0
Ander spanne – o.16: Wonderboom 17, Tuine 3; Pretoria-Noord 41, CR Swart 12. o.15: Wonderboom 40, Tuine 14; Pretoria-Noord 82, CR Swart 0. o.14: Tuine 50, Wonderboom 5.
Hoërskool Alberton	26	Bastion	10
Ander spanne – o.16: Linden 36, Alberton 26. o.15: Bastion 23, Alberton 22. o.14: Alberton 33, Randburg 5.
Pietersburg	46	Ellisras	22
Ander spanne – o.16: Pietersburg 52, Piet Potgieter 25. o.15: Ben Viljoen 28, Piet Potgieter 27. o.14: Frikkie Meyer 17, Merensky 3.
Wesvalia	36	Potchefstroom Gimnasium	31
Ander spanne – o.16: Wesvalia 40, Potch Gimmies 38. o.15: Wesvalia 14, Potch Gimmies 5. o.14: Wesvalia 38, Potch Gimmies 0.
Secunda	20	Piet Retief	14
Ander spanne – o.16: Rob Ferreira 31, Secunda 17. o.15: Piet Retief 32, Secunda 12. o.14: Secunda 36, Rob Ferreira 12.
Die Anker	52	Oosterlig	32
Vereeniging Gimnasium	27	Hans Moore	21
Ander spanne – o.16: Die Anker 52, Oosterlig 27; Dr. Malan 26, Brandwag (Benoni) 19. o.15: Die Anker 35, Dr. Malan 0; Oosterlig 8, Brandwag (Benoni) 7. o.14: Die Anker 45, Brandwag (Benoni) 0; Dr. Malan 26, Hans Moore 14.
AFDELING 3
Fochville	37	Queens	26
Ander spanne – o.16: Fochville 46, Bekker 0. o.15: Jan Viljoen 34, Leeuwenhof 22. o.14: Leeuwenhof 38, Fochville 0.
Louis Trichardt	34	Frans du Toit	25
Ander spanne – o.16: Frans du Toit 57, Nylstroom 14. o.15: Curro Heuwelkruin 50, Frans du Toit 17. o.14: Frans du Toit 29, Louis Trichardt 10.
Standerton	40	Penryn College	21
Hoogenhout	19	Oosterland	19
Ander spanne – o.16: Curro Nelspruit 20, Volksrust 13; Bergvlam 23, Hoogenhout 22. o.15: Curro Nelspruit 54, Standerton 12; Oosterland 45, Barberton 5. o.14: Curro Nelspruit 61, Volksrust 12, Standerton 15, Kanonkop 12.

 

Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux said his team will have to sharpen up before their final World Rugby U20 Championship pool game against New Zealand, despite earning a bonus-point 48-20 victory against Georgia in their second pool match at the Racecourse Stadium in Rosario on Saturday.

The win marked the team’s second bonus point victory in the competition, which is vital going into their final pool match on Wednesday, 12 June, as only the top team in each pool and the next best placed team in the competition on log points will advance to the semi-finals.

The first half proved to be a hard grind as both teams threw everything at one another, using their forwards and backs to try force their way through the solid defence, but the Junior Springboks’ three tries to one by Georgia saw them enter the break 21-5 ahead. Had the team used all their try-scoring chances, however, they could have built up a much bigger halftime lead.

The SAU20’s continued to make their presence felt in the second half and they added five tries – with flanker Dylan Richardson earning his second – to take their tally for the match to eight, while they conceded two tries to secure the victory.

“We at least got the bonus point, so we have 10 points from the competition,” said Roux.

“There were opportunities, but we made too many unforced errors. I don’t know why it happened, but it seemed as though we could not catch the ball in the first half.

“Our discipline was also not good enough. Playing with 14 men for 20 minutes will always make things tougher, so we need to rectify that.”

Roux said his charges had to sharpen up in the next few days, with a big task ahead in their final pool match: “The one thing we will take from this match is that we have to be ready mentally for New Zealand. We need to have our plans ready and be sharp for the next game.

“The positive for us is that we are still in the competition and our fate is in our hands.”

