The initial SARU under 17 Elite Squad that were invited to attend a camp during the October 2016 school holidays. Amongst the names listed are numerous bright young prospects to keep an eye out for in 2017.
| # | POS | SARU u17 ELITE SQUAD 2016 | SCHOOL | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Andile Nondwangu | Cambridge | Border |
| 2 | 1 | Marthinus Strauss | HJS Paarl BH | WP |
| 3 | 1 | Nkosikhona Masuku | Parktown | Lions |
| 4 | 1 | Willem Marais | Grey College | Free State |
| 5 | 2 | Dylan Richardson | Kearsney | KZN |
| 6 | 2 | Fez Mbatha | Maritzburg College | KZN |
| 7 | 2 | Joshua Muller | Stellenberg | WP |
| 8 | 2 | Ruhann Greyling | Grey College | Free State |
| 9 | 2 | Wilhelm Barnard | HJS Paarl BH | WP |
| 10 | 3 | Nntlabakanye Asenati | St Stithians | Lions |
| 11 | 3 | JW Meads | Witteberg | Free State |
| 12 | 3 | Joshua Du Preez | HJS Paarl BH | WP |
| 13 | 3 | Keagan Glade | KES | Lions |
| 14 | 3 | Sean Barnes | DHS | KZN |
| 15 | 3 | Tristan Leitch | Paul Roos | WP |
| 16 | 4 | Cristen van Niekerk | Monument | Lions |
| 17 | 4 | Jordan Mbuyamba | St Benedict’s | Lions |
| 18 | 4 | Reinhardt Venter | EG Jansen | Valke |
| 19 | 5 | Ian Nyembo | Vaal Reef | Leopards |
| 20 | 5 | JJ vd Mescht | Glenwood | KZN |
| 21 | 6 | Lindelani Makhanya | Piet Retief | Pumas |
| 22 | 6 | Mark Snyman | Helpmekaar | Lions |
| 23 | 6 | Pepsi Buthelezi | DHS | KZN |
| 24 | 6 | Teboho Rampai | Louis Botha | Free State |
| 25 | 6 | Zimasa Nokama | Vaal Reef | Leopards |
| 26 | 7 | Andries Fouche | Rustenburg | Leopards |
| 27 | 7 | Jaco Labuschagne | Affies | Bulls |
| 28 | 7 | Michael Goodall | Hugenote | Boland |
| 29 | 7 | Xolani Mavundla | Piet Retief | Pumas |
| 30 | 8 | Francke Horn | HJS Paarl BH | WP |
| 31 | 8 | PJ Jacobs | Monument | Lions |
| 32 | 8 | Travis Gordon | KES | Lions |
| 33 | 9 | Keaton Swart | Louis Botha | Free State |
| 34 | 9 | Ruben Beytel | EG Jansen | Valke |
| 35 | 9 | Sanele Nohamba | DHS | KZN |
| 36 | 9 | Tinus Combrinck | Monument | Lions |
| 37 | 9 | Lucky Dlepu | SACS | WP |
| 38 | 10 | Charles Goedhals | Affies | Bulls |
| 39 | 10 | Charles Williams | Diamandveld | Griquas |
| 40 | 10 | Christopher Schreuder | Grey College | Free State |
| 41 | 10 | David Coetzer | Selborne | Border |
| 42 | 10 | Lloyd April | Hermanus | Boland |
| 43 | 10 | Quan Eymann | Brackenfell | WP |
| 44 | 10 | Stephan vd Bank | Nelspruit | Pumas |
| 45 | 12 | Andrew Kota | Welkom Gim | Griffons |
| 46 | 12 | Waqar Solaan | Grey HS | EP |
| 47 | 13 | Durin Nasson | Boland Landbou | WP |
| 48 | 13 | Janco van Heyningen | Grey College | Free State |
| 49 | 13 | Marnus Potgieter | Affies | Bulls |
| 50 | 13 | Rikus Pretorius | Grey College | Free State |
| 51 | 11 | Aya Matroos | Grey HS | EP |
| 52 | 11 | Caleb Dingaan | Weston | Boland |
| 53 | 11 | David Cary | Helpmekaar | Lions |
| 54 | 11 | Thaakir Abrahams | HJS Paarl BH | WP |
| 55 | 11 | Yanga Hlalu | KES | Lions |
| 56 | 14 | Angelo Davids | Stellenberg | WP |
| 57 | 14 | Bradley van Turha | Drostdy | Boland |
| 58 | 14 | Conan le Fleur | Glenwood | KZN |
| 59 | 14 | Sabastian Jobb | Duineveld | Griquas |
| 60 | 14 | Siphmandla Matsinya | Dale | Border |
| 61 | 15 | Kennedy Mpeku | KES | Lions |
| 62 | 15 | Cham Zondeki | DHS | Lions |
| 63 | 15 | David Kriel | Grey College | Free State |
| 64 | 15 | Muller du Plessis | Paarl Gim | WP |
| 65 | 15 | Duren Hoffman | Boland Landbou | WP |
@Stier: Well said, old Bull fighter!!
