SA Schools Rugby selections were confirmed after the completion of the Craven Week. The 52 players chosen for the SA Schools and SA Schools A come from 25 schools across the country.

Western Province and Western Province XV played the unofficial final, which was won by Western Province.

It was the first time in the 64 year history that two teams from the same province competed in the final showcase match of the tournament.

Traditionally, the two teams who compete in the final match have to have been unbeaten. Traditionally, those two teams are taken from the 1st tier grouping, which in this year’s tournament would have meant WP playing Free State, who were also unbeaten prior to the final round of matches.

WP XV is effectively WP B.

The depth and quality in Western Province Schools rugby was reinforced at this year’s Craven Week. As was how little separated the two selections.

WP beat WP XV 40-24 in the ‘final’ and scored six tries to four.

The most notable SA Schools selection was Paul Roos flyhalf Travis Pheiffer, who played for WP XV at the tournament.

Achmat Behardien, from Wynberg Boys High, played for WP and he and Pheiffer were the two specialist No 10s chosen.

Stellenberg High’s No 10 Ethan van Biljon was also picked as a utility back, who can cover multiple positions.

Western Province, despite having 46 players on display in the unofficial final, did not provide the most selections to the SA Schools and SA A squads.

Of the 52 names, 13 came from Western Province Schools, while Kwazulu-Natal had the greatest representation with 15.

SA Schools (26 players)

Provincial representation

School representation

SA Schools A (26 players)

Provincial representation

School representation

Combined SA Schools + SA Schools A (52 players)

Provincial representation

School representation

SA Schools squad
Props: Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College), Matthew Prins (SWD, Outeniqua), Ruben Lombard (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Nic Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse).
Hookers: Theodorus Boshoff (Sharks, Maritzburg College), Iglesias Bruiners (Sharks, Durban High School).
Locks: Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks, Westville), Juvan Burden (WP, Stellenberg), Jean Dreyer (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Glodi Tshipamba (Lions, Jeppe).
Loose forwards: Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks, Kearsney College), Stefan van der Vyver (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood), Jacobus de Villiers (SWD, Oakdale).
Scrumhalves: Mickyle Booise (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Luke Doyle (EP, Graeme College).
Flyhalves: Travis Pheiffer (WP XV, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Achmat Behardien (WP, Wynberg).
Centres: Olwethu Kosani (Sharks, Maritzburg College), Ethan Barker (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Erin Nelson (EP, Graeme College), Tiaan Basson (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium).
Outside and utility backs: Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queens College), Lamla Mgedezi (Free State, Grey College), Ethan van Biljon (WP, Stellenberg), Luxolo Sonkononkono (Sharks, Westville).

SA Schools A squad
Props: Max Malan (WP, Paarl Boys’ High), Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse), JW Coetzee (Free State, Grey College), Priden Sibiya (Sharks, Durban High School).
Hookers: Charl Els (Blue Bulls, Affies), Charles Whitehead (WP, Paarl Gimnasium).
Locks: Werner de Bruin (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium) Akho Tonjeni (EP, Graeme College), Martin van Niekerk (Blue Bulls, Affies).
Loose forwards: Siphesihle Marule (Pumas, Middelburg), Hendre van Zyl (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Linakho Mehlomakulu (WP, Rondebosch), Niel du Randt (Free State, Grey College), Luniko Marivate (EP, Kingswood College).
Scrumhalves: Shaye Lourens (Lions, Helpmekaar), Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua).
Flyhalves: Ruan Fluks (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), Jaydon Viljoen (Lions, Monument).
Centres: Alex Jankowitz (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Ruan Roux (Free State, Grey College), Nathan Aneke (Sharks, Durban High School).
Outside and utility backs: Anesu Kuzonyei (Sharks, Northwood), Ruan Genis (Lions, Monument), Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks, Durban High School), Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit), Drewyn Baron (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein).