SA Rugby names Academy squad
SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux
The national junior rugby programme will resume in April after a one-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the SA Rugby Academy set to kick off in Stellenbosch.
The Academy, which is one of the key pillars in preparing the top junior players in the country to make the step-up to the SA U20 squad, will run from 7 April until 30 June at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport.
A squad of 41 players – 22 U20s and 19 U19s – have been invited to participate in the Academy, which will be steered by Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko and his predecessor Chean Roux.
Four players in the U20 age group featured in the 2020 SA Rugby Academy squad – Jan-Hendrik Wessels (prop), Dylan de Leeuw (lock), George Cronje (No 8) and Kade Wolhuter (flyhalf).
SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux says: “The SA Rugby Academy is one of the cornerstones in our rugby pathway to bridge the gap between junior and senior level, and we are thrilled that this group of talented players will be back in a high-performance environment.”
SA Rugby Academy squad
Props: Blaine Golden (Sharks), Okuhle Siyeni (Lions), Tielman Nieuwoudt (Bulls), Sibusiso Shongwe (Lions), Frederich Weilbach (WP), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).
Hookers: Jacques Goosen (Sharks), Andre-Hugo Venter, Lukhanyo Vokozela (both WP).
Locks: Connor Evans, Dylan de Leeuw, Simon Miller (all WP), Reinhardt Ludwig (Bulls).
Looseforwards: George Cronje (Cheetahs), Wandile Hlophe (Lions), Keketso Morabe (WP), Rynard Mouton (Bulls), Siyemukela Ndlovu (Lions), Siyambuka Ningiza (Sharks), Jarrod Taylor (WP), Sisonke Vumazonke (Lions).
Scrumhalves: Bobby Alexander (WP), Bradley Davies (Sharks), Nico Steyn (Lions).
Flyhlaves: Sacha Mngomezulu, Kade Wolhuter (both WP), Brandon Wilkie (Sharks).
Centres: Carlton Bannies (Bulls), Tyler Bocks (Lions), Nqobi Mkhize (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Zeilinga Strydom, Henco van Wyk (Lions).
Outside backs: Dalvon Blood, Duran Koevort (both WP), Geraldo Flusk (Bulls), Keane Galant (Bulls), Curwin Gertse (Sharks), Matthew Jacobs (Sharks), (WP), Mtungwa Mapansela (Sharks), Keanan Wentzel (Bulls).