South Africa’s brightest schoolboy rugby stars are set to take centre stage in Cape Town this week as the Under-18 international series kicks off.
The SA U18 and SA U18 ‘A’ teams will face tough opposition from France, England, Ireland and Georgia in what promises to be a showcase of emerging talent.
In a dramatic prelude to the international series, Paarl Boys’ High claimed a last-gasp 35-33 victory over arch-rivals Paarl Gimnasium at a packed Faure Street Stadium last Saturday.
Paarl Gim’s Markus Muller, widely regarded as one of the top schoolboy prospects in recent memory, delivered a stellar individual performance.
The captain and centre scored a try, slotted three conversions, and nailed four penalties in a near-flawless kicking display.
However, it wasn’t enough to hold off a five-try effort from Boishaai, led by the ice-cold boot of Tristan Joubert.
All Eyes on Markus Muller
With the derby behind them, attention now shifts to the international series, where Muller will lead the SA U18 side into battle against France U18 on Friday at Hoërskool Durbanville.
He’s expected to link up in midfield with Ethan Adams, the destructive Grey College centre who also dominated this year’s school season.
Coach Lwazi Zangqa faces a selection puzzle with both Muller and Adams excelling at outside centre (No 13).
Muller, however, has shifted to inside centre for both Western Province and the national set-up, where he also wears the captain’s armband.
After one of the most successful schoolboy seasons in recent memory, Markus Muller has signed his first professional contract with the Stormers, staying within the Western Province set-up.
He’s joined by his Paarl Gim team-mate Quintin Potgieter (loose forward) and Craven Week centre partner Randall-John Davids (Rondebosch), who also inked deals with the Stormers.
Meanwhile, Ethan Adams, who hails from the Eastern Cape and starred for Free State at the recent Craven Week, has signed with the Lions in Johannesburg.
Another standout, Kai Pratt, a powerful loosehead prop from Oakdale, is headed to the Sharks, becoming one of only three South Western Districts players to make the SA U18 squad.
However, not all of South Africa’s rising stars are staying home.
- Gershom Peters, the dynamic Boishaai flanker, is headed to Benetton in Italy, despite not making a national age-group team
- Josh Neill, captain of Rondebosch Boys and a standout No 8/flanker, has drawn the attention of Leinster in Ireland. With an Irish passport, the SA U18 forward could be poised for a switch of allegiance down the line.
Neill, who plays in the SA U18 squad this week, may even face his potential future team-mates when South Africa take on Ireland U18 at Boland Landbou on Saturday.
SA U18 and SA U18 ‘A’ fixtures
Friday, 8 August at Boland Landbou
SA U18 ‘A’ vs Ireland – 11:30
Georgia vs England – 13:30
SA U18 vs France – 15:30
Tuesday, 12 August at Boland Landbou
SA U18 ‘A’ vs Georgia – 11:30
SA U18 vs Ireland – 13:30
England vs France – 13:30
Saturday, 16 August at Paarl Gimnasium
France vs SA U18 ‘A’ – 11:30
Ireland vs Georgia – 13:30
SA U18 vs England – 15:30
Have you watched much schoolboy rugby this season?
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