SA Rugby names first-ever Under-16 girls’ elite squad in landmark move

I’m sure we’ve all known that one youngster who just stood out. Sometimes they were just exceptional artists, sometimes they just seemed to know all the answers, and then there was that one with speed, coordination and agility far beyond the average; qualities that made them a natural, simply excellent at sports.

Yet, some have suggested that while innate talent can provide an advantage, it is not a replacement for the dedication, hard work, and discipline required to master a skill or achieve success.

Take the Springbok Women, who battled their way to the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarters. The squad dug deep, implemented game plans and focused their energies on the goal, and they impressed.

The point is, a group of 23 naturally-talented players, without them having been honed, trained and developed to the peak of their abilities, would probably have found themselves dumped out of the competition at an earlier stage.

Identification, encouragement and development of natural abilities seems to have become the watchword for sport in South Africa, this can be seen in the fact that, for the first time ever, SA Rugby has announced an Under-16 Elite Player Development squad for girls, joining the boys from the same age group for a camp in Paarl early next month, in what is another huge boost for the local women’s game.

This inaugural Under-16 Girls Elite Player Development (EPD) squad, marks what the organisation calls a “landmark achievement” in its pathway programme.

The boys’ and girls’ squads were identified during the FNB Grant Khomo and FNB Girls Week tournaments in Pretoria and Johannesburg, and will form the foundation of the national talent pipeline.

The Northern Cape will have just one player in the Under-16 EPD squads. Lock Franklin Stevens of Diamantveld has been included in the boys’ group, giving Griquas rugby a single representative in the national pathway camps.

According to Herman Masimla, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager for Development in the Participation & Development Department, these groups represent “the next generation of South African rugby excellence.”

“The naming of our first-ever Under-16 Girls EPD squad is a landmark achievement in our journey to elevate women’s rugby,” said Masimla. “It’s also a powerful intervention at a critical stage in the development of these young players. Their inclusion signals our commitment to building a truly inclusive and representative pathway for young girls in South African rugby.”

Both squads will gather in Paarl from October 5 to 11 for simultaneous camps.

Masimla said the programme has a comprehensive plan:

“We will fully assess players on all rugby aspects, especially the fundamentals of the game, which will allow us to develop a player profile for each player, and that tool will then be used to assess and monitor youngsters.”

The profiles will also be shared with schools and provincial unions.

“If all goes according to plan, and especially if the intervention strategy does what is necessary, then we expect most of these two groups to be included in next year’s Under-17 EPD intake,” Masimla added.

The Under-16 boys will be coached by 2025 SA Schools mentors Lwazi Zangqa, Cobus van Dyk, Flash Malinga and Clinton van Rensburg, while former SA Schools head coaches Sean Erasmus and Katlego Lynch will oversee the girls’ assessments.

Boys U16 EPD group (5-11 October at Boland Landbou):

Props: Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College), Ziaan Slabbert (Bulls, Affies), Thomas Meyer (WP, Paul Roos), Lelethu Nono (EP, Grey High), Entle Nqcaba (EP, St Andrews), Tunga Griffiths (Sharks, Kearsney College), Liam De Jager (Bulls, Affies), Rossouw de Waal (Cheetahs, Grey College).

Hookers: Iglesias Bruiners (Lions, Noordheuwel), Hendre Ehlers (Bulls, Affies), Luka van der Westhuizen (WP, Paarl Gim), Nyakallo Masiloene (Sharks, DHS).

Locks: Bulelani Cebani (Sharks, DHS), Aobakwe Moeng (Sharks, DHS), Werner de Bruin (WP, Paul Roos), Alexander Muller (Bulls, Affies), Franklin Stevens (Griquas, Diamantveld), Derrick Groenewald (WP, Paarl Gim), Mbala Ndima (Bulls, Pretoria Boys High).

Loose forwards: Siphesihle Marule (Pumas, Uplands College), Thubelihle Marule (Pumas, Uplands College), Siyaya Menzi (Pumas, Middelburg), Jaydon Jubber (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Janu Pretorius (WP, Rondebosch), Keegan Fourie (Bulls, Affies), Henre Valentyn (WP, Paarl Boys’ High), Amayo Egbujor (Boland, HTS Drostdy), Caleb Pretorius (Bulls, Affies), Corne Ferreira (WP, Paarl Gim), Luniko Marivate (WP, Paarl Boys’ High), Niel du Randt (Cheetahs, Grey College), Lwango Ntantala (Sharks, Hilton College).

