From SARugby.net:
“The SARU national selectors have named a squad of 37 players for the Junior Springbok training camp in preparation for the 2015 World Rugby Under-20 Championship to be played during June in Italy. The group will assemble in Stellenbosch on Easter Monday.
The revised training squad was confirmed after a four-day trials camp last week in Stellenbosch.
The training group consists of 20 backs and 17 forwards, with the bulk of the players drawn from the ranks of DHL Western Province (12), Vodacom Blue Bulls (10) and the Cell C Sharks (8).”
Coach Dawie Theron’s track record has proven that nothing is ever set in stone, meaning there are no guarantee that the players picked for the JWC in Italy will all come from this squad of 37.
| POS | NAME | A/G | SCHOOL | UNION | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PR | Ox Nche | u20 | Louis Botha | Free State |
| 2 | PR | Conraad van Vuuren | u20 | Nelspruit | Free State |
| 3 | PR | Ruan Kramer | u20 | Grey College | Sharks |
| 4 | PR | Mzamo Majola | u20 | Westville | Sharks |
| 5 | PR | Frans van Wyk | u20 | Monument | WP |
| 6 | HK | Joseph Dweba | u20 | Louis Botha | Free State |
| 7 | HK | Reinach Venter | u20 | Waterkloof | Free State |
| 8 | LK | Jason Jenkins | u20 | St Albans | Blue Bulls |
| 9 | LK | Walt Steenkamp | u20 | Rustenburg | Leopards |
| 10 | LK | Hyron Andrews | u20 | Garsfontein | Sharks |
| 11 | FL | Abongile Nonkontwana | u20 | St Alban’s | Blue Bulls |
| 12 | FL | CJ Velleman | u20 | Grey HS | EP Kings |
| 13 | FL | Jean-Luc du Preez | u20 | Kearsney | Sharks |
| 14 | FL | Jacques Vermeulen | u20 | Paarl Gim | WP |
| 15 | #8 | Daniel du Preez | u20 | Kearsney | Sharks |
| 16 | SH | Ivan van Zyl | u20 | Affies | Blue Bulls |
| 17 | SH | Marco Janse van Vuuren | u19 | Transvalia | Golden Lions |
| 18 | SH | Justin Phillips | u20 | Waterkloof | WP |
| 19 | SH | Remu Malan | u20 | Outeniqua | WP |
| 20 | FH | Innocent Radebe | u20 | St Stithians | Sharks |
| 21 | FH | Brandon Thomson | u20 | Ermelo | WP |
| 22 | FH | Ernst Stapelberg | u20 | Framesby | WP |
| 23 | CT | Adrian Maebane | u20 | Ben Vorster | Blue Bulls |
| 24 | CT | JT Jackson | u19 | Oakdale | Blue Bulls |
| 25 | CT | Daniel du Plessis | u20 | Paul Roos | WP |
| 26 | CT/FB | Warrick Gelant | u20 | Outeniqua | Blue Bulls |
| 27 | WG | Jixie Molapo | u20 | Ben Vorster | Blue Bulls |
| 28 | WG | Leolin Zas | u20 | Hermanus | WP |
| 29 | WG/FB | Grant Hermanus | u20 | Paarl Gim | WP |
| 30 | FB | Malcolm Jaer | u20 | Die Brandwag | EP Kings |
| 31 | FB | EW Viljoen | u20 | Grey College | WP |
| 32 | FB | Khanyo Ngcukana | u20 | Rondebosch | WP |
| NOT IN INITIAL SQUAD OF 64 | |||||
| 33 | PR | Thomas du Toit | u20 | HJS Paarl BH | Sharks |
| 36 | HK | Jan van der Merwe | u20 | Pretoria BH | Bulls |
| 34 | LK | RG Snyman | u20 | Affies | WP |
| 35 | #8 | Hanro Liebenberg | u20 | Drostdy | Bulls |
| 37 | #8 | Rikus Bothma | u20 | Paarl Gim | WP |
| PLAYERS CUT | |||||
| 1 | PR | Matthys Basson | u20 | Boland Landbou | Blue Bulls |
| 2 | PR | Njabula Gumede | u20 | Maritzburg College | Blue Bulls |
| 3 | PR | Gunther Janse van Vuuren | u20 | Monument | Free State |
| 4 | PR | Mogau Mabokela | u20 | Ben Vorster | Leopards |
| 5 | PR | Francois van der Merwe | u20 | HJS Paarl BH | WP |
| 6 | PR | Michael Kumbirai | u19 | St Alban’s | WP |
| 7 | HK | Alandre van Rooyen | u19 | Nico Malan | Blue Bulls |
| 8 | HK | Frans Steyn | u20 | Affies | Free State |
| 9 | HK | Dan du Plessis | u20 | HJS Paarl BH | WP |
| 10 | HK | Ruan Brits | u20 | HJS Paarl BH | WP |
| 11 | LK | Le Roux Roets | u20 | Garsfontein | Golden Lions |
| 12 | LK | Eduard Zandberg | u20 | Outeniqua | WP |
| 13 | FL | Menzi Nhlabathi | u20 | Nelspruit | Blue Bulls |
| 14 | FL | Tyler Paul | u20 | St Andrews | EP Kings |
| 15 | FL | Ruan Ackermann | u20 | Garsfontein | Golden Lions |
