Under 20 squad for WC 2014

The following squad has been announced:-

SA U20 training group: Handré Pollard, Jesse Kriel, Duhan van der Merwe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Dan Kriel, Keagon Gordan, Kobus Marais, Warrick Gelant, Ganfred May, Marcus Kleinbooi, Duncan Mathews, JP Smith, Corniel Els, Wilco Louw, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Pierre Schoeman, Abongile Nonkontwana,  RG Snyman, Heinrich Viljoen, Justin Basson, Malcom Marx , Michael Hazner, Ramone Samuels, Jaco Van der Walt, Jano Venter, Thabo Mabuza, Vincent Maropeng, Victor Sisekete, JP du Preez, Pieter Scholtz, Stephan Vermeulen, Cyle Brink, Dylan Smith, Jaco Botha, Kock Marx, Dean Stokes, Lloyd Greef, Ox Noche, Joseph Dweba, Mthokozisi Mkhabela, Nicolaas Lee, Marthinus Oosthuizen, Jandré Slabbert; EP Kings: Aidon Davis, Sergeal Petersen, Kevin Kaba, Alrin Eksteen, Andre Esterhuizen, Thomas du Toit, Gideon Koegelenberg, Chris de Beer, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Dan du Preez,  Neil Maritz, Sandile Khubeka, Cameron Wright, Ayron Schramm, Ray Williams, Sias Koen, Ryno Eksteen, JD Schickerling, Jacques Vermeulen, Rikus Bothma, Daniel du Plessis, Jarryd Sage, SP Ferreira, Justin Philips, Dewald Naudé, Grant Hermanus, Chad Solomon, Wesley Adonis, Frans van Wyk.

I have highligted some of the real deals in the group and I think they are all going to be in the starting line ups.   However - was a bit disappointed - I thought E W Viljoen would be in the squad.

If you identify others - please point them out.   

The above group will be reduced before a training programme will be held in April-May. 

Enough to beat the NZ youngsters easily.

Mad that EW Viljoen makes the Stormers training squad and cant make Therons initial squad.......what a fool Theron is.

Where is Andre Esterhuizen of the Sharks

Saffex

Look again - he was one of the highlighted players 

Ah good

Others to be highlighted should be lock RG Snyman, the du Preez twins Jean Luc and Dan, centre Daniel du Plessis, centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and hooker Malcolm Marx  

Saffex

Looking at the list again - I copied it from Rugby365 - there were some duplications and there might be other errors also.   So it might have happened that EW Viljoen was left out of the list erroneously.

I have highlighted the players you have suggested.

Saffex

Looking at the list again - I copied it from Rugby365 - there were some duplications and there might be other errors also.   So it might have happened that EW Viljoen was left out of the list erroneously.

I have highlighted the players you have suggested.

Saffex

Looking at the list again - I copied it from Rugby365 - there were some duplications and there might be other errors also.   So it might have happened that EW Viljoen was left out of the list erroneously.

I have highlighted the players you have suggested.

The SA U20 training group:

Vodacom Blue Bulls: Handré Pollard, Jesse Kriel, Duhan van der Merwe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Dan Kriel, Keagon Gordan, Kobus Marais, Warrick Gelant, Ganfred May, Marcus Kleinbooi, Duncan Mathews, JP Smith, Corniel Els, Wilco Louw, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Pierre Schoeman, Abongile Nonkontwana, Janse van Rensburg, RG Snyman, Heinrich Viljoen, Justin Basson;
Golden Lions:Malcom Marx, Michael Hazner, Ramone Samuels, Jaco Van der Walt, Jano Venter, Thabo Mabuza, Vincent Maropeng, Victor Sisekete, JP du Preez, Pieter Scholtz, Stephan Vermeulen, Cyle Brink, Dylan Smith;
Leopards: Jaco Botha, Kock Marx, Dean Stokes, Lloyd Greef;
Toyota Free State: Ox Noche, Joseph Dweba, Mthokozisi Mkhabela, Nicolaas Lee, Marthinus Oosthuizen, Jandré Slabbert; EP Kings: Aidon Davis, Sergeal Petersen, Kevin Kaba, Alrin Eksteen;
Cell C Sharks: Andre Esterhuizen, Thomas du Toit, Gideon Koegelenberg, Chris de Beer, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Neil Maritz, Sandile Khubeka, Cameron Wright, Ayron Schramm, Ray Williams, Sias Koen;
DHL Western Province: Ryno Eksteen, JD Schickerling, Jacques Vermeulen, Rikus Bothma, Daniel du Plessis, Jarryd Sage, SP Ferreira, Justin Philips, Dewald Naudé, Grant Hermanus, Chad Solomon, Wesley Adonis, Frans van Wyk.

