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.
The girls’ match kicks off at 13:00 SAST, and the boys will play from 15:00 SAST. 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.
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.
The girls’ teams are:
SA Schools Girls:
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’:
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)