Jim and Nxasana make history as SA Schools teams are named

Inga Jim from Curro Delft in Cape Town (SA Schools Girls) and Hoërskool Standerton’s Angel Nxasane (SA Schools Girls ‘A’) will make history in Gqeberha on Thursday when they lead out their teams for their inaugural match against each other.

It was also confirmed that Lwandile Mlaba from Westville Boys’ High School in Durban (SA Schools) and Paarl Gimnasium’s Hendre van Zyl (SA Schools ‘A’) have been named as the captains of the boys’ teams in the second match on a historic day for South African rugby at Grey High School.

The girls’ match kicks off at 1pm and the boys will play from 3pm. Both encounters will be streamed live on SA Rugby’s YouTube channel.

Jim will be able to lean on her vice-captain, DF Akademie’s Jessie Schoeman, who is one of six players in the two squads who played for the SA U18 Girls late last year. The others are Isipho Dungelo, Silakhe Masizana, Nokulinda Makhubela, Asive Gaqa, and Naylha Jansen.

Mlaba and his vice-captain, Jacobus de Villiers, are two of 11 players in the boys’ teams who already had a taste of playing in the green and gold. The others are Lamla Mgedezi, Juvan Burden, Nhlahla Ndlovu, Mickyle Booise, Erin Nelson, Ncuthu Kepe, Ethan van Biljon, Nathan Aneke, as well as Lucritia Magua, who was called up as an injury replacement earlier in the week.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer congratulated the players on their selection and wished them well for Thursday’s matches.

“On Thursday, we start with a new chapter in South African rugby,” said Oberholzer.

“The inaugural SA Schools Girls match creates a powerful aspirational platform for every young girl playing our game. These teams showcase the incredible depth of talent that exists across the country and highlight the success of the pathways being established for female players.

“We congratulate every player selected, as well as the schools, coaches, unions, clubs and families who have contributed to their development. This is a proud moment not only for these players, but for South African rugby.

“The historic fixture is expected to serve as an important foundation for the continued growth of girls' rugby, creating greater visibility, recognition and opportunities for talented young female players throughout South Africa.”

A couple of changes to the girls’ squads were also confirmed. Shanelia Heugh (WP) sustained a concussion in the closing moments of the last match and has been ruled out of the match, with her provincial teammate Iminathi Nkwandla called into the SA Schools Girls ‘A’ squad. In the SA Schools Girls squad, Zoe Antonie (WP) has replaced Charlize Langeveldt and Sibahle Luti (Eastern Province) has been added to the squad as an additional player.

Boys’ teams

SA Schools starting XV: 15 Ethan van Biljon (WP, Stellenberg), 14 Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queens College), 13 Erin Nelson (EP, Graeme College), 12 Ethan Barker (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 11 Lamla Mgedezi (Cheetahs, Grey College); 10 Travis Pheiffer (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), 9 Mickyle Booise (WP, Paarl Gimnasium); 8 Jacobus de Villiers (vice-captain – SWD, Oakdale), 7 Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood), 6 Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks, Kearsney College); 5 Juvan Burden (WP, Stellenberg), 4 Lwandile Mlaba (captain – Sharks, Westville); 3 Nic Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse), 2 Theo Boshoff (Sharks, Maritzburg College), 1 Clement Makhelele (Sharks, Kearsney College). Replacements: 16 Iglesias Bruiners (Sharks, Durban High School), 17 Matthew Prins (SWD, Outeniqua), 18 Ruben Lombard (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 19 Jean Dreyer (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 20 Stefan van der Vyver (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 21 Glodi Tshipamba (Lions, Jeppe), 22 Luke Doyle (EP, Graeme College), 23 Achmat Behardien (WP, Wynberg), 24 Tiaan Basson (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), 25 Anesu Kuzonyei (Sharks, Northwood), 26 Luxolo Sonkonokono (Sharks, Westville).

