The SA Schools and SA Schools A squads announced after Craven Week have sparked the usual selection debates, but overall the teams appear well-balanced despite several quality players missing out.
Travis Pheiffer’s inclusion in SA Schools despite playing for Western Province XV, essentially the province’s B-team, was interesting. However, the flyhalf has consistently demonstrated quality decision-making and strong boot skills throughout the year, justifying his selection on merit rather than team status.
Versatility proves crucial
Ethan van Biljon’s ability to cover flyhalf, fullback and outside centre got him across the line. In tight selection calls, versatility provides coaches with tactical flexibility that single-position specialists cannot match.
Lions forward Glodi Tshipamba earned his spot through standout performances for Jeppe and at Craven Week. His lineout work in defensive and attacking situations impressed selectors, and his partnership with locks Juvan Burden and Jean Dreyer promises genuine quality.
Quality players miss out
Eddie Mabena tops the list of unfortunate omissions. Strong in defence and attack, running excellent support lines and finding space consistently, he possessed all the attributes selectors typically want. But competing against Nathan Aneke, Erin Nelson and Olwethu Kosani proved insurmountable.
AD Faul, a bruising second rower who can cover back row, fell victim to South Africa’s embarrassing depth at those positions. The riches available in the forwards, particularly loose forwards, meant quality players inevitably missed selection.
Christiaan le Roux and Yanos Molnar both delivered decent tournaments but potentially lost out to bulkier loose forwards offering more options around the pack.
Speed merchants squeezed out
Thomas Saunders scored seemingly every time he found space during Craven Week, his pace a devastating weapon for WP XV in Gqeberha. However, the outside backs selected, Drewyn Baron, Ncuthu Kepe, Lamla Mgedezi, Luxolo Sonkononkono, Amogelang Mataboge, Rhandzu Mkhabela and Ruan Genis, represent quality that couldn’t be overlooked.
Blessing Monareng played well off Jaydon Viljoen during Craven Week, finding space through hard carries, but similarly missed out despite strong performances.
Fine margins decide
Without being in the selection meeting, it’s impossible to know exactly why certain players were chosen over others. What’s clear is that with the abundance of talent displayed at Craven Week, picking these teams represented an exceptionally difficult task.
Fine margins typically come down to versatility, defensive ability, physical attributes or speed. When skill levels appear comparable across multiple players, these secondary factors tip the scales.
All selected players have shown for school and province they deserve their spots on merit. For those who missed out – Mabena, Saunders, Faul, Monareng and others – bright rugby futures still await. Missing SA Schools selection at 18 doesn’t close doors; it merely delays walking through them.
The quality on display in Gqeberha confirms South African rugby’s future remains in exceptionally capable hands, even if not all those hands pulled on SA Schools jerseys this year.
