It was confirmed that a SA U18 High-Performance Squad for 2021 will represent South Africa in a 3-match series in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport as well as the South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA) endorses the tour.
SARU has announced a squad of 45 players which will be reduced to a final 35 players. The full squad could not be confirmed at this stage and the names will be added as and when we receive their names.
On Wednesday 28 July, the touring squad (35 players) will convene in Cape Town, have a three-day holding camp in a strict bubble and depart for Georgia on Saturday 31 July
The initial training squad (45) will NOT go back to school on 19 July and will isolate from their school environment for ten days from 19 July – 28 July. During the ten days isolation period (19 July – 28 July) the 45 players will train in small pods at venues away from their schools
During the ten days “isolation” period the players will have access to online learning and academic support from their teachers at school. Players that still must write exams during the ten-day “isolation” period will be catered for in a separate room organized by their school. During the tour, specific time slots in our daily program will be allocated to Academics/Study time.
Squad (confirmed):
Ritsima Samba (Affies), Stiaan de Bruyn (Affies), Bruce Sherwood (Bishops), Iman Khan (Bishops), Suleiman Hartzenberg (Bishops), Phatu Ganyane (Glenwood), Ryan Manuel (Glenwood), Sandile Nzuza (Glenwood), Jan-Hendrik Gouws (Graaff-Reinet Volkies), Abongile Ngandi (Graeme College), Liselihle Maphekula (Graeme College), Alfonso Isaacs (Grey College), Caleb Abrahams (Grey College), Jean Smith (Grey College), Johan Louw (Grey College), Neels Volschenk (Grey College), JF van Heerden (Grey College), Juandre Breitenback (Grey College), Diego Cupido (Helpmekaar), Nick Hatton (Hilton), Sibabalwe Mahashe (Hudson Park), Katlego Letebele (Kingswood), Litelihle Bester (Maritzburg College), Sifiso Magwaza (Monnas), Dian Heunis (Oakdale), Niel le Roux (Oakdale), Paul de Villiers (Oakdale), Phillip Kleynhans (Oakdale), Abu Ndabambi (Paarl Boishaai), Compion von Ludwig (Paarl Boishaai), Hakeem Kunene (Paarl Boishaai), Keagan Smith (Paarl Boishaai), Luca Ribbens (Paarl Boishaai), Corne Lavagna (Paarl Gim), Hentie Sieberhagen (Paarl Gim), Liam Koen (Paarl Gim), Logan Opperman (Paarl Gim), Luca Bakkes (Paarl Gim), Michael Koch (Paarl Gim), PA van Niekerk (Paarl Gim), Michael Pieterse (Rustenburg), Gay Bishop (Selborne), Damian Markus (Stellenberg), Bryce Calvert (Westville), Gcino Mdletshe (Westville), Zack Pathen (Wynberg).