SA 'blessed' with brilliant next generation
06/30/2024 12:20 AM
Age-group level action this week has been a great advertisement for South Africa's talent and the perfect teaser to the July series between the Springboks and Ireland, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane highlights the exceptional youth showcased at this year's Craven Week in Krugersdorp, a premier event in the schools' rugby calendar.
Despite the vast pool of talent, he notes that most players won't turn professional, with only a few making it to the Varsity Cup or professional teams.
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Keohane praises the selection of SA Schools and SA ‘A’ squads, dominated by Western Province and Free State youngsters, and highlights standout performers like Paul Roos Gimnasium's Riley Norton and Wynberg Boys' High's Yaqheen Ahmed.
He mentions Wynberg's resurgence under Dave Mallett and recognises Durban High and Grey College for their contributions.
Keohane also praises individuals like Cheswill Jooste, Siphosethu Mnebelele, and JD Hattingh, predicting fierce competition between the SA Schools and SA ‘A’ teams on Thursday.
He connects this talent showcase to the U20 World Championship currently on the go in Cape Town, where the Junior Springboks are strong contenders.
“A personal highlight for me this week was watching South Africa's best schools' rugby talent showcasing their brilliance. Goodness, South Africa is blessed when it comes to the next generation of professional players,” Keohane writes.
“There is so little to choose between the top provinces that you would be brave or ill-informed to assume that the SA Schools team beats the A team. It is a match-up that could go either way.
“Having South Africa's most talented youth players on display this week and having the U20 World Championship in Cape Town for the next few weeks is the perfect teaser to what is the most anticipated senior series of the international season when the Springboks play Ireland at Loftus next Saturday and in Durban a week later.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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