History will be made on Thursday afternoon at Grey High School when the first-ever SA Schools Girls and SA Schools Girls ‘A’ teams face each other at 13:00, before the boys’ squads contest their traditional training match at 15:00. Both encounters will be streamed live on the SA Rugby YouTube channel, ensuring fans nationwide can witness these landmark occasions.
The selection of both boys’ and girls’ squads has sparked debate and excitement in equal measure, with several surprise inclusions and positional switches raising eyebrows amongst the schoolboy rugby faithful.
Pheiffer gets the nod at pivot
Perhaps the biggest talking point in the SA Schools boys’ selection sees Travis Pheiffer starting at flyhalf, with the highly-rated Achmat Behardien relegated to the replacements bench. Pheiffer, who represented Western Province XV rather than the main WP side during Craven Week, has leapfrogged several candidates to claim the number 10 jersey, a selection that suggests the coaching staff value his game management and tactical nous.
Behardien will get his opportunity off the bench, providing quality cover and a different playmaking option should the match situation demand a change in approach. The depth at flyhalf bodes well for South African schoolboy rugby’s future.
Positional surprises in the back three
Ethan van Biljon starts at fullback despite being capable of playing multiple positions across the backline, whilst Lamla Mgedezi, who has starred at fullback throughout the season, shifts to the wing.
Van Biljon’s selection at 15 provides a solid last line of defence with excellent positioning under the high ball, whilst Mgedezi’s pace on the wing offers a lethal finishing threat that opposition defences will struggle to contain.
Captaincy honours for proven leaders
Sharks lock Lwandile Mlaba will captain the SA Schools side, with SWD’s Jacobus de Villiers serving as vice-captain. The leadership duo brings experience, physicality and tactical understanding that should provide stability when pressure mounts.
In the SA Schools ‘A’ team, Western Province flanker Hendre van Zyl takes the captaincy, with Sharks centre Nathan Aneke as his deputy. Both have demonstrated leadership qualities throughout their provincial campaigns, making them natural choices to guide the second-string side.
Girls make history with first national squads
The announcement of the SA Schools Girls and SA Schools Girls ‘A’ teams represents a watershed moment for women’s rugby in South Africa. Western Province’s Jessie Schoeman will captain the SA Schools Girls side, leading from outside centre in what promises to be an emotionally charged encounter.
Pumas flyhalf Angel Nxasane captains the SA Schools Girls ‘A’ team, tasked with leading her side against opponents who share the same dreams and ambitions. For all 54 girls selected across both squads, Thursday’s match represents vindication of countless hours spent training, often with inadequate facilities and resources, pursuing a dream many said was impossible.
Also read: Unlucky omissions show SA Rugby drowning in schoolboy talent
BOYS’ SQUADS:
SA Schools: 15 Ethan van Biljon (WP, Stellenberg), 14 Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queens College), 13 Erin Nelson (EP, Graeme College), 12 Ethan Barker (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 11 Lamla Mgedezi (Cheetahs, Grey College), 10 Travis Pheiffer (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), 9 Mickyle Booise (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 8 Jacobus de Villiers (vice-captain, SWD, Oakdale), 7 Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood), 6 Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks, Kearsney College), 5 Juvan Burden (WP, Stellenberg), 4 Lwandile Mlaba (captain, Sharks, Westville), 3 Nic Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse), 2 Theo Boshoff (Sharks, Maritzburg College), 1 Clement Makhelele (Sharks, Kearsney College)
Replacements: 16 Iglesias Bruiners (Sharks, Durban High School), 17 Matthew Prins (SWD, Outeniqua), 18 Ruben Lombard (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 19 Jean Dreyer (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 20 Stefan van der Vyver (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 21 Glodi Tshipamba (Lions, Jeppe), 22 Luke Doyle (EP, Graeme College), 23 Achmat Behardien (WP, Wynberg), 24 Tiaan Basson (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), 25 Anesu Kuzonyei (Sharks, Northwood), 26 Luxolo Sonkonokono (Sharks, Westville)
