Nyali to captain SA U18 against France

Xola Nyali (flanker) has been handed the captaincy as the South African Under-18 team prepare for their U18 International Series opener against France at Stellenberg High School in Durbanville, north of Cape Town, on Tuesday afternoon.

Nyali captained Western Province at the U18 Craven Week at the end of June and played for SA Schools against their ‘A’ team counterparts last month. Ian van der Merwe has been named vice-captain by SA U18 coach Katleho Lynch for the match against France, which kicks off at 15h00 and will be streamed live on the SuperSport Schools App and website.

Lynch said the players were raring to go and that he was excited to see what this group can offer after the players delivered a spectacle in Wellington a month ago when the two SA Schools sides squared off.

“We are really looking forward to the series against France and England as there is no better way to give the boys the best possible experience of what it’s like playing at international level,” said Lynch.

“We’ve done some squad rotation and mixing and matching of players in positions and the main thing will now be to see what we’ve been working on the last couple of weeks come to fruition and executed at test level.

“I have no doubt that we have some great talent in South Africa, it’s now just a matter of putting it to the test and executing under pressure in an international match situation.”

Ian van der Merwe in action for the SA Schools team.

Lynch was dealt a late blow when Divan Fuller (loose forward) was forced to withdraw from the squad, with his WP team-mate Riley Norton earning a call-up.

Earlier on Tuesday, the England U18s will face a Western Province XV (13h00). The U18 International Series concludes at Paarl Boys’ High’s Brug Street fields on Saturday when South Africa take on England (15h00), preceded by the match between France and the WP XV (13h00).

SA U18 to face France in Durbanville:
15 Luyanda Kunene
14 Scott Nel
13 Jameel de Jongh
12 Dominic Malgas
11 Cheswill Jooste
10 Ian van der Merwe (vice-captain)
9 Christiaan van der Westhuizen

8 Batho Hlekani
7 Thando Biyela
6 Xola Nyali (captain)
5 Ulrich van der Westhuizen
4 Jacobus Grobbelaar
3 Simphiwe Ngobese
2 Imaani Pemba
1 Ranon Fouche

Replacements:
16 Siphosethu Mnebelele
17 Lithemba Mfupi
18 Jean Erasmus
19 Riley Norton
20 JJ Theron
21 Haashim Pead
22 Janco Purchase
23 JC Mars
24 Marno Stopforth
25 Phiwayinkosi Kubeka
26 Gino Cupido

SA Under-18 U18 International Series England France

Mthethwa added to Junior Bok coaching staff...

SA Rugby has announced the addition of Melusi Mthethwa to the Junior Springbok coaching staff, with the former Shimlas a...

SA Rugby names first Under-19 Academy intake...

SA Rugby has announced a group of 48 players to attend the first Under-19 Academy camp from 18 to 30 November at the Ste...

Late flourish sees WP defend their U21 crown...

DHL Western Province scored two tries in as many minutes at the death of an absorbing SA Rugby Under-21 final as they be...

Lions break Bulls’ hearts in SA Rugby U19 Cup fina...

The Fidelity ADT Lions twice fought back from behind to clinch the SA Rugby Under-19 Cup title with a try at the death w...

Lions to host WP in SA Rugby U21 Cup final...

The Fidelity ADT Lions will host DHL Western Province in Johannesburg on Saturday in the SA Rugby Under-21 Cup final. Th...

Talk of ‘Polly plot’ baffles Nienaber

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber emphatically set the record straight on the status of the Boks’ Rugby World Cup squad of 33, before flying out of South Africa on Saturday.

Boks depart SA determined to fly the flag with pride

The Springboks departed South Africa’s shores on Saturday determined to make the country proud and hopeful that they could deliver the quality of play worthy of defending their world champions’ title as they headed to Cardiff for the first stop on their way to France for the Rugby World Cup.

Women’s Premier Division top four all but locked in

The Women’s Premier Division semi-final lineup will be confirmed following the final round of the league phase of the competition this weekend, with the top four teams already confirmed for the playoffs.

“Scared” Kolisi reveals RWC fears

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi admitted he was “really scared” that he might miss the Rugby World Cup after he was confirmed to lead the 33-man squad on their title defence to France earlier this week.

RIP Joggie Viljoen (1945-2019)

Mr Mark Alexander, the President of SA Rugby, paid tribute to former Springbok scrumhalf and a former star player of Griqualand West Joachim Frederick “Joggie” Viljoen, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 78 following a short illness.

Kolisi reclaims Springbok captaincy for Wales duel

Springbok Rugby World Cup captain Siya Kolisi – as well as Ox Nche and Jaden Hendrikse – will make their first Test appearances of the year on Saturday when the team lines up against Wales in their second World Cup warm-up match at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

September joins Springbok Women coaching staff

In a boost to the management of the Springbok Women, the experienced Franzel September has been added to the team’s coaching staff, joining Laurian Johannes-Haupt as assistant to interim head coach Louis Koen.

Poor start costly as France defeat SA U18s

Four second half tries by the SA Under-18 team was not enough to prevent a 37-24 defeat to France in their U18 International Series opener against at Stellenberg High School in Durbanville, north of Cape Town, on Tuesday afternoon.

Boks and All Blacks to clash for Qatar Airways Cup

One of global rugby’s greatest rivalries, between South Africa and New Zealand, will be reignited at Twickenham in London later this month with the two nations playing for a brand-new trophy, the Qatar Airways Cup, on Friday 25 August.

Nche keen to make a strong comeback from injury

Springbok prop Ox Nche is determined to make a strong comeback in what will mark his first Test of the year against Wales on Saturday in Cardiff after spending weeks on the sidelines with a torn pectoral muscle. And with only two matches to get into the best possible form before the Rugby World Cup, he is keen to hit the ground running.

Talk of ‘Polly plot’ baffles Nienaber

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber emphatically set the record straight on the status of the Boks’ Rugby World Cup squad of 33, before flying out of South Africa on Saturday.