 Ceradyne

Thanks - but the names are the same.

There seems to be something funny - Janse van Rensburg is a surname  not a name - the guy must have some name not mentioned.  

The omission of EW Viljoen is a mystery ! Maybe SA rugby will say it was a typo ?

Anyways quite a large squad. Reason being they included loads of 1995 born who turn 19 years old this year when its mainly for 1994 born who turn 20.

So will pick 2 teams of players for who to watch. One a '94 team and another a '95 team. There may have to be close calls where there are 2 per position.

1994 born team

15. Jesse Kriel (Bulls)

14. Sergeal Petersen (EP)

13. Daniel Kriel (Bulls)

12. Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks) & Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Bulls)

11.

10. Handre Pollard (Bulls), Ryno Eksteen (WP), Jaco van der Walt (Lions)

9. Cameron Wright (Sharks)

8. Aidon Davis (EP) & Jano Venter (Lions)

7.

6. Heinrich Viljoen (Bulls)

5. Nic JvRensburg(Bulls) Stephan Vermuelen(Lions) & JP duPreez(Lions)

4. Gideon Koeglenberg (Sharks)

3. Wilco Louw (Bulls) & Dayan van der Westhuizen (Bulls)

2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)

1. Pierre Schoeman (c) (Bulls)

Gaps mean definitely '95 born better than any '94 born in that position

1995 born team

15. Warrick Gelant (Bulls) & EW Viljoen (WP)

14. Grant Hermanus (WP)

13. Jarryd Sage (WP)

12. Daniel du Plessis (WP)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Bulls)

10.

9. Justin Phillips (WP)

8. Rikus Bothma (c) (WP) & Ayron Schramm (Sharks)

7. Jean-Luc Du Preez (Sharks) & Jacques Vermuelen (WP)

6.

5. RG Snyman (Bulls) & Daniel du Preez (Sharks)

4. JD Schickerling (WP)

3.

2. Joseph Dweba (Cheetahs)

1. Thomas du Toit (Sharks) & Ox Nche (Cheetahs)

WPXV

Thanks very much.

Looking at your comments would you agree that the starting line-ip should look something like this:-

15   Jesse Kriel

14   Sergeal Petersen

13   Daniel Kriel

12   Andre Esterhuizen

11   Duhan can der Merwe

10   Handre Pollard

  9   Cameron Wright

  8   Rikus Bothma

  7   Jacques Vermeulen

  6   Heinrich Viljoen

  5   Daniel du Preez

  4   JD Schickerling

  3   Thomas du Toit  *

  2   Joseph Dweba

  1   Ox Nch e

*   I heard du Toit can be a tight head as well.

Looks a very good side - with plenty other options and loads of back ups.   

Du plicate

It depends if they are willing to pick players out of position to fit certain players in. I'm not a big believer in that.

For example Rohan Janse van Rensburg was a late replacement at the last WC but I've never been that impressed with him like Dries Swanepoel before. But they may go with 2 inside centres (Jv Rensburg and Esterhuizen). Problem being lack of  quick feet in there and pace.

Think they back 3 of Kriel, Petersen and vd Merwe should be a definite.

Pollard and Eksteen to battle it out for the fly-halves

With all our problems at scrum-half, Wright and Phillips are 2 names to keep a real eye on.

The forwards will be interesting. Don't think there is a real quality 6 out there and we have a number of unbelievable 8's and 7's.

No 8's

Davis was in the last WC squad but Venter was the 2013 SA Schools 8th-man. Bothma was the 2014 SA Schools 8th-man but Ayron Schramm is a freakish talent who got injured during last years Craven Week. I suspect any of those 4 will make the squad.

Flankers

Definitely a shoot out between JL Du Preez and Vermeulen for the number 7 jersey.

