SA Schools trio miss out

 Schoolboy-Derby-on-KEO

SA Schools trio miss out

7 Jul 2010

Three players who made SA Schools haven’t been included in the 32-man SA U18 High Performance squad.

Starting wing Jean-Paul Lewis (Western Province), reserve hooker Anrich Bitzi (Free State) and substitute lock Schalk van Heerden (Bulls) are the trio that didn’t make the expanded squad. The SA U18 side will play matches against France U18, a Namibian invitational XV and England U18 – who the Baby Boks lost to 45-13 in Kimberley last year.

SA Sevens coach Paul Treu and SA U20 coach Eric Sauls – who hasn’t managed to take that side past the semi-finals in the last three years of the Junior World Championships – will head the management team. They will be assisted by SA Schools coaches AJ Mercuur (Boland) and Janse van der Ryst (Griquas Country Districts).

The first and last matches against France and England will be televised on SuperSport on 16 and 23 July respectively.

SA U18 High Performance Squad –

Backs – Craig Barry, Richard Collins, Leroy Bitterhout, Johan Goosen, Patrick Howard, Ruwellyn Isbel, Muhammad Ismail, Siseko Jafta, Andile Jho, Paul Jordaan, Kevin Luiters, William Small-Smith, David Schmidt, Syviwe Soyiswaphi, Tshotsho Mbovane, Rudi van Rooyen.

Forwards – Ruan Botha, Fabian Booysen, Allan Dell, Neethling Fouche, Hendrik van der Walt, Neill Jordaan, Steven Kitshoff, Wiaan Liebenberg, Khaya Majola, Ettienne Oosthuizen, Tshepo Motale, Sikumbuzo Notshe, Charles Thomas, Jason Thomas, Ruan Venter, Justin van Wyk.


12 Comments

  • 1.Return of the Black Hooker: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 10:17 am

    What a joke!

  • 2.SjamBok: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 10:39 am

    OK lets see if having a few iinternationals at early stages iwll help our U20 sides. I somehow doubt it…

  • 3.Oubaas2009: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 10:51 am

    WTF, our junior selectors are up to shite unless these okes don’t make the age limit for U18!

  • 4.Oubaas2009: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 10:56 am

    Thank God that Paul Treu is involved.

  • 5.Bouts: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 11:57 am

    How many chances will they give Eric Sauls??? He keeps on messing up! He doesn’t believe in forwards play, even after being thrashed 3 years in a row, in 2 age groups, he still believes you should ignore having a powerful pack, and having 15 running players on the field. We’ve got some of the biggest school forwards in the world, but they keep on selecting little gnomes!

  • 6.Myrugby: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 12:01 pm

    Please explain the criteria for selection to this (or any) “High Performance Squad”.Certainly some disappointments, but don’t worry the cream always rises to the top. No surprise that many of our young talented players end up pursuing careers overseas!

  • 7.Bod: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 12:12 pm

    Having watched a bit of the Craven week, could someone explain to me what all the fuss around William Small-Smith is??

    He looked nothing over average to me…

  • 8.Mongril: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 14:29 pm

    Are the 3 players mentioned not over 18 and hence do not qualify for selection?

  • 9.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 14:49 pm

    bloody quotas!!!!

  • 10.renoog: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 14:50 pm

    I have no idea how JP Lewis even got selected in the first place and I also have no clue how the 2 WP locks Smid and Syeyn got no recognition.
    Oh well, that’s SA’s youth identification system for you.

  • 11.renoog: Reply to this comment
    7 Jul 2010, 14:56 pm

    @renoog(silent_shadow)-10:
    *Steyn

    I remember Steyn well because he went on that same IRANZ programme Frans Steyn went on and whatshisname NZ commentator who overlooks it marked him out as one for the future. Although he said he should play eigthman, not lock where WP used him. Maybe that’s made me biased towards him although I definitely think his lock partner Rayn Smid should’ve gotten selected.

  • 12.norman: Reply to this comment
    8 Jul 2010, 11:55 am

    one must accept that in rugby compared to tennis for instance or athletics were the better man is usually the winner and there are criterias for selection this sport of rugby selection is based purely on a bunch of individuals whose opinions obviously differ from one another.
    having watched the ofs -wp craven week final on tv i could name at least one player whom i would have selected ahead of any of those chosen for the sa side out of that game
    but then i am not a selector and have to accept the selectors decision as final
    a geat springbok captain once told me you cannot keep a talented player down for ever and as the saying goes “more is nog n dag”
    this is but little consolation for those affected .
    my advice is to practice harder and eventually one will be rewarded even though it may take a little more time than expected

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