A highlight of the final day of Craven Week has always been the announcing of the SA Schools team, following the unofficial final. It has been confirmed that this year 28 players will be picked. Although Academy Week players will be considered, unless they were absolutely brilliant at Academy Week, chances are there will be no Academy Week players included in the SA Schools team.
In 2012 there was a break with tradition. A squad of 50 players (including two Academy Week players) were invited to attend final trials a week later.From this trial 28 players were selected to represent South Africa under-18 against England, France and Wales in a quadrangular international series. There is good reason to believe that a tournament with a smilar format will be used. Word out is that there will also be a game against the Academy Week XV. The Academy Week team announcement is also outstanding.
Another SA Schools selection consideration is the inclusion of previously disadvantaged players. Although there is a proper quota in place for all teams participating at Craven Week, there is no official stipulation of how many players of colour have to be included in the SA Schools team. Over the last few years this figure has been between 10 and 11 players per year. If this standard is to be maintained, it may result in several outstanding players being overlooked.
@Grasshopper: I agree, there is so many boys that can play in this squad on any day, IMHO some positions have 3-4 other players at the week that could be chosen as well. I really feel that SARU can pick 2 teams and create opportunities for them in the international arena.
@Predator: mate, you mistook me. I’m not disputing Schinkelinv and Gelant, best players by far in their positions I’m questioning the other locks. I’ve stated many times how impressive Schinkerling was. RG should be partnering him. Imagine Linde and Gelant together.
@Grasshopper: Disagree, Schickerling IMO the best lock at school level in SA. The WP opponents can be lucky he didn’t play, great jumper and carrier of the ball, also very fast for such a big frame. I have seen him on various occasions this year , …he is good, very good. Gelant played last year allready, performed exceptional at international level and had a very good season at the Kwaggas. He is a planmaker and linebraker also a good kicker. I’m glad that both of them got chosen , they will make a positive difference to the squad.
@Tjoppa: I meant the starting Bulls locks RG Snyman and the Garsies lock?
@Grasshopper: Abongile Nonkontwana (Blue Bulls – St Alban’s College)
Unlucky boys:
RG Snyman from the Bulls
Schramm from KZN
Gosa from Border
Others?
Not one of the Bulls locks, huh?
Good team, I see they picked Schinkerling and Gelant on reputation. Feel hugely sorry for Ryan Oosthuizen and Corne Vermaak who were injured. Schramm can count himself unlucky but Bothma’s name was written down before the week started…
SA Schools Under-18 Rugby Squad:
Forwards
Rikus Bothma (Western Province – Paarl Gim, Captain)
Daniel du Plessis (Western Province – Paarl Boys High)
Daniel du Preez (KZN – Kearsney College)
Jean-Luc du Preez (KZN – Kearsney)
Thomas du Toit (Western Province – Paarl Boys High)
Joseph Dweba (Golden Lions – Florida)
Ruan Kramer (Free State – Grey College)
Thabani Mtsi (Border – Selborne College)
Ox Nche (Free State – Louis Botha)
Abongile Nonkontwana (Blue Bulls – St Alban’s College)
Refuoe Rampeta (Free State – Louis Botha)
JD Schickerling (Western Province – Paarl Gim)
Francois Steyn (Blue Bulls – Affies)
PJ Toerien (Blue Bulls – Garsfontein)
Jacques Vermuelen (Western Province – Paarl Gim)
Conraad van Vuuren (Pumas – Nelspruit)
Backs
Daniel du Plessis (Western Province – Paul Roos)
Remu Malan (SWD – Outeniqua)
Warrick Gelant (SWD – Outeniqua)
Grant Hermanus (Western Province – Paarl Gim)
Dewald Human (SWD – Outeniqua)
Malcolm Jaer (Eastern Province – Die Brandwag)
Jurie Linde (Blue Bulls – Affies)
Justin Phillips (Blue Bulls – Waterkloof)
Brandon Thompson (Pumas – Ermelo)
Duhan van der Merwe (SWD – Outeniqua)
EW Viljoen (Free State – Grey College)
Leolin Zas (Boland – Hermanus)
http://www.schoolsportsnews.co.za/rugby/2013-sa-schools-team/
Forwards
Rikus Bothma (Western Province – Paarl Gim, Captain)
Daniel du Plessis (Western Province – Paarl Boys High)
Daniel du Preez (KZN – Kearsney College)
Jean-Luc du Preez (KZN – Kearsney)
Thomas du Toit (Western Province – Paarl Boys High)
Joseph Dweba (Golden Lions – Florida)
Ruan Kramer (Free State – Grey College)
Thabani Mtsi (Border – Selborne College)
Ox Nche (Free State – Louis Botha)
Abongile Nonkontwana (Blue Bulls – St Alban’s College)
Refuoe Rampeta (Free State – Louis Botha)
JD Schickerling (Western Province – Paarl Gim)
Francois Steyn (Blue Bulls – Affies)
PJ Toerien (Blue Bulls – Garsfontein)
Jacques Vermuelen (Western Province – Paarl Gim)
Conraad van Vuuren (Pumas – Nelspruit)
Backs
Daniel du Plessis (Western Province – Paul Roos)
Remu Malan (SWD – Outeniqua)
Warrick Gelant (SWD – Outeniqua)
Grant Hermanus (Western Province – Paarl Gim)
Dewald Human (SWD – Outeniqua)
Malcolm Jaer (Eastern Province – Die Brandwag)
Jurie Linde (Blue Bulls – Affies)
Justin Phillips (Blue Bulls – Waterkloof)
Brandon Thompson (Pumas – Ermelo)
Duhan van der Merwe (SWD – Outeniqua)
EW Viljoen (Free State – Grey College)
Leolin Zas (Boland – Hermanus)
@beet:
Unwritten rule is 33.33% of a team has to be PDI I believe.
So you’ll probably see 10 of them in there yes.
@Koos Roos: I’m going to change the article slightly because it has been made clear to me that there is no budget this year for a trial game. The selectors will pick 28 players after the final. This has been described as a pity because it turns out that the trials helped a lot last year. Selectors picked up on things that they did not see during 3 days of matches.
Also on average 10-11 players have to be PDI. This year there have been problems identifying good PDI players. There is no official quota for SA Schools but the need to pick 10-11 players means that the SA Schools team may not be as strong as folks would like or hope for. Some of the clear cut best players in certain positions will have to miss out.
Beet, from what I have seen, we have enough talent to pick 2 teams that will compete AND do well in a series like that.