Dawie Theron’s SA Under 20 training squad will reassemble in Stellenbosch today as they continue their preparations for the IRB Junior World Championship later this year; Sharks utility back Paul Jordaan will not be among their number this time around, however.
In a sign that Sharks fans will consider encouraging, Jordaan has been released from Baby Bok duty this time around in order to concentrate on his Super Rugby pre-season commitments; this is generally a pretty sure indication that his franchise have opted to hang onto him, which again could be a sign that he features prominently in the plans for the upcoming season. This may, of course, be jumping to conclusions, but if the Sharks coaches were only using Jordaan to hold tackle bags at this point, surely they would have let him go to the camp?
A number of other players have been ruled out due to similar reasons, including Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), Ruan Venter (Lions) and Steven Kitshoff (Stormers). Still more are missing due to injury, including Craig Barry, Tshotsho Mbovane (both WP) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (Sharks).
Ruwellyn Isbell, a new Bulls recruit who played SA Schools rugby in the Free State last year, has been called up as cover for Barry, with no other new faces in the 32-man group. Jordaan would have been the Sharks’ only backline representative, had he been there, but the KZN Union is, as always, well represented at forward. Under 19 skipper Allan Dell remains in the mix, along with front row team mates Maks van Dyk and Franco Marais, while the dynamic loose forward duo of Siseko Jafta and Khaya Majola have also again made the cut.
Two trial matches will be played during the two week camp, against Ikeys on 21 January and then Maties on the 28th.
The revised SA Under-20 training squad is:
Fullback: Marais Schmidt.
Wings: Travis Ismail, Jan de Klerk, Ruwellyn Isbell.
Centres: Jan Serfontein, William Small-Smith, Mathys Smit, Kobus van Wyk.
Flyhalves: Tony Jantjies, Errol Jaggers.
Scrumhalves: Kevin Luiters, Rudi van Rooyen, Hlanhla Hlungwane, Vian van der Walt.
Loose forwards: Shaun Adendorf, Wian Liebenberg, Fabian Booysen, Khaya Majola, Siseko Jafta, Cobus Nel.
Locks: Ettiene Oosthuizen, Paul Willemse, Ruan Botha, Jacques du Plessis.
Props: Marzuq Maarman, Gideon Muller, Allan Dell, Nicolaas van Dyk.
Hookers: Jason Thomas, Mihlali Mpafi, Mark Pretorius, Franco Marais.
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@Rob Dylan do you think jordaan will be on the bench as a utility back.
@Beet looking at this SA under 20 squad Theron might go with a side like this against UCT Ikeys this week.
15.Schmidt
14.Isbell
13.Small Smith
12.Serfontein
11.Ismael
10.Jantjies
9.Van Rooyen
8.Jafta
7.Liebenberg
6.Nel
5.Botha
4.Willemse
3.Dell
2.Marais
1.Van Dyk
what do you think ?
@Muzi (Comment 1) : for the Sharks? I think we’ll see more rotation this year, so I’m hoping he’ll get some starting opportunities as well
Robbo, thanx for the info..
What is the extent of Pieter-Steph’s injury, do you know? Does it rule him out of contention for the Super Squad?
@robdylan (Comment 3) : yea i hope he does not start against the bulls at loftus.
Good news for us I think.
@Muzi (Comment 2) : I think he will use the whole squad on rotation for this game.
The l/fwd trio you have picked is my fav 1 and in terms of the front row, I can’t help but believe that Mark Pretorius and Gideon Muller are leading starting contenders at this stage.
In the backs I really liked Vian vd Watt last year. Wud like him to start. Isbell is a fantastic player but so seldom fit these days that I doubt he will make it the JWC. He’s bound to break down again at some stage.
But still early days. It’s actual ridiculous to think that the squad is almost finalised before the bulk of the u20s available have even played a game of rugby this year. So much changes in just a few months at this level and SA really needs a national u20 compo to give other in form prospects a chance to challenge non-core players in the squad
This looks good, id like to see Jordaan used as an impact Sub. I really wish Plum had made use of the Currie Cup to give Jordaan more of a chance, even Gouws Prinsloo. However, im glad and have no doubt he will take his chances and become a mainstay at the Sharks for a long time.
Does anyone know what Jordaans specs look like? weight, height etc?
@mbay-shark (Comment 9) : he’s pretty good-looking, ja… 😈
@mbay-shark (Comment 9) : 1,8m 88kg..