SA Schools ‘A’ starting XV: 15 Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit), 14 Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks, Durban High School), 13 Nathan Aneke (vice-captain – Sharks, Durban High School), 12 Ruan Roux (Free State, Grey College), 11 Ruan Genis (Lions, Monument); 10 Ruan Fluks (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 9 Shaye Lourens (Golden Lions, Helpmekaar); 8 Niel du Randt (Free State, Grey College), 7 Hendre van Zyl (captain – WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 6 Siphesishle Marule (Pumas, Middelburg); 5 Martin van Niekerk (Blue Bulls, Affies), 4 Akho Tonjeni (EP, Graeme College); 3 Priden Sibiya (Sharks, Durban High School), 2 Charles Whitehead (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 1 Max Malan (WP, Paarl Boys High). Replacements: 16 Charl Els (Blue Bulls, Affies), 17 Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse), 18 JW Coetzee (Free State, Grey College), 19 Werner de Bruin (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), 20 Linakho Mehlomakulu (WP, Rondebosch), 21 Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua), 22 Jaydon Viljoen (Golden Lions, Monument), 23 Alex Jankowitz (Sharks, Michaelhouse), 24 Lucritia Magua (EP, Graeme College), 25 Drewyn Baron (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 26 Luniko Marivate (EP, Kingswood College).

Girls’ teams

SA Schools Girls starting XV: 15 Chariva Visagie (EP, Middelland Secondary School), 14 Anothando Mbada (EP, Motherwell High School), 13 Jessie Schoeman (captain – WP, DF Akademie), 12 Endinalo Fihla (WP, Usasazo High School), 11 Liyabona Kali (Border, Hlumani Secondary School); 10 Mia Kanka (WP, Rusthof High School), 9 Imange Norayase (Border, Similela Senior Secondary School); 8 Oratile Finyade (Pumas, Steelcrest High School), 7 Inga Jim (WP, Curro Delft), 6 Inathi Nxiweni (WP, Athlone High School); 5 Nommah Sandifolo (WP, Bosmansdam High School), 4 Sine Rasmeni (WP, Langa High School); 3 Likhona Masiza (WP, Sophumela High School), 2 Silakhe Masizana (EP, Motherwell High School), 1 Isipho Dungelo (WP, Sophumela High School). Replacements: 16 Lethokuhle Madwayi (WP, Curro Delft), 17 Aqhama Siko (SWD, Percy Mdala High School), 18 Rethabile Kubequ (Golden Lions, Altmont Technical High School), 19 Lisakhanya Kaptain (EP, Coselelani High School), 20 Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas, Mbuyane Secondary School), 21 Asive Gaqa (WP, Ned Doman High School), 22 Surrender Chauke (Limpopo, Magoza Secondary School), 23 Zoe Antonie (WP, Kasselsvlei Comprehensive High School), 24 Alice Ncube (Golden Lions, Kwa-bhekilanga Secondary School), 25 Sibahle Luti (EP, Alexandra Road High School, Gqeberha), 26 Raylee Phathakge (Pumas, Steelcrest High School), 27 Nonhlanhla Thumbuni (Blue Bulls, Nellmapius Secondary School).

SA Schools Girls ‘A’ starting XV: 15 Buncwane Komani (Border, Bhongolethu Secondary School), 14 Tatum-Joy Kaboni (SWD, George Secondary School), 13 Naylha Jansen (SWD, George Secondary School), 12 Endinako Higa (Griffons, St Anne Combined School), 11 Alicia de Klerk (WP, Brackenfell High School); 10 Angel Nxasane (captain – Pumas, Hoërskool Standerton), 9 Maira Hlatshwayo (Blue Bulls, Nellmapius Secondary School); 8 Mamello Motaung (Griffons, Rheederpark Combined School), 7 Natalie de Vos (EP, Middelland Secondary School), 6 Liyema Ngawuliswazi (Border, Tsholomnqa High School); 5 Kungawo Hlalukana (Border, Similela Senior Secondary School), 4 Anomtha Mamana (Border, Eyabantu Senior Secondary School); 3 Zayaan Majiet (WP, Manenburg High School), 2 Iminathi Nkwandla (Western Province, Sophumelela High School), 1 Lindokuhle Mkonto (EP, Ithembelihle Comprehensive School). Replacements: 16 Charmaine Seodi (Limpopo, Magoza Secondary School), 17 Thando Hlakanyana (Golden Lions, Krugersdorp High School), 18 Limise Njoli (EP, Kwamagxaki High School), 19 Palesa Nqadini (EP, Mzontsundu Secondary School), 20 Elihle Sontsethe (Border, Dalibaso Secondary School), 21 Zukhanye Roxa (Border, Eyabantu Senior Secondary School), 22 Busisiwe Wisani (Griffons, Rheederpark Combined School), 23 Oratilwe Moreke (Griffons, Welkom High School), 24 Kelebohile Thate (Griffons, St Anne Combined School), 25 Lene Joubert (Valke, Breinmeester Akademie), 26 Charnique Brown (EP, Alexandria High School).