Although it seems that schoolboy rugby for 2021 has died a quiet death a lot of planning for 2021 as well for 2022 is being done. The selection of an u/18 touring squad was headlined recently, while the Paarl Interschools, as well as the u/18 Craven for 2021, is still on the cards.
SARU recently announced a SA U18 High-Performance Squad that will represent South Africa in a 3-match series in Tbilisi, Georgia.
A squad of 45 players which will be reduced to a final 35 players was announced. 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 then depart for Georgia on Saturday 31 July.
Squad (2020 Green Squad Players in bold)
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).
A lot of questions are raised regarding the selection process that was followed, as some of the top schools in South Africa has no representation. No players from Boland Landbou, Paul Roos, Drostdy HTS, Menlopark, Garsfontein and Welkom Gim certainly raised eyebrows.
Only 21 of the squad of 45 players were part of the 2020 "Green Squad" as u/17 players. 63 u/17's formed part of that group and some serious talent is missing?
We ask the question if this is the best possible squad, how was it selected and did valid passports play a role in the selection process.
It was confirmed two weeks ago that the Paarl Interschool between Paarl Boishaai and Paarl Gim was postponed two weeks ago.
Rumours have it that a new date of 02 October 2021 was set. However, it is reported that the Faure Street Stadium is already booked for another event and the venue of the interschools is apparently creating some tensions between the two schools.
We were also able to confirm that the u/18 Craven Week, as well as the u/16 Grant Khomo, is still at this stage planned for the October school holidays.