SA Schools ‘A’: 15 Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit), 14 Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks, Durban High School), 13 Nathan Aneke (vice-captain, Sharks, Durban High School), 12 Ruan Roux (Free State, Grey College), 11 Ruan Genis (Lions, Monument), 10 Ruan Fluks (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 9 Shaye Lourens (Golden Lions, Helpmekaar), 8 Niel du Randt (Free State, Grey College), 7 Hendre van Zyl (captain, WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 6 Siphesishle Marule (Pumas, Middelburg), 5 Martin van Niekerk (Blue Bulls, Affies), 4 Akho Tonjeni (EP, Graeme College), 3 Priden Sibiya (Sharks, Durban High School), 2 Charles Whitehead (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 1 Max Malan (WP, Paarl Boys High)
Replacements: 16 Charl Els (Blue Bulls, Affies), 17 Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse), 18 JW Coetzee (Free State, Grey College), 19 Werner de Bruin (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), 20 Linakho Mehlomakulu (WP, Rondebosch), 21 Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua), 22 Jaydon Viljoen (Golden Lions, Monument), 23 Alex Jankowitz (Sharks, Michaelhouse), 24 Lucritia Magua (EP, Graeme College), 25 Drewyn Baron (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 26 Luniko Marivate (EP, Kingswood College)
GIRLS’ SQUADS:
SA Schools Girls: 15 Chariva Visagie (EP, Middelland Secondary School), 14 Anothando Mbada (EP, Motherwell High School), 13 Jessie Schoeman (captain, WP, DF Akademie), 12 Endinalo Fihla (WP, Usasazo High School), 11 Liyabona Kali (Border, Hlumani Secondary School), 10 Mia Kanka (WP, Rusthof High School), 9 Imange Norayase (Border, Similela Senior Secondary School), 8 Oratile Finyade (Pumas, Steelcrest High School), 7 Inga Jim (WP, Curro Delft), 6 Inathi Nxiweni (WP, Athlone High School), 5 Nommah Sandifolo (WP, Bosmansdam High School), 4 Sine Rasmeni (WP, Langa High School), 3 Likhona Masiza (WP, Sophumela High School), 2 Silakhe Masizana (EP, Motherwell High School), 1 Isipho Dungelo (WP, Sophumela High School)
Replacements:
16 Lethokuhle Madwayi (WP, Curro Delft) 17 Aqhama Siko (SWD, Percy Mdala High School) 18 Rethabile Kubequ (Golden Lions, Altmont Technical High School) 19 Lisakhanya Kaptain (EP, Coselelani High School) 20 Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas, Mbuyane Secondary School) 21 Asive Gaqa (WP, Ned Doman High School) 22 Surrender Chauke (Limpopo, Magoza Secondary School) 23 Zoe Antonie (WP, Kasselsvlei Comprehensive High School) 24 Alice Ncube (Golden Lions, Kwa-bhekilanga Secondary School) 25 Sibahle Luti (EP, Alexandra Road High School, Gqeberha) 26 Raylee Phathakge (Pumas, Steelcrest High School) 27 Nonhlanhla Thumbuni (Blue Bulls, Nellmapius Secondary School)
SA Schools Girls ‘A’:
15 Buncwane Komani (Border, Bhongolethu Secondary School) 14 Tatum-Joy Kaboni (SWD, George Secondary School) 13 Naylha Jansen (SWD, George Secondary School) 12 Endinako Higa (Griffons, St Anne Combined School) 11 Alicia de Klerk (WP, Brackenfell High School) 10 Angel Nxasane (captain – Pumas, Hoërskool Standerton) 9 Maira Hlatshwayo (Blue Bulls, Nellmapius Secondary School) 8 Mamello Motaung (Griffons, Rheederpark Combined School) 7 Natalie de Vos (EP, Middelland Secondary School) 6 Liyema Ngawuliswazi (Border, Tsholomnqa High School) 5 Kungawo Hlalukana (Border, Similela Senior Secondary School) 4 Anomtha Mamana (Border, Eyabantu Senior Secondary School) 3 Zayaan Majiet (WP, Manenburg High School) 2 Iminathi Nkwandla (Western Province, Sophumelela High School) 1 Lindokuhle Mkonto (EP, Ithembelihle Comprehensive School)
Replacements:
16 Charmaine Seodi (Limpopo, Magoza Secondary School) 17 Thando Hlakanyana (Golden Lions, Krugersdorp High School) 18 Limise Njoli (EP, Kwamagxaki High School) 19 Palesa Nqadini (EP, Mzontsundu Secondary School) 20 Elihle Sontsethe (Border, Dalibaso Secondary School) 21 Zukhanye Roxa (Border, Eyabantu Senior Secondary School) 22 Busisiwe Wisani (Griffons, Rheederpark Combined School) 23 Oratilwe Moreke (Griffons, Welkom High School) 24 Kelebohile Thate (Griffons, St Anne Combined School) 25 Lene Joubert (Valke, Breinmeester Akademie) 26 Charnique Brown (EP, Alexandria High School)
