The Free State contracted junior players for 2015 has been announced with 30 schoolboys making up the list.
It’s a good blend of players with all positions covered except maybe at prop. However as part of a changed strategy the rugby union will look to incorporate uncontracted Free State University students into their under-19 team.
12 contracted players are from Grey College, the no.1 ranked rugby school in South Africa in 2014.
Also in the mix are 5 Louis Botha players, further emphasising their growing importance as a feeder school.
| # | Position | Name | School | u18 Provincial | 2015 A/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prop | Kaden Prince | Brandwag | E Province CW | 19 |
| 2 | Prop | Edrich de Jager | Brandwag | E Province CW | 19 |
| 3 | Prop | Janu Botha | Grey College | Free State CW | 19 |
| 4 | Hooker/Prop | Joseph Dweba | Louis Botha | Lions CW & SA Sch 2013 | 20 |
| 5 | Hooker | JC Jv Vuuren | Grey College | Free State CW | 19 |
| 6 | Hooker | Robin Stevens | Grey High | E Province CW | 19 |
| 7 | Lock | Wilhelm Nebe | Erasmus | 19 | |
| 8 | Lock | Willem Augustyn | Drostdy | Boland CW | 19 |
| 9 | Lock | Brendan Verster | Garsfontein | Bulls AW | 19 |
| 10 | Lock | Ruben Schoeman | Grey College | Free State CW | 19 |
| 11 | Flank/Hooker | Henry Slabbert | Grey College | Free State AW | 19 |
| 12 | Flank | De Wet Bezuidenhout | Grey College | Free State CW | 19 |
| 13 | Flank | Nardus Bosman | Diamantveld | Griquas CW | 19 |
| 14 | Flank | Rohan Roelofse | Affies | Bulls AW | 19 |
| 15 | Flank | Victor Maruping | Louis Botha | Free State CW & SA Sch | 19 |
| 16 | No.8 | Daniel Nyamugama | St George’s | Zimbabwe | 19 |
| 17 | No.8 | Alex Jonker | Grey College | Free State CW | 19 |
| 18 | Scrumhalf | Carlo de Nysschen | Affies | Bulls AW | 19 |
| 19 | Scrumhalf | Dian Badenhorst | Grey College | Free State CW | 19 |
| 20 | Flyhalf | Muller Joubert | Ligbron | Pumas CW | 19 |
| 21 | Flyhalf | Dwayne Wessels | Grey College | Free State CW (inj) | 19 |
| 22 | Centre | Ali Mgijima | Louis Botha | Free State CW 2013 | 20 |
| 23 | Centre | Dale Koopman | Louis Botha | Free State CW | 19 |
| 24 | Centre | Julian Jordaan | Grey College | Free State CW | 19 |
| 25 | Centre/Wing | Neill Stannard | Grey College | Free State CW (inj) | 19 |
| 26 | Wing | JP Coetzee | Oakdale | SWD CW 2013 | 20 |
| 27 | Wing | Lleywellyn Hein | Louis Botha | Free State CW | 19 |
| 28 | Wing | Tiaan Schmulian | Affies | 19 | |
| 29 | Wing | Charl Pretorius | Grey College | 19 | |
| 30 | Fullback | Henry Immelman | Grey College | Free State CW 2013 | 20 |
@spilly: I’d be lying if I said I knew. Their 2nds and 3rds were quite good, with a lot of grade 11 boys there. Their under 16s blew hot and cold this year, but they had some really talented players in the team. Anyone’s guess as to how they’ll be next year.
@Knight_CHS07: At the moment it’s fitness, conditioning and skills. I recon they will only start training as a team once the trails are done in Feb /Mar next year.
@OudUppie: They have started training???
yho! No wonder those kids play so well together
@Playa Any idea how Queens shape up next year. Yes exciting times in store for Selborne next year , hope we are all in for a trick and a treat .
@Playa: What are the chances of it snowing in EL next year?
Next year GCB might not have that many “big names”, but they will have much more depth with a very strong U/16 team of this year now in the mix. They have started training two weeks after the Paul Roos game and they’re getting drilled. Also got Franco Smith now involved. Really looking forward to next year.
@star:
QC86 and the Single Malt guy can be the bouncers 
@ Playa- we must get Beet to get a bloggers corner going in the beer tent. The only problem will be how to tell the greenies they are not invited as no one wants to play with them.
@Ploegskaar:
Did you have to???
@star: They’ll be ok. Probably a notch below this year’s team, but play-wise, expect the same old freedom
I’m actually making plans to come up for KERF. Wife has never been to Durban, so it will be the perfect excuse to visit Thekwini, and squeeze in some time at Botha’s Hill.
@Playa: Like the strong 2011 Baboona Group, that looked set for an unbeaten season, but then Cape Schools happened…
@ Playa- how is the Dale team looking for next year as we play you at KERF. Watching Dale play is one of the highlights of the tournament. Just total freedom.
@spilly: They had quite a handy under 16 team though. But ja, it will be interesting. Selborne may well get their first ever unbeaten 1st XV if they manage to beat GCB at home next year.
Looks like a new 1st team for Grey Bloem next year, with a Cherries team that battled in 2014, Interesting.
@Woltrui: I watched FS u19 take on the Sharks u19 a couple of years back. Nico Lee scored a brilliant try and Louis Venter was outstanding at 9.
I’m happy for Rohan Roelofse. He’s the sort of player that might blossom in FS. It will be interesting to see if Tiaan Schmulian continues at wing or has another go at outside centre. In Haaie-land he is a blindside flank convert for sure
Carlo de Nysschen is another player who I’m sure is licking his lips at the opportunity to continue playing against top opposition that comes with u19 rugby – he will have his work cut out for him tho, Badenhorst is also a very good 9.
Baie trots op die 3 Affies Bulle in die groep. Die Vrystaters ken duidelik hul rugby 8)
@LAEVELDER: Sorry. You are right. Ligbron in Ermelo not N/Free State.
Baie geluk aan al die spelers, en vir julle wat uit bloubulland kom snoer lekker saam en speel julle harte uit ons kyk vir julle en alle voorspoed aan al julle manne
Its good to see that they have retained most of what GCB has to offer. Hopefully, the first small step to restore FS rugby to its rightful place.
I’m almost sure Muller Joubert of Ligbron played Puma CW not for the Griffons