| 16 | FL | Christo van der Merwe | u20 | Paul Roos | WP |
| 17 | FL | Daniel Maree | u20 | Oakdale | WP |
| 18 | #8 | Luigy van Jaarsveld | u19 | Marlow | Blue Bulls |
| 19 | #8 | Jasper Wiese | u20 | Upington | Free State |
| 20 | #8 | Ayron Schramm | u20 | Kearsney | Sharks |
| 21 | #8 | Jaco Coetzee | u19 | Glenwood | WP |
| 22 | SH | George-Lee Erasmus | u20 | Centurion | BOL |
| 23 | SH | Rowan Gouws | u20 | HTS Middelburg | Sharks |
| 24 | FH | Dewald Human | u20 | Outeniqua | Blue Bulls |
| 25 | FH | Andre Swarts | u20 | Grey College | Free State |
| 26 | CT | Jurie Linde | u20 | Affies | Blue Bulls |
| 27 | CT | Gerdus van der Walt | u20 | Monument | Golden Lions |
| 28 | CT | Ryan Oosthuizen | u20 | Paarl Gim | WP |
| 29 | CT/WG | Stephen Rautenbach | u20 | Grey College | Free State |
| 30 | CT/FB | Gerrie Labuschagne | u20 | Die Anker | Free State |
| 31 | WG | Lorenzo Gordon | u20 | Oakdale | Free State |
| 32 | WG | Arno van Staden | u20 | Pietersburg | Free State |
@RBugger: Cool, thanks I’d appreciate that.
@beet, with 3 hookers and 5 props, i guess they wil go with 4 locks and 5 loosies (totals the 17).
my guess :
loosies : Liebenberg, Du Preez x2, Velleman and Vermeulen
locks : RG Snyman, Abongile, Jenkins, Hyron Andrews
@Playa: They also playing the Province Institute side on the 16th – but my guess is that will be quite an easy run in for the U20 side – will let you know how it goes.
The Varsity Cup game will be very interesting.
@Beet: Philips was the standout scrummie and I am sure he will be first choice. I see Malan is also there, so will be an interesting to see if he gets the nod in the squad – thought Gouws was very unlucky not be considered
I guess the 28 will be a 17-11 split with 3 hookers for sure and possibly 5 props.
Given the problems at scrumhalf in recent years, I wonder if the DT will consider the luxury of a 3rd no.9? My guess is Phillips and van Zyl will be the 2 1st choice 9’s
@Nemo: Awesome! Thanks
warm up game against Varsity Cup Dream Team on 21 April in Stellenbosch (will be televised)
@RBugger: Any warm up games scheduled to be played in and around Cape Town?
sorry 28
@Nemo: 29 players
how many players in the squad that goes to World Cup? Games take place 2nd, 6th, 10th with semi’s on 15th and final on 20th. Dawie can easily pick two equal sides out of this mix so it will be perfect to rest players in between games.
@Babbelas: @vatikaki: @BOG: My last point on this matter.
Like anything else in life, some people will support it, and some will be against it. Your views on quotas are not unique. I came on here not to defend quotas but to defend kids who are being called quotas by people who have never even seen them play. The problem with emotional topics such as these is that perceptions cloud fact.
If you think I am wrong, read up and you will notice that this whole quota discussion thing started from something which had nothing to do about this blog, or even rugby for that matter.
Now for my second cup of coffee before I start craving the Irish version.
@AKW: Look, I know nothing about front row play, but what I have heard, is that Tight-Head is a specialist position. In fact, many All Black coaches say, it is the first postion they consider on their team sheet – this to me highlightes the importance and technicality involved being a tighthead.
Hopefully they let Frans settle in his best postion and keep him there, but the front row competition will be tough.
@RBugger: “To be honest Beet, Frans was not good at trials… – he played both tighthead and loosehead during the trials, perhaps this impacted him somewhat.”
I never understand this. Both positions, but more specifically tighhead, is a very technical position and the idea that props should be able to play both and that the positions is interchangeable is wrong.
