Ground-breaking internationals for U18 Girls

A group of 53 girls from 34 high schools in 12 different provincial unions have been invited to SA Rugby’s Under-18 Elite Player Development (EPD) camp for girls, after which the squad will be trimmed down to 26 players that will prepare for two matches against an U18 team from the Netherlands.

This ground-breaking development was confirmed by SA Rugby on Monday. The camp will run from 29 November until 6 December at the Delsma Sports Farm in Riebeek Kasteel, after which the smaller squad will move to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) for their matches against the touring team from the Netherlands, scheduled for 12 and 17 December.

It will be the first time that a South African U18 Girls team take the field in an international match when they line up against the visitors from the Netherlands, with a number of up-and-coming coaches appointed to take charge of the SA team during their two-match series.

Former Springbok speedster Jongi Nokwe from Western Province will be the head coach and he will be assisted by Aneesah Adams (Maties/WP), Claudia Francke (Sol Plaatje/Griquas) and Lesego Malebadi (UJ/Lions).

Former SA Schools and U18 coaches, Katleho Lynch and Sean Erasmus, as well as Paetro Somerset will take charge of the camp, while Springbok Women assistant coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt, as well as Nokwe, Adams, Francke and Malebadi will also be involved.

The squad was selected and finalised after the FNB U18 Girls’ Weeks in Johannesburg earlier this year and follows on a successful similar exercise for U16 girls, which was held in Paarl during the October school break.

“Apart from the fact that this camp and the subsequent games provide a superb opportunity for our girls on the cusp of senior rugby, it’s also shifting boundaries in the women’s game in South Africa,” said Herman Masimla, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager for Development.

“With the EPD camp progressing into fully-fledged match weeks, our Participation and Development and High-Performance Departments are working hand-in-hand on the pathway for girls.”

Louis Koen, Senior Talent Manager in the High-Performance Department, added: “We are also planning to hold a camp for U19 women’s players and the aim is that the players from these two groups will progress into the Junior Springbok Women squad next year, with a number of matches planned.

“One of the things we’ve realised we need to improve on in the women’s game, is opportunities at age-group level. Along with the FNB Girls’ Weeks, the U16 EPD camp held in October, and these activities planned for the next few weeks, we are actively addressing that and we believe it will not only create a better pathway for our women’s players but that ultimately, the Springbok Women and Bok Women’s Sevens teams will also benefit.

“The appointments of Jongi, Aneesah, Claudia and Lesego to coach the side in their two matches next month, with a number of experienced coaches providing support, emphasises SA Rugby’s investment strategy into women’s rugby not only at a playing level but also for coaches.”

SA Rugby’s U18 Girls EPD squad

Props: Ambesiwe Pontshi (Border, Bhongolethu HS), Katlego Bamote (Lions, Queens HS), Vuyiswa Gwenya (Pumas, Witbank HS), Isipho Dungelo (WP, Sophumele HS), Ayabulela Valivali (EP, EZ Khabane HS), Likhona Masiza (WP, Sophumelela HS), Amahle Plaatjies (EP, Ndzondelelo HS), Oratlwe Baloyi (Bulls, Ramabele HS).

Hookers: Felicia Magagula (Pumas, Lowveld HS), Keesha Cloete (Boland, Klein Neiderburg SS), Marchelle Cedras (SWD, George HS), Ayabonga Ngema (Sharks, James Nxumalo HS), Orie Masizana (EP, Motherwell HS).

Locks: Mivuyo Pawuli (WP, Intlanganiso HS), Buhle Mxoli (Border, Siseko HS), Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas, Hlume SS), Lebogang Tefo (Limpopo, Kgabo SS), Emihle Matyila (Border, Tsholomnqa HS), Beyoncé Muhlari (Limpopo, Hudson Tsani SS), Isekho Mhlontlo (WP, Hector Peterson HS), Sinelizwi Rasmeni (WP).

Loose forwards: Asive Iva Gaqa (WP, Ned Doman HS), Novuyo Ntombela (Sharks, ML Sultan HS), Luthando Mxokozeni (Border, Tsholomnqa HS), Ambesiwe Somsila (EP, EZ Kabane HS), Akeelah Rosetta Mei (SWD, Grootbrak HS), Miche Taylor Mars (Boland, Klein Nederburg SS), Hlekane Baloyi (Bulls, Ramabele SS), Palesa Matte (WP, Hector Peterson HS), Lindokuhle Nxawe (Border, Thubalethu HS), Chuma Lisa Isaac (EP, Motherwell HS).

Scrumhalves: Kaitlin Tronskie (Bulls, HS Garsfontein), Likona Dyani (EP, Motherwell HS), Danica Pypers (WP, Bellville South THS), Terenice Kriel (Griquas, HS Loeriesfontein).

Flyhalves: Nuha Levy (WP, St Cyprians HS), Catherine Stacey (Lions, home schooled), Nadelean Leeuskiter (EP, Humansdorp HS), Zusiphe Mthembu (Sharks, Sarel Cilliers HS).

Centres: Endinalo Fihla (WP, Usasazo HS), Julene Hass (EP, Arcadia HS), Nailha Jansen (SWD, George HS), Charmaine Marutla (Bulls, Patheng SS), Thato Mary Rantai (Griffons, Welkom SS), Jessie Schoeman (WP, HS DF Malan).

Outside backs: Kaline Motloung (Pumas, Witbank HS), Mpho Mxhanywa (Lions, Malboro Gardens HS), Anothando Mbada (EP, Motherwell HS), Nondumiso Molusi (Lions, Mokgome HS), Tamryn Booysen (WP, Tygerberg HS), Lukhanye Lolo (EP, Douglas Mbopa HS), Shanice Scholtz (EP, Middellande SS), Anita Fazi (WP, Langa HS).