The most difficult decision the South African Schools’ selectors will have to make during the FNB u18 Craven Week in Gqeberha this week will be which flyhalves to pick and which to leave out of the two national school teams.
Western Province’s Ethan van Biljon (Stellenberg) will most likely be the first choice, as he already represented the SA Schools A-side after last year’s tournament in Middelburg. Van Biljon might, however, move to either outside centre or fullback after school. His deputy in the WP side, Achmat Behardien (Wynberg Boys’ High), will also be a strong contender, as he makes his second appearance at a u18 Craven Week.
In the Western Province XV, there is also a quality flyhalf in Travis Pheiffer (Paul Roos Gimnasium) who will also be a strong contender for the 10-jersey. Add to the mix Jaydon Viljoen (Monument) of the Golden Lions, who can kick the ball a mile, and the selectors have a bit of a headache.
The Sharks’ Daniel Miskey (Kearsney College) is also a prospect for the future, as he was part of his union’s side that was crowned unofficial champions at the Grant Khomo Week of 2025. The Blue Bulls’ flyhalf Ruan Fluks (Garsfontein) will also be available for selection at next year’s Craven Week.
Please note that this is a team chosen by SuperSport Schools News before the FNB u18 Craven Week and not the official team. The official South African Schools and South African Schools A-sides will be announced only on Saturday, at the conclusion of Craven Week, at Grey High School in Gqeberha.
We have also shared as per our annual article a list of players to watch during the week at the bottom of the article.
SuperSport Schools’ SA Schools’ side:
15 Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College, Free State), 14 Lucretia Magua (Eastern Province), 13 Erin Nelson (Graeme College, Eastern Province), 12 Tiaan Basson (Paul Roos Gimnasium, Western Province), 11 Ncuthu Kepe (Queen’s College, Border), 10 Ethan van Biljon (Stellenberg, Western Province), 9 Mickyle Booise (Paarl Gimnasium, Western Province), 8 Jacobus de Villiers (Oakdale Landbou, SWD), 7 Hendré van Zyl (Paarl Gimnasium, Western Province), 6 Siya Ncube (Monument, Golden Lions), 5 Lwandile Mlaba (Westville Boys’ High, Sharks), 4 Juvan Burden (Stellenberg, Western Province), 3 Dewald du Toit (Hoërskool Middelburg, Pumas), 2 Charles Whitehead (Paarl Gimnasium, Western Province), 1 Kyle Burger (Oakdale Landbou, SWD). Replacements: 16 Theo Boshoff (Maritzburg College, Sharks), 17 Apalele Chalmane (Sharks), 18 Matthew Prins (Outeniqua, SWD), 19 Robert Hurn (Noordheuwel, Golden Lions), 20 Jamie Wimble (Northwood, Sharks), 21 Fagon Hendricks (Outeniqua, SWD), 22 Travis Pheiffer (Paul Roos Gimnasium, Western Province), 23 Eddie Mabena (Grey College, Free State), 24 Ruan Genis (Monument, Golden Lions), 25 Lux Sonkononkono (Sharks), 26 Nathan Aneke (Durban High School, Sharks).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fullback: Lamla Mgedezi (Free State), Liam Jacobs (WP), Lux Sonkononkono (Sharks), Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas), Aydan Willemse (Leopards), Drewyn Baron (Blue Bulls), Darnell Delport (SWD).
Right Wing: Cayden Samuels (WP XV), Qlin Booyse (Griffons), Noah Mbizi (Eastern Province), Dirk Farmer (WP), Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks), Kgontse Masilela (Pumas).
Outside Centre: Erin Nelson (Eastern Province), Ethan Barker (WP), Nathan Aneke (Sharks), Blessing Monareng (Golden Lions), Eddie Mabena (Free State).
Inside Centre: Tiaan Basson (WP), Ethan Lourens (Golden Lions), Albert Nel (WP XV), Alex Jankowitz (Sharks).
Left Wing: Thomas Saunders (WP XV), Jerado Tafel (Valke), Ruan Genis (Golden Lions), Ncuthu Kepe (Border), Heiliano Beukes (SWD), Lucritia Magau (Eastern Province).
Flyhalf: Jaydon Viljoen (Golden Lions), Travis Pheiffer (WP XV), Achmat Berhardien (WP), Ethan van Biljon (WP), Daniel Miskey (Sharks), Ruan Fluks (Blue Bulls), Buhle Maphalaza (Pumas).
Scrumhalf: Mickyle Booise (WP), Shaye Lourens (Golden Lions), Caleb Bell (WP), Liam de Villiers (WP XV), Fagon Hendricks (SWD), Ludi van der Walt (Sharks).
Eighthman: Jacobus de Villiers (SWD), Jamie Wimble (Sharks), Armand van Eck (Golden Lions), Niel du Randt (Free State), Jaco Engelbrecht (Valke), Heinrich Swart (Griqualand West).
Flanker: Hendré van Zyl (Western Province), Zander Muller (Sharks), Menzi Siyaya (Pumas), Franklin Stevens (Griqualand West), Siya Ncube (Golden Lions), Henru Erasmus (Free State), Stefan van der Vyver (Blue Bulls), Yanos Molnar (WP XV), Kean Lourens (Golden Lions), Caleb Pretorius (Blue Bulls), Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks).
Lock: Juvan Burden (WP), Jean Dreyer (WP), Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks), Sifiso Hlungwane (Pumas), JJ Fourie (Blue Bulls), Martin van Niekerk (Blue Bulls).
Tighthead Prop: Dewald du Toit (Pumas), Francois le Roux (SWD), Zak Steyn (WP), Nicolaas Salamousas (Sharks), Stephan Janse van Rensburg (Limpopo Blue Bulls), Stephan Botha (Golden Lions), Ruben Lombaard (Blue Bulls), Hannes Nagel (Blue Bulls).
Hooker: Charles Whitehead (WP), Theo Boshoff (Sharks), Ziahn Lombaard (Limpopo Blue Bulls), Adrian Smith (SWD), AJ Hendriks (Free State), Janu Janse van Rensburg (Eastern Province), Charl Els (Blue Bulls).
Loosehead Prop: Kyle Burger (SWD), Matthew Prins (SWD), Diandro Botha (Golden Lions), Daniel Naudé (Eastern Province), André van Wyk (Blue Bulls), Jayden Steyl (WP).
- South African Schools side of 2026 announced - 2026-07-11
- Results – FNB u18 Craven Week 2026 – Day 5 - 2026-07-11
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