SA schools players since 2003

So few go on to make it as provincial players, let alone Boks. In bold have played CC or S15 and higher

SA Schools 2013: Rikus Bothma (Paarl Gim, Captain), Daniel du Plessis (Paarl Boys High), Daniel du Preez (Kearsney College), Jean-Luc du Preez (Kearsney), Thomas du Toit (Paarl Boys High), Joseph Dweba (Florida), Ruan Kramer (Grey College), Thabani Mtsi (Selborne College), Ox Nche (Louis Botha), Abongile Nonkontwana (St Alban’s College), Refuoe Rampeta (Louis Botha), JD Schickerling (Paarl Gim), Francois Steyn (Affies), PJ Toerien (Garsfontein), Jacques Vermeulen (Paarl Gim), Conraad van Vuuren (Nelspruit), RG Snyman (Affies), Daniel du Plessis (Paul Roos), Remu Malan (Outeniqua), Warrick Gelant (Outeniqua), Grant Hermanus (Paarl Gim), Dewald Human (Outeniqua), Malcolm Jaer (Die Brandwag), Jurie Linde (Affies), Justin Phillips (Waterkloof), Brandon Thompson (Ermelo), Duhan van der Merwe (Outeniqua), EW Viljoen (Grey College), Leolin Zas (Hermanus), Marco van Vuuren (Transvalia).

SA Schools 2012: Aidon Davis (Daniel Pienaar), Daniel du Preez (Kearsney), Jean-Luc du Preez (Kearsney), Francois Esterhuizen (Overberg High), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Affies), Gideon Koegelenberg (Hugenote), Wilco Louw (HTS Drostdy), Thabo Mabuza (Centurion), Malcolm Marx (KES), Ox Nche (HTS Louis Botha), Abongile Nonkontwana (St Alban’s), JD Schickerling (Paarl Gim), Pierre Schoeman (Affies, Captain), Chad Solomon (Paul Roos), Dayan van der Westhuizen (Centurion), Jano Venter (HTS Middelburg), Ryno Eksteen (Affies), Warrick Galant (Outeniqua), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Waterkloof), Sandile Khubeka (Kearsney), Jesse Kriel (Maritzburg College), Jurie Linde (Affies), Matjikinyane Molapo (Ben Vorster), Sergeal Petersen (Grey High School), Justin Phillips (Waterkloof), Handre Pollard (Paarl Gim, Vice-Captain), Akhona Sihunu (Dale), Duhan van der Merwe (Outeniqua).

SA Schools 2011: Andrew Beerwinkel (Porterville High), Marne Coetzee (Glenwood), Leneve Damens (Grey College), Morne du Plessis (Waterkloof), Jacques du Plessis (Ermelo), Philip du Preez (Monument), Tyler Fisher (Westville), Irne Herbst (Waterkloof), Nhlanhla Hlongwane (HTS Louis Botha), Ruwellyn Isbell (Grey College), Pieter Jordaan (Grey College), Eugene Le Maitre (Marais Viljoen), Jean-Paul Lewis (Paul Roos), Thabo Mabuza (Centurion), Sikumbuzo Nothse (Wynberg), Sean Robinson (Waterkloof), Pierre Schoeman (Affies), Jan Serfontein (Grey College), Ruan Steenkamp (Monument), Andries Swanepoel (Grey College), Tim Swiel (Bishops), Siyabonga Tom (Glenwood), Jaco van der Walt (Monument), Kurshwill Williams (Oudtshoorn High).

SA Schools 2010: Craig Barry (Paul Roos), Jean-Paul Lewis (Paul Roos), William Small-Smith (Grey College, Captain), Andile Jho (Dale), Leroy Bitterhout (Klein Nederburg), Johan Goosen (Grey College), Rudi van Rooyen (Affies), Nardus van der Walt (Affies), Sikumbuzo Notshe (Wynberg), Khaya Majola (Westville), Ruan Botha (Jeugland), Ruan Venter (Monument), Allan Dell (Queen’s College), Jason Thomas (Muir), Steven Kitshoff (Paul Roos), Anrich Bitzi (Grey College), Neethling Fouche (Grey College), Schalk van Heerden (Affies), Wiaan Liebenberg (HTS Drostdy), Kevin Luiters (Grey College), Paul Jordaan (Grey College), Tshotsho Mbovane (Paul Roos).

SA Schools 2009: Riaan Britz (Grey College), Sizo Maseko (Ermelo), Piet Lindeque (Grey College), Andile Jho (Dale), Brian Skosana (St Andrew’s College), William van Wyk (Paarl Gim), Pieter Rademan (Grey College, Captain), Siya Kolisi (Grey High School), Jean Cook (Grey College), Lean Schwartz (Waterkloof), Carl Wegner (Grey College), Frederick Schnetler (Glenwood), Frans Malherbe (Paarl Boys High), Bongi Mbonambi (St Alban’s), Stephan Kotze (Grey College), Scarra Ntubeni (KES), Zolani Faku (Grey High School), Chris Cloete (Selborne), Nizaam Carr (Bishops), Tony Jantjies (Menlopark), JP du Plessis (Paul Roos).

SA Schools 2008: Pat Lambie (Michaelhouse), Tythan Adams (Paul Roos), Wandile Mjekevu (KES), Francois Venter (Grey College), Abednego Mamushi (Middelburg High), Francois du Toit (Grey College), Chuma Faas (Grey High School), CJ Stander (Oakdale, Captain), Petrus Uys (Monument), Helmut Lehman (Paarl Gim), Niel Kapp (Outeniqua), Andries Ferreira (Affies), Neethling Gericke (Oakdale), Shaun Malton (Glenwood), Ruan Smith (Paarl Gim), Gareth Topkin (Rondebosch), Najbulo Mkize (Westville), Mlungisi Bali (St Alban’s), Siya Kolisi (Grey High School), Sinovuyo Nyoka (Dale), Elton Jantjies (Florida), Garth April (Bergrivier).

SA Schools 2007: Pat Lambie (Michaelhouse), Riaan Arends (Brandwag, Uitenhague), Earl Snyman (Outeniqua), Robert Ebersohn (Grey College), Ompile Seabela (Pretoria Boys High), Marnitz Boshoff (Nelspruit), Rudy Paige (Bastion, Captain), Nick Koster (Bishops), Roelof Pienaar (Grens High), Marnus Schoeman (Waterkloof), Cornell Hess (Affies), Marchant van Rooyen (Jan Viljoen), Julian Redelinghuys (Monument), Johan Oberholzer (JanViljoen), Dale Chadwick (Westville), Sibi Masina (Standerton), Coenie Oosthuizen (Grey College), Kene Ockafor (Kearsney), Moekoa Bolofo (HTS Louis Botha), Kelvano King (Alexandria High), Yondela Stampu (St Alban’s), Hadley Smith (Grey College).

SA Schools 2006:  Cecil Afrika (Hentie Cilliers), Justin Botha (Monument), Yaya Hartzenburg (Paarl Boys High), Cornell Hess (Affies), Frik Kirsten (Affies), Nick Koster (Bishops), Divan Kotze (Waterkloof), Luvuyiso Lusaseni (Selborne), Ntokozo Mashele (Nelspruit), Tshepo Masuga (Monument), Aubrey McDonald (Waterkloof), Juan-Pierre Mostert (Brits), Mlindazwe Nqoro (St John’s), Julian Redelinghuys (Monument), Alfred Ries (Monument), Jean-Jacques Rossouw (Paarl Gim), Marlin Ruiters (Grey High School), Marnus Schoeman (Waterkloof), Clayton Stewart (Strand), Pieter-Willem van Vuuren (Grey College), Stefan Watermeyer (Waterkloof), Vainon Willis (Waterkloof).

