South African teams named for U18 International Series finale at Stellenberg

Issued by SA Rugby Communications
August 14, 2026
The two South African Under-18 teams have been named for the final round of the U18 International Series, which takes place at Stellenberg High School on Saturday, with the SA U18 ‘A’ side facing France at 11h30 before the SA U18 team conclude their campaign against England at 15h30.
Both SA sides, who are still unbeaten after two rounds, have again made rotational tweaks to their match day squads in order to give as many players as possible a chance to taste international rugby. All the round three games will be broadcast live on YouTube and SuperSport.

The SA U18s go into their final fixture on the back of a comfortable 51-15 win over Ireland in their previous outing, and they have retained four players from that matchday squad. They are Juvan Burden (lock), Jamie Wimble (flanker), captain Jacobus de Villiers (No 8), and Anesu Kuzonyei (right wing).

All four are set to feature in their third consecutive start of the series, while a further nine teammates will make their second start, having featured in the opening round against France.

It will also be a special occasion for Burden and SA U18 flyhalf Ethan van Biljon, as both are learners at Stellenberg, located in the northern suburbs of Cape Town.

Meanwhile, the SA U18 ‘A’ coaches have also maintained their policy of rotation and continuity in key positions for their clash with France following a 20-0 victory over Georgia in the second round at Boland Landbou on Tuesday.

Six players have been retained from their previous match, including lock and captain Martin van Niekerk, as well as outside centre and vice-captain Nathan Aneke.

Ireland U18 and Georgia U18 will tackle each other form 13h30 in the other fixture.

Teams:

The SA U18 team to face England U18 at Stellenberg:

15 Lamla Mgedezi (Free State, Grey College)
14 Anesu Kuzonyei (Sharks, Northwood)
13 Erin Nelson (Eastern Province, Graeme College)
12 Alex Jankowitz (Sharks, Michaelhouse)
11 Ncutu Kepe (Border, Queen's College)
10 Ethan van Biljon (Western Province, Stellenberg)
9 Mickyle Booise (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
8 Jacobus de Villiers (captain, SWD, Oakdale)
7 Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood)
6 Stefan van der Vyver (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein)
5 Jean Dreyer (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
4 Juvan Burden (Western Province, Stellenberg)
3 Nicolas Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse)
2 Charles Whitehead (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
1 Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College) 

Replacements:
16 Theo Boshoff (Sharks, Maritzburg College)
17 Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse)
18 Ruben Lombard (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein)
19 Glodi Tshipamba (Golden Lions, Jeppe)
20 Siphesihle Marule (Pumas, Uplands White River)
21 Werner de Bruin (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium)
22 Luke Doyle (Eastern Province, Graeme College)
23 Achmat Behardien (Western Province, Wynberg)
24 Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls, St. Alban's College)
25 Luxolo Sonkononkono (Sharks, Westville Boys High)

SA U18 ‘A’ team to face France U18 at Stellenberg:
15 Drewyn Baron (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein)
14 Lucritia Magau (Eastern Province, Graeme College)
13 Nathan Aneke (vice-captain, Sharks, Durban High School)
12 Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks, Durban High School)
11 Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit)
10 Jaydon Viljoen (Golden Lions, Monument)
9 Liam de Villiers (Western Province, Paarl Boys' High)
8 Niel du Randt (Free State, Grey College)
7 AD Faul (Western Province, Paarl Boys' High)
6 Zander Muller (Sharks, Hilton College)
5 Martin van Niekerk (captain, Blue Bulls, Affies)
4 Bernhardt Schulze (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
3 Priden Sibiya (Sharks, Durban High School)
2 Charl Els (Blue Bulls, Affies)
1 Max Malan (Western Province, Paarl Boys' High) 

Replacements:
16 Kwaza Gobingca (Western Province, Rondebosch)
17 Matthew Prins (SWD, Outeniqua)
18 Sebastiaan Bekker (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
19 Bulelani Cebani (Sharks, Durban High School)
20 Linakho Mehlomakulu (Western Province, Rondebosch)
21 Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua)
22 Travis Pheiffer (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium)
23 Albert Nel (Western Province, Paul Roos Gymnasium)
24 Ruan Genis (Golden Lions, Monument)
25 Thomas Saunders (Western Province, Paarl Gimnasium)
26 Nala Shabangu (Sharks, Northwood) 
Photographer: Charmaine Sander Photography
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