Stick names youthful SA 'A' side to face Zimbabwe Sables
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: SA ‘A’ head coach Mzwandile Stick named a young and exciting side to tackle the Zimbabwe Sables in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Stick has had the luxury of relying on a group of senior players such as Lukhanyo Am (centre), Boan Venter (prop), Phepsi Buthelezi (No.8), Tshituka (lock) and Neethling Fouche (prop), who will be supported by an exciting group of youngsters including Luan Giliomee, Jaco Williams, and Zekhethelo Siyaya in the back three.
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Markus Muller will partner up with Am in the midfield, with halfbacks Yaqeen Ahmed and Haashim Pead dictating play.
Stick, who will double up as the Springbok assistant coach, also named a physical pack, with loose forwards Buthelezi, Bathobele Hlekani, Emmanuel Tshituka – the brother of Vincent Tshituka, who will run the lineouts with Van Heerden – and a strong front row combination of Fouche, Boan Venter (both props) and SA Under-20 hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele.
The SA ‘A’ coach also named a strong bench, featuring the front row of Liam van Wyk (hooker) and props Oliver Reid and Hanro Jacobs, while Adre Smith, who joined the squad on Sunday, will provide further forward back-up with Siba Mahashe.
The three backline players among the replacements are Nico Steyn, Imad Khan, and Jurenzo Julius.
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“I’m looking forward to seeing what this group of players can do against a determined Zimbabwe outfit, who have qualified for the 2027 World Cup, and will undoubtedly use this opportunity to test themselves against us as they prepare for the international spectacle,” said Stick.
“The young players and uncapped guys have really slotted in well in the last week, and one can sense the excitement among them to take the field.
“This match will provide fantastic senior international exposure for them, and for Zimbabwe as well, and I believe they have the goods to play an exciting brand of rugby, which will be great for the coaches to assess our depth as we not only build for this season, but with an eye on the RWC next year as well.”
Of Zimbabwe, Stick said: “They have a settled team, and they have good coaches, so they will throw everything at us, and we need to be ready for that.
“The keys for us this weekend will be to stick to our structures and for the individuals to use the talent that earned them selection for this group, so we are looking forward to seeing what they deliver on the field.”
The teams will wrap up their main training block in Johannesburg on Wednesday, before departing for Gqeberha later in the afternoon.
SA ‘A’: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Jaco Williams, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurenzo Julius
Date: Saturday, June 20
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 12.00 SAST (10.00 GMT)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Assistant Referees: Sean Muller, Dylen November
TMO: Marius Jonker
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