A factor back is an NFL term for a player who has the ability to impact every play of the game. A tremendous threat out of the backfield and a complete mismatch when going up against linebackers who he beats regularly in pass patterns. He basically required teams to cover him with a defensive back.
One of the stand out features of the 2023 schoolboy rugby (SBR) season has been the quality of the number 15’s spread around the country. Boys who have the ability to strike with venom at any time. Noticeable characteristics include their afterburners pace, fancy footwork, motor skills, creative plus long kicking out of hand and ability to read the game.
Coming into the season, things already looked congested with five top u18 contenders.
- JC Mars (HJS Paarl Boys’ High). An SA u18 player from 2022. Often mistaken for being a professional dancer by profession, Mars’ step and go, makes him the hottest property on the SBR and the favourite to claim the SA Schools jersey.
Watch the JC Mars try against Grey College on the Supersport Schools App - JT Strydom (Outeniqua). An SA Schools player from 2022. A high quality go-to player who is able to manufacture holes in the defence.
- Jody Schambreel (Monument). A player who has helped the Witbulle develop a counter-attacking dimension to their playing style.
- Jaco Willemse (Glenwood). A talent with a good feel for the game and nice balance of dependable skills.
- Gilermo Mentoe (Bishops). What an exceptional athlete with straight-line speed and an ability to stay upright.
Joining these players on the big stage are some equally gifted players.
- Cheswill Jooste (Noordheuwel). The explosive Christian Cullen-like hot property is still u17 but already looks so at home in the big games. He has rugby IQ off the charts and makes running at an unmatchable pace look effortless. Good luck to the Lions Craven Week selectors when picking their first choice fullback this year. Jooste looks every bit as good as Schambreel.
Watch Cheswill Jooste’s try against Helpmekaar on the Supersport Schools app - Vincent Wolhuter (Grey College). Weirdly he is the sort of player that’s been missed in the Grey setup for a few years as the team transformed from this frenetic do everything at an unmatchable high tempo passing game to forwards dominating style of play. He has supreme pace and cuts like a hot knife through butter. Outstanding player who must certainly rate amongst the surprise packages of 2023. But as good as he has been this season, will he even go to Craven Week?
- Luyanda Kunene (Maritzburg College). In a season in which Williams has struggled to produce the difference-maker consistency on the back of erratic Glenwood form, its Kunene who has emerged as many gurus number one fullback in the Sharks province. He has made plenty of metres from his deep runs and scored a few brilliant tries.
- Jason Hugo (Garsfontein). “Giftig”, “gevaarlike” are but two of the many positive adjectives to describe this speedster at the back for the Bere.
- Hopewell Ntshangase (Durban High School). One of those players you can’t get enough of. His lateral movement is insane but he does tend to be underutilised as a game-breaking threat.
- Migael de Lange (Affies). Unlike the players above, de Lange is unlikely to bowl anyone over with his pace, but he is no doubt a fantastic playmaker who due to his timing can make things happen for himself or those in support. Top class link player. A bit of a Slaptjips Rossouw about him.
- Dewald de Villiers (Boland Landbou). His quality has been underlined by a call-up to the u18 SA Sevens camp. He along with star wing Enslin Claasens remain two of the most underappreciated attacking threats in terms of what they have to offer to moving the digits on the scoreboard for the Farmers.
- Likhona Kepe (Kingswood). Somehow this under-17 star is not the automatic frontrunner for the EP Craven Week team so far. He well rounded fullback possessing a strong kick receipt and counter attack game, which is complimented by his solid defence and low error rate.
- Amani Somana (Selborne). The diminutive player doubles as a scrumhalf for his school and defines the term “flashy”. He is able to make something out of nothing using his flair.
- Oyama Kuse (Dale). A compact player with speed and plenty of X.
@Smallies: Yes I am really chuffed for him. Actually really happy that all 3 KZN boys above made The Sharks CW team.
So now it will be interesting to see how the Lions go about choosing between Schambreel and Jooste. Hopefully both make the team.
@beet: I see he made the Sharks CW team
@beet: Yes, I think that is what Andy Capastagno said?
@Smallies: Yeah agreed. He is no.8 on the list
The Maritzparra fullback is also class…
@skelmbos: Carick Kustoor?
Have you seen or heard anything about the Worcester Gim fullback. I heard he is very good.
I would love to see the Worcester Gym flyhalf in action behind a pack that gives him possession as good that provided by Grey Bloem & Paarl Gim.
@kantako: Ag unfortunately it always does.
The only places were there they tend to select on merit within the constraints is Free State and SWD simply because those are the only two major unions where there aren’t a host of schools in competition with each other who have quality and see CW as a huge marketing opportunity and in so doing turn a blind eye to fairness and rewarding the best players.
That said, I don’t for a second belief these processes are straight forward and easy picks don’t often exist when it comes to the fringe choices. So no matter what, there are always bound to be unlucky kids that lose out and with it unhappy supporters from the schools they attend.
@beet: really! Gosh he’s tiny for under 19. A bit like Sparks Ncgobo who never made it post school, just too small
@Grasshopper: Le Fleur is u19 but he is definitely a loss to Glenwood’s cause as he is all heart apart from having a great skillset.
What I saw of Jaco Willemse at Wildeklawer he must be in the mix, fleet footed & jinxy. Probably Glenwood’s only real chance of an SA schools player. Pity Le Fleur has been injured & Gamede got some wheels
@beet: really good players. I hope school politics are not the deciding factor when it comes to CW selection.
@kantako: Yeah for me there are two frontrunners for the SAS 10 berth. The Beauden Barrett like Kyle Smith of Paarl Gim who is set to have a good CW behind a winning pack as most WP players experience at CW every year.
Ian Smith of Grey College who has the look and feel of a player who will succeed at the various levels on the way to becoming a household name pro rugby player.
In KZN there doesn’t seem to be much true talent depth amongst u18 candidates. The Sharks may even go to CW with a backup flyhalf who either plays in a different position for his school or has a different position of preference. I think Chris Horak (Hilton) the obvious choice and second best is Murray Baker (Michaelhouse) who is currently injured.
In the Eastern Cape the only two names that come to mind are Dominic Malgas of Nico Malan and Aiden de Villiers of Marlow. Logan Muller (Framesby) just has not been able to find the same form he showed last year.
Western Cape: how good has Yaqeen Ahmed of Wynberg been – excellent. Leejay Peterson (Paul Roos) and Retagen van Rooi (Boland Landbou) also eye-catching 10’s.
Bulls have Nicallen Gabrielsen (Garsfontein) and Justin Tattersall (Pretoria BH). I’m not sure if the latter is fit though.
So then to the Lions where there is real quality on offer. As you mentioned JT Kapank of Noordheuwel is a supremely talented and creative ball-player and a national favourite. I think everyone expects him to be in the 10 jersey for the Lions come CW.
Then Vusi Moyo (KES). What a player! Surely a bit of long term prospect in what he delivers. Will be so sad if he can’t travel to CW but the question is in the SBR market is he more valuable than Kapank.
Matthew Coetzee (Jeppe) is such a tidy high percentage flyhalf. There is a calmness and precision about his play that make him one of those old school elegant players to watch.
Daylin Myners (Monument) has been quality and can cover 9 and 10. A nice running pivot and creative as well.
Sorry if I omitted other genuine candidates. This was just off the top of my head.
Some great talent here @beet, I want to say that the number 10 position this year is also as challenged as the number 15 for SA schools spot. Funny enough most of the number 15 players you mentioned above also has a good 10 this year.
If I needed to pick a combo I will go with Noordheuwel 10/15 combo