SA Schools coach Chris October has named his team to face England in Cape Town this afternoon, as part of the new International Under-18 Series. The boys received their caps at a ceremony in the Mother City last night.
Paarl Gym number 8 Rikus Bothma captains a side containing just two KZN boys – and as expected, each has the last name “du Preez”. Lock Daniel starts the match in the number 4 jersey, alongside Affies’ monstrous RG Snyman, while flanker Jean-Luc will play off the bench in the number 19 jersey.
Also keep an eye open for tighthead prop Ruan Kramer from Grey College and reserve prop Thomas du Toit from Paarl Boys. Both will be joining the Sharks as under 19s next year.
SA Schools squad to face England:
15. EW Viljoen – Grey College
14. Grant Hermanus – Paarl Gym
13. Warrik Gelant – Outeniqua
12. Daniel du Plessis – Paul Roos Gymnasium
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Outeniqua
10. Brandon Thomson – Ermelo HS
9. Justin Philips – Waterkloof HS
8. Rikus Bothma (c) – Paarl Gym
7. Jacques Vermeulen – Paarl Gym
6. PJ Toerien – Garsfontein HS
5. RG Snyman – Affies
4. Daniel du Preez – Kearsney College
3. Ruan Kramer – Grey College
2. Joseph Dweba –Florida HS
1. Ox Nche – Louis Botha THS
Reserves:
16. Thomas du Toit – Paarl Boys High
17. Francois Steyn – Affies
18. Conrad van Vuren – Nelspruit HS
19. Abongile Nonkontwana – St Albans College
20. Jean-Luc du Preez – Kearsney College
21. Marco van Vuuren – Transvalia HS
22. Dewald Human – Outeniqua HS
23. Jurie Linde – Affies
Here’s some footage from the capping ceremony:
Tweet
RG Snyman replaced JD Schicklering who broke his arm playing for Gimmies.
Marco van Vuuren comes in for Remu Malan, the Outeniqua scrumhalf
Sharks have also signed Thomas du Toit the Paarl Boys High 122kg prop.
@slammerboy (Comment 1) : is that common knowledge?
@robdylan (Comment 2) : http://www.rugby365.com/article/55461-captain-s-profile-thomas-du-toit
Have a read a few paragraphs down
@slammerboy (Comment 3) : oh cool. I didn’t put it in the article cos I thought it was a secret.
Will update
@robdylan (Comment 4) : I also thought it was hush hush but clearly not.
Below is list of the player movements for 2014
15. EW Viljoen – Grey College – Cheetahs
14. Grant Hermanus – Paarl Gym – Still at school
13. Warrik Gelant – Outeniqua – Bulls
12. Daniel du Plessis – Paul Roos Gymnasium – WP
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Outeniqua – Bulls
10. Brandon Thomson – Ermelo HS – Unknown
9. Justin Philips – Waterkloof HS – WP
8. Rikus Bothma (c) – Paarl Gym WP
7. Jacques Vermeulen – Paarl Gym – WP
6. PJ Toerien – Garsfontein HS – Still at school
5. RG Snyman – Affies – Bulls
4. Daniel du Preez – Kearsney College – Sharks
3. Ruan Kramer – Grey College – Sharks
2. Joseph Dweba –Florida HS – Unknown
1. Ox Nche – Louis Botha THS – Cheetahs
Reserves:
16. Thomas du Toit – Paarl Boys High – Sharks
17. Francois Steyn – Affies – Bulls
18. Conrad van Vuren – Nelspruit HS – Cheetahs
19. Abongile Nonkontwana – St Albans College
20. Jean-Luc du Preez – Kearsney College
21. Marco van Vuuren – Transvalia HS – Unknown
22. Dewald Human – Outeniqua HS – Bulls
23. Jurie Linde – Affies – Bulls
@slammerboy (Comment 5) : interesting. To me, that says that the Bulls are having less success than usual in luring boys from outside the province. WP to have the strongest u19 side next year?
Jean Luc Du Preez on the bench ,those other loosies must be dam good, or one is the captain 😆
Who cares the guy will be a Sharks legend some day!
@Talent (Comment 7) : Vermeulen and Bothma are very highly rated. Don’t know too much about Toerian. Possible he’s playing the fetcher type role. du Preez is competing with Vermeulen for a place.
EW Viljoen and Brandon Thomson heading to WP.
@Spanky (Comment 9) : ah yes
@slammerboy (Comment 5) : Presume JL du Preez will be going to the Sharks.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 11) : correc
@robdylan (Comment 12) : oops missed that. Also not sure where Abongile Nonkontwana is off to. Bulls have signed both RG Snyman and Hyron Andrews
Any idea where Schikerling will be going?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 14) : He’s staying at WP. Very good player that. Barring injury he will one day wear the Bok jersey
@slammerboy (Comment 15) : Was hoping he was coming to us, had heard things in that line. Very good player.
Thomson going to WP
SA won 19-14 hardly convincing given the gulf between SA schools rugby and that of England. This SA schools side clearly does not represent the best SA schools has to offer
@Saffex (Comment 18) : dude this is the first time these guys have played together in conditions which weren’t conducive to running rugby. This is team will get better. Always happy with the win first up. You expecting SA Schools to put 50 on England?
@saffex, there is no gulf between England schools and SA schools, only the kak small English schools tour here. The big schools would run our top 5 close. Most of the school boys are playing with men at club level. Did you see the England under20’s. Anyway, our boys have only played one game and won, this England side has played a whole 6 nations