James Winstanley of Eastern Province has been named as coach of the South African Under-18 team for the forthcoming U18 International Series, while the SA U18 ‘A’ side will be coached by Heinrich Martin of Western Province.
Both squads will be captained by players from the Lions, with Siphosethu Mnebelele (SA U18) and Risima Khosa (SA U18 ‘A) named as captains as the selectors announced two squads of 26 players each for the international spectacle.
The two South African Under-18 teams and their age-group counterparts from England, France, Ireland and Georgia will face off in Cape Town and Paarl next month in the annual U18 International Series.
The SA Under-18 team and the next-best local ‘A’ side, as well as the four visitors from Europe, will play in a three-round competition on 12, 16 and 20 August.
The two squads will assemble on Wednesday, 7 August in Newlands in preparations for the upcoming U18 International Series.
Winstanley will be assisted by Lwazi Zangqa (Border), while Patdro Somerset has been named as Martin’s assistant coach. Cobus van Dyk (Bulls) is the scrum coach for both sides.
The squads are:
SA U18 squad:
Backs: Akahluwa Boqwana (Sharks), Khuthadzo Rashivaga (Golden Lions), Pieter van der Merwe (Free State), Janco Purchase (Blue Bulls), Cheswill Jooste (Golden Lions), Yaqeen Ahmed (Western Province), Adeeb Boraine (Western Province), Vusi Moyo (Golden Lions), Ethan Adams (Free State), Josh Mackenzie (Eastern Province), Markus Muller (Western Province), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks), Elgernon Meyer (SWD).
Forwards: Reuben Kruger (Western Province), Josh Neil (Western Province), Kebotile Maake (Golden Lions), Riley Norton (Western Province), JD Hattingh (Blue Bulls), Aiden Botha (Sharks), Siphosethu Mnebelele (Golden Lions, captain), Phiwayinkosi Khubeka (Western Province), Mahle Sithole (Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Free State), Ulrich van der Merwe (Golden Lions), James Schnetler (Blue Bulls), Alutha Wesi (Western Province).
SA U18 management
Team Manager: Dean Moodley (Kwa-Zulu Natal)
Head Coach: James Winstanley (Eastern Province)
Assistant Coach: Lwazi Zangqa (Border)
Scrum Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls)
Physiotherapist: Farhaanah Nagia (Free State)
Conditioning Coach: Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Leopards)
Team Doctor: Dr Gershin Kortje (Boland)
SA U18 ‘A’ squad:
Backs: Dylan Miller (Western Province), Ntsako Ndhlovu (Blue Bulls), Kurt Coetzee (SWD), Zingce Simka (Sharks), Junaid Stuart (Blue Bulls), Luan Giliomee (Boland), Hendré Schoeman (Blue Bulls), Viaan Mentoor (Western Province), Alzeadon Felix (Free State), Sipho Nonyalela (Eastern Province), Andre Poulton (Golden Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (Western Province), Brooklyn Newman (Blue Bulls).
Forwards: Aden da Costa (Western Province), Risima Khosa (Golden Lions, captain), Briint Davids (Western Province), Ruan Viviers (Western Province), Tom Barnard (Western Province), Davey Cruzz (Western Province), Liam van Wyk (Free State), Oliver Reid (Western Province), Xabiso Mkiva (Western Province), Jordan Jooste (Western Province), Luqobo Makwedini (Western Province), AJ Meyer (Free State), Gcina Puzi (Border).
SA U18 ‘A’ management:
Team Manager: Mandla Mdaka (Blue Bulls)
Head Coach: Heinrich Martin (Western Province)
Assistant Coach: Patdro Somerset (Eastern Province)
Scrum Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls)
Physiotherapist: Robin Williams (Sharks)
Conditioning Coach: Adriaan Jansen (SWD)
Team Doctor: Dr Gershin Kortje (Boland)
U18 International Series fixtures:
Monday, 12 August (Stellenberg HS)
11h30: South Africa ‘A’ vs Georgia
13h30: England vs Ireland
15h30: South Africa vs France
Friday, 16 August (Paarl Gimnasium)
11h30: England vs France
13h30: Georgia vs South Africa ‘A’
15h30: South Africa vs Ireland
Tuesday, 20 August (Paarl Boys High)
11h30: Ireland vs South Africa ‘A’
13h30: South Africa vs England
15h30: France vs Georgia
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
Photo: @SAJuniorRugby/Twitter
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