SA Schools 2005: Conraad Britz (Oakdale), Zander de Kock (Vereeniging HTS), Riacco Eilerd (Landbou High), Vincent Gwavu (Daniel Pienaar), Morne Jooste (Settlers High), Christopher Juries (Kingswood), Divan Kapp (HTS Middelburg), Marlon Lewis (Bertram), Edgar Marutlulle (Potchefstroom Boys High), Aubrey McDonald (Winterburg), Pieter Meyer (Waterkloof), Chris Micklewood (Westville), Hans Moolman (Ermelo), Malungisa Nkosi (St Stithian’s), Josephus Oosthuizen (Grey College), Dewald Potgieter (Daniel Pienaar), Charlton Prinsloo (Bridgton), Hendrik Roodt (Lichtenburg), Andre Smith (Paarl Gim), Mandilakhe Tile (Dale), PJ Vermeulen (Noord-Kaap), Stefan Watermeyer (Waterkloof).

SA Schools 2004: Randall April (Bergrivier), Bradley Barritt (Kearsney), Heinrich Brussow (Grey College), Ricardo Croy (Paarl Gim), Stoffel Duvenhage (HTS Middelburg), Shandre Frolick (Worcester Gym), Andisa Gqobo (Hudson Park), Alistair Hargreaves (Durban High School), Ashley Johnson (Paarl Gim), Marlon Lewis (Bertram), Hilton Lobberts (New Orleans), Edgar Marutlulle (Potchefstroom Boys High), Luvuyo Mhlobiso (Daniel Pienaar), Pieter Myburgh (Paul Roos), Herman Pretorius (Grey College), Carlo Prinsloo (Paarl Gim), Alistair Siegelaar (Paul Roos), Johan Snyman (Outeniqua), Deon Stegman (Grey College), Johan Strauss (Kearsney), Johan Volschenk (Oakdale), Jerome Williams (Middellande Secondary).

SA Schools 2003: Marius Delport (Zwartkop), Andisa Gqobo (Hudson Park), Gert Greyling (Sand du Plessis), Antonie Gronum (Oakdale), Alwyn Hollenbach (Grey College), Leon Karemaker (Bellville), Ncedo Koyana (Selborne), Pieter Louw (Paarl Boys High), Warren Malgas (PW Botha), Sangoni Mxoli (Durban High School), Thobela Ngonyoza (Oscar Mpetha), Steph Robberts (Grey College), Jody Rose (Paul Roos), Ashwin Scott (Parkdene), Pieter Spamer (Pietersburg), Wilhelm Steenkamp (Paarl Boys High), Adriaan Strauss (Grey College), Richard Strauss (Grey College), Flip van der Merwe (Grey College), Jano Vermaak (HTS Vereeniging), Frank Wagenstroom (Tygerberg).

 Pathetic when you look at it like this. Although these are not the full squads as some years have 28 players listed and some as few as 21 players, we can basically conclude that there should be around 28 per squad. There has also been some players missed by Saffec like Edgar Marutllule. I am pretty sure he has played S15 and/or Currie Cup.

Anyway, if we take the 10 years from 2003 to 2012 that means we have seen 280 players in action with only 57 (as per highlighted names) making the next level. 20% make the step up and 80% of the players identified as the best in their age group and the future, are probably sitting in a pub somewhere or chasing skirt at a night club! Happens to far too many promising players. At 18 years of age, you know fuck all about the real world and these school girls throw themselves at good, big rugby players. Most probably getting caught up in the good life instead of working even harder to break through. Also with earning no money they are probably forced to get jobs.

Management systems should be put in place for these players! They should be spread across the struggling unions almost like an NFL draft. If they cant make the move for rugby, then they are not that serious about making it to the top.

We could be a lot stronger in this sport if we had some process in place to start upping the dismal 20% "retention" we have in place.

