For the first time ever, SA Rugby has announced an Under-16 Elite Player Development squad for girls, joining the boys from the same age group for a camp in Paarl early next month, in what is another huge boost for the local women’s game.

The two EPD squads follow a comprehensive talent identification process during the recently held FNB Grant Khomo and FNB Girls Week for U16s in Pretoria and Johannesburg, with the groups ultimately forming the bedrock of the national pathway process for these promising players.

According to Herman Masimla, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager; Development in the Participation & Development Department, the two squads represent the next generation of South African rugby excellence.

“The naming of our first-ever Under-16 Girls EPD squad is a landmark achievement in our journey to elevate women’s rugby,” said Masimla.

“It’s also a powerful intervention at a critical stage in the development of these young players. Their inclusion signals our commitment to building a truly inclusive and representative pathway for young girls in South African rugby.”

Masimla explained there is a comprehensive strategic plan in place for the two camps which will be held simultaneously in the week of 5 to 11 October in Paarl.

“We will fully assess players on all rugby aspects, especially the fundamentals of the game, which will allow us to develop a player profile for each player, and that tool will then be used to assess and monitor youngsters,” he said.

“Based on the individual assessments, we can then use the player profiles to design intervention strategies, where necessary, to assist with the growth and development of the players.”

Masimla further emphasised that these profiles will also be shared with the respective schools and provincial union of each player: “If all goes according to plan, and especially if the intervention strategy does what is necessary, then we expect most of these two groups to be included in next year’s U17 EPD intake as they continue their journey through the SA Rugby talent identification pathway.”

During their week-long get together, the U16 EPD boys’ group will be taken through their paces by the 2025 SA Schools coaches, Lwazi Zangqa, Cobus van Dyk, Flash Malinga and Clinton van Rensburg, while former SA Schools head coaches Sean Erasmus and Katlego Lynch will oversee the girls’ squad assessment activities.

Boys U16 EPD group (5-11 October at Boland Landbou):

Props: Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College), Ziaan Slabbert (Bulls, Affies), Thomas Meyer (WP, Paul Roos), Lelethu Nono (EP, Grey High), Entle Nqcaba (EP, St Andrews), Tunga Griffiths (Sharks, Kearsney College), Liam De Jager (Bulls, Affies), Rossouw de Waal (Cheetahs, Grey College).

Hookers: Iglesias Bruiners (Lions, Noordheuwel), Hendre Ehlers (Bulls, Affies), Luka van der Westhuizen (WP, Paarl Gim), Nyakallo Masiloene (Sharks, DHS).

Locks: Bulelani Cebani (Sharks, DHS), Aobakwe Moeng (Sharks, DHS), Werner de Bruin (WP, Paul Roos), Alexander Muller (Bulls, Affies), Franklin Stevens (Griquas, Diamantveld), Derrick Groenewald (WP, Paarl Gim), Mbala Ndima (Bulls, Pretoria Boys High).

Loose forwards: Siphesihle Marule (Pumas, Uplands College), Thubelihle Marule (Pumas, Uplands College), Siyaya Menzi (Pumas, Middelburg), Jaydon Jubber (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Janu Pretorius (WP, Rondebosch), Keegan Fourie (Bulls, Affies), Henre Valentyn (WP, Paarl Boys’ High), Amayo Egbujor (Boland, HTS Drostdy), Caleb Pretorius (Bulls, Affies), Corne Ferreira (WP, Paarl Gim), Luniko Marivate (WP, Paarl Boys’ High), Niel du Randt (Cheetahs, Grey College), Lwango Ntantala (Sharks, Hilton College).

Scrumhalves: Rufagon Hendricks (SWD, Outeniqua), Theuns van Rensburg (Griffons, Trio), Ben Hughes (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Jordan Forbes (WP, SACS).

Flyhalves: Tanwill Onkers (SWD, Outeniqua), Daniel Miskey (Sharks