Flanker Dylan Richardson opened up the scoring for the Junior Springboks in the ninth minute as he received a slick pass at pace from scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse and forced his way over the tryline. Hendrikse slotted over the conversion to hand the team a 7-0 lead.

Georgia fought back strongly and managed to apply consistent pressure on attack and they broke through in the 25^th minute as Otar Lashkhi gathered a wide pass to get through for their first points of the match.

The Junior Springboks were reduced to 14 men in the 28^th minute as fullback Vaughen Isaacs was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, but the team continued to make their presence felt as prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye powered his way over the chalk in the 35^th minute.

Hooker Fezokuhle Mbatha followed four minutes later as he touched down against the post, to hand the team a 21-5 lead going into the break.

Georgian captain and flyhalf Tedo Abzhandadze reduced his team’s deficit two minutes into the first half with a penalty goal, but the Junior Springboks struck again soon after with the bonus-point try by vice-captain and centre Rikus Pretorius, who stepped inside and touched down.

The Junior Springboks lost lock Emile van Heerden to a yellow card for an illegal tackle in the 52nd minute, and Georgia took advantage immediately with Lashkhi scoring his second try.

This, however, was cancelled out soon after as Thaakir Abrahams dived over in the corner, with Richardson earning his second try minutes later to stretch the SAU20’s lead to 38-13 with 16 minutes to play.

Angelo Davids (fullback) and David Coetzer (replacement back) also worked their way onto the scoreboard as they used their pace to score tries in quick succession in the dying minutes, but Georgia fought until the end, with Temur Chichinadze crossing the tryline on the stroke of fulltime.

Scorers:

Junior Springboks 48 (21) – Tries: Dylan Richardson (2), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Fezokuhle Mbatha, Rikus Pretorius, Thaakir Abrahams, Angelo Davids, David Coetzer. Conversions: Jaden Hendrikse (3), Sanele Nohamba. Georgia 20 (5) – Tries: Otar Lashkhi (2), Temur Chichinadze. Conversion: Tedo Abzhandadze. Penalty Goal: Tedo Abzhandadze.                

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

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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

SA Rugby High Performance manager and Junior Springbok assistant coach, Louis Koen, said on Thursday the team had a solid base to build on in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Rosario as they turned their attention to Saturday’s match against Georgia at the Racecourse Stadium.

The Junior Springboks got their campaign off to a strong start on Tuesday with a convincing 43-19 victory against the Scots, and Koen said they took several positives from the performance. 

“There were a lot of positives, and the most important one for us is that we created numerous try-scoring opportunities,” said Koen.

“We are also proud of our scrums, our conditioning and our finishing in the second half. The boys played 80 minutes of high-tempo rugby and that is what we wanted to achieve in that game, so I think we laid a solid foundation to build on going forward.

“That said, it was a bit frustrating not to finish some of the chances we created, especially in the first half, while they also wet the synthetic field 10 minutes before the match, which made the handling a little tougher in the first half. But that was the situation for both sides. So we need to adapt better to that against Georgia.”

Koen expected a physical encounter against the Georgians, but he said the team’s focus would be solely on implementing their game plan effectively.

“We played warm-up matches against Georgia in the last two years, so we know what their strengths are,” said Koen.

“We have huge respect for them, especially their set-pieces and physicality, but we are focusing on our processes and what we would like to achieve in the game.”

The coach said the players were in high spirits off the field, and that they were thrilled to participate in the international spectacle.

“The boys are very positive and excited, and they are enjoying one another’s company,” said Koen.

“Rosario is a small city and we’ve not had much time to explore, but the players are spending a lot of time together, which is good.

“We are looking forward to doing a few fun things together as a team as the competition progresses, but our approach to the tournament is very focused, and we know what we would like to achieve.

“It is a privilege to work with these young men and I am looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish.”

The Junior Springboks will face New Zealand in their third and final pool match on Wednesday, 12 June, while the semi-finals and the final will play out on Monday, 17 June, and Saturday, 22 June respectively.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Diocesan College of rather Bishops as they’re known as emerged as the top team from the southern suburbs of Cape Town with a 36-26 victory over Rondebosch Boys’ High in their Premier Interschools clash today.  

