Moerat, Willemse headline WPRI intake

Paarl Boys High lock Moerat and Paul Roos flyhalf Willemse have both represented Western Province at age-group level for some time and will continue their development after signing long-term contracts with Western Province.

In all, there are 10 SA Schools representatives and three SA Schools Academy players in the group, which kicked off the year at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports on Monday, January 9.

Flanks Muller Uys (Paarl Gim) and Charl Serdyn (Paarl Boys), hooker Daniel Jooste (Paarl Boys), wing Mike Mavovana (Rondebosch Boys), lock Ben-Jason Dixon (Paul Roos), and props Sazi Sandi (St Andrews College), Adam Neethling (Paarl Boys) and Reece Bezuidenhout (Paarl Boys) all join fellow SA Schools representatives Moerat and Willemse in the talented group, whilst SA Academy players Athi Magwala, Jesse Johnson and Schalk Erasmus will also be at the institute this year.

WP group CEO, Paul Zacks, said that it is encouraging to see so many talented young players commit their future to WP.

"The success of our junior teams is crucial to our development as a Union, to ensure that we are able to attain excellence across the board. Now that we have attracted and recruited these players, the work starts as we look to mould them into the stars of the future.

"We have managed to retain a lot of the talented players who have excelled for Western Province at youth level, as well as attract some top players from outside. I am excited to see this current group grow and add to the pool of talent we already have at our disposal," Zacks said.

Programme Director and Junior Springbok assistant coach, Nazeem Adams, said that the 2017 programme will give the players everything they need to realise their full potential as professional rugby players.

"Our programme this year will be closely aligned with the training methods being used by the Stormers squad and the facilities here at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport are second to none, so these players have the ideal environment in which to develop their talent.

"The players will work hard both on and off the pitch in their time at the Institute. Our programme has a focus on career development, life skills and education this year, with each of the players given tutor-supervised study time to ensure they are best prepared for a career alongside rugby by the end of the year," Adams stated.

WPRFU President, Mr Thelo Wakefield, said that the WPRI has proven itself as a very effective tool for developing talented young players, which this group will benefit from next year.

"We have had great success in the last six years in terms of the results and the players that the WPRI has produced.

"WP U-19 have claimed four national titles in the last six years, and there have been a number of Stormers and WP players such as Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni and Juan de Jongh who have come through the Institute," he said.

Western Province Rugby Institute 2017 intake by positions with schools and highest achievement:  

Fullbacks: Tiaan Henecke (Tygerberg), Marco Labuschagne (Bethlehem Voortrekker, Griffons Craven Week), Joshua Vermaulen (Paul Roos, WP Craven Week)

Wings: Sako Makata (Stirling, (Border Craven Week), Mike Mavovana (Rondebosch, SA Schools), Sam Phiri (Falcon, Zimbabwe Craven Week), Sebastian Prentice (Bishops, WP Academy Week), who can also play loose forward

Centres: Lyle Hendricks (Paul Roos, WP Academy Week), Boet Heyl (HTS Middelburg, Pumas Craven Week), Henlo Marais (Boland Landbou, Craven Week), Lobelo Scott (Bishops WP Craven Week), Aydon Topley (Paul Roos, WP Academy Week), Muhajied van der Hoven (Rylands, SA Schools),Wian van Zyl (Paarl Gym, WP Academy Week)

Flyhalf: Francke Botha (Glenwood), Damian Willemse (Paul Roos, SA Schools)

Scrumhalf: Deon Carstens (Boland Landbou, WP Craven Week), Branden de Kock (Brackenfell, WP Academy Week), Labib Kannemeyer (Wynberg, WP Academy Week)

Loose forwards: Gift Dlamini (Hentie Cilliers, Griffons Craven Week), Regardt du Plessis (Affies, Blue Bulls Craven Week), Athi Magwala (Boland Landbou, SA Schools), Shaine Orderson (Wynberg, WP Under-19), Charl Serdyn (Paarl Boys' High, SA Schools), Muller Uys (Paarl Gim, SA Schools), Alex Halvorsen (SACS)

Locks: Ben-Jason Dixon (Paul Roos, SA Schools), Bernard Jansen (Diamantveld, Griquas Craven Week), Jesse Johnson (Paul Roos, SA Schools), Salmaan Moerat (Paarl Boys' High, SA Schools)

Hooker: Schalk Erasmus (Affies, SA Schools), Daniel Jooste (Paarl Boys' High, SA Schools), Liam Larkan (SACS, WP Craven Week), who can also play at loose forward  

Props: Reece Bezuidenhout (Paarl Boys' High, SA Schools), André Booysen (Paarl Gim, WP Craven Week), Leon Lyons (Selborne, Border Craven Week), Adam Neethling (Paarl Boys' High, SA Schools), Sazi Sandi (St Andrew's, SA Schools)