Pesonally I think this is just another waste of time and money. No way you can say at 17 years old who will make it. Most of these names will be a long lost memory in three to four years time. SARU should stop pumping money into this kind of stupid program. They will do better to fix our club system and give ten times more under 17 players a future and chance at making it to the top even if the don’t play CW for their province.
To put our country’s rugby future in just 65 boys every year is stupid and makes no sense. Our school system is very strong and produce enough players, the problem is after school and programs like this makes it even harder. If you don’t get into this program what does that mean? You are not good enough? We all know that isn’t true, so why do it? How will this program help the Bokke?
Make it a development program and help talented boys that don’t play in the top schools but who has the talent to make it, if you really want to do this. That way it will help with transformation and give us a few extra players.
After the indaba SARU and AC had a lot to say about skills. Why not have more coaching programs to help the school boy coach’s coach these skills? That will ad much more value than this elite squad I think.
@Greenman: also seems that players are invited with different objectives. Some are standout and probably part of the “final” 40 and others join for development purposes. All I know is that players that want to be part of SASchools next year need to perform exceptionally well, to outshine the “golden ones”.
@BoishaaiPa: Ja, Kenneth sr. was bietjie voor my tyd in die Bos, en soos jy se self ‘n kranige sportman. Heerlik om hom langs die rugby veld raak te loop. Hy kan ‘n mens heeldag lank vergas met stories en staaltjies. Ken ook natuurlik die hele wereld.
@Kattes-Strofes: Yeah Kattes. I really don’t know if there is a solution to this in a country with such an abundance of schoolboy talent. Certainly there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that the younger one pick them, the greater the probability of investing in kids who are not going to make it to the pros. The selection processes are also subjected to exclusion criteria and there is a degree of other inherent unfairness there as well. I know that a number of parents will disagree with me but I really don’t see the value of the u13 CW. The u16 GK if anything has become a shopping mall but I guess it as well as u16 green squads etc do have the effect of giving motivated players something to aim towards and therefore contributes towards improving standards of play.
I do not believe that these are the only brilliant locks we have in SA next year! Flying low and this provides motivation and opportunities to others to prove themselves. Noticed no backline players from KZN bar 2. We will see!
@beet: Beet ! I did not say so beforehand, but that is my view point exactly! I have noticed in the past, that the fall-out of players, even at the SA Junior Boks level , is very high.How can one therefore hope/wish for u/16 boys to make the grade at senior level , at such an early age.
It is of cource nice for the youngsters and their families to be included in such squads, and I do not begrudge them the honour, but in this time when everyone is looking for sollutions to rectify matters in SA rugby , is the time and finances on this project really worth the effort, with such a low success rate ? ?
@BrotherBear: The father Ken was with me in the same res in the 80’s. He played wing and centre for our 1st team. There were two Kenneth Sinclairs in Res with me who were cousins…Lang Ken en Kort Ken….I believe these are “Lang Ken’s” sons..Young Ken was also in the same res with my son…though a year or two younger,
Ek sien so baie uit na volgende jaar, daar kan ‘n paar verassing wees.
@BrotherBear: Noted moving on.
@Hooit: 2nd things second.
Don’t know where you get the idea that your son not my favourite player. Have never said anything derogatory or negative about him. He is a player that always gives his best and have also had some raw deals. He pushed through and proved to be better than one of the regular Monnas “golden boys”. Of late he seems to be in the eye and using his opportunities. With your continual support and hard work, I am sure he will get deserved rewards.
Yes, I stab at Monnas. Just as you stab at Helpies.
Yes, I believe the Lions schools selection system is biased towards certain schools and players AND I am not alone on thinking and speaking about it. Does not mean everything they do is wrong. Most they actually get right, otherwise results would not be forthcoming.
W.r.t. U/17’s, my son does not compete there. The locks of interest as there do not seem to be many of quality – according to SARU. I do not believe that.
Haal bietjie asem broer.
@BrotherBear: I agree. Did not know about 3rd brother.
@Hooit: first things first.
Henry Sinclair is the 3rd brother. He had quite a serious knee injury at the start of the season and is busy recovering. Sad that the second brother, Thomas, also had an end to his rugby career when he lost one kidney due to a direct tackle hit on the rugby field. He nearly died and was saved due to extremely proficient emergency staff and an emergency operation. All 3 boys in excess of 1.9m, and fast backline players. 2 brothers are big losses to the game.
