Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote couldn't hide his delight as South Africa's schoolboy rugby teams crushed the competition in the U18 International Series. With the national U18 and U18 'A' teams squaring off against heavyweights like France, England, Ireland, and Georgia, it was more than just a tournament; it was a showcase of the future stars of South African rugby.
The series, played out in the picturesque settings of Durbanville, Boland Landbou, and Paarl Gimnasium, was nothing short of a scoring spree for the SA U18s. They bulldozed their way through the competition with scores that seemed more like cricket totals: 43-21 against France, 45-5 versus Ireland, and a jaw-dropping 69-24 thrashing of England. In total, our boys hammered in 157 points and danced over the try line 23 times throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, the SA U18 'A' team showed guts, narrowly missing out to Ireland 39-36, demolishing Georgia 57-19, and suffering a defeat to France 40-14.
Foote, overseeing the next generation's grooming along with his U20 staff, emphasized the significance of this international exposure.
"Players like Ethan Adams and Markus Muller honed their partnerships, and that's true for all the players across both teams,"
he commended. The coach highlighted the invaluable experience gained, both for players and coaching staff, in navigating the pressures and strategies of international rugby.Not only did Foote applaud the young athletes, but he also gave a nod to the provincial unions for integrating these young warriors into the Carling Currie Cup squads.
"It's nice to see some of them doing well. I am extremely proud of them, and to see them playing so well for their teams is something very special,"
Foote expressed with a hint of fatherly pride.The praise didn’t stop there. Foote was effusive about the schoolboy rugby system in South Africa, crediting not just the players but also the schools, coaches, and headmasters who keep the rugby dream alive and kicking. Cheers to the coaching team of Lwazi Zangqa, Flash Malinga, Clinton van Rensburg, and Cobus van Dyk, and a special shout-out to Louis Koen for his orchestral role in the programme.
Now in its 14th year, the U18 International Series stands as a testament to the strength and depth of South Africa's rugby talent pipeline, proving itself a critical component of SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development programme. With another successful edition wrapped up, the future looks incredibly bright for the Junior Boks. And if the rest of the world wasn't paying attention before, they surely are now!
Teams: SA U18, SA U18 'A', France, England, Ireland, Georgia