@BOG: I am with you on that! No need for quotas, play the best team and I will support them!
@beet:
It’s not a question of his ability. Not at all. Rather I’m being realistic in saying that no South African coach, especially not Dawie Theron, will look past selecting two excellent BIG loose-forwards as a combination. Especially not when you consider he already had them playing together in the 6-7 jersey last year.
I’m with BOG in that I refuse to accept that unjust quotas, regardless of opinions on whether a player is good or not good enough. End of the day Dawie is the only one that knows, and there may well be some players missing out who would otherwise have made it. Players who deserve it on merit who miss out on a life-changing experience because they don’t have the right skin colour. I’ll never be okay with it.
I’m hoping for a 12 Daniel du Plessis 13 JT Jackson 15 Warrick Gelant combination. I’ve only ever seen Warrick play well, and think fullback is his best position. We need a strong alternative for Willie le Roux.
Abongile I thought played some excellent rugby for the U20’s last year which is why I like him in the 4 jersey (miss a bit of height though but still). Dweba didnt impress at all, missing tackles, low work rate and never finding his line-out jumpers for the short time he was on the field. Maybe he can prove me wrong.
@RuggaZ: No, I’m understanding you perfectly well and not trying to preach.
Mine is just a general observation regarding the two players mentioned/compared and how they would fit in or not in a potential final squad. I like both Jurie and Maebane, but they have quite different skill sets.
They’re going to play some warm ups which will serve as further trials, after which the final group might change again. I’ve seen this in the past – a guy like Trevor Nyakane was in the initial squad and toured Argentina but did not go to JWC.
So no-one is definately in or out yet.
@tzavosky:
The point I’m making is that you cannot assume a player is a quota because you don’t know about him.
You’re preaching to the converted buddy
Glad Jaco Coetzee got a chance to see what it takes, I think he’ll be up there in 2016. What an athlete he is!
@Playa: I think that the decline of SA rugby, was discussed quite comprehensively here in relatively recent article. But strangely, it attracted very few comments. Go and read it or ask Beet to direct you to it. What seems to be unjust in the past, now seems acceptable. Morality is not something one uses to manipulate ones own interests. And I shall continue to criticise any team which is not selected on merit only. I did so, 30 yrs ago, and shall do so for the next 30yrs, God willing. If you dont like what I say, scroll down.There is no question that there are players “of colour” who are there on merit, perhaps even the majority, but until there is no other criteria for selection, other than merit, I shall not support this team or any other representative team in SA, chosen on the same basis
@RuggaZ: “I think Jurie Linde is better than Adrian Maebane, but Maebane is in the squad and Linde isn’t.”
The thing is, Maebane plays IC and Jurie outside, so it is not a like for like comparison. Maebane simply does not have the out an out pace that Jurie has (very few have, if any), but Maebane is up to stiff competition at IC and it’s because of that that I said earlier I’m not sure whether he’ll make the cut.
The way the squad is listed might suggest that Du Plessis and Gelant are the options at OC and therefore Jurie should be compared them.
@Freestate: I am just a Stapelberg fan
Ja, this squad is blady strong and it would not surprise me to see them lifting the cup this year. They are going to be very, very powerful.
@RBugger: Didn’t see Thompson miss one tackle in 160 minutes played – real hard worker and extremely solid. Obviously didn’t get to see Radebe as he was spared for the Varsity Shield Final, but I would tend to agree with you that his defence might be suspect, especially as he’s just recently recovered from a shoulder injury. I also don’t foresee any problems with Dan & Warrick’s defences.
Bodes well for Baby Boks to have so many great options to choose from …
@Freestate: It was early and wet, so fair point. I was jsut worried it might have had something to do with fitness – ie, getting tired and losing concentration, but yes, it was certainly wet.
@Beet: This is where I pick Stapelberg over Radebe and Thompson, he is a tremendous defender and works hard on this element of the game. Dan is a great defender, so no worries there – have not seen Gelant tested enough on defence to comment, but surely he is just too good to leave out
@Freestate: A centre combo of Daniel Du Plessis and Warrick Gelant sounds great for attacking rugby but how do these guys hold up on defence?
@RBugger: True about Frans dropping the ball a couple of times, but one has to keep in mind the field was very wet during the 1st half of the 2nd trials match – very slippery. Wouldn’t penalise him for that.
