A squad of 50 Junior World Championship hopefuls was put through their paces during a trial match in front of head coach Dawie Theron and his assistant yesterday. There are still numerous opportunities coming up over the next few months for under-20 hopefuls to impress the coaching staff, so it’s still far too early to suggest that the bulk of the final team will be drawn from this group alone. Coach Theron has even alluded to this. It’s fact, a lot can improve in the life of developing young player in the space of six months in terms of skills, size, strength, confidence and most importantly form.
Nevertheless as expected this particular trial match did not disappoint. It proved to be a talent show of a high calibre. A number of players made good use of the chance to make an early and probably lasting impression. No one more so than powerful Bulls blindside flanker Jacques du Plessis who stood out at the potential player of the day. Du Plessis is a big unit. He stands over 2-metres tall and tips the scales at 116kg, yet shows good mobility and a hunger to be involved in open play.
Another player who really put up his hand was Sharks under-19 captain and flyhalf Robert du Preez (Jnr). For many the creative Tim Swiel has been an automatic choice as a squad flyhalf but he is a player with weaknesses. His defence leaves quite a bit to be desired at times and neither is Swiel’s kicking out of hand or place-kicking of a high standard. Du Preez proved to be a prolific points scorer during the provincial championship. He also possesses a big boot and showed at the trial that he is no slouch in defence either. He might not have the attacking finesse of Swiel but he is a good passer and could place a lot of pressure on the WP player in the race for that second flyhalf berth, presuming 2012 winning flyhalf Handre Pollard, a schoolboy from Paarl Gym already has the first spot sewn up (schoolboys were not considered for this training camp due to matric exams).
Lion’s openside flanker Kwagga Smit is not one of biggest but is definitely one the gutsiest players on a rugby field anywhere in the country. Having played at two successive Craven Week for the Pumas, Smit stood out as one of the best at the tournament in both 2010 and 2011, yet somehow did not get the nod for a much-deserved SA Schools cap in either year. 2013 could be his year to finally receive Green and Gold honours. The technically sound flank gave himself the best possible start to this quest with a big performance at this first under-20 trial.
A lot of Sharks lock Myles Tucker’s game is based on that of Andries Bekker. It makes sense because at 2.06m, Tucker like Bekker is a human tower. Tucker is employed as a number-5 in Durban but he is always going to have his work cut out for him trying to unseat the amazing Bulls lock Dennis Visser in that position. The Sharks player did however had a very strong trial. His athleticism impressed those in attendance.
Marnus Tack was part of the Leopards’ highly successful backline and it came as huge surprise when the big centre was left out of the original 50-man training squad. He made the most of his late call-up by combining his physical presence and good distribution skills to impress the coaching staff. Outside Tack, the debate about who should don on the number-13 jersey between the wizard Justin Geduld and the strongman Tyler Fisher was partly resolved with Fisher being given a chance out on the wing where it’s believed that Theron is looking to play a big unit. That may free up Geduld to weave his game-breaking magic at outside centre in France.
The captaincy of the team is looking like a two-horse race so far. WP hooker Freddie Kirsten is a natural and ticks a lot of boxes, while Bulls prop Neethling Fouche is another one that leads from the front and will be up there contenting for that role once fully fit.
Based on the day’s play, scrumhalf was hard to call so a split decision was made there, otherwise here are the names of a potential starting 15 based on the first trial:
| No. | POSITION | NAME | SURNAME | SCHOOL | PROVINCE |
| 1 | Prop LH | Justin | Forwood | Waterkloof | Bulls |
| 2 | Hooker | Frederick | Kirsten | Paarl Boys High | WP |
| 3 | Prop TH | Luan | de Bruin | Affies | Free State |
| 4 | Lock | Myles | Tucker | Rondebosch | Sharks |
| 5 | Lock | Dennis | Visser | Affies | Bulls |
| 6 | Flank OS | Kwagga | Smit | HTS Middelburg | Lions |
| 7 | Flank BS | Jacques | du Plessis | Ermelo | Bulls |
| 8 | No.8 | Roelof | Smit | Waterkloof | Bulls |
| 9 | Scrumhalf | Percy | Williams | Oudtshoorn | Lions |
| 9 | Scrumhalf | Hanco | Venter | Monnas | Sharks |
| 10 | Flyhalf | Tim | Swiel | Bishops | WP |
| 11 | Wing L | Sylvian | Mahuza | Outeniqua | Leopards |
| 12 | Centre I | Marnus | Tack | Volkskool (Potch) | Leopards |
| 13 | Centre O | Justin | Geduld | Tygerberg | WP |
| 14 | Wing R | Tyler | Fisher | Westville | Sharks |
| 15 | Fullback | Cheslin | Kolbe | Brackenfell | WP |
@beet: i agree,Johan’s injury has been a major set back to his career,and it will take 2 years to catchup,at u21 he will rise again
@Ludz: I have heard the opinion that despite not having Varsity Cup, the Sharks do have a better relationship with Theron than a few other unions, which helps Sharks players not in the varsity limelight gain favour. Not discounting talent here, just saying if the u20 coach changes, the Sharks club rugby players that hit form might be in a spot of bother to get somewhere.