Selborne College moved up a gear and thrashed Stirling 91-7, while Framesby came out on top by 31-22 against Kingswood College. St Andrew’s College also proved too strong for Queen’s College by 39-10 in their annual clash. 

For the results of the Virsekerbeker please click here. 

EASTERN CAPE/KWAZULU-NATAL
Selborne College	91	Stirling	7
Framesby	31	Kingswood College	22
Maritzburg College	42	Michaelhouse	17
St Charles College	73	Voortrekker (PMB)	5
HTS Daniël Pienaar	17	Pearson	8
Hilton College	50	Sarel Cilliers	0
St Andrew’s College	39	Queen’s College	10
NOORDVAAL
St Stithians College	33	St Alban’s College	26
St Benedict’s College	42	St David’s Marist	0
St John’s College	51	Pretoria Boys’ High	41
WESTERN CAPE
Diocesan College	36	Rondebosch Boys’ High	26
DF Malan	20	Hugenote	14
Vishoek	28	Westerford	8

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Die Valke sal op die eerste dag van die 56ste Cravenweek vir hoërskole in Bloemfontein die ryp van Grey-kollege se veld teen die Luiperds afspeel. Die toernooi vind van 1 tot 6 Julie in die Rosestad plaas. 

Die keurders het slegs een spelers in sy groep van 23 spelers gekies wat voorheen al aan die Cravenweek deelgeneem het. Die span se heelagter, Garren Morris van EG Jansen, is die enigste speler wat verlede jaar ook vir die Valke tydens die toernooi in die Paarl in aksie was.  

EG Jansen het met agt spelers die grootste verteenwoordiging in die span wat na Bloemfontein sal toer. Buiten Morris het die volgende Jansies – Juandré Odendaal (flank), Franco Enslin (agtsteman), Jason Gregory (skrumskakel), Kyle Potgieter (losskakel), Tylon Kotze (vleuel), Kyle Pepler (haker) en Cameron le Vack ook die span gehaal. 

Die Valke kom volgende Saterdag in die vernaamste voorwedstryd van die Noordvaal Bondedag teen die Pumas in sy laaste oefenwedstryd voor die Cravenweek te staan. Hy het in ‘n opwarmingswedstryd vroeër teen die Pumas met 40-52 in die stof gebyt. 

Die Jansies se gevaarlike vleuel Kotze behoort een van die Valke se sleutelspelers te wees. Kotze ken die pad doellyn toe goed en het vanjaar op gereelde reëlmaat die doellyn oorgesteek. Die losskakel, Potgieter, asook die flank Odendaal behoort ook staatmakers vir die Valke te wees. 

Die span word deur Jaco Kok (Transvalia), Corneel van Dyk (Die Anker) en Carl Goss (Transvalia) afgerig. Richard Janse van Rensburg is die spanbestuurder.  

Die spanne is: 

Cravenweek: 15 Garren Morris (EG Jansen), 14 Frederick Malgas (Heidelberg Volkskool), 13 Excellence Enwerm (Carel de Wet), 12 Franco Wagener (Transvalia), 11 Tylon Kotze (EG Jansen), 10 Kyle Potgieter (EG Jansen), 9 Jason Gregory (EG Jansen), 8 Franco Enslin (EG Jansen), 7 Juandré Odendaal (EG Jansen), 6 Thabang Malone (Birchleigh), 5 Tiaan Visser (Transvalia), 4 Ofentse Mlowa (HTS Sasolburg), 3 Kabous Bezuidenhout (Kempton Park), 2 Bernard du Plessis (Transvalia), 1 Ntokozo Hlophe (Springs Boys’ High). Plaasvervangers: 16 Kyle Pepler (EG Jansen), 17 Sonwabo Maseko (Benoni High), 18 Anrich Botes (Transvalia), 19 Nyiko Nkanyani (Elspark), 20 Hope Ngoy (Birchleigh), 21 Cameron le Vack (EG Jansen), 22 Abraham Masou (Transvalia), 23 Lucas Mdluli (Hans Moore). 

