Paarl Gimnasium has the most players invited to the U17 Boys Elite Player Development camp. The camp takes place in the Western Cape this year.
1. Paarl Gimnasium – 6 Players
- Charles Whitehead, Jean Dreyer, Mickyle Booise, Hendrik van Zyl, Louis Koen, Ethan Barker
2. Oakdale – 4 Players
- Matthew Prins, Adrian Smith, Diaan Augustyn, Jacobus de Villiers
Schools with 3 Players Each:
- Kearsney College – Clement Makelele, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Lwazi Mbebe
- Paul Roos Gymnasium – Lehan Barnard, Travis Pheiffer, Tiaan Basson
- Graeme College – Luke Doyle, Erin Nelson, Lucritia Magau
Schools with 2 Players Each:
- Queens College – Zeake Mata, Ncuthu Kepe
- Michaelhouse – Aphelele Chamane, Nicolas Salamousas
- Affies – Charl Els, Martin van Niekerk
- Stellenberg – Juvan Burden, Ethan van Biljon
- Jeppe – Mihle Dyakala, Phano Letsie
- DHS – Bulelani Cebani, Nathan Aneke
- Menlopark – Dylan Stumke, Mendriano Abrahams
- Grey College – O’Ryan Kleyn, Lamla Mgedezi
- Westville – Lwandile Mlaba, Luxolo Sonkononkono
- Durbanville – Zay-Winn Januarie, Tylo Hess
Schools with 1 Player Each (14 Schools):
- St Johns, Pietersburg, Glenwood, Pretoria Boys’ High, Hilton, Northwood, Paarl Boys’ High, Rondebosch, Monument, Wynberg, Maritzburg, Nelspruit, St Albans, Garsfontein
The camp will run from Saturday, 29 November to Saturday, 6 December. Hoër Landbouskool Boland near Paarl will host the prestigious development programme.
SA Rugby has invited 53 players to attend the elite camp. The selection represents the best young rugby talent across the country.
Six players featured for the SA Schools team during this year. Diaan Augustyn earned selection through his outstanding performances throughout the season. Lwandile Mlaba also secured his place in the elite development programme.
Jacobus de Villiers impressed selectors with his consistent displays for SA Schools. Nathan Aneke contributed significantly to the team’s success this year. Thabiso Simelane demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership qualities during matches.
Lamla Mgedezi completed the SA Schools contingent with his impressive performances.
Seven SA Schools ‘A’ representatives received invitations to the development camp. Juvan Burden earned selection through his outstanding contributions to the team. Nhlanhla Ndlovu impressed coaches with his consistent performances throughout the season.
Mickyle Booise secured his place through exceptional skill displays during matches. Ethan van Biljon contributed significantly to SA Schools ‘A’ success. Erin Nelson demonstrated remarkable talent and potential for future development.
The technical aspects will receive expert guidance from experienced coaches. SA Schools coach Lwazi Zangqa will drive the camp’s development programme. Cobus van Dyk will contribute his expertise to player development.
Flash Malinga brings valuable coaching experience to the elite programme. Clinton van Rensburg completes the experienced coaching staff for the camp.
The Junior Springbok coaching team will attend certain sessions during the camp. This provides additional expert guidance for the young players.
Herman Masimla serves as SA Rugby’s Senior Manager for Development. He explained the camp’s objectives and focus areas clearly.
“The U17 camp will continue functional and positional skills development,” Masimla stated. “Players began this development during their U16 year previously.”
“However, this camp will focus strongly on game model implementation,” he continued. “This model will be utilised during SA Schools programmes.”
“The same model extends to SA U18 programmes and beyond,” Masimla explained. “Mental conditioning will also be a major focus area.”
The camp represents a crucial step in player development pathways. Young players will receive world-class coaching and technical instruction. This investment in youth development strengthens South African rugby’s future.
The Western Cape location provides excellent facilities for elite development. Players will benefit from concentrated coaching over the eight-day programme. This intensive camp prepares them for higher levels of competition.
SA Rugby U17 Boys Elite Player Development squad:
Props: Zeake Mata (Border, Queens College), Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College), Matthew Prins (SWD, Oakdale), Makomborero Mandhihza (Lions, St Johns), Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Nicolas Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Lehan Barnard (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Stephan Jansen van Rensburg (Limpopo Bulls, Pietersburg).
Hookers: Adrian Smith (SWD, Oakdale), Charl Els (Bulls, Affies), Charles Whitehead (WP, Paarl Gimnasium).
Locks: Diaan Augustyn (SWD, Oakdale), Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks, Westville), Martin van Niekerk (Bulls, Affies), Juvan Burden (WP, Stellenberg), Jean Dreyer (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Sambesiwe Ndamase (Sharks, Glenwood).
Loose forwards: Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks, Kearsney College), Queenton Mcube (Bulls, Pretoria Boys’ High), Mihle Dyakala (Lions, Jeppe), Zay-Winn Januarie (WP, Durbanville), Hendrik van Zyl (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Zander Muller (Sharks, Hilton), Bulelani Cebani (Sharks, DHS), Jacobus de Villiers (SWD, Oakdale), Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood).
Scrumhalves: Liam de Villiers (WP, Paarl Boys’ High), Mickyle Booise (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Luke Doyle (EP, Graeme College), Caleb Bell (WP, Rondebosch).
Flyhalves: Ethan van Biljon (WP, Stellenberg), Anthony Jaydon Viljoen (Lions, Monument), Travis Pheiffer (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Achmat Behardien (WP, Wynberg), Louis Koen (WP, Paarl Gimnasium).
Centres: Dylan Stumke (Bulls, Menlopark), O’Ryan Kleyn (Cheetahs, Grey College), Ethan Barker (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Olwethu Kosani (Sharks, Maritzburg), Nathan Aneke (Sharks, DHS), Phano Letsie (Lions, Jeppe), Erin Nelson (EP, Graeme College), Tiaan Basson (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium).
Outside backs: Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queens College), Lucritia Magau (EP, Graeme College), Mendriano Abrahams (Bulls, Menlopark), Thabiso Simelane (Bulls, St Albans), Tylo Hess (WP, Durbanville), Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit), Drewyn Baron (Bulls, Garsfontein), Lamla Mgedezi (Cheetahs, Grey College), Lwazi Mbebe (Sharks, Kearsney College), Luxolo Sonkononkono (Sharks, Westville).
