England desperate to keep winning momentum, while Nyali captains SA u18’s against France
CAPE TOWN– There will be two sides of the story on Tuesday at Stellenberg High School when England look to build momentum from the win against France in the first match of the U18 series against a Western Province invitational side, while Wynberg flanker, Xola Nyali will lead South Africa in their first game of the series against France.
England U18 captain Kepueli Tuipulotu believes his team need to stay the course and trust the process when they take on a Western Province Invitational side in their second encounter of the U18 international series in Stellenberg High School on Tuesday.
Catch all the action from the u18 International Series live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com). Broadcast brought to you by Investec.
England, who opened their campaign with an emphatic (41-0) against France at Boland Landbou in Paarl last Friday will go into the match high in confidence and looking to sharpen certain aspects of their game ahead of the big clash against South Africa on Saturday.
In their match against France, Tuipulotu’s side dominated proceedings from the get-go and were clinical in most facets of the match.
The new look, energized team bossed the breakdown battle, won 80% of their lineouts and managed to collect penalties from their powerful scrum led by their rugged front row of Will Conduit, Tuipulotu, and Billy Sela.
Their lock pairing of Junior Kpoku, and Olamide Sodeke were also lively, causing France several issues during line out time and at the breakdown.
The backline, which scored five of the seven tries registered on the day, were breathtaking, playing with confidence, trying out new things with the pace of Angus Hall and Charlie Griffin on the outside, always ready to pounce on every opportunity.
England, however, will approach the Western Province match with a different perspective, that of giving every player an opportunity to play while resting crucial players for the clash against South Africa.
The exhibition match, as many may call it, will also give head coach, Jonathan Pendlebury an opportunity to try out new combinations within his team, testing out what works and what needs fixing days before their final match of the series.
The clash between the English and the Western Province invitational side kicks off at 13:30.
In the final match of the day, host nation South Africa will be in action for the first time in this year’s series when they take on France at 15:00.
The SA u18’s will be captained by Wynberg Boys High skipper, Xola Nyali who also led Western Province to this year’s Craven Week title in George.
Nyali will be assisted by vice-captain, and flyhalf, Ian van der Merwe.
The side boasts the likes of Luyanda Kunene from the Sharks, Jameel de Jongh, Christiaan van der Westhuizen, and Batho Hlekani, just to name a few. On the bench, head coach Katleho Lynch will be spoilt for choices, with 11 quality players to choose from that can come on, and make an impact.
And despite being dealt a late blow when Divan Fuller was forced to withdraw from the squad, Lynch will be happy with his replacement, Riley Norton who slotted in the match day squad.
Fixtures:
15 August 2023:
13:30 – England u18 vs Western Province Invitational
15:00 – South Africa u18 vs France u18
The teams:
England U18 squad: Forwards: Tayo Adegbemile (Saracens, St Albans), Will Conduit (Midlands West, Stourport College), Ronan Daniell (Harlequins, Hurstpierpoint College), Sam Graham (Newcastle Falcons, Durham), Junior Kpoku (Exeter Chiefs, Finborough), Jack Lightbown (Sale Sharks, The Sixth Form Bolton), Alfie Longstaff (Yorkshire Academy, Woodhouse Grove), Jamie Miller (Harlequins, Whitgift), Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff), Solomon Shand (Gloucester Rugby, Hartpury College), Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Gravesend Grammar), Connor Treacey (Bath Rugby, Beechen Cliff), Kepueli Tuipulotu (South Central London Academy, Harrow), Charlie West (Saracens, St Albans).
Backs: Toby Baker (Bristol Bears, St Peter’s, York), Jack Bracken (Saracens, St Albans), Ollie Davies (Sale Sharks, Kirkham Grammar), Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Trinity), Charlie Griffin (South Central London Academy, Harrow), Angus Hall (Saracens, The Judd School, Tonbridge), Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks, Stockport Grammar), Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter College), Finn Newton (Saracens, Haileybury), Louie Platt (Yorkshire Academy, Mount St. Mary’s), Toby Wilson (Sale Sharks, Kings Macclesfield), Finlay Wiseman (South Central London Academy, Hampton).
Western Province Invitational squad: Ryk Groenewald, HB Odendaal, Herman Lubbe, Danio Botha ©, Eduan Vosloo, Ruben Dames, Marco Ferreira, Liberty Nyashanu, Juan Loots, Marno Pretorius, Rami Moastshe, Frank Hitimane, Daniel Van der Merwe, Freek De Kock, Tazreeq Moerat, Xander Mynhardt, Almero Keizer, Alfie Holm, Neil Hansen, Cole Wedgeworth, David Kotze, Ashwin Cox, Riyaad Bam, Luke Swart, Yibanathi Boncama, Iian Knoetze.
South Africa U18 squad : Luyanda Kunene, Scott Nel, Jameel de Jongh, Dominic Malgas, Cheswill Jooste, Ian van der Merwe (vice-captain), Christiaan van der Westhuizen, Batho Hlekani, Thando Biyela, Xola Nyali (captain), Ulrich van der Westhuizen, Jacobus Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Ngobese, Imaani Pemba, Ranon Fouche, Siphosethu Mnebelele, Lithemba Mfupi, Jean Erasmus, Riley Norton, JJ Theron, Haashim Pead, Janco Purchase, JC Mars, Marno Stopforth, Phiwayinkosi Kubeka, Gino Cupido.
France u18 squad: Liam Couturier, Gabin Garault, Thomas Marceline, Noe Theraube, Romeo Martin Bonnard, Marceau Marzullo, Dany Kevin Lamataki, Ellyjah Ibsaiene ©, Temanatua Boichot, Diego Jurd, Charly Mignot, Quentin Valentino, Adrien Drault, Tom Leveque, Melvyn Rates, Samuel Jean Christophe, Quentin Algay, Edouard Jabea, Eliott Duthil, Antoine Deliance, Nathan Llaveria, Luka Keletaona, Pierre Ourtaud Cren, Bastien Rasal, Thomas Alary, Ruben-Diego Pargade.