Akademie-week: 15 Tsepang Palatse (Hoërskool Sasolburg), 14 Ronin du Toit (Dr. Malan), 13 Heine Flooks (Jeugland), 12 Duane Bloem (EG Jansen), 11 Nico Khumalo (Hoërskool Sasolburg), 10 Neo Matube (Hoërskool Sasolburg), 9 Musi Sithole (Hoërskool Sasolburg), 8 Brandon Smit (Die Anker), 7 Luwasi Khosa (Hoërskool Sasolburg), 6 Bishop Mohono (Transvalia), 5 Darren Timmins (EG Jansen), 4 Tebogo Khazamula (Benoni High), 3 Divan Swart (Kempton Park), 2 Dwaine Lubbe (EG Jansen), 1 Thando Nkosi (Birchleigh). Plaasvervangers: 16 Liam Brooks (Hugenote), 17 Katlego Chimpini (Elspark), 18 Zander Briedenhan (EG Jansen), 19 Edward Evans (Hugenote), 20 Bongani Kubaune (Carel de Wet), 21 Thando Nkabale (Birchleigh), 22 Louis de Bruyn (EG Jansen), 23 Jason Edwards (EG Jansen). 

Grant Khomo: 15 D Twala (EG Jansen), 14 B Kobeka (Delmas), 13 W McGeer (Transvalia), 12 Armand Smit (EG Jansen), 11 A Mokabeng (Delmas), 10 E Olivier (Heidelberg Volkskool), 9 Tristan Lombaard (EG Jansen), 8 Z Zaayman (Transvalia), 7 R Bornman (Dr. Malan), 6 T Ledwaba (EG Jansen), 5 Franco Bredenkamp (EG Jansen), 4 R Mollo (Transvalia), 3 Nicholas Smith (EG Jansen), 2 B Ntsele (Phoenix), 1 N Nhlapo (HTS Sasolburg). Plaasvervangers: 16 M Pieterse (Heidelberg Volkskool), 17 A Speelman (EG Jansen), 18 D du Plessis (Heidelberg Volkskool), 19 J de Bruyn (Hugenote), 20 A Oosthuizen (Kempton Park), 21 K Matoane (HTS Sasolburg), 22 J Skosana (HTS Sasolburg), 23 A Lottering (Kempton Park). 

Six different DHL Western Province squads for the various upcoming national Youth Weeks have been confirmed.

Once again there will be two DHL Western Province U18 teams at Craven Week and two at the national U18 Academy Week which will both be held at Grey College in Bloemfontein from July 1-6.

Both DHL WP U18 and DHL WP U18 XV ended Craven Week last year unbeaten on home soil at Paarl Boys High and they will be looking to repeat that feat in the Free State.

The DHL WP U18 Academy side also finished the Academy Week last year unbeaten and will be joined again at the Academy Week by the DHL WP U18 Academy XV, so this year’s squads have some high standards to uphold.

The DHL Western Province U16 squad for the U16 Grant Khomo Week at Hoërskool Rob Ferreira in Mpumalanga from 24 to 28 June has also been confirmed.

The DHL WP U13 Craven Week team will also be looking for another successful tournament in Mpumalanga.

The teams: 

Craven Week: Dylan Alexander (Paarl Gymnasium), Jovan Bekker (Paarl Gymnasium), Tyler Bock (Paarl Boys), Dylan De Leeuw (Paul Roos), Marco De Witt (Boland Landbou), Connor Evans (Bishops), Curwin Gertse (Paarl Gymnasium), Quan Horn (Paarl Boys), Liam Kloosman (Bishops), Brian Le Roux (Rondebosch), Tharquin Manual (Stellenberg), Sacha Mgomezulu (Bishops), Romauld Ntumba (Minerton), Angelo Osch (Paarl Boys), Rhynhardt Rijnsburger (Paarl Boys), Robbie Rodgers (Paul Roos), Jacques Rousseau (Paarl Boys), Pierich Siebert (Paarl Gymnasium), Gideon Van Wyk (Paarl Boys), Lukhanyo Vokozela (Rondebosch), Isaiah Wharton (Bishops), Allister Williams (Paarl Boys), Kade Wolhuter (Paul Roos).

