Two SA squads named for U18 International Series

The SA Under-18 and SA U18 ‘A’ squads for the forthcoming U18 International Series, which will be staged in the Western Cape from 7 to 15 August, have been named.

The two South African sides will take on their U18 counterparts from England, Ireland, France, and Georgia in three rounds of top-class international competition in the popular annual tournament at school venues in and around Cape Town.

The series forms a key part of SA Rugby's successful Elite Player Development (EPD) pathway and provides the country's leading schoolboy players with opportunities to test themselves against top international opposition.

The age-group event has established itself as an important stepping stone towards junior representative rugby and, ultimately, the higher levels of the South African rugby ecosystem.

The SA U18 side will again be coached by Lwazi Zanqa, assisted by Heinrich Martin, while Flash Malinga will guide the SA U18 'A' team with Cobus van Dyk his assistant. Both teams will also share the services of defence coach Clinton van Rensburg.

Ten players selected in the SA U18 squads represented South Africa at this level last year. They are Juvan Burden (WP), Jacobus de Villiers (SWD), Mickyle Booise (WP), Ethan van Biljon (WP), Ncuthu Kepe (Border), Erin Nelson (EP), Lamla Mgedezi (Free State), Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls), Nathan Aneke (KZN) and Lucritia Magua (EP).

The tournament will be played at three venues, with Hoërskool Durbanville hosting the opening round on 7 August, Boland Landbou outside Wellington staging the second round on 11 August, and Stellenberg High School presenting the final round on 15 August.

• SA Rugby principal partner Pick n Pay are running a campaign where people are urged to donate their surplus rugby kit and in doing so, support rugby development. Whether it’s scrum caps, boots, balls or any other rugby gear you no longer need, please drop in the Pick n Pay collection bin at the U18 International Series games. Pick n Pay will ensure the kits reach the development teams, refreshed!

SA U18 International Series fixtures

Friday, 7 August – Hoërskool Durbanville

11.30am: SA U18 'A' v Ireland

1.30pm: England v Georgia

3.30pm: SA U18 v France

Tuesday, 11 August - Boland Landbou

11.30am: SA U18 'A' v Georgia

1.30pm: England v France

3.30pm: SA U18 v Ireland

Saturday, 15 August – Stellenberg High School

11.30am: SA U18 'A' v France

1.30pm: Ireland v Georgia

3.30pm: SA U18 v England

SA Under-18 squad

Props: Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Ruben Lombard (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College), Nic Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse).

Hookers: Theo Boshoff (Sharks, Maritzburg College), Charles Whitehead (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium).

Locks: Juvan Burden (Western Province, Stellenberg), Jean Dreyer (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium), Glodi Tshipamba (Golden Lions, Jeppe).

Loose forwards: Jacobus de Villiers (SWD, Oakdale), Siphesihle Marule (Pumas, HS Middelburg), Stefan van der Vyver (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Hendré van Zyl (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium), Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood).

Scrumhalves: Mickyle Booise (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium), Luke Doyle (Eastern Province, Graeme College).

Flyhalves: Achmat Behardien (Western Province, Wynberg), Ethan van Biljon (Western Province, Stellenberg).

Centres: Ethan Barker (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium), Tiaan Basson (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Erin Nelson (Eastern Province, Graeme College).

Outside Backs: Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queen's College), Anesu Kuzonyei (Sharks, Northwood), Lamla Mgedezi (Free State, Grey College), Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls, St Alban's), Luxolo Sonkonokono (Sharks, Westville).

Management

Head coach: Lwazi Zangqa

Assistant coach: Heinrich Martin

Defence coach: Clinton van Rensburg

S & C coach: Adriaan Jansen

Team anager: Mandla Mdaka

Team doctor: Gershwin Kortje

Physiotherapist: Robin Williams

SA U18 'A' squad

Props: Sebastiaan Bekker (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium), Max Malan (Western Province, Paarl Boys' High School), Matthew Prins (SWD, Outeniqua), Priden Sibiya (Sharks, Durban High School).

Hookers: Charl Els (Blue Bulls, Affies), Kwaza Gobingca (Western Province, Rondebosch).

Locks: Bulelani Cebani (Sharks, Westville), AD Faul (Western Province, Paarl Boys' High School), Bernhardt Schulze (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium), Martin van Niekerk (Blue Bulls, Affies).

Loose Forwards: Werner de Bruin (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Niel du Randt (Free State, Grey College), Nala Shabangu (Sharks, Northwood), Linakho Mehlomakulu (Western Province, Rondebosch).

Scrumhalves: Liam de Villiers (Western Province, Paarl Boys' High), Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua).

Flyhalves: Travis Pheiffer (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Jaydon Viljoen (Golden Lions, Monument).

Centres: Nathan Aneke (Sharks, Durban High School), Alex Jankowich (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks, Durban High School).

Outside Backs: Drewyn Baron (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Ruan Genis (Golden Lions, Monument), Lucritia Magua (Eastern Province, Graeme College), Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit), Thomas Saunders (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium).

Management

Head coach: Flash Malinga

Assistant coach: Cobus van Dyk

Defence coach: Clinton van Rensburg

S & C coach: Sihle Ndlovu

Team manager: Zingi Hela

Team doctor: Gershwin Kortje

Physiotherapist: Rob Sims