Almost a full squad of Saffas in action for other countries during the Rugby World Cup
No less than 16 rugby players that will be in action during the World Cup in France that are not playing for the Springboks completed their schooling careers in South Africa.
Eight of the 16 players will represent neighbouring Namibia at the World Cup. They are Tiaan Swanepoel (Stellenberg), Oela Blaauw, Adriaan Ludick (both Paarl Gimnasium), Le Roux Malan, Damian Stevens (both Paarl Boys’ High), Tiaan de Klerk (Monument), Torsten van Jaarsveld (HF Verwoerd), and Aranos Coetzee (Boland Landbou).
De Klerk could’ve been one of two former Monnas’ locks at the tournament, but France’s Paul Willemse was ruled out due to a thigh injury. He however is still on the list of replacements for the French squad if experience any injury woes during the tournament.
De Klerk did start his high school career at the Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool before moving with his coach Wynand Moolman to Krugersdorp. The French also get their kick from Vlok Cilliers who matriculated from Canarvon in the Northern Cape. Cilliers, also capped by the Springboks, is the hosts’ kicking coach.
The Springboks will open their campaign to defend their title against Scotland on the 10th of September in the Stade Velodrome in Marseilles. The Scots have four South Africans in their squad of which three will be in action against the Springboks tonight.
Duhan van der Merwe (Outeniqua), Pierre Schoeman (Affies) and WP Nel (HTS Drostdy) will play against the Springboks, while Kyle Steyn (Trinityhouse, Randpark Ridge) is the other Saffa in the group. Van der Merwe’s brother Akker played for the Springboks, while Steyn’s father Rory was Nelson Mandela’s bodyguard.
Nel interestingly comes from a small town in the Northern Cape called Loeriesfontein, which is almost four hours drive away from Canarvon (Vlok Cilliers) in the same province. Hoërskool Calvinia also produced another international player in Mouritz Botha. The former English coach is currently the head coach at Bedford School in England.
The other four South Africans in action during the World Cup is Dave Ribbans (England), Pieter Labuschagne (Japan), Sebastian Negri (Italy) and Rob Herring (Ireland). Ribbans attended Somerset College just outside of Somerset West before leaving for England after school.
Labuschagne was part of the Grey College side of 2007 that brushed all before them. Negri was born in Zimbabwe but attended Clifton Prep in Durban before finishing his schooling career at Hilton College. Rob Herring is a SACS old-boy.
Kotaro Matsushima, fullback of Japan, was also born in South Africa. He completed his primary schooling career at Graeme College in Makhanda before he left to finish his schooling career in Japan. Another Japanese player Dylan Riley was born in Durban but his family left for Australia before he started school.
Players at the Rugby World Cup who received their schooling in South Africa:
| # | Player | Team | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WP Nel | Scotland | HTS Drostdy |
| 2 | Duhan van der Merwe | Scotland | Outeniqua |
| 3 | Kyle Steyn | Scotland | Trinityhouse |
| 4 | Pierre Schoeman | Scotland | Affies |
| 5 | Tiaan Swanepoel | Namibia | Stellenberg |
| 6 | Oela Blaauw | Namibia | Paarl Gimnasium |
| 7 | Damian Stevens | Namibia | Paarl Boys' High |
| 8 | Le Roux Malan | Namibia | Paarl Boys' High |
| 9 | Adriaan Ludick | Namibia | Paarl Gimnasium |
| 10 | Tiaan de Klerk | Namibia | Monument |
| 11 | Torsten van Jaarsveld | Namibia | HF Verwoerd |
| 12 | Aranos Coetzee | Namibia | Boland Landbou |
| 13 | Dave Ribbans | England | Somerset College |
| 14 | Pieter Labuschagne | Japan | Grey College |
| 15 | Sebastian Negri | Italy | Hilton College |
| 16 | Rob Herring | Ireland | SACS |
