Foote beams as SA’s schoolboy stars dominate U18 Series



Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has lauded South Africa’s U18 International Series as a vital stepping stone in the country’s rugby development pathway after the national schoolboy sides shone against top international opposition.

This year’s edition saw two national teams – the SA U18s and SA U18 ‘A’ – tested against quality opposition from France, England, Ireland and Georgia. The three-week series, staged in Durbanville, Boland Landbou and Paarl Gimnasium, delivered competitive rugby and a glimpse of the next generation of Junior Boks.

MORE: SA U18 second-half blitz sinks England

The SA U18s were especially dominant, storming to three convincing wins: 43-21 over France, 45-5 against Ireland, and a 69-24 demolition of England. They racked up 157 points and 23 tries across the series, averaging over 50 points per game.

The SA U18 ‘A’ side also impressed, narrowly losing 39-36 to Ireland before bouncing back with a 57-19 win over Georgia, though they fell 40-14 to France in their final outing.

Foote, who along with his U20 staff mentored the SA U18 coaching group, praised the programme’s role in feeding talent into higher levels.

“Players like Ethan Adams and Markus Muller developed a partnership, and that goes for all combinations of both our teams,” he said.

“This series gave them the chance to play international rugby, and exposing them, and the coaches, to gain international experience is vital for their development.”

Foote was equally full of praise for the provincial unions who have backed young Junior Boks in the Carling Currie Cup.

“I thought it was brave of the provincial coaches to give them the opportunity, and it’s nice to see some of them doing well. I am extremely proud of them, and to see them playing so well for their teams is something very special.”

He also paid tribute to the schools, coaches and headmasters who continue to fuel South Africa’s rugby pipeline.

“The schoolboy rugby system in South Africa is amazing,” Foote said.

“Well done to our coaches, Lwazi Zangqa, Flash Malinga, Clinton van Rensburg and Cobus van Dyk, on doing a great job. And also Louis Koen, who did so well in putting this programme together.”

Now in its 14th year, the prestigious series remains a cornerstone of SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development programme, and a proven feeder system for the Junior Boks.

“There is, of course, a massive benefit to staging these games for our boys as it gives them the opportunity to play together at a higher level,” said Foote.

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images





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