Locks

Once again well stocked. 2013 SA Schools locks were Schickerling and Koeglenberg and I suspect they have the inside track. But N. Jv Rensburg, Snyman and D. Du Preez are probably following in that order.

Props will be Louw and Schoeman with vd Weshuizen and Nche/du Toit on the bench.

Hooker definitely Marx.

Players to watch by union -

Stormers/WP

'94: Ryno Eksteen (on Stormers bench)

'95: EW Viljoen, Grant Hermanus (still at school), Jarryd Sage, Daniel du Plessis, Justin Phillps, Rikus Bothma, Jacques Vermeulen & JD Schicklering were all part of Stormers pre-season squad and are at the WPRI AS STILL IN SCHOOL LAST YEAR.

Viljoen and du Plessis started v Boland and Sage and Phillips came off the bench for the Stormers XV last weekend. Sage scored a try with his first touch.

These 8 boys are quite special. Big part of the unions future.

Harmanus won Craven Week player of the tournament for 2013, Vermeulen won 2013 Schoolboy rugby player of the year and Bothma was the captain of the impressive 2013 Craven Week champions.

Sharks

Always good to read from Schoolboy rugby blog - http://blog.schoolboyrugby.co.za/?p=6105

'94 Esterhuizen in SR squad. Koeglenberg is huge talent but was injured for a while last season.

New Academy intake (born '95)

Cameron Wright (born '94)

Cameron has 2 years of Sharks u19 experience behind him now. He is thea real deal. The full-house when it comes to scrumhalf skills: a strong accurate pass, a huge box kick, penetrating fringe sniping ability and most importantly outstanding quick decision-making. SA rugby is crying out for good scrumhalves, he could develop into one of the best. Cameron will be u20 this season.

Ayron Schramm

Arguably the best player in KZN in 2013. Ayron played like a star producing top quality performances each and every time. Kearsney had a nice collection of good players in spread across the field but time and time again it was Ayron who employed his superior skillls and proved to be the go-to man that ultimately got over the advantage line and set them up with value front-foot. Perhaps not the most physical No.8 in SA SBR in 2013, but he presented a strong case for being the most classy of the lot in SA. The combination of speed, positional understanding and execution made him a handful for just about every defence he came up against. His ability to be the link between forwards and backs has contributed to a building excitement about his future potential at the next few levels up after SBR. An untimely injury at Craven Week ended his challenge for SA Schools honours but even so there were enough knowledgeable rugby gurus that watched the KZN-Bulls game and said he was desperately unlucky not to have received a national team spot.

Daniel & JL du Preez

At times it seems unfair to couple the Du Preez twins, the sons of former Bok scrumhalf Robert, but they look alike and their style of play is so similar. Making SA Schools for two years in a row speaks volumes about the impact they have made at school level. They first represent KwaZulu-Natal at Craven Week with distinction as 15 year olds. Raw power has been the name of their game. The du Preezs have proven almost impossible to stop from going forward and have been responsible for some of the biggest bounces witnessed on school rugby fields anywhere. On defence they have manhandled more than their fair share of worthy big ball-carriers, sometimes just effortlessly picking them up and driving these big players backwards. Rugby isn’t just about the physical stuff though and these twins are some exceptional ball players with silky skills. In spite of their strength and ability bash it up, they don’t like to die with the ball, so they have been working hard to master the art of offloading in the tackle.

Thomas du Toit

Simply put, he is a machine. A player for Sharks fans to get very excited about. Thomas weights 132kg and recently tested the best of all the new Sharks players meaning that is power and speed were off the charts. He in fact ran a 5.4 seconds for the 40m dash which is insane. He’s a good ball carrier in the loose and looks to have a sound scrumming technique.

Bulls 

'94 born. J. Kriel and Pollard are the obvious ones.

D. Kriel and Rohan Jv Rensburg (Vodacom Cup squad) are a good centre combo.

The lock N. Jv Rensburg, has been in their Vodacom Cup pre-season squad and 3 props Louw, Vd Westhuizen and Schoeman will prob form the u20s major props.

'95 born

The 2 impressive SWD boys Gelant and vd Merwe. Gelant has quick feet and speed of thought and has moved to full back fulltime after being a centre while vd Merwe is prob the most impressive wing to play SA Schools in recent times.

