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WP babes in SA Under-20 squad

PUBLISHED: April 25, 2013


Four of Western Province's brightest young stars have been included in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the IRB Junior World Championships, which will be staged during June.

Prop Sti Sithole, hooker Michael Willemse, centre Justin Geduld (who is currently with the SA Sevens squad) and fullback Cheslin Kolbe were all, on Thursday, included in Dawie Theron”s 28-man squad.

As part of their final preparations, the SA U20 JWC squad will play the senior Namibian team on May 11 in Cape Town. The 15 forwards will get together from May 1-3 in Stellenbosch, while the full squad will be in camp from May 5-12 to fine-tune their tournament preparations.

Coach Theron, who last year led the Junior Springboks to their first-ever IRB JWC title, said the national selectors have picked the strongest available squad.

“The identification, monitoring and selection process of this squad started last November, when we staged the first set of trial matches,” said Theron. “An extended training group was then identified. These players participated in various training camps, training matches and also the most recent tour to Argentina.

“I am therefore very satisfied and pleased with the final squad and we now need to fine tune our preparations before we travel to France. There are some exciting young talent, some players with previous JWC experience, while others have played Vodacom Super Rugby and on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit.

“I am looking forward to working with this squad in the forthcoming month and to see them in action in what promised to be a very tough and demanding tournament in France,” said Theron.

Kolbe, who aside from his Vodacom Cup commitments with DHL WP also recently sat on the bench for the DHL Stormers, Geduld and Seabelo Senatla are full Springbok Sevens internationals, whilst Jan Serfontein and Handrè Pollard were both part of the successful 2012 JWC squad.

Aidon Davis, Sergeal Petersen and Pollard are all members of the successful 2012 SA Schools team, while a further six players – Dries Swanepoel, Jacques du Plessis, Steenkamp, Percy Williams, Marne Coetzee and Serfontein – were members of the 2011 SA Schools team.

THE SA UNDER-20 SQUAD:

PLAYING SQUAD:
Andrew Beerwinkel (Blue Bulls, Prop)
Marne Coetzee (KwaZulu-Natal, Prop)
Aidon Davis (EP Kings, No.8)
Luan de Bruin (Free State, Prop)
Jacques du Plessis (Blue Bulls, Lock)
Robert du Preez (KwaZulu-Natal In many cases, pre-existing psychological issues due to sexual trauma, grief, violent attack, and major changes in life like divorce or loss of employment can increase the chances of addictive behavior when drinking or abusing other hair test for drugs . , Flyhalf)
Ockert du Toit (Free State, Hooker)
Justin Geduld (SARU contracted, Centre)
Irne Herbst (Blue Bulls, Lock)
Jannes Kirsten (Blue Bulls, Lock)
Cheslin Kolbe (Western Province, Fullback)
Sylvian Mahuza (Leopards, Fullback)
Devon Martinus (Golden Lions, Prop)
Luther Obi (Leopards, Wing)
Sergeal Petersen (EP Kings, Wing)
Handrè Pollard (Blue Bulls, Flyhalf)
Seabelo Senatla (SARU contracted, Wing)
Jan Serfontein (Blue Bulls, Centre)
Sithembiso Sithole (Western Province, Prop)
Kwagga Smith (Golden Lions, Flank)
Roelof Smit (Blue Bulls, Flank)
Ruan Steenkamp (Blue Bulls, Flank)
Dries Swanepoel (Blue Bulls, Centre)
Stefan Ungerer (KwaZulu-Natal, Scrumhalf)
Hanco Venter (KwaZulu-Natal, Scrumhalf)
Dennis Visser (Blue Bulls, Lock)
Michael Willemse (Western Province, Hooker)
Percy Williams (Golden Lions, Scrumhalf)

TEAM MANAGEMENT:
Coach: Dawie Theron
Manager: Jonathan Mokuena
Team doctor: Dr. Phatho Cele
Assistant coach: Brendan Venter
Assistant coach: Nazeem Adams
Video Analyst: Norman Laker
Physio: Anuerin Robyn
Fitness coach: Warren Adams
Media Manager: Rayaan Adriaanse
SARU Rep: Yusuf Jackson

The confirmed team activities for the SA U20 JWC squad are:
May 1-3: Forwards assemble in Stellenbosch for specialised training
May 5-12: Team building and training camp at Stellenbosch
May 11: International friendly v senior Namibia team (Cape Town venue TBC)
May 26-30: Full squad attend holding camp in Stellenbosch
May 29: Capping ceremony in Stellenbosch
May 30: Squad departure to France from the Cape Town International Airport
June 5 June: SA U20 v USA, La Roche sur Yon, France
June 9: SA U20 v England, La Roche sur Yon, France
June 13: SA U20 v France, La Roche sur Yon, France
June 18: JWC play-offs (TBC)
June 23: JWC play-offs (TBC)