Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote will get a glimpse of what the future holds when he and his coaching team work with the two SA Under-18 squads announced on Wednesday for next month’s U18 International Series in and around Paarl, in the Western Cape.
The annual series – featuring U18 teams from England, France, Georgia, and Ireland – will take place over three match days at Paarl Boys’ High School, Boland Landbou, and Paarl Gimnasium on 8, 12, and 16 August.
The two squads consist of 52 players, most of whom featured in last week’s SA Schools match in Middelburg. Lwazi Zangqa (SA U18) and Flash Malinga (SA U18 ‘A’) will again serve as head coaches, under the guidance of Foote.
The SA U18 squad will play France, Ireland, and England in their three matches, while the U18 ‘A’ team will face Ireland, Georgia, and France.
Commenting on the selection of the squads, Dave Wessels, SA Rugby’s General Manager of High Performance, said it’s imperative for the governing body to create a healthy ecosystem within the junior structures to feed into the senior ranks.
“Our Elite Player Development pipeline has been running for more than a decade, and seeing the Junior Springboks win the world title – along with the quality of rugby at last week’s SA Schools match – is the reward for the hard work put in by everyone involved,” said Wessels.
“Seven players in the 2025 Junior Bok squad – Cheswill Jooste, Vusi Moyo, Riley Norton, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka, Oliver Reid, and Alzeadon Felix – played in the U18 International Series last year.
“Furthermore, players such as Ethan Adams, Markus Muller, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Josh Neill, Junaide Stuart, Briint Davids, Jordan Jooste, and AJ Meyer are back for their second year in the U18 structures, which shows that the pipeline is working.
“Continuity among the junior ranks is crucial, as there are numerous new players every year. By involving Kevin and his fellow SA U20 coaches, we hope to strengthen that even further.
“The boys will be properly tested in their three games next month, as the visiting European teams are always strong. These opportunities are hugely beneficial to our players. We’re excited to see what they can do and are looking forward to another outstanding U18 International Series.”
While the SA Schools squads were selected only from players at the FNB U18 Craven Week, the SA U18 squads may include players who have been part of SA Rugby’s EPD pipeline but who missed the annual tournament held recently in Middelburg. Injured players were not considered for these squads.
South Africa U18 squad:
Props: JG Badenhorst (Cheetahs), Jordan Jooste (WP), Kai Pratt (SWD), Luan van der Berg (Bulls).
Hookers: Clinton Agu (Lions), Altus Rabie (WP).
Locks: AJ Meyer (Cheetahs), Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks), Jayden Joubert (WP).
Loose forwards: Chinedu Amadi (Lions), Jacobus de Villiers (SWD), Gert Kemp (WP), Josh Neill (WP), Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks).
Halfbacks: Jayden Brits (WP), Ruben Groenewald (Bulls), Liyema Nela (Sharks), Morne Noble (WP).
Centres: Ethan Adams (Cheetahs), Markus Muller (WP), Christian Vorster (SWD).
Outside backs: Jadriaan Afrikaner (Sharks), Lamla Mgedezi (Cheetahs), Thabiso Simelane (Bulls), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Junaide Stuart (Bulls).
South Africa U18 'A' squad:
Props: Bernhard du Toit (WP), Pieta Cilliers (WP), Jeffrey Singo (Bulls), Matthew van der Merwe (WP).
Hookers: Thomas Muller (WP), Keenan Myners (SWD).
Locks: Diaan Augustyn (SWD), Juvan Burden (WP), Lian Terblanche (Sharks), Migael Turner (WP).
Loose forwards: Briint Davids (WP), Andile Ndlovu (Sharks), Quintin Potgieter (WP), Franko Rossouw (Pumas).
Halfbacks: Mickyle Booise (WP), Zirk Meyer (Bulls), Jeandre Uithaler (Lions), Ethan van Biljon (WP).
Centres: Nathan Aneke (Sharks), Randall-John Davids (WP), Lizwe Mthethwa (Sharks), Erin Nelson (EP).
Outside backs: Jeneall Davids (WP), Ncuthu Kepe (Border), Junade Pasensie (Bulls), Reinhart Viljoen (SWD).
U18 International Series fixtures:
All matches to be streamed live by SuperSport Schools
Friday 8 August 2025 at Paarl Boys’ High School
11h30: SA U18 ‘A’ vs Ireland
13h30: Georgia vs England
15h30: SA U18 vs France
Tuesday 12 August 2025 at Boland Landbou
11h30: SA U18 ‘A’ vs Georgia
13h30: SA U18 vs Ireland
15h30: England vs France
Saturday 16 August 2025 at Paarl Gimnasium
11h30: France vs SA U18 ‘A’
13h30: Ireland vs Georgia
15h30: SA U18 vs England
SA U18 Management:
Head Coach: Lwazi Zangqa (Border)
Assistant Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls)
Team Manager: Dean Moodley (Sharks)
Physiotherapist: Robin Williams (Sharks)
Conditioning Coach: Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province)
Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland)
SA U18 ‘A’ Management:
Head Coach: Flash Malinga (Sharks)
Assistant Coach: Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province)
Team Manager: Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls)
Physiotherapist: Rob Sims (Western Province)
Conditioning Coach: Adriaan Jansen (SWD)
Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland)
