James Hall (EP Kings), who matriculated at Kearsney College in 2014, handed over his SA Junior IRB jersey at a school function last week. He was selected to the Junior Bok squad for the recent U20 Championships held in Manchester, England. The jersey, presented here by James to 1st XV coach Barend Steyn (left) and headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg (right), will be hung in the school’s Greyhound Club.
Hall earned provincial selection as early as primary school level, when he represented KwaZulu-Natal at the 2009 Under-13 Craven Week held in Kimberley. He was the main kicker for the side and kicked five penalties during the competition, including three in their match against the Golden Lions.
At high school level, Hall attended Kearsney College, where he played rugby for their first team. He kicked a 62-meter penalty in a high school match against Westville Boys High in 2014, with video footage of the kick appearing on several websites. (To Watch video click here) He earned a provincial call-up for the 2014 Under-18 Craven Week competition held in Middelburg, scoring one try for KwaZulu-Natal in their match against the Blue Bulls. He signed a contract to join EP Kings after school, and he was a key member of the EP Kings U19 side, starting all fourteen of their matches in the competition.
In March 2016, Hall was included in a SA U20 training squad, and made the cut to be named in a reduced provisional squad a week later. On 10 May 2016, he was included in the final squad for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 tournament to be held in England.
After a season with EP Kings as a member of their 2016 Super Rugby Squad the French Rugby Pro D2 side Onyonnax announced the signing of Hall on a three-year contract. Southern Kings Chief Operating Officer, Charl Crous confirmed that Hall will be moving to Oyonnax but reiterated that Hall would be returning to the Southern Kings next year.