@BrotherBear: No growth hormone can even beat hardwork and talent combined as is the case in point. Just to be clear I know you use whatever oppertunity relevant or not to have a go at Monnas. I know you have issues with Lions schoolboy rugby. And I know my son is not your favourite player and you throw indirect remarks at him/me regularly. I am also sure I know why. I actually had a chat with Spear at about 11h00 about your previous comments on u17 Saru players and you just proved me right. So on the issues mentioned in this post I will not comment on your’e comments as it will become a mudslinging exercise and I actually get along very well with Riempies, Randy,Quagga and Helpies rugby and see no need to involve innocent players and kids in my comments directly or indirectly. Nag ou grote.
@BrotherBear: What happened with his brother. He is/was part of the dreamteam year group but heard nothing of him this year. Plays 12 to 14. Very tall and big for school boy player. Was most probably the standout backline player for Lions at u13 CW.
@Hooit: you just said it all: “and then the real talent comes through”.
See there are only 2 locks close to 2 meters. Others all closer to 1,90m. Who supplies the growth hormones?
@beet, @Speartackle:
Helpie on the list – know that Kenneth Sinclair was an extremely talented athlete and fullback with a very bright future. He seriously injured his ankle during hurdle practice and have not been playing rugby since 2013. He gets straight A’s doing engineering at Stellenbosch though. Nothing beats brawn AND brains.
@Hooit: Exactly…..and it looks like the majority cant make that transition
@Speartackle: I was told that the 3 years after Matric are the most difficult years for a wannabee professional rugby player. You go from hero to zero in that there is not a whole school supporting you. The stands are emoty when you play. You are sort of forgotten. This is where the players need a strong mind, good support base and lots of self discipline to succeed. You do not just get everything because you are the name player, you must actually work to succeed and achieve.
@Speartackle:Looking at that 2012 list does make one question the long term value of the u16 camp. Surely too young an age to invest those sort of resources in just a select group?
@beet: 75% of them do not play rugby anymore
@Kattes-Strofes: Hi Kattes, we have an old one u16 here:
http://schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=1097. 2012 means its almost 5 years old.
@Speartackle: Het jy nie ‘n seun wat vir Monument speel nie? Ek wil my verstout om te sê jy het…..
@Valkie: Ag ou Valkie ek probeer nou al van 2009 af hier op die blogs my kinders in die spanne in praat maar kon nog nie eers hulle kry om te begin rugby speel.
@Speartackle: @Hooit: I would love to compare this list to the players that eventually make it into Craven Week teams.
@Hooit: Your son at lock, not a surprise but out of position?
@Speartackle: You have a son??? ..and he is playing rugby not golf? …wow…
just pulling your leg. Just as you I’m hoping that my son will be considered this year.
@Speartackle: ?????
@RnR: Player like Dandre Prinsloo was a late invitee to the group and therefore his name not on the list. He played the trial game at 13 and 15 and what I’ve heard was that he was one of the standout players.
Yes and I don’t see my son’s name here so I am going to rip these chosen ones ‘ abilities apart
@RnR: yes the numbers in positions don’t make sense, unless they believe that most of the players are on the same “performance” level – there are seven no 10’s for example and five each of the back triangle. Also suspect they trying to make up quota numbers, but not succeeding yet (50% not achieved).
@BrotherBear: I see that there is only two 12’s aswell, Very interesting.
See the list is VERY thin on locks and no 8’s – three 4’s, two 5’s, three 8’s.
Also see players who were ON BENCH for Lions academy week in setup.
Some forwards really small – they will need some growth spurts
Also s player there that hardly played any rugby during 2016 – so form does not seem to be important?
Very good depth in backline players with good speed. Interesting also to see some players depicted in positions that they did not play for school or provincial teams.
Some very good talent and then some players that will need to prove that they are better than MANY others knocking on the door (who are definitely better).
Beet!! Having these names, could be a very usefull exercise, in seeing who of these youngsters progress through to senior rugby.I do not know how long your blog saves the data, but if you can make a note somewhere,it will be very interesting to see in five years time, which of them have made the step-up to senior rugby. In five years time, God willing, and we are still around, these boys should be entering the senior ranks.I know that the vast majority of them have been identified for their exeptional talents,at an early stage.
With this exercise, one can evaluate the system of early identification.
However, going on recent history, not many of the “special ones” aka Jose Mourinho’s have progressed much further after school.
Having said that! I do hope that these boys prove the statistics wrong, and become household names!
Many congratulations to the chosen ones! Go out there and prove to all that the system does work!
They also played a trial match on the Saterday to compare players. They were told that the squad will be reduced to 40 later. The group is almost the same as the group selected at u16 level last year with very few extra players and 1 or 2 that were ommitted from the group.