Scrumhalves: Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua), Theuns van Rensburg (Griffons, Trio), Ben Hughes (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Jordan Forbes (WP, SACS).

Flyhalves: Tanwill Onkers (SWD, Outeniqua), Daniel Miskey (Sharks, Kearsney College), Ndzalama Mbhalati (Lions, Jeppe), Reuben Smith (Bulls, Affies).

Centres: Anfred Jansen (EP, Grey High), Elgenio Oerson (Sharks, Glenwood), James Sale (WP, SACS), De Waal Vivier (WP, Paarl Gim), Asa Mgwatyu (Lions, KES), Danre Brink (Bulls, Affies).

Wings: Rosco Williams (Sharks, Glenwood), Kingsley Pule (Cheetahs, Grey College), Blessing Manoreng (Lions, Monument), Darnell Delport (SWD, Outeniqua), Sterlin Padi (Sharks, DHS), Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit).

Fullbacks: Ray-Nathin van Kolver (Lions, Monument), Kyle van Staden (Bulls, Affies), Hadley Erasmus (WP, Durbanville).

Girls U16 EPD group (5-11 October at La Rochelle Girls' High School):

Props: Fetumane Endinako (Border, Ngangelizwe), Zayaan Majiet (WP, Manenberg), Fiona Sehlangu (Limpopo, Magoza), Thando Hlakanyana (Lions, Krugersdorp), Amahle Tole (EP, Motherwell), Rethabile Kubequ (Lions, Altmont Tech), Zingce Lofana (WP, Zimasa Primary), Maphanga Ludumo (Pumas, Lowveld), Agnes Maoka (Limpopo, Northern Academy), Sanga Makalane (EP, Port Alfred).

Hookers: Shanelia Heugh (WP, HTS Bellville), Robyn Scheepers (WP, Curro Delft), Pobana Musawenkosi (Border, Tsholomnqa), Alwandle Ngcobo (KZN, uMlazi Cotech).

Locks: Ntuli Ntwariso (Lions, Altmont Tech), Ogbu Nicole (Lions, Sir John Adamson), Karabo Mokale (Bulls, Phatheng Secondary), Magriet de Klerk (WP, DF Malan), Sine Sezelwa (Border, Kalalo Junior), Tsakani Chauke (Lions, Kwabhekilanga Secondary).

Loose forwards: Inathi Nxiweni (WP, Athlone), Nokuthula Dube (Bulls, Kgomotso Secondary), Sarender Chauke (Limpopo, Magoza), Erin Ogram (Sharks, Richardsbaai), Nqadini Palisa (EP, Mzontsudu), Hlatshwayo Onthathile (Pumas, Lowveld), Mtebele Noluthando (Leopards, Bothoka THS), Chemike Visser (Bulls, Concordia).

Scrumhalves: Sontsethe Elihle (Border, Kalalo Junior), Larissa Kriel (Lions, Marais Viljoen), Imange Norayose (Border, Silimela), Brumilda Fitzgerald (EP, Middelande).

Flyhalves: Jehoma Danrica (WP, Simon's Town), Alice Ncube (Lions, Kwabhekilanga), Angel Nxasane (Pumas, Standerton), Nxumalo Noxolo (Pumas, Lowveld).

Centres: Landor Azraa (WP, Manenberg), Mia Kanka (WP, Rusthof Secondary), Angel Minnaar (EP, Middelande), Sherezaan Fortune (WP, Manenberg), Tatum-Joy Kaboni (SWD, George), Pathakge Ralley-Amahle (Pumas, Hill Crest).

Wings: Kali Liyabona (Border, Hlumani), Jacobs Cassidy (Boland, Gansbaai), Letticia Prins (WP, Scottsville), Sibongiseni Gumede (Lions, Vorentoe), Madiniyah Joseph (WP, Downeville Primary), Nkosi Ayanda (Pumas, Azalea).

Fullbacks: Chariva Visagie (EP, Middelande), Chibandika Joan (Pumas, Hill Crest).