Sharkbok

I agree with you - there is not enough done to keep the players in rugby after their school years.   However, in that respect there has been an improvement and the players seems to have done better - as did our Under 20 teams in the WC.  Most of the crop of 2010 onwards are still playing rugby on Under 21 level and some are selected from time to time to represent their franchises or even being regulars on Super 15 level.

Where I do agree is that only the cream comes through to play on senior level.   And the cream normally shows their abilities early on as well.   I think the academies are playing a major roll in keeping players in the game and preparing them for higher honours.

There is one problem in SA Rugby though - and that is a continuous upgrading of the Springbok team.   There was no team renewal programme in the period 2008 to 2011.   Since then Meyer has played cat and mouse about that issue - he would bring in younger players - but he would also bring in has beens - whose performances are way below par compared to the performances they put in 4 years ago.

We are struggling in some positions - even if site members refuse to recognise it.   In the main the real areas of concern are -

*   the deficiencies in respect of the number 13 center position (neither Engelbrecht nor Fourie is really the answer);

*   we do not really have a top class flyhalf - Morne is a good kicker at goal - the rest of his game is seriously deficient;

*  a nightmare is developing around the scrummie position.  Du Preez is OK - Pienaar is so-so - but the present talent pool in the Super 15 franchises is problematic.   Du Preez is rapidly approaching retirement age - and Pienaar has been a club level player - nothing more.   So where to in this case?

*   our backrow remains disjointed with especially the talentless Sloth Alberts at seven.   He is way too one-dimensional to be of value as a flank forward.

It would be interesting to see what White does with players like Swiel, Reinach and Jordaan.   I suspect Super 15 this year will present a totally different picture as to those three players.   Would also like to see how Francois Steyn gets on in Super 15 - but I suspect White will not use him at inside center because of lack of vision and speed.

There are younger players that looks very promising and I count the established Etzebeth, Wllie le Roux, Pat Lambie  and Jan Serfontein as the cream - with players like Du Toit, Malherbe, Kitshoff and Arno Botha as real future stars.   Other than Kitshoff (who should have been) the others have already shown their worth and are in the Springbok squad.        

Ceradyne

For once you have hit the nail on the head - evn though it is hard for me to understand how you managed it.  

Most of the school players end up going for tertiary education - where they might or might not play rugby.    If at University - they may play hostel rugby or even University Cup games.   After finishing their degree or diploma studies they would end up working full time on their careers and may play dome recreational rugby7 - but never really on a serious level.

It is only the cream of the crop who are contracted by the franchises and those normally goes to the Rugby Academies, playing Under 19 and Under 21 rugby - whereafter they normally goes into the CC teams.  The best players play very little or even no  CC games before playing in Super 15 level - eg Etzebeth and Jordaan.   Etzebeth went from Under 20 WC - directly to Super 15 and then to the Springbok team.      Jordaa n played Under 20 WC and went from there to the Vodacom Cup and hence to Super 15.

However, even the youngsters going into the Academies realize they are on a short term career basis and most of them study part time as well.     

A big factor with regards to school boys making it, is size. Many of these kids are big enough to make an impression at school boy level but fall well short in the senior ranks.

I see it all the time with my kids. Some have their hearts set on playing professional rugby and some certainly have the talent but are just not big enough

King you will find the AB backs are not that small:

Ben Smith 91kg

Piutau 94kg

Conrad Smith 95kg

Nonu 104kg

Saili 99kg

Halai 105kg

Dagg 95kg

Savea 104kg

Carter 93kg

Ranger 97kg

Crotty 92kg 

Barrett 90kg

 Of those names listed above, even the lightest of the lot, Ben Smith, is explosive. You get 90kg's and fast, then you get 90kg's with explosive pace and power. That is why Ben Smith is better than some 100kg guys of the same pace. Its ability to read the game and explosive power that make these guys special. They are just harder to bring down than a "regular" guy of their weight. Barrett is a perfect example of explosive pace and power.

Come to think of it, Morne is neither explosive, strong nor fast?? How the fuck did he fly under the radar for so long. He has the attributes of a club player ;-)