So I think if Johan is right, Dawie will know about it and call him in even if he has not watched a club game. At the same time Johan must think of his long term future and perhaps put the prospect of playing JWC aside ensure he gets back to 100% and aim for higher goals at senior level.
If Johan Meyer can get back on form quickly after his return, we might be in for another twist at 8thman, think he’ll only be able to play in February, but being at the Sharks does him no favours, he would’ve benefited from playing in the young guns Varsity Cup tourney
@Haker: @beet: no4 lock had me scratching my head,i was unaware that Kleyn was u19 until i read your post,thus felt it would not reflect truthfully if i included him in my team,and having watched him play and now knowing that he qualifies for u20 he would solve my no4 problem instantly and thus would add him after telling you all why he was not included initially,
@Haker: What a prospect of seeing a loose trio for SA in the not too distant future consisting of Kolisi and Jacques du Plessis on the side of the scrum with Arno Botha or Roelof Smit at 8?
@QC86: Thanks for the team QC86. Always brave to put one’s personal choice team on a public forum but it helps give a good indication of the players to look out for.
In your team Becker is the big surprise for me.
Obi. I’ve heard so much about him before he played in Durban and he did not disappoint. He has finger injury at the moment and will be at the next camp.
@Haker: I think Jean Kleyn is a player they need to look at for that no.4 role as well.
Becker is the WP lock from Michaelhouse. Another player that did not make Craven Week but has done very well at u19 level this year. But agree. Nothing wrong with Irne Herbst.
I wonder how Philip du Preez is doing?
@QC86: I didn’t recall seeing a Becker at 4 during the trials? Tucker from Rondebosch looks like a useful player but he seems to enjoy the 5 position more. We’ll need a bit of a enforcing role at 4 and I think Herbst is best suited for that position.
@beet: you put me in abit of a jam,you know when i watched those games i was inclined to have my eye on one team and on one position in particular,but here goes.
1 Forward
2 Le Maitre c
3 De Bruin
4 Becker
5 Visser
6 Smit
7 Du Plessis
8 Benn
9 Venter
10 Pollard
11 Obi
12 Jan [die man]
13 Geduld
14 Fisher
15 Kolbe
@beet: I was actually referring more to the man on man competitions
@BoishaaiPa: Lions also beat the Sharks home and away but only have 3 players in the squad.
Anyone here watched the semi-final between Lions and WP u/19 at Stellenbosch?..or the game up at RAU…or the one at Newlands?…If you did you would have noticed the WP won all three…
Le Maitre will definately be there when the squad is announced, we can’t go to France without him. Hope Dawie picks strong scrummagers and specialist lineout jumpers. This will be vital in France.
Good to hear that Sti Sithole is doing well for himself. Good player who was unlucky not to make CW, but it shows CW isn’t everything. He made the starting line up at WP ahead of last years KZN CW captain. Shows that hard work helps a lot. About the commentators fully agree, that some are not cut out for it. Victor only inputs a bit during the game, Naas as well isn’t the best. Mallet kind of puts you in the game in a way. He specifies the problem areas, strong players to watch etc. As a coach who went to a few world cups and former player. He knows his rugby
@QC86: @beet: yeah would be nice if you gave us what you believe is the best XV
@QC86: I watched that Leopards team in Durban. When there was an outside chance of them getting to the required points diff, they were outstanding. They played with good cohesion and exploited the Sharks’ tackling weaknesses. Lots of their players looked good going forward. It was a real pity more games were not televised to get a better feel for who has been in form.
Im not sure why the Lions hooker was omitted. To me any player that has u21 experience at a big union should be an automatic 1st training camp choice. Last year Dawie left off Ruan Botha and Vian vd Watt from his initial training squad despite holding their own for the Lions u21s. Both went on to start the JWC final. This year the WP lock Kleyn played u21 (with a few others). I won’t be surprised if he is makes it to France even tho he was not at this camp.
