Familiar faces return in South African squads for U18 International Series

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENTS: The SA Under-18 and SA U18 ‘A’ squads for the upcoming U18 International Series, which will be staged in the Western Cape from 7 to 15 August, have been named.

The two South African sides will take on their U18 counterparts from England, Ireland, France, and Georgia in three rounds of top-class international competition in the annual tournament at school venues in and around Cape Town.

The series forms a key part of SA Rugby’s successful Elite Player Development (EPD) pathway and provides the country’s leading schoolboy players with opportunities to test themselves against top international opposition.

The age-group event has established itself as an important stepping stone towards junior representative rugby and, ultimately, the higher levels of the South African rugby ecosystem.

The SA U18 side will again be coached by Lwazi Zanqa, assisted by Heinrich Martin, while Flash Malinga will guide the SA U18 ‘A’ team with Cobus van Dyk his assistant. Both teams will also share the services of defence coach Clinton van Rensburg.

Ten players selected in the SA U18 squads represented South Africa at this level last year. They are Juvan Burden (WP), Jacobus de Villiers (SWD), Mickyle Booise (WP), Ethan van Biljon (WP), Ncuthu Kepe (Border), Erin Nelson (EP), Lamla Mgedezi (Free State), Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls), Nathan Aneke (KZN), and Lucritia Magua (EP).

The tournament will be played at three venues, with Hoërskool Durbanville hosting the opening round on August 7, Boland Landbou outside Wellington staging the second round on August 11, and Stellenberg High School presenting the final round on August 15.

SA U18 International Series fixtures (all times are SAST:

Friday, August 7 – Hoërskool Durbanville

11.30: SA U18 ‘A’ vs Ireland
13.30: England vs Georgia
15.30: SA U18 vs France

Tuesday, August 11 – Boland Landbou

11.30: SA U18 ‘A’ vs Georgia
13.30: England vs France
15.30: SA U18 vs Ireland

Saturday, August 15 – Stellenberg High School

11.30: SA U18 ‘A’ vs France
13.30: Ireland vs Georgia
15.30: SA U18 vs England

SA Under-18 squad:

Props

Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse)
Ruben Lombard (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein)
Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College)
Nic Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse)

Hookers

Theo Boshoff (Sharks, Maritzburg College)
Charles Whitehead (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)

Locks

Juvan Burden (Western Province, Stellenberg)
Jean Dreyer (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
Glodi Tshipamba (Golden Lions, Jeppe)

Loose forwards

Jacobus de Villiers (SWD, Oakdale)
Siphesihle Marule (Pumas, HS Middelburg)
Stefan van der Vyver (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein)
Hendré van Zyl (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood)

Scrumhalves

Mickyle Booise (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
Luke Doyle (Eastern Province, Graeme College)

Flyhalves

Achmat Behardien (Western Province, Wynberg)
Ethan van Biljon (Western Province, Stellenberg)

Centres

Ethan Barker (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
Tiaan Basson (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium)
Erin Nelson (Eastern Province, Graeme College)

Outside Backs:

Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queen’s College)
Anesu Kuzonyei (Sharks, Northwood)
Lamla Mgedezi (Free State, Grey College)
Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls, St Alban’s)
Luxolo Sonkonokono (Sharks, Westville)

Management:

Head coach: Lwazi Zangqa
Assistant coach: Heinrich Martin
Defence coach: Clinton van Rensburg
S & C coach: Adriaan Jansen
Team manager: Mandla Mdaka
Team doctor: Gershwin Kortje
Physiotherapist: Robin Williams

SA U18 ‘A’ squad:

Props

Sebastiaan Bekker (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium),
Max Malan (Western Province, Paarl Boys’ High)
Matthew Prins (SWD, Outeniqua)
Priden Sibiya (Sharks, Durban High School)

Hookers

Charl Els (Blue Bulls, Affies)
Kwaza Gobingca (Western Province, Rondebosch)

Locks

Bulelani Cebani (Sharks, Westville)
AD Faul (Western Province, Paarl Boys’ High)
Bernhardt Schulze (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
Martin van Niekerk (Blue Bulls, Affies)

Loose Forwards

Werner de Bruin (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium)
Niel du Randt (Free State, Grey College)
Nala Shabangu (Sharks, Northwood)
Linakho Mehlomakulu (Western Province, Rondebosch)

Scrumhalves

Liam de Villiers (Western Province, Paarl Boys’ High)
Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua)

Flyhalves

Travis Pheiffer (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium)
Jaydon Viljoen (Golden Lions, Monument)

Centres

Nathan Aneke (Sharks, Durban High School)
Alex Jankowich (Sharks, Michaelhouse)
Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks, Durban High School)

Outside Backs

Drewyn Baron (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein)
Ruan Genis (Golden Lions, Monument)
Lucritia Magua (Eastern Province, Graeme College)
Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit)
Thomas Saunders (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)

Management:

Head coach: Flash Malinga
Assistant coach: Cobus van Dyk
Defence coach: Clinton van Rensburg
S & C coach: Sihle Ndlovu
Team manager: Zingi Hela
Team doctor: Gershwin Kortje
Physiotherapist: Rob Sims