RG Snyman, the lock is a player to watch.  Along with the other one's mentioned above like Koeglenberg (Sharks), Schickerling (WP) I don't think we have too much to worry about in the future. These 3 are the bees knee s.

The other unions 

Lions have had a good team. Just not sure if many real stars besides Malcolm Marx the hooker. Anumber of these u19s last year were pushed up to their u21s like vd Walt, Venter, Brink, Vermeulen, Du Preez etc

The Cheetahs prop Nche.

Kings Petersen, Davis and Kaba are in the senior Kings squad.

 Saffex

I have seem both Andre Esterhuizen and Rohan Janse van Rensburg  play on a number of occasions and I think Esterhuixen is the real deal - substantially better than Van Rensburg. 

I do not think they would play these two as a center pairing - neither of them is speedy enough to be a 13 = so in essence I think one of the present 13's eillnd up with that position.  Agree with WPXV in that case.   

boklogic

My friend Saffex has a problem - the moment he sees big weights and size he thinks the players are tops.  Where he misses out is that rugby is also a game where brain useage (ball sense) is essential,

I never really rate players who try to use their size and not their size combined with their rugby brain capacity as serious and consistent contenders for national selection.  Then there are also the prima donnas like Pierre Spies - who is built like Tarzan,  but plays rugby like Jane.

Those are reasons why I do not support the selection of players like Francois Steyn, Willem Alberts, Pierre Spies and now Janse van Rensburg insofar as higher selection is concerned.     

Squad of 28 to be picked with a break down of 15 to 13 forwards to backs which has been the way the last 2 squads.

Also have to have 8 spots for 'players of colour'. Some will be deserving and others may effect where to pick certain other players in the squad

 WPXV

Sergeal Petersen, Ox Nche, Wesley Adams and Joseph Dweba are likely to be four of the eight.  Cannot really think where the other 4 will come from  

I reckon Warrick Gelant, Sergeal Petersen, Dayan vd Westhuizen, Chad Solomon/Joseph Dweba and Ox Nche will make up 5.

Suppose the number 6 position could fill a weak link in Thabo Mabuza or Ray Williams.

Replacement wing could be Marcus Kleinbooi. Starting for the Vodacom Cup Bulls team.

Grant Hermanus is still at school so that could hurt him but his time will come next year . 

But that's only 7.

Maybe could take a 3rd scrum-half possibly.

Nonkontwana and Kaba are locks-cum-loose forwards but there is just too much talent ahead of both of them.

DomMike and CHICKENSHIT......I know the two of you are not the brightest contributors on this board, so can I suggest that when you don't know what the fuck you are talking about, then the best course of action is just to shut up.

But as a little guide to you, here is the obvious and logical conclusion to the selection of Esterhuizen and Rohan Janse v Rensburg as the centre pair. Firstly Esterhuizen is a given, given the impact he has made this year and the fact that he is in the Sharks S15 squad as a 19 year old says it all.

Secondly, Rohan made the Baby Bok squad last year as an 18 year old, has played S15 rugby already and is a star in the making.

So logic dictates that given these two names are amongst the only recognisable in the squad and are both centres, it would make obvious sense that you would want these two starting in your side to maximise your talent.

DomMike it has stuff all to do with size you ignorant twit.

Now onto the biggest idiot of the lot.......ignorant CHICKEN......so he reckons that because a guy is presently playing 12 then he cant play 13........wow coaches should have been informed of this when they played inside centres at 13 like Frans, Jean, Olivier, Fofana, Brad Barritt, Nonu, Tuilangi, Luther Burrell, Heimar Williams, Tim Whitehead, Stefan Watermeyer (this weekend).....to name but some........not to mention the fact that 19 year old Esterhuizen played most of his school rugby at 15 and 13

As I suggested to both of you, in future just keep your stupid ignorant gobs shut.......it would save you a whole lot of pain

 Saffex

With due respect - I have seen Van Rensburg playing quite a number of games - and he is NOT a thinking center.  He tends to kill backline moves trying to bulldoze his way through opposition.  That does not really make for a top class center. 

You are wrong - in this case it is only his size that counts - nothing else.