SARU, who claims to have no influence nor jurisdiction over schoolboy rugby is holding a SARU u18 Elite Player Development (EPD) Camp where they invited the "cream" of schoolboy rugby. This event is from the 17th - 22nd of March at Hoërskool Hugenote in Wellington. One can not help to be amused by the arrogance of SARU especially after last year's debacle when the SA Schools and SA "A" fixtures were played disrupting several schools and competitions in the process. This year they continue to disrupt schoolboy rugby withdrawing the stars of several schools during competitions. Apparently, SARU did not realise that the Northern Regions are already competing this early in the season. Regtig?
Several top schools are threatening to withdraw their players, while some already did from these camps. They rightfully claim the first right to the talent they developed at their own expense.
This weekend several fixtures will be disrupted. Affies and Helpmekaar will be missing three boys, Mark Snyman from Helpies and, Marnus Potgieter and Jaco Labuschagne missing from the Affies side. EG Jansen vs Garsfontein will be missing Ruben Beytell, of EG Jansen and Diego Appollis from Garsfontein. EG Jansen who is already under pressure will need a miracle to win without Beytell. The biggest disruption will be for Monnas who have 5 players involved, Morne Brandon, Cristen van Niekerk, PJ Jacobs, Tinus Combrinck and Dandre Prinsloo. They will face an Eldoraigne team ready to take advantage in their TUKS Super Series encounter.
One can not fault SARU for becoming involved in schoolboy rugby and the tracking of talent BUT they need to do it in a constructive manner that has a positive influence on schoolboy rugby. Excluding talented boys, this early in the season is playing in the hands of overseas club's scouts making disgruntled boys and parents easy targets. SARU is frequently claiming that schoolboy rugby is the reason for the failures of senior rugby, I, unfortunately, have to disagree and can only see schoolboy rugby being harmed with this thoughtless highjacking by SARU.
Squad
| Jaco Labuschagne | No 8 | Affies |
| Marnus Potgieter | Centre | Affies |
| Quan Eymann | Flyhalf | Brackenfell |
| Shaun Baxter | Flyhalf | Drostdy |
| Sebastian Jobb | Wing | Duineveld |
| Ruben Beytell | Flyhalf | EG Jansen |
| Diego Appollis | Centre | Garsfontein |
| Jaden Hendrickse | Scrumhalf | Glenwood |
| JJ van De Mescht | Lock | Glenwood |
| Lunga Ncube | Flank | Glenwood |
| Christopher Schreuder | Flyhalf | Grey College |
| David Kriel | Fullback | Grey College |
| Janco van Heyningen | Centre | Grey College |
| Rikus Pretorius | Centre | Grey College |
| Waqar Solaan | Centre | Grey HS |
| Mark Snyman | Flank | Helpmekaar |
| Lloyd April | Flyhalf | Hermanus |
| Keagan Glade | Prop | KES |
| Kennedy Mpeku | Centre | KES |
| Travis Gordon | No.8 | KES |
| Yanga Hlalu | Wing | KES |
| Marcelle Mombers | Flank | Menlopark |
| Cristen van Niekerk | Lock | Monument |
| Dandre Prinsloo | Fullback | Monument |
| Morne Brandon | Hooker | Monument |
| PJ Jacobs | No.8 | Monument |
| Tinus Combrinck | Scrumhalf | Monument |
| Mugnus Muller | Prop | Oakdale |
| Dawid Meiring | Lock | Outeniqua |
| Adrian Alberts | Lock | Paarl BH |
| Evan Roos | Flank | Paarl BH |
| Francke Horn | Flank | Paarl BH |
| Joshua Du Preez | Prop | Paarl BH |
| Louwan Horn | Flank | Paarl BH |
| Mathinus Strauss | Prop | Paarl BH |
| Wilhelm Barnard | Hooker | Paarl BH |
| Muller du Plessis | Fullback | Paarl Gim |
| Nkosikhona Masuku | Prop | Parktown |
| JJ Kotze | Hooker | Paul Roos |
| Thaakir Abrahams | Wing | Paul Roos |
| Sibusiso Madonsela | Lock | Piet Retief |
| Andries Fouche | Flank | Rustenburg |
| Lucky Dlepu | Scrumhalf | SACS |
| David Coetzer | Flyhalf | Selborne |
| Jordan Mbuyamba | Lock | St Benedict’s |
| Angelo Davids | Wing | Stellenberg |
| Kwezi Dlamini | No 8 | Stirling |
| Andrew Kota | Fullback | Welkom Gim |
| Keith van Aswegen | Centre | Welkom Gim |
| Jan Meades | Prop | Witteberg |
