SA Schools squads announced after successful FNB u18 Craven Week

Eight players who were part of the two SA Schools squads last year have been included in the two groups again this year when the teams do battle in Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 17 July.

Western Province’s Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, and Jordan Jooste, as well as Ethan Adams and AJ Meyer from Free State, the Sharks’ Zekhethelo Siyaya, and André Poulton of the Golden Lions, all of whom featured in 2024, were again included in the two squads of 26 players each.

Western Province has the most representatives in the two groups – eight players in the SA Schools team, and 12 in the SA Schools ‘A’ squad. The annual showpiece between the two sides will kick off at 15:00 at Hoërskool Middelburg, the hosts of the FNB u18 Craven Week.

Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, congratulated all the players selected for the SA Schools and SA Schools ‘A’ teams. “Your hard work, dedication, and performance have earned you this honour, and we celebrate your achievement today,” said Mr Alexander. “We also acknowledge those who missed out, and remind you that your journey is far from over.

Today, we celebrate not only the selection of these teams but the promise of a pathway that nurtures excellence, resilience, and opportunity. “These young athletes represent the future of South African rugby, and while we honour those selected, we encourage every player to remain committed to their journey. The road ahead is filled with possibilities.”

Lwazi Zangqa, from Border, has been named as the head coach of the SA Schools side, and he will be assisted by the Bulls’ Cobus van Dyk, while the SA Schools ‘A’ team will be coached by Flash Malinga, of the Sharks, with Clinton van Rensburg, of Western Province named as his assistant.

SA Schools squad 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville Boys’ High, Sharks), 14 Junaide Stuart (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), 13 Ethan Adams (Grey College, Free State), 12 Markus Muller (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 11 Jadrian Afrikaner (Westville Boys’ High, Sharks), 10 Liyema Nela (Hilton College, Sharks), 9 Morné Noble (Wynberg Boys’ High, WP), 8 Jacobus de Villiers (Oakdale Landbou, SWD), 7 Josh Neill (Rondebosch Boys’ High, WP), 6 Chinedu Amadi (King Edward VII, Lions), 5 AJ Meyer (Grey College, Free State), 4 Lwandile Mlaba (Westville Boys’ High, Sharks), 3 Luan van den Berg (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), 2 Altus Rabe (Paul Roos Gimnasium, WP), 1 Kai Pratt (Oakdale Landbou, SWD). Replacements: 16 Clinton Agu (Noordheuwel, Lions), 17 Jordan Jooste (HJS Paarl, WP), 18 Matthew van der Merwe (HJS Paarl, WP), 19 Jayden Joubert (HJS Paarl, WP), 20 Wasi Vyambwera (Maritzburg College, Sharks), 21 Gert Kemp (Paul Roos Gimnasium, WP), 22 Zirk Meyer (Affies, Blue Bulls), 23 Ruben Groenewald (Affies, Blue Bulls), 24 Nathan Aneke (Durban High School, Sharks), 25 Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College, Free State), 26 Thabiso Simelane (St Alban’s College, Blue Bulls).

Management

Head Coach: Lwazi Zangqa (Border) | Assistant Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls) | Team Manager: Dean Moodley (Sharks) | Physiotherapist: Robin Williams (Sharks) | Conditioning Coach: Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province) | Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland).

SA Schools A 15 Junade Pasensie (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), 14 Lucritia Magau (Graeme College, EP), 13 Erin Nelson (Graeme College, EP), 12 Christian Vorster (Oakdale Landbou, SWD), 11 Ncuthu Kepe (Queen’s College, Border), 10 Jeandre Uithaler (Noordheuwel, Lions), 9 Jayden Brits (Boland Landbou, WP), 8 Stefan McDonald (Affies, Blue Bulls), 7 Quintin Potgieter (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 6 Caleb Koeberg (Paul Roos Gimnasium, WP), 5 Juvan Burden (Stellenberg, WP), 4 Diaan Augustyn (Oakdale Landbou, SWD), 3 Bernhardt du Toit (HJS Paarl, WP), 2 Keenan Myners (Outeniqua, SWD), 1 Andre Poulton (Jeppe, Lions). Replacements: 16 Tommy Muller (HJS Paarl, WP), 17 Jeffrey Singo (Pretoria Boys’ High, Blue Bulls), 18 JG Badenhorst (Grey College, Free State), 19 Lian Terblanche (Northwood, Sharks), 20 Briint Davids (Milnerton, WP), 21 Mickyle Booise (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 22 Ethan van Biljon (Stellenberg, WP), 23 Jeneall Davids (HJS Paarl, WP), 24 Pieta Cilliers (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 25 Toriq Schambreel (Grey College, Free State), 26 Jadon Ocks (Boland Landbou, WP). Management

Head Coach: Flash Malinga (Sharks) | Assistant Coach: Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province) | Team Manager: Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls) | Physiotherapist: Rob Sims (Western Province) | Conditioning Coach: Adriaan Jansen (SWD) | Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland) Issued by SA Rugby Communications