I would like to see your list of the players that impressed you position 1-15, as I think you got to watch 12 regular season games (might have been more than Theron watched
)
@QC86: 1 of the biggest shock omission was Eugene le Maitre, Lions hooker, everyone I asked had heaps of praise for him
@beet: whats the story with the Lions u19 hooker,he was by far the best i watched during the cc,happy for Marne,always had a soft spot for him,SA u20 standard i dont think so,but he will get better,and we will hear more of him later on in life.I thought the hooker from the Leopards should have got an invite
@QC86: I heard that Marne also played very well at the Saturday trial.
Sti Sithole was described as the best prop on display at the trials day 1. He’s not the biggest guy around tho.
Hooker Jacques du Toit is going to be a darkhorse. He might make the Baby Boks squad ahead of some of the more well-known hookers.
@QC86: 1 can only hope he makes the final squad, I liked what I saw at Craven Week last year
@Ludz: Rob has really come on in leaps and bounds this year,i am a big Cope fan and still am,but Rob has made me eat my words,happily,he had a slow start to the currie cup,but then settled down and played some good rugby
Glad to see du Preez stake a claim for the no.10 jersey, he’s worked extremely hard on his weaknesses
@Andre T: “You two Dutchies” What are you? A Mexican?
@BOG: Same as above
@PaulRoosPa: You 2 dutchies…….actually very simple indeed……but only if you have some brains…….change channels.
@BOG: I second that!
@beet: Naas did not know much more about FH play either. Im in rugby for the fun and most of my comments here, are tongue in the cheek. It is in that context that I looked at some other s “comments” and overlooked their obvious lack of rugby knowledge.Can you please introduce a “mute” button here as well- I certainly can use it.
@beet: Sadly the majority of the ‘general rugby public’ (and it includes Bog and BHP most certainly) see the game as Naas and Wiese and Brosnihan and Willemse. I have a special automatic mute and blank screen button on my remote as soon as Paulse appears which comes on again when he’s off screen. My word, what a disaster and with Willemse having made those millions with that motivational gangster I don’t see him anymore. If they can just get rid of that Matthew Pearce then it’s already better, o jeepers I forgot about Sinstad, another disaster and Matfield, ag no I’m so negative now. The best is to watch the game and have the TV on mute and blank out the Paulses, Willemses and Pearces. Mallett and Mitchell the best. I wouldn’t be surprised if okes like Bog and BHP record the analysts’ crap stories.
@Andre T: I think one of the steps is TV itself. Our so-called analysts and experts are former players who are not really cut out for TV or they struggle to get the message across coz English is their 2nd language. If we get sharper okes like Mallett and Mitchell who at least offer listeners a bit of rugby education while talking about action it helps make the public smarter.
On Saturday at halftime, Naas criticised Taute for passing early instead of drawing in the man, yet by freeing up the ball early it allowed Strauss to set off on one of our best ground gaining runs. Then Naas stated the obvious that Louw’s pass to de Villiers was a poor one. He completely forgot to mention that it was the exact same move that brought Habana a try vs NZ and he also did not see that Ireland had planted a man in de Villiers’ running channel who actually flattened Jean, suggesting that Ireland had done their homework and IDed the move. Naas stayed far away from the big problem area – the breakdown where we lost ball at regular intervals in the 1st half and conceded plenty of holding-on penalties. That is where Naas’s focus should have been. Explain the problem and give the corrective action to be taken It was a crucial contributor to us being behind at the break. Sadly Naas in not cut out for that line of work. Never has been. So the public that watch and listen to him are none the wiser.
@Andre T: Stop talking rubbish we all know you have SuperRugby on speed dial!
@PaulRoosPa: I think Jan, Dries and Neethling missed trials. Usual those questions are reserved by Bog
@beet: You and I seem to be the only 2 okes in this country with a little bit of sense. Do yourself a favour and watch SupeRugby on Kyknet tonight. You will be astonished at the clueless dutchies that phone in and their questions. How can we improve our structures if that’s the savvy of the general rugby public? Remember, the administrators and coaches also emerge from this ‘general rugby public’ and I sometimes drop my name in shame listening to the absolute crap they’re talking. The structures and admin of rugby in SA must be taken out of the hands of the afrikaner.
Jan Serfontein? Dries Swanepoel?
@Andre T: The whole structure in u20 setup in SA rugby needs to be restructured. From here some players will go to Young Guns, others to Varsity Cup, a few to Vodacom Cup, even fewer to Superugby and the rest will play club rugby.
They really need to put more focus on u20 rugby. Introduce a national u20 championship from Feb- May. Include universities in this if need be. Play each round at one venue if not televised or recorded. At least then the coaches get to see first hand who the form players are and not via word of mouth which seems to be the case a lot of the time.
What is the use of having trials in November for something that’s happening in June? This is so typical South African.