SA call-ups just reward for Moerat and his boys

WESTERN PROVINCE, the unofficial Craven Week champions for the second year running, make up the majority of the 2016 SA Schools squad.

Thirteen WP players (five backs, eight forwards) have been selected in a 26- man squad to face Under-18 sides from England, Wales, France and Italy, as well as an SA A side, in Cape Town and Paarl from August 12-20.

WP captain and lock Salmaan Moerat, centre Manuel Rass, flyhalf Damian Willemse and loose forward Khanya Ncusane retain their places. Teammates Mike Mavovana, Muller du Plessis, Gianni Lombard, Reece Bezuidenhout, BenJason Dixon, Daniel Jooste, Johan Neethling, Charl Serdyn and Muller Uys join them in the SA Schools squad.

Moerat is not afraid to take the fight to the opposition, while he also contests well in the lineouts. Willemse is a classy No 10 whose awareness is out of the top drawer. Rass has pace to burn and an eye for the gap, along with Mavovana and Du Plessis.

“The fact that 13 of our boys gained SA Schools selection is just reward for their efforts,” unbeaten WP coach Elmo Wolfaardt said. SA Schools squad: Emilio Adonis (Blue Bulls), Reece Bezuidenhout (WP), PJ Botha (Golden Lions), Ruan de Swardt (Blue Bulls), Ben-Jason Dixon (WP), Muller du Plessis (WP), Richman Gora (Griffons), Daniel Jooste (WP), Rewan Kruger (Free State), Gianni Lombard (WP), Khwezi Mafu (EP), Mike Mavovana (WP), Nathan McBeth (Lions), Salmaan Moerat (captain, WP), Johan Neethling (WP), Sihle Njezula (EP), JC Pretorius (Pumas), Rikus Pretorius (Free State), Manuel Rass (WP), Sazi Sandi (EP), Charl Serdyn (WP), Wandisile Simelane (Golden Lions), PJ Steenkamp (Bulls), Muller Uys (WP), Damian Willemse (WP), Khanya Ncusane (WP). SA A squad: Zinedine Booysen (SWD Eagles), Austin Davids (Bulls), Lubabalo Dobela (EP), Cabous Eloff Prop (Bulls), Schalk Erasmus (Bulls), Keagan Glade (Lions), Tyrone Green (Lions), Gugu Nelani (Sharks), Christopher Havenga (Lions), Janco van Heyningen (Free State), Cameron Hufke (Griquas), Jessie Johnson (WP), Athi Magwala (WP), Tadendaishe Mujawo (Lions), Sanele Nohamba (Sharks), Ayabonga Oliphant (EP), Ryno Pieterse (Bulls), Dylan Richardson (Sharks), Dian Schoonees (Free State), Mornay Smith (Bulls), Mark Snyman (Lions), Sicelo Tole (EP), Louritz van der Schyff (captain, Bulls), Abner van Reenen (Bulls), Jaco van Tonder (Free State), Juan van der Mescht (Sharks).