The national junior rugby programme will resume after Easter with the intake of 36 promising players who will attend the SA Rugby Academy, based in Stellenbosch.
This year’s Academy will be one of the key pillars in preparing the top junior players in the country to make the step-up to the SA Under-20 squad. It will run from 19 April to 30 June at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS).
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The programme, which was launched in 2017, aims to balance formal education with high-performance training and player welfare.
According to SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux, the SA Rugby Academy is one of the cornerstones of the local rugby pathway to bridge the gap between junior and senior level.
“With a large focus of the programme also centering on education, the players will benefit on and off the field, which will certainly bode well for their futures,” said Roux.
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The 2022 SA Rugby Academy squad:
Props: Lamla Nunu (DHL WP), Corne Lavagna (Vodacom Bulls), Phatu Ganyane (Cell C Sharks), Juann Else (Vodacom Bulls), Corne Weilbach (DHL WP), Sebastian Lombard (Vodacom Bulls), Sivu Mabece (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Lukhanyo Vokozela (DHL WP), Keagan Blackenberg (DHL WP), Tiaan Lange (Vodacom Bulls).
Locks: Corne Rahl (Cell C Sharks), Coetzee Le Roux (Cell C Sharks), Connor Evans (DHL WP), Merwe Olivier (Vodacom Bulls).
Loose forwards: Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Armand Maritz (DHL WP), Abulele Ndabambi (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Ningiza (Cell C Sharks), Damon Royle (Cell C Sharks), Gcino Mdletshe (Vodacom Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Nico Steyn (Sigma Lions), Bradley Davids (Cell C Sharks), Neil Le Roux (Vodacom Bulls).
Flyhlaves: Sacha Mngomezulu (DHL WP), Jean Smith (Cell C Sharks).
Centres: Carlton Bannies (Vodacom Bulls), Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL WP), Ethan James (DHL WP), Moemagare Motlhodi (Vodacom Bulls).
Outside backs: Donovan Don (Griffons), Hakeem Kunene (Vodacom Bulls), Curwin Gertse (Cell C Sharks), Matthew Jacobs (Cell C Sharks), Katlego Letebele (Vodacom Bulls), Duran Koevort (DHL WP), Latica Nela (SA Rugby Sevens contracted).