I was fortunate enough to attend the trials on both days, and my team would be as follows:
1. Thomas Du Toit (chooses himself)
2. Joseph Dweba (was fantastic at the trials – ran riot on attack – great talent)
3. Frans van Wyk (have rated this guy since Gr 8 at Monnas – very strong)
4. Abongile Nonkontwana
5. RG Snyman (chooses himself – a great talent)
6. CJ Velleman (has had an outstanding year, and is playing great rugby)
7. JL du Preez (Jacques Vermuelen a very close 2nd)
8. Hanro Liebenberg (another player that chooses himself)
9. Justin Phillips (had a decent trials – Ivan van Zyl a very close 2nd)
10. Brandon Thomson (played 80 mins each day – very solid on defence, great on attack and has a monster right boot)
11. Grant Hermanus (too good to leave out of any team – chooses himself)
12. Daniel du Plessis (didn’t partake in the trials, but if fit, must be the number 1 choice at inside centre. If not fit, then JT Jackson)
13. Warrick Gelant (speaks for himself – one to watch in the future)
14. Jinx Molapo (exciting talent this guy)
15. Malcolm Jaer (full of running – very elusive, but also solid under the high ball)
16. Ruan Kramer 17.Ox Nche 18. Reinach Venter
19.J Vermeulen 20. JT Jackson 21. Ivan van Zyl 22.Innocent Radebe 23. Leolin Zas
6 players of colour in starting line-up, and 9 in the squad of 23 – all there on merit!!
@Beet: He is also a lot stronger this year, he must have put in a lot of effort in the off season, he really is running with force.
Ja, JD, what a player – you can’t replace him easily. I think we will dominate at scrum time, lineouts might be tricky – this is actually where RG and H Andrews have a good shot at making the side. The other locks and loosies are very big and heavy – RG and Andrews the only out and out jumpers.
@RBugger: Yes I’m always impressed by Ruan Kramer’s workrate. And he is a great guy too. He goes flat out for 70minutes and his ball carries at the end of a game are sometimes more effective than those at the start. Hopefully he makes the team.
With Jenkins being a bit off form as you say, it really makes me wish JD Schickerling was available.
Scrums and lineouts are key areas for the Baby Boks. They have both been sore points in previous campaigns and those memories tend to still long than the times when they got it right and were good at these setpieces.
@Beet: Abongile was very good, but they must keep him at lock. They tried him at flank also, but he is too heavy to play flank.
To be honest Beet, Frans was not good at trials. He was a player I was looking out for and I watched him closely. He dropped the ball at least 4 times when taking it up and did not scrum well – he played both tighthead and loosehead during the trials, perhaps this impacted him somewhat. You would have been impressed by Kramer and Majola – Majola for his scrumming and hits and Kramer for work rate, he was immense on the field.
Frans was blady good last year, so I am sure he will come right
@RBugger: Did Frans van Wyk play loosehead or tighthead during trials?
@RBugger: It’s good to hear that Abongile has upped his game. Last year he seemed a bit out of his depth but the 1 year makes a massive difference at age group level so hopefully come June he can prove to the TV viewers that he is the real deal.
@Nemo: Bothma is now off crutches, but without sounding rude, looks over-weight! It was a strange call as Schramm was really good at trials, but he buggered around last year and I think this has come back to haunt him.
Truth be told, Liebernberg will be the 8 come what may, Bothma is there for numbers in the meantime.
Did tou watch Jenkins in the Young Guns final? I personally do not think he would stand a chance against Dan – I may be wrong, but to me, he just seems to be another big boy, again, could be wrong.
Snyman is a brilliant player, I did not even consider him as he was not at trials – again, just shows how many brilliant players there are. Abongile was the standout lock at trials, so I can only comment on what and who I saw playing.
I honestly do not think you can leave RG Snyman or Jason Jenkins out – and if I am not mistaken they were played ahead of Abongile in the u19 CC
on the captain…. we can discuss who we think is the best candidate BUT this one is up to Dawie (and his choice is not always aligned with the general view out here). The candidates in my opinion will be Thomas du Toit, Hanro Liebenberg and Velleman. I will go with Liebenberg ( a solid guy and his brother captained the side that won the trophy so let’s go for second time luck
)
can somebody give me clarity on Rikus Bothma being in the squad? I recently still saw him on cructhes – can he be match fit so soon?
If we look at the talent coming through at Grant Khomo, these Easter tournaments, Craven Week etc. Quotas are becoming more and more irrelevant. I think we have passed the time where unskilled players are being selected just because of their colour. We cannot keep shouting quota when there is a selection we disagree with.
I think Jurie Linde is better than Adrian Maebane, but Maebane is in the squad and Linde isn’t.
Did I watch Linde outperform Maebane at trials? No.
Have I seen Maebane play as much as I have seen Linde play? No.
Of all the centres in the team, Maebane is the one I know least about. Does that mean he is not as good? No.
