Image by Jorina Raath/Speedshots.co.za
After an exercise that Bart Schoeman (bart@sportscon365.com) and myself undertook, we identified the top 15 players per position at the 1stXV level for 2020.
Admittingly our analysis was done from footage that was available on the various websites, sent to us by coaches and parents along with matches and festivals we attended in person. Unfortunately, it only included 1-3 games of the boys which is not the ideal or fair, and every argument we may have to validate our selections somebody else will have an equal and valid argument to prove us wrong.
Herewith a list of 15 players per position we identified.
Scrumhalf (#9)
1. Rowan Cloete (Garsfontein), 2. Johan Muller (Affies), 3. Nico Steyn (Glenwood), 4. Bradley Davids (Paarl Gim), 5. Tiaan Fourie (Grey College), 6. Neil le Roux (Oakdale), 7. Keune Kirkham (Helpmekaar), 8. Abdurageem Ismael (Milnerton), 9. Prolight Shoba (Northwood), 10. Jaun-Dee Oliver (Grey College), 11. Jacques Theron (Boland Landbou), 12. Keean Barnard (Paarl Boishaai), 13. MC Van Heerden Smith (Paul Roos), 14. Michael Koch (Paarl Gim), 15. Mogamad Khan (Bishops).
Flyhalf (#10)
1. Carlton Bannie (Garsfontein), 2. Sacha Mngomezulu (Bishops), 3. Compion von Ludwig (Paarl Boishaai), 4. Jean Smith (Grey College), 5. Michael Annies (Brandwag), 6. Emmanuel Biya (Northwood), 7. Alec Vermaak (Middelburg HTS), 8. Chadley Josias (Outeniqua), 9. Sihlalo Benge (Queens College), 10. Brandon Wilkie (Framesby), 11. Tian Fourie (Grey College), 12. Leyton Valentine (Marlow), 13. Benedict Human (Welkom Gim), 14. Morne Els (Oakdale), 15. Silamlele Zweni (Dale College).
Wing Left (#11)
1. Franco Knoetze (Grey College), 2. Suleiman Hartzenberg (Bishops), 3. Jujade Coeries (Outeniqua), 4. Pascal Ekeji (Grey College), 5. Keagan Smith (Paarl Boishaai), 6. Philasande Ncgobo (SACS), 7. Geraldo Flusk (Garsfontein), 8. Tino Singe (Oakdale), 9. Bjorn van Wyk (Affies), 10. Bayanda Ngubane (Westville), 11. Percy Basson (Drostdy HTS), 12. Arno Marais (Paarl Gim), 13. Bevan Simons (Paul Roos), 14. Diego Cupido (Helpmekar), 15. Etienne van Rooyen (Paarl Boishaai).
Inside Centre (#12)
1. Marco Botha (Monnas), 2. Mnqobi Mkhize (Westville), 3. Michael Ford (Bishops), 4. Tshepo Chabeli (Kroonstad), 5. Liyema Gaba (Muir College), 6. Jacques Raath (Helpmekaar), 7. Jordan Venter (Paul Roos), 8. Connor de Bruyn (Kearsney), 9. Johan Leonard (Outeniqua), 10. Trent Boden (SACS), 11. Luwyn Smit (Middelburg HTS), 12. Testimony Dodo (Welkom Gim), 13. Emile Kotze (Grey College), 14. Corne Oliphant (Durbanville), 15. Johan du Toit (Affies).
Outside Centre (#13)
1. Ethan James (Paarl Gim), 2. Christiaan du Toit (Affies), 3. Hakeem Kunene (Paarl Boishaai), 4. Gert Steyn (Grey College), 5. Keagan Balfour (EG Jansen), 6. Kerneels Coertze (Garsfontein), 7. Luke Burger (Paul Roos), 8. Eben-Ezer Tshimanga (Wynberg), 9. Damian Markus (Middelburg HTS), 10. Canan Moodie (Boland Landbou), 11. Josh Jonas (Hudson Park), 12. Tinsley Stuurman (Outeniqua), 13. Melbirt vd Spuy (Helpmekaar), 14. Buhlebethu Planga (Graeme College), 15. Timothe Kongolo (Milnerton).
Wing Right (#14)
1. Curwin Gertse (Paarl Gim), 2. Casten Michaels (Outeniqua), 3. Keanen Wentzel (Boland Landbou), 4. Joubert Schoeman (Grey College), 5. Niel Gericke (Garsfontein), 6. Kyle Liebenberg (Affies), 7. Duran Koevort (SACS), 8. Salizwa Hlenzana (Northwood), 9. Nkoka Ngobe (Selborne), 10. Leighton Cloete (Durbanville), 11. Ethan Isaacs (Paarl Boishai), 12. Hentie Fourie (Boland Landbou), 13. Dylan Thomson (Hilton), 14. Ruben Weideman (Helpmekaar), 15. Morne Maastriet (Welkom Gim).
Fullback (#15)
1. Quewin Nortje (Affies), 2. Matthew Jacobs (Paarl Gim), 3. Sonwabo Sekoyi (Grey College), 4. Boeta Moolman (Boland Landbou), 5. Bladen Hector (Outeniqua), 6. Mbasa Nkonki (Westville), 7. Lloyd Koster (St Andrews), 8. Jason Edwards (EG Jansen), 9. Stephan Spies (Garsfonntein), 10. Geno Kemp (Milnerton), 11. Dalvon Blood (Rondebosch), 12. Matthew Stevens (Oakdale), 13. Luan vd Walt (Monnas), 14. Jarred Rees (Paarl Boishaai), 15. Jarred Africa (Paul Roos).