Latest SA u20 squad

The SA Under-20 training squad to assemble on Sunday at SAS in Stellenbosch:

Vodacom Blue Bulls: Andrew Beerwinkel; Clyde Davids, Dennis Visser, Handrè Pollard, Irnè Herbst, Jacques du Plessis, Jacques Rossouw, Jan Serfontein, Justin Forwood, Leneve Damens, Marvin Orie, Neethling Fouchè, Roelof Smit, Ruan Steenkamp;

Toyota Free State Cheetahs: Luan de Bruin, Jacques du Toit, Seabelo Senatla;

MTN Golden Lions: Harold Vorster, Albertus Smit, Kershwin Williams, Louwrens Erasmus;

The Sharks: Hanco Venter, Marnè Coetzee, Morne du Plessis, Robert du Preez, Stefan Ungerer, Tyler Fisher;

Platinum Leopards: Sylvian Mahuza, Luther Obi, Marnus Tack;

DHL Western Province: Cheslin Kolbe, Freddie Kirsten, Justin Benn, JP Lewis, Tim Swiel, Jurie van Vuuren, Sti Sithole, Justin Gedult.

i recognise some of the names, but the majority allude me, so anyone got some info on some of these boys??? being SA though i expect it to be competitve, but will be interesting to see how they perform away from their own backyard.

hope NZ are not  in holiday mode and are preparing as well, i expect a big improvement in 2013 & im licking my lips in anticipation already.

That guy Cheslin Kolbe wa s playing for the seven side as a scrummie when they pummelled Argentina. Looks to have real pace and skills. One to watch. Delighted he is with WP!!!
Surprised Jan Serfontein is still under 20!!! No wonder Bulle wrapped him in cotton wool. Well done bulle doing something sensible at last!

Pollard also is still very young. Should have stayed with WP and will obviously regret moving to bulle much like Sadie and JJ who lost a year in their development during 2012. Hogaard and Morne should also have stayed down here. Mind you we also dont want two teams on the level with the queens so I guess I can live with it - season of goodwill stuff.

saSUE prepare for the worst!

Sasue

As far s I can remember - the only two players that played in 2012 Junior WC are Jan Serfontein and Handre Pollard.   They do not have an Under 20 compeition in SA - only an Under 21 competition - that was won by the Bulls and Under 19 that was won by WP - narrowly beating the Sharks in the semi and Bulls in the final. 

I do not know too much about any of the players - but I  know Timo Swiel is highly regarded by Western Province and I believe he may end up in the Stormers Super 15 squad.   He is a flyhalf.  Robert Du Preez is the son of an erstwhile Springbok - and he plays at flank. 

A number of these youngsters are still in school - that is why they are brought together during the main  SA school holiday season.

I know that there were some grumbles that the Craven School week was not as good as the previous year - but I do think that the Junior Springboks will be competitive.

Beeno. Actually I think It's okay to let Handre Pollard go. Timo Swiel also in the baby bok squad and a good flyhalf, a bit tactically not on Handre's level although he is far more of a running flyhalf. so WP shouldn't feel to bad about Handre.

Ek you are right of course we cant keep all the talent down here. I have seen Sweil play but cant say that I was bowled over. However these youngsters never stack up when compared to senior players.

What do the pundits think of Cheslin Kolbe? Was brilliant against the Argies in sevens.

Mike I see there is also a Morne Du Plessis - son of the former Bok captain?

Beeno

I tried desperately to find any info on Morne Du Plessis and found only one reference that mentioned that he married Jennie and they have three children - no further details.   Would be interesting to know whether he in fact is the son of Morne - would be intersting to know.  

There may be a possibility though - the youngster is probably 19 years old - meaning that Morne was probably 44-45 years of age when he was borne.    

We know Jan Serfontein is a class act at 12. The other one to watch is Tyler Fisher at 13, this kid is the real deal. Sweil is very illusive, but is a little guy.

Jacques du Plessis of the Bulls is a class act. Is over 2m tall and near the 120kg mark. Played as a lock a year ago and should have made the Bok U20 squad ahead of lightweight Orie. du Plessis has been playing 7 for the Bulls this year.

Its a pity Jan Serfonteins SA Schools and Grey centre partner Dries Swanepoel is still injured as he is the real deal as well

Snapster do you think the under 21 side next year will in fact be better?

Safesex...

For someone that lives in the land of pale and cold... you know a lot about players that have never been on tv.

Care to enlighten me where you "know" these players from?

Not an insult.... just curious.

I watched a replay of the Under 21 final and looked specifically at Swiel and Kolbe -  I liked very much what I saw.   Kolbe is a class act and Swiel has a lot of ball sense - clever player.   In the latter repect he is actually better than Pollard.   

Not sure about the others though.   Any news about the ancestry of Morne Du Plessis?   I could phone Rob Louw and ask him - he may know. 

Saffex

I tried to find information on Swiel on the internet and found nothing about his physique.   Can you help out - please.

What I did find is he was the highest pointscorer ever for two years running for Bishops - as well as the highest point scorer for Under 18 in the Craven week.   He has real class written all over  him.   He scores a huge number of tries - but he makes even more with efficient off-loads and kicks.   Unlike Jantjies he is not afraid to take tackles.    All the signs are he is going to play for the Stormers at flyhalf sooner rather than later - he is already in the Stormer Squad and is likely to play in Super 15 next year as a 19 Year-old.

No wonder the Cape people talk abput him as a future Springbok.    A bit more weight and a bit more muscles and bob is your uncle in his case. 

Glad to see Sweil is so highly rated Mike. Will keep an eye on him.  My time seeing him play has been limited. Seemed frail if I rember him. Dont recall any special athletic abilty either - but could be wrong here.

Beeno

There is a video on Swiel on the internet - google it and you will find ample information on his performances.   He was probably only 17 years old when you saw him play - so have a look at he video and then tell me what you think. 

Mike, Beeno and Saf won't be big on Swiel, he is too small. Given Not so sure if heynecke would like him as well as apart from his size he also lacks a bit when it comes to his tactical kicking. But when it comes to running and passing skills there are very few Flyhalfs in the country his age that can match him. So i don't see him as a future bok as he will defenitely be overlooked because of the reasons above. But as a future CC or Super 15 flyhalf i think he will have a good career, injuries permitting.

Ek

What is his weight and height - please

Around 180 and 80 kg's, not the biggest.

Ek

More or less the same size as Jantjies - Swile is slightly taller - but just about 3 kgs lighter - with proper dietary and training - could take his weight up to about 86kgs.   Not too small if that is taken into account.

Lambie is slightly shorter and come in at 83 kgs.   I do not think that size should be a handicap insofar as Swiel is concerned.    He just need some more muscles.

tim swiel is pretty small, but he should carve up for the under20s team. i am a little worried about him handlaing the physicality side of things, if he hits the wieghts room regularly and not necessarily beef up but works the fudsge out of his core strength, thgen he will handle the big time, but this is not a given.

i cant help but wonder what it would be like if swiel was to ever come across the like of SBW or manu tuilagi, lol. but then again gio aplon has got a pretty big ticker and hes not too shabby for the Boks, so it would be intresting indeed.