The knee-jerk reaction to the above is to just assume that Maebane is a quota player. Why? Because I think Linde is better and Linde is white therefore the only reason Maebane was selected is because he is black. This is the ignorant, ludicrous thinking we need to get out of our heads.
I thought Dewald Human was not selected because he is too small, that was my assumption. RBugger actually saw the trials, and mentioned that Human had a shocker and was knocking the ball on. If I hadn’t read that, it would have just been more proof to me that Dawie has a problem with small players.
We are all from different parts and have different opinions. Ask a Framesby boy who should start at 10, he will say Stapelberg. Ask a Saints boy, and he will say Radebe. The only chance we have to get an objective opinion is to see them compete at trials. If we don’t go to the trials, all we have are our assumptions, and these are always flawed.
What we can do on this blog, and in general, is share and discuss what we know about players, or schools, or tournaments etc. But what we cannot do, is refuse to accept that we do not know everything. This is the ultimate form of ignorance and idiocy.
@Ludz: @Queenian: QC seemed to have proved most people wrong on the weak year they were supposed to have. John Duncan is quite a cagey fellow.
Anyway will say QC rugby looks quite healthy 1st doing okay Under 16A got a good team and Under 13A are brilliant which bodes well for them.
@Queenian: Good point.
@Ludz: @Playa: If these folks are right about players of colour always being quota players then I would ask myself if that was the case Dale and QC would be the worst teams in SA and getting 50 point hiding’s every week which is defiantely not the case.
I have seen some of those boys of colour play and the ones I have seen deserve to be there on merit alone.
@Beet: A huge contribution on attack – he is as strong as a lion. Schramm said he was the single best player he has played with, that is saying something
Funnily enough, 5 of these players are of colour meaning the 33% has been met ( although, this is not relevant as these guys are the best players)
Add Majola and Jaer on the bench, again both deserve their spots and there you go, great players of colour coming through without any quota!
@vatikaki: I’m not sure where you are currently based but you really need to watch this CJ Velleman play. You are bound to change your mind about him. He is a specialist of note as an open side flanker but he is not just all about defence either . He makes a contribution on attack as well.
Jee Wiz, a lot of rubbish being spoken here. I know the majority of players very well, my younger brother is involved and plays with and against these guys all the time, over the last 2-3 years. They do not see any quotas, they only see Hermanus the great fullback, or Abongile, the hard nut lock – trust me, I am a white male and would be the first to say something if I felt the selections were unjust.
I can hand on heart say, the players chosen, were all great at trials and deserve their spot – besides the guys who actually did not partake!
Duhan Van Der Merve would obvioulsy make the cut, he has been there and done that, the simple truth is that he is injured, nothing to be done about that.
Someone commented on Dweba not being up to it, but he was running through players left right and centre, he hit rucks, made his tackles and looked the best hooker there, by miles.
Vermeulen and JL are like for like – both in the same mould, with JL being the stronger more dominate version, CJ to me, is a MUST and captain.
From what I have seen, the forwards should be:
1 – Du Toit
2 – Dweba
3 – Kramer
4 – Abongile
5 – Du Preez (playing loosie but would add to mobility of pack)
6 – Velleman – and Captain
7 – JL/Vermeulen, but JL my choice
8 – Liebenberg
This pack would not be easily beaten. It contains two players of colour who deserve to be there, no doubt in my mind.
The backs
9 – Philips
10 – Stapelberg
11 – Zas/Khanyo
12 – Du Plessis
13 – Gallant
14 – Viljoen
15 – Hermanus
Try and beat that side
@Playa: Yeah it confuses me how people who haven’t watched these kids can come to the conclusion that most of the players of colour are quotas
@vatikaki: He is well capable of competing with them, make no mistake about that.
@vatikaki:
“If it were true that they’re all there on merit, then why bother with a quota?”
Unless RBugger is Fikile Mbalula’s alias on the blog, I think your question is directed at the wrong person.
“I don’t believe that all those players wouldve been there without quotas.”
Have you taken the time to watch ‘ALL’ these kids?
“The negative connotations won’t stop until they stop the unjust practice of requiring a certain number of black or coloured players to be picked.”
I agree. And I am not going to tell you or anyone else to stop.Generalise all you want, but unless your answer to my question above is YES, then your opinion on individuals you have never even seen play adds as much value to this blog as my opinion on a NASA space travel document.
If Jean-Luc du Preez and Jacques Vermeulen aren’t the 6-7 combo
Will have to compete with Jean-Luc for his spot.
Sorry boys.
@RBugger: He’s real leader hey, lucky enough to know him personally, he’s got real character and a presence as you say, even when I met him for the 1st time, I could tell he was a leader of the highest calibre. He’s a 100% player, gives everything and leads from the front. He would be an excellent captain for the Baby Boks
Sorry but not looking terrible doesn’t justify selection.
