A group of 28 Under-18 players will assemble at Grey College in Bloemfontein this weekend for a three-day Commonwealth Youth Games training camp under the watchful eye of Marius Schoeman, SA Rugby’s High-Performance Manager for Sevens.

The Youth Games will take place in Trinidad and Tobago in August. The training camp was due to be held in Stellenbosch, but it has been moved to Bloemfontein due to the inclement weather conditions.

Schoeman said he is keen to start working with the group.

“We last participated in the tournament in 2015, when it was held in Samoa, and we won the gold medal,” said Schoeman.

“That team feature four players who would go on to play for the Springboks in Damian Willemse, Curwin Bosch, Embrose Papier and Manie Libbok, as well as future Blitzboks such as Stedman Gans, JC Pretorius, Mfundo Ndhlovu and Heino Bezuidenhout.

“It is exciting to have this group together, as we’ll be able to get a first-hand look at what capabilities we have in this squad. The interaction with these players is important with the future in mind.”

SA U18 Sevens training squad: Luann Olivier (Blue Bulls), Luan Giliomee, Bernardo Diedericks (both Boland), Jeandre Jacobs, Nathan Mathee (both Valke), Martin Botha, Marno Stopforth, Alzeadon Felix (all Free State), Fano Linde, Ethan Jones (both Griffons), Valentino Lenge, Dwayne Lubbe (both Griquas), Lavela Pongolo (EP), Ceono Everson, Jody Schambreel (both Lions), Siyanda Nkosi, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Mnelisi Gamede, Singce Simka, Hopewell Ntshangase (all Sharks), Jeffwin Wesso (SWD), Albie Bester, James Nero, Gino Cupido, Dewald de Villiers, Samuel Badenhorst, Enzo Labuschagne, Freek de Kock (all WP).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications