Obtaining the official full list has proven quite difficult to come by. With the help of several bloggers, here’s what we do have so far:
| # | Pos | Name | School | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Andile Nondwangu | Cambridge | Border |
| 2 | 1 | Sibabalo Mnkani | Queen’s | Border |
| 3 | 10/12 | David Coetzer | Selborne | Border |
| 4 | 7 | Jaco Labuschagne | Affies | Bulls |
| 5 | 8 | Johan van Zyl | Affies | Bulls |
| 6 | 1 | Wiehan Bezuidenhout | Affies | Bulls |
| 7 | 10 | Charles Goedhals | Affies | Bulls |
| 8 | Cle-men Pietersen | Wilgers | Bulls | |
| 9 | 12 | Waqar Solaan | Grey HS | EP |
| 10 | 13 | Aya Matroos | Grey HS | EP |
| 11 | 9 | Nevaldo Fleurs | Marlow | EP |
| 12 | 10 | Vaughen Isaacs | Marlow | EP |
| 13 | 2 | Ruhann Greyling | Grey College | Free State |
| 14 | 10 | Christopher Schreuder | Grey College | Free State |
| 15 | 13 | Janco van Heyningen | Grey College | Free State |
| 16 | 12 | Rikus Pretorius | Grey College | Free State |
| 17 | 15 | David Kriel | Grey College | Free State |
| 18 | Kamvelihle Fatyela | DHS | KZN | |
| 19 | LF | Phendulani Buthelezi | DHS | KZN |
| 20 | 9 | Sanele Nohamba | DHS | KZN |
| 21 | LF | Sean Barnes | DHS | KZN |
| 22 | 15 | Cham Zondeki | DHS | KZN |
| 23 | 5 | JJ van der Mescht | Glenwood | KZN |
| 24 | 8 | Dylan Richardson | Kearsney | KZN |
| 25 | 2 | Fez Mbatha | Maritzburg College | KZN |
| 26 | 12 | Muzi Nyakane | Ben Vorster | Limpopo |
| 27 | 8 | Nyiko Ntlemo | Ben Vorster | Limpopo |
| 28 | 5 | Shama Manzini | Ben Vorster | Limpopo |
| 29 | 6 | Mark Snyman | Helpmekaar | Lions |
| 30 | 11/14 | David Cary | Helpmekaar | Lions |
| 31 | Keagan Glade | KES | Lions | |
| 32 | Yanga Hlalu | KES | Lions | |
| 33 | Travis Gordon | KES | Lions | |
| 34 | 13/15 | Dandre Prinsloo | Monument | Lions |
| 35 | 9 | Tinus Combrink | Monument | Lions |
| 36 | 6 | PJ Jacobs | Monument | Lions |
| 37 | Christen van Niekerk | Monument | Lions | |
| 38 | Ruan Vosloo | Noordheuvel | Lions | |
| 39 | Nkosikhona Masuku | Parktown | Lions | |
| 40 | Bongianga Mpeku | Parktown | Lions | |
| 41 | Craig Mkhize | Queens HS | Lions | |
| 42 | Asenathi Mtlabalkanye | St Stithians | Lions | |
| 43 | Dawid Meiring | Outeniqua | SWD | |
| 44 | Darryn Fortuin | Outeniqua | SWD | |
| 45 | Ruben Beytell | EG Jansen | Valke | |
| 46 | Duran Nasson | Boland Landbou | WP | |
| 47 | Marthinus Strauss | HJS Paarl BH | WP | |
| 48 | Wilhelm Barnard | HJS Paarl BH | WP | |
| 49 | Joshua du Preez | HJS Paarl BH | WP | |
| 50 | Vian Fourie | HJS Paarl BH | WP | |
| 51 | Francke Horn | HJS Paarl BH | WP | |
| 52 | Thaakir Abrahams | HJS Paarl BH | WP | |
| 53 | Hillegard du Plessis | Paarl Gim | WP | |
| 54 | Nyembo Kitwanga | Parklands | WP | |
| 55 | Tristan Leitch | Paul Roos | WP | |
| 56 | Vusile Dlepu | SACS | WP | |
| 57 | Angelo Davids | Stellenberg | WP | |
| 58 | Joshua Muller | Stellenberg | WP | |
| 59 | Keanan Adams | WP Sports Sch | WP |
So, guys are back from training camp last week and word is that whilst being quite tough, it was a wonderful experience with some bonds renewed and new friendships forged. Guys also had an opportunity to check out the opposition. It also sounds as if some players are considering a position change to facilitate probable future potential. Some players were kind of “out of sorts”, displaying wonderful athletic ability, but very little rugby “sense” or skills. Some also did not like the physicality and tried to steer away. Something to work on then and one of the reasons why such clinics are important. Other players excelled and clearly stood out from the rest. Hopefully the talent identified will be further developed and keep our junior pool healthy. Be certain that more than double the numbers, that did not attend the week, has the potential to perform at the same or some at an even higher level. I fell less concerned about the country’s rugby future considering the talent we have available. The question remains if they will be bullied into “stampkar rugby” or be nurtured and allowed to develop their natural ability.
Would have been a nice to watch having the Noor Vaal team play against the SA U/16 team.
Would have been interesting seeing the SA under 16 team play the Noord Vaal team…
Brother Bear. The 2 players included in the 50 man squad from the academy week is Dandre Prinsloo (from the AW like you mentioned) and Cristen van Niekerk. They are the 1st players to be selected from the AW tournament if my info is correct. Cristen was the captain and 8thman of the Lions team at the AW but actually plays lock at Monnas. It does raise the question why the 2 of them were not picked by the Union for GK.
@BrotherBear: Sorry I got thrown off by the term Academy Week. I do have that team from a while back and need to post it. Thank you for the reminder
The fact that at least two AW players from the Lions join this squad and oust two GK players show a discrepancy between what the province selectors value and what “other” selectors value. I am not saying either panels are right or wrong – point is subjectivity.
@beet: yes, the mentioned AW players are still u16. Very few people outside the northvaal region knows that an u16 academy week occurs just before the GK week. The following provinces particate: Bulls, Lions, Limpopo Bulls, Valke, Pumas, Leopards, Freestate and Griekwas. Out of these players a touring team is selected. This year the team will be touring to Ireland and compete against three regional teams over a period of 9 days. They leave on 4 October 2015 and will be in the UK during the World Cup. I believe you have a team list?
@BrotherBear: the Academy Week players you mentioned are obviously still u16???
@Rugbymal: I think you have totally missed the point. The poverty part is in relation to nutrition, don’t get defensive here. You can get sponsored to national weeks all you want, but if you don weigh 100kg you wont be considered to play flank full stop. You can work all you want, and be as good as can be, but if your diet is not right you will not be considered. I have cases in point if you would like to discuss them.
I agree with you that the poorer you are, the harder you must work, regardless of colour. That part is in your control. But you need a few things that are not in your control to work for you. Try pitching a news channel in China and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
As for this van Rensburg chap – shame on him! Ignorance is not bliss at all.
Well done to all the boys! A special congratulations to the 4 Affies boys in the squad. I will watch them witj great interest from next year!
My comments w.r.t. excellent players and players who can be lucky must not be interpreted as related to quotas. As some examples; Asenathi from Saints an excellent player, Mark from Helpies an excellent player. Also glad for recognition to Dandre from Monnas (academy week player). Do not understand though that a lock and flanker from Helpies (one GK and one AW) do not feature here as they are both lightyears ahead of their counterparts in; present performance, ability and potential. There seems to be other “unknown” factors playing a role in selection as well.
Congratulations to the guys selected to the squad. Regardless of what is said in this blog or anywhere else, believe that you are selected on merit and keep on working hard. The road ahead is long and hard – very few really persevere.
Guys who have not been selected and who deserve to be here; your belief in self and work must be even harder and stronger than the selected players. I believe the unlucky ones are in a better position for future success, because their drive and motivation will provide tenacity and growth on a different level.
As the historic conversion rate from u16 HP to SA schools is well below 50%, I hope the “selectors” have put a bit more science and due diligence into the most recent process. From a Lions perspective, it looks as if the old patterns will repeat themselves. There are some excellent players, but also some players who can count themselves extremely lucky.
@rugbyfan: I think you right.He has been chased all over the place.The only thing that is keeping him at Selborne is the fact that he plays in a very good team.A team that only lost 1 game this year and beat Grey Bloem,so where do you move too???
No my youngest did not make GK and that might have woken him up abit.Working hard at the gym already ,so we wait and see how next season goes.
@rugbyfan: @Queenian: Yeah the Kroutz thing is unfortunate as he reads the game unbelievably well at 10. He’s a great talent. Ilano at 10 a real possibility. Junaid Bijal is the lock, great engine and work rate, another one I rate highly. Forgot that winger’s name, the one you refer to. Remains to be seen where they will utilize big Mihlali Peter, a guy who I expect to captain the side, he’s comfortable on the wing and either of the centres. He’s also done very well at 8. Queen’s boys still rave about him putting David Brits on his backside
not an easy thing to do
@QC86: That Coetzer boy has a bright future watched him against Grey Bloem I rate him, actually think that Selborne can be lucky they have him next year what I see they a bit thin on the ground with boys with 1st team experience and I heard he did play some 1st team games already.
What about your son was he at GK week?
@Queenian: @Ludz: Am a bit surprised that the one QC boy not sure of his name and not speaking about Smith played centre or wing is not in he is really good. Also the one lock.
But anyway I think Bolze and co will be spoilt for choice next year with so many boys who have been blooded in 1st team already and with at least 6 very good boys coming up from under 16.
QC should be very competitive next year.
@Ludz: Mnkani is the real deal saw him against Grey PE he is really good.
@Playa: Kroutz will be playing No 9 for QC 1st next year and not 10 that I am sure of he is just as good as a No 9 and a bit small for No 10. Don’t be surprised if you see Ilano Smith at No 10 next year.
Well done to everyone selected but from a WP perspective I am really pleased that Joshua Muller, the Stellenberg hooker, has been selected. IMO he should have been in the GK team.
Fortunately you can’t keep a good man down !!
@Bwana: This article is the biggest load of bull I have ever heard.
Does anyone for once think that poverty and the effect thereof is limited to Black people then think again. You are ore than welcome to visit the squatter camps around Pretoria and see for yourself that poverty is not a colour thing.
Black kids get sponsored to attend the National weeks by the unions not the case with the other boys and then they want to highlight opportunities is not given.
The problem lies in that the work ethic of the people is not all on the same level. If you are poor so more the reason to work 10 times harder to achieve success. The boxing world is a prime example of how many guys come from the ghettos of the world and make success of their lives.
The will to succeed irrespective of your situation is the only recipe for achievement.
@Grasshopper: @Bwana:
Ja – he is very Afrikaans and perhaps expressing himself in English can cause the message to get garbled. Not to mention the journalistic desire for sensationalism.
It’s quite true – rugby has historically been a white sport, whereas blacks in the old days mainly played soccer. No disgrace in pointing that out. That demographic has been changing since 1994, and certainly there are black rugby players who have earned their stripes on pure merit. Until grass-roots development is undertaken on a mass scale by the government and given time to work through the system, it’s not fair to impose 50% quotas or worse on national teams when the player base is not anywhere neat that figure. I think that’s all young Shaun was trying to say.
@Bwana: He disliked by many OB’s so this will be sorted I’m sure…
@Grasshopper: I am sure a reputable publication like The Guardian would not make such a quote up. I would not want my school to be associated with such comments
@Bwana: He is a twat, we all know that. He shouldn’t even be at the school. If that is proven truthful he won’t last long under Trevor Kershaw. He was recruited from Voortrekker in PMB, maybe that says something…
Well done to all the boys selected. I am sure they all deserve their spots.
In related matters have you read the nonsense said by the Glenwood Director of Rugby to the Guardian Newspaper:
But some patterns, and attitudes, die hard. Shawn van Rensburg, director of rugby at Glenwood High School in Durban, describes as “crap” suggestions that racism infects Springbok selection. “At the end of the day, if you pick the best black 15 players and go and play Australia or New Zealand, you’ll see what happens. But pick on merit and you’ll have a chance. Rugby was always played by white people and football was always a black sport. That’s just how it was in this country.”
Full link:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/13/springboks-rugby-world-cup-2015-racism-and-prejudice-dominate-agenda?CMPshare_Btn_fb
@Playa: He’s very good, believe me when I say so
@Ludz: He must have made a massive impression on someone up there
@QC86: Yeah not aware how exactly he got there, maybe one of the SARU selectors saw him during the normal season. Only explanation that makes sense. He was excellent against Grey in PE, maybe he was also impressive at that Jeppe u16 festival around Easter.
@Ludz: very confusing that he did not get to go to GK and then confusing that he then gets chosen for SA u16 hp having not played at GK.The fact remains he is very good and deserving,good luck to him.
Queen’s boy didn’t go to u16 Grant Khomo Week which was a poor in the 1st place because he’s a very very good player. Chuffed for the lad!!! Good kid as well
@QC86: I have heard plenty good things about Coetzer. Well done to him, and also for the two other Border boys who made the cut.
We should see some interesting Coetzer-Kroutz (QC) battles in the next 2 years. Though one can say that Kroutz will fall behind in the physical part of it
Very good to see that a couple of players from, not so high profile schools, also being identified by the selectors. As we all know, there is a lot of talented boys out there that do not get the exposure that they deserve.
Fezu is a front ranker (hooker) for Maritzburg College
Sean Barnes been playing loose forward and Buthelezi too from DHS
Davy jou yster