The negative connotations won’t stop until they stop the unjust practice of requiring a certain number of black or coloured players to be picked.
I don’t believe that all those players wouldve been there without quotas. If that were true, then why every year they select the bare minimum of 33% ?
If it were true that they’re all there on merit, then why bother with a quota?
What to do if Duhan van der Merwe is fit again?
@Ludz: Ja, blady good little player, loves to attack and played well. Like I said, there are just so many great players, but he has as good a chance as any to make the squad.
One thing that was noticible to me which you might like, is the leadership qualities of Velleman – he has a presence about him and his a leader on the field – would like to see him being named as Captain
@BOG: Please expand on your definition of decline.
One thing I can admit is that the professional era (money era) has had a negative impact, which is not exclusive to SA.
If you can give me an empirical correlation between bad rugby results and ‘quotas’, I will swallow my words. The same goes for the decline in the quality of Currie Cup, VodaDOM Cup or what have you.Unless I am mistaken, you are probably as ignorant as me, if not more about SA under 20 players. I urge you to sit back and just listen to those more knowledgeable, and be guided by that before we cloud ourselves with our prejudices, no matter how justified we think they are.
Stop being an apologist for your own prejudices.If anything, no one here denies that race based selection is an injustice.All we are saying let us judge each case on its merits/demerits.
Stop being apologists for injustices. If you want to look for reasons for SA rugby being in decline, start here. You can talk in circles as much as you like and pretend that everything is ok,it wont stop the rot. And the smell is tarting to travel. You cannot fool the people for too long
@RBugger: I was actually about to ask about Malcolm Jaer, having watched him quite a few times for EP u19s last year, he was very impressive, probably the smallest of the outside backs, but he punches well above his weight
@Tzavosky: Still blady big, but looking solid and he does his work, does not look unfit.
@RuggaZ: From the trials I watched, Khanyo and Viljoen are being considered on the wing and not fullback – Khanyo left and Viljoen right. Hermanus seems to be first choice fullback but Jaer actually also played really well, to be honest, I forgot about Jaer. Thta is the thing about this group, just so many great players, it gets tough to pick.
They are playing against the WPRI on the 16th which I will go watch, I think we might have a better idea then of who the front runners are, but from what I have heard and seen thus far, Hermanus, Khanyo and Viljoen will be the back 3
@RBugger:
Which players were at fullback during the trials? Because I know Viljoen, Khanyo, Hermanus and Jaer play wing too.
Did you get an idea of who the first and second choice might be?
@RBugger: “Jinxie is also there on merit”
I hope he has shed some of that excessive weight he carried in his matric year.
That said, I remember him playing his 1st game as an u9. Before the game the coach of the opposing school told his players, “You see that ‘k’, don’t let him score against you!” We were disgusted, but the ‘k’ scored 3 tries on the day, which was most satisfying.
I’m not sure whether Adrian Maebane will make the cut, but I can testify that he is a solid and decent person with good leadership qualities. I was not surprised when he captained the Tuks Young Guns at the start of the Varsity Cup, before he was promoted to the bench for the senior side for the remainder of VC.
@RBugger: That is great to hear. As someone who doesn’t know a lot of these kids, I cringe when I see teams with so many players of colour, because I cannot vouch for most.It is only when I hear positive comments like yours that I stand up and start noticing their progress.Sometimes, colourblind eyeballs are needed regardless of whatever policies are thrown at us.
@Playa: I can tell you right now, the players picked (of colour) are certainly there on merit.
If i were coach, the players starting in my side would be – Dweba, Abongile, Zas, Gallant, Hermanus, Andrews – if he plays to his potential, Khanyo and then Majola on the bench. These players are all gifted and there on merit.
The backs should be:
9 – Philips
10 – Stapelberg
11 – Zas (player of colour)
12 – Du Plessis
13 – Gallant (player of colour)
14 – Viljoen/Khanyo (player of colour)
15 – Hermanus/Khanyo
Dweba to start at Hooker and Abongile at lock. In my side, these are not players of colour, in fact, there are no players of colour, there may be disadvantaged players, but no players of colour, they are simply players.
Jinxie is also there on merit, they all are.
Trust me, these are athletes who are going to benefit the SAU20 side – I have also been angry with quotas in the past, but this is different, there is no quota here, these players are quality and I expect one or two to become massive stars after the JWC. Anyone who went to trials would know this, I thought JT Jackson was an unbreakable centre, until I saw Dweba show him the bottom of his boots, very destructive ball runner – nds a little work on his lineouts, but that will come with more time with his jumpers
@RBugger: In all honesty (and as someone with his head out the sand – so I’d like to believe), yours is one opinion I can take seriously. These are trials, and there are people who think that their perceptions of players takes precedence over what happens at trials. We must all just go to these trials, have a look and then come out with educated opinions based on what happened there. Quota or no quota, it cannot be impossible to have 12 deserving players of colour (by that I mean okes who performed better than their white counterparts at trials, or even better in general). Thank you for your opnion, and even if your comments were admitting that rubbish players were being picked, I would accept it.
@vatikaki: As for the Proteas…until someone presents a record of this communication, I am afraid this whole issue will remain hearsay. He was mot fit (though the second most economical bowler on the day – with no wickets admittedly), we all know, Abbot was on form, and that is fact, and he may have/may not have done better on the day – fact is, we can all mention instances where we lost the game, and none had anything to do with the choice of Philander over Abbot.
@Umtata:
@Umtata: As I have said to you, I have spoken out against injustices for a long time. Im certainly not going to stop now and an injustice now, is as wrong as an injustice 30 yrs ago. And I especially support the kids who have been adversely affected by faceless and cowardly scumbags who use young men for their devious political games. And people who share my views, are rapidly increasing- you only need to look at the dwindling spectators at S15 matches and other sporting events.
@BOG: support the kids irrespective of how they were chosen, because they do not choose themselves and it is not their fault the government has made the decision about selection policies. The selection policies have been there for a while now let’s not act surprised or feel some type of way when we see the team sheet.
@Umtata: You once questioned me when I referred to the delapidated state of Umtata specifically and the Transkei in general. If you were not able to see that, Im not surprized that you cannot see the injustice of the “selection” policies. I have been an outspoken critic of injustices under the previous dispensation and I shall continue to do so under the present one. This is not only destroying sport, but also the country.And Im not speaking for a group- Im speaking against the SYSTEM. I feel as much for the white kid who is left out as for the black kid who is included undeservedly. The latter will disappear in 2-3 yrs from now and the records will confirm that and the deserving kid will either give up the game, disillusioned, or leave the country. SA rugby is in a downward spiral, as was suggested in a recent report here. How can you possibly be surprized with all these shanannegans (??) going on?
Not sure if any of you have seen it, but there is a compilation video of the massive du Preez twins from their time at Kearsney.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03Z_gZhdfg
Oh yes, and Lionel Zas was also sublime, left wing for province
I was at both Trials and can say the following, Khanyo, left wing, Dweba, hooker and big Abongile are all certainly there on merit, all played exceptionally well. Hermanus only played the one day and showed his class, Dewald Human had a shocker, kept knocking the ball on. Gallant was not there but is a certain pick, deserves it. Majola was devastating in the scrums. h Andrews is lucky, did not have great trials but is obviously talented. What I am trying to say, this squad is very strong and I did not see any player being picked because of colour. There could be an argument for Linde, but they played him on the wing a lot, not sure why. My captain would certainly be Velleman, who was excellent at trials. One last shout out to Schramm, if u reading, u were exceptional and my MOTM, very unlucky not to be there – hopefully this is a lesson learnt on discipline going forward 8)
@beet:
Iesh if that’s correct then they can lose 1 ‘previously disadvantaged’ only to go with 8 others.
Going by what they did to SA schools I assume they’ve boosted the number required for the starting line-up as well.
Doing to these kids the same thing they did to Philander. Wrong on every level.
28 players will be picked. Rumoured 12 must be previously disadvantaged
@Umtata:
I think EW Viljoen would have been one of the wingers. Would have.
Sorry but I won’t just live with the injustice.
@BOG: SA policy on players is clear, no one in thus blog will change it.
None of those players choose themselves and they are going to play their hearts out for their country irrespective of how they were chosen.
Debate about who might make the starting team from the 37, go to news 24 for politics
@BOG:
Think I just heard a nail being hit on the head.
@Umtata: And I shall keep on repeating it into the future, until something is done about the injustice. But it would seam that in your case, you have not taken your head out of the sand since last year.
The hooker Reinach Venter is an impressive hard as nails player that will ad some guts up front.
Sou graag vir Dewald Human en Jurie Linde daar wou sien. Jurie was in my opinie by ver die beste buite senter in die O/19 CB in 2014. Een van bitter min buite senters wat nog die vermoe het om die buite gaping te neem. Dewald n spel breker alla Kolbe. Groot en goeie groep voorspelers. Spelers wie n moet is in die pak: Du Preez broers van die Sharks. Intimederende spelers wie ons gaan nodig he teen die groot Europese pakke. Liebenberg. RG Snyman op slot.
Ivan Van Zyl of Hanro Liebenberg Kaptein.
@vatikaki:
at another union….