Manager: Etienne Van Den Brink (Paarl Gymnasium)
Coach: Faizel Adam (Florida High)
Assistant Coach: Therlow Pietersen (Stellenberg)
Assistant Coach: Clinton Van Rensburg (Rondebosch)

Craven Week XV: Keagan Blanckenberg (Bishops), Jarred Cairns (Paul Roos), Liam Compion (Paarl Gymnasium), Cade Croy (Paul Roos), Stephan du Toit (Paarl Gymnasium), Javier Farmer (Paarl Boys), Abduragheem Ismail (Milnerton), Heath Jacobs (Milnerton), Ethan James (Paarl Gymnasium), Jason Johnson (Rondebosch), Rethabile Louw (Wynberg), Louwtjie Marais (Paarl Gymnasium), Philip Masanga (Wynberg), Kian Meadon (Paarl Boys), Jacques Mostert (Boland Landbou), Enos Ndiao (SACS), Stass Nel (Paarl Boys), Louw Nel (Paarl Gymnasium), Marco Van Rhyn (Paarl Gymnasium), Isameel Saffodien (Rondebosch), Tiaan Swanepoel (Paarl Gymnasium), Eben –Ezer Tshimanga (Wynberg), Corne Weilbach (Paul Roos)

Manager: Zuhdi Abdullaah (SK Walmers RFC)
Coach: Heinrich Martin (Milnerton)
Assistant Coach: Thembani Ncgubelanga (Iqhayiya High)
Assistant Coach: Oloff Bergh (Boland Landbou)

Academy Week: Eric Basson (Paarl Gymnasium), Delvon Blood (Rondebosch), Juandre Burger (Paarl Gymnasium), Luke Burger (Paul Roos), Conwill Conradie (Stellenberg), Reynhardt Crous (Paarl Gymnasium), Kian Davis (Rondebosch), Delmar Degenaar (Paarl Boys), Siphomeza Dyonase (Wynberg), Connor Van Eeden (Rondebosch), Rihaz Fredericks (SACS), Jade Hendrick (Paarl Boys), Duran Koevort (SACS), Luca Liebenberg (Bishops), Jesse Linders (Paul Roos), Sebastian Lombard (Paarl Boys), Kyle Milford (Bellville), Lamla Nunu (Rondebosch), Tarique Pietersen (Boland Landbou), Johan Van Rhyn (Paarl Gymnasium), Benjohan Snijman (Paarl Boys), Hendri Van Der Westhuizen (Boland Landbou), Juan Wilson (Paarl Gymnasium).

Manager: Lazola Matshobongwana (Milnerton)
Coach: Mzi Nyathi (Camps Bay)
Assistant Coach: Angelo Fritz (Parel Vallei)
Assistant Coach: Maxwell Stoffels (Bellville)

Academy Week XV: Hakeem Adams (Melkbosstrand), Joshua Africa (De Kuilen), Ethan Borchards (Parel Vallei), Ewan Coetzee (Parel Vallei), Ryan Coetzee (Parel Vallei), Ronaldo Ismail (Durbanville), Brandon Jafta (Brackenfell), Darren Jonkers (Milnerton), Siyamkela Kwesaba (Milnerton), Leonard De Leeuw (Parel Vallei), Breyton Maree (Melkbosstrand), Byron Maree (Melkbosstrand), Silas Marufu (Milnerton), Caleb Matthys (Bergvliet), Keanu Michaels (Parel Vallei), Daniel Middelton (Fairmont), Corne Oliphant (Durbanville), Imaad Phillips (Milnerton), Rowan Pritchard (Florida High), Shane Rosslind (Parklands), HD Stemmet (Tygerberg), Liam Tattersal (Tygerberg), Marsheleno Valensky (Durbanville).

