SA Schools trials squad named
Breaking with tradition, SARU and the SA Schools Rugby Association will not name an SA Schools team after the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week
This was confirmed by SARU’s Nico Serfontein, Senior Manager for Club, Schools and University Development following a joint decision by SARU and the South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA).
A new format for the selection of an SA Schools representative team will be used ahead of the internationals against Under-18 sides from Wales, France and England in August.
“We have opted for a change in selection strategy, where we have exposed our selectors to a broader base of players at the various Coca-Cola Youth Weeks, as well as a change in our preparation for incoming tests,” Serfontein said.
A group of 50 players has been named (see list below) to play trials on 28 July after which a final team of 28 players will be selected.
Blue Bulls: Abongile Nonkontwana (St Alban's, Academy Week), Caswell Khoza (Southdowns College), Dayan van der Westhuizen (Centurion), Heinrich Viljoen (Affies), Hyron Andrews (Garsfontein), Johan Bannink (Garsfontein), Jurie Linde (Affies), Justin Philips (Waterkloof), Nicholas Janse van Rensburg (Affies), Pierre Schoeman (Affies), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Waterkloof), Ryno Eksteen (Affies), Marcus Kleinbooi (Affies), Thabo Mabuza (Centurion)
Boland: Courtney Cupido (Worcester Gim), François Esterhuizen (Overberg), Gideon Koegelenberg (Hugenote), Wilco Louw (Drostdy)
Border: Akhona Sihunu (Dale)
Eastern Province: Aidon Davis (Daniël Pienaar), Selwyn Davids (Nico Malan), Sergeal Petersen (Grey)
Free State: Edward Schmidt (Grey College), Ox Nche (Louis Botha)
Golden Lions: Christiaan Massyn (Monument), Dylan Smith (KES), Jaco van der Walt (Monument), Koch Marx (Alberton), Malcolm Marx (KES), Stephan Vermeulen (Monument)
Griffons: Reinhardt Snyman (Hentie Cilliers)
KwaZulu Natal: Daniel du Preez (Kearsney), Jean-Luc du Preez (Kearsney), Jesse Kriel (Maritzburg College), Sandile Khubeka (Kearsney)
Limpopo: Matjikinyane Molapo (Ben Vorster),
Pumas: Jano Venter (HTS Middelburg)
South Western Districts: Duhan van der Merwe (Outeniqua), Ganfried May (Oudtshoorn), Warrick Galant (Outeniqua)
Valke: Johan Labuschagne (Dr EG Jansen)
Western Province: Chad Solomon (Paul Roos), Handré Pollard (Paarl Gim), Jason Worrall (Paul Roos), JD Schickerling (Paarl Gim), Leighton Rar van Wyk (SACS, Academy Week), Liam Hendricks (Paarl Boys' High), Ramone Samuels (Paul Roos), Wesley Adonis (Paarl Boys' High)