Bulls don’t need to move Jesse Kriel to centre…if you have the impressive Daniel Kriel @13 or JT Jackson…Gelant will have to fight for that jersey or leave for Super Rugby opportunities
@BOG: every year you repeat the same thing over and over.
@Umtata: Yawning is but one way of denial. Burying your head in the sand, is another. And “surprizingly”, none of that stops the rot, which explains the tragic history of Africa.
Yawn fest
@BOG:
Vernon is a terrific test bowler. And when he’s fit he’s a good one-day bowler as well. But like you said, for this game, given that he’d been injured pretty much the entire time, he was the wrong choice. I feel for the guy because as a person I think a lot of him.
I appreciate this blog because you can speak the truth without an army wanting to string you up. We all know there is a 33% quota at SA U20 level. It’s why every year they meet that minimum threshold.
Handful of guys in this squad who aren’t deserving. It’s sad because it undermines the selections (on merit) of guys like Warrick Gelant and Grant Hermanus.
And if Gelant stays at fullback he’s going all the way IMO. The whole package. Get Kriel in at centre for the BB.
@vatikaki: Spare a thought for Philander. He is just being used by barbarian dictators for political points. Vernon has proven himself over and over, but for that match, he was the wrong choice. And I agree, AB had the world stage available- he should have taken a stand. But this was no exception. We see it with this team, the Baby Boks, as well. That is why I refuse to discuss the selection of this team as if merit was a factor at all. Its giving evil credibility which it certainly does not deserve. The same with senior rugby- its a disgrace and we are about to see the consequences. Its time to take a stand as spectators. Pretending that all of this is “normal”, amounts to moral cowardice.
Haven’t posted here in a while, so in other news, and beet being a good man who doesn’t run this place like a dictator.
I have it on 100% authority that AB de Villiers and Vernon refused to play in the CWC Semi, and were then told that if they don’t take the field, they will never play for South Africa again. Good authority meaning someone involved on the day, and that’s all I can say.
Which makes Haroon Lorgat a liar. Hope AfriForum make his life a living hell.
AB should have still refused. Would’ve brought CSA’s walls crumbling down around them. A Proteas side and you don’t pick AB de Villiers a because he refuses to play for a team picked on racial discrimination? Nobody outside SA would stand for it
Ah right. In that case I’ll leave it as a “wait and see”.
If you have played you will know.
@vatikaki:
Something along the lines of “I see you know nothing about Rugby”. Probably regarding your opinions regarding Scarra Ntubeni, I assume.
@Umtata:
Sorry my man but I have no idea what that means
Bubonic plague and honesty sorry you lost me
Bubonic plague and honesty sorry you lost me
Bubonic plague and honesty sorry you lost me
Ring-a-ring-a-rosie, a pocket full of posies. What game next? At least TRY and be honest
Well considering the fact that a Nambian who is not eligible to play attended the trials maybe oom Dawie thought Schramm was Bothma!
Schramm was sublime at trials and shone on both days. I have no doubt that Dan Du Preez and Hannro Liebenberg were penciled in before trials even started, fair enough as they are playing S15. The thing that surprised me, was R BOthma getting included without having been to trials, surprising call considering how good Schramm was.
@vatikaki: awazinto ngombhoxo ndiyakubona.
What??? No Ayron Schramm
What’s the deal with Henry Immelman?
And then does anyone have an opinion on the hookers? Bit I’ve seen of Joseph Dweba I thought he was a terrible hooker. Much like I think Scarra Ntubeni is just hopeless. Line-out throwing is lacking, hasn’t got size and brings no trademark physicality. Dweba will definitely be the starting hooker though. It’s been decided.
@Muzi:
Nonkontwana at 4, and they’ll almost surely go with a Jacques Vermeulen-Jean-Luc du Preez flanker combo.
Justin Phillips and Ernst Stapelberg must be favorites for 9-10 as well. Could find Radebe at 10.
And EW Viljoen in the 23 without a doubt.
It’s time to put on my blue tinted glasses…
1Thomas Du Toit
2.Jan Van Der Merwe
3.Ruan Kramer
4.Jason Jenkins
5.RG Snyman
6.CJ Velleman
7.Jacques Vermuelen
8.Hanro Liebenberg (c)
9.Ivan Van Zyl
10.Brandon Thomson
11.Grant Hermanus
12.JT Jackson
13.Daniel Du Plessis
14.Jinxie Molapo
15.Warrick Gelant
16. Joseph Dweba 17.Ox Nche 18.Frans Van Wyk
19.Jean-Luc Du Preez 20.Daniel Du Preez 21.Justin Phillips 22.Innocent Radebe 23.Adrian Maebane