Manager: Brian Willemse (Scottsville)
Coach: Ebrahim Moerat (Islamia High)
Assistant Coach: Maxwell Boikoy (WP Hubs)
Assistant Coach: Tertius Texeira (Kasselsvlei)

Grant Khomo: Joshua Africa (Paul Roos Gymnasium), Leon Best (Paarl Boys), Charl Cronje (Boland Landbou), Nassar De Kock (Bishops), Suleiman Hartzenberg (Bishops), Jack Haynes (Paarl Gymnasium), Jason Johnson (Paul Roos), Michael Koch (Paarl Gymnasium), Hakeem Kunene (Paarl Boys), Gustav Laubscher (Boland Landbou), Corne Lavagne (Paarl Gymnasium), Coetzee Le Roux (Paarl Boys), Sofiso Mpanza (Wynberg), Abulele Ndabami (Paarl Boys), Luca Ribbens (Paarl Boys), Jaden Sam (Stellenberg), Bevan Simons (Paarl Boys), Keagon Smith (Paarl Boys), Tristan van Dyk (Paul Roos), Matthew Van Schalkwyk (Paul Roos), Compion Von Ludwig (Paarl Boys), Hanno Wessels (Durbanville), Jaco Wiehan (Boland Landbou)

Manager: Kuyper Albertyn (De Kuilen)
Coach: Reginald Nutt (Elsies River)
Assistant Coach: Craig Childs (Wynberg Boys)
Assistant Coach: Clive Daniels (Bernadino Heights)

U13 Craven Week: Jordan Africa (Excelsior), Nkabinde Amuhelang (Lochnerhof), Samuel Badenhorst (Paarl Boys), Barhemulemie Bena-Ntumba (Table View), Jacobus Blackenberg (Durbanville), Adeeb Boriane (Stellenbosch), Luan Bosman (Paarl Boys), Liam Burger (Bastion Primary), Ashwin Cox (Symphony), Tiaan Du Plessis (Eversdal), Zylan Fortuin (Durbanville), Reece Heaton (De Kuilen), Chris Jordaan (Paarl Boys), Evan Kotzé (Eversdal), Caleb Louw (Hendrik Louw), Simthandile Mafuya (Bastion), Riley Norton (Rhenish), Oliver Reid (Panorama), David Simon (Bastion), Micheal Sitade (Table View), Ashwin Swarts (Noord–Eind), Rico Van Zyl (Bastion), Ruan De Weerdt (Eikestad)

Manager: Abraham Douries (Northway)
Coach: SW Verster (Gordon Bay)
Assistant Coach: Ruben Abels (Mamre)
Assistant Coach: Siyasanga Mkiva (Sun Valley)

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Janko Swanepoel will join the Junior Springboks at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Rosario as an injury replacement for Francke Horn, whose tournament was cut short due to a shoulder injury.

Horn, who scored the SA U20s’ first try in their convincing 43-19 victory over Scotland in their opening match at the Racecourse Stadium on Tuesday, went for scans on his shoulder on Wednesday afternoon and the results confirmed that he had to return home.

Swanepoel, who plays lock for the Vodacom Blue Bulls, is expected to slot in with ease when he joins the team in Argentina on Friday, as he trained with the squad until one week before their departure for the international showpiece.

The experience he gained in the U20 International Series against Georgia and Argentina, and the Junior Springboks’ UK tour, where they faced England and Wales, means that Swanepoel will enter the tournament battle ready.

“I feel for Francke, especially after all the hard work he put in during the last few months to be at the World Rugby U20 Championship – he is a great player with fantastic character and leadership qualities,” said Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux.

“But injuries are part of the game, and we have a big task ahead, so it is great to be able to call on Janko, who played in our warm-up games and trained with us until shortly before we wrapped up our preparations at home.

“He was unlucky not to make the final squad of 28, and despite this, he continued to give his best at every training session before we left for Argentina. So I have no doubt that he will hit the ground running when he arrives and give everything at the tournament.”

Of the decision to replace Horn, who played at No 8 against Scotland, with a lock, Roux said: “We have sufficient cover at looseforward in the squad, and given the intense physical demands of this tournament with five matches in three weeks, it is important that we cover all our bases. Effective player management will be vital to work our way into a position to get into the final and give ourselves the best possible chance to win the competition.”

The Junior Springboks had a recovery day on Wednesday, while they also reviewed the Scotland match. They will return to the training field on Thursday where the focus will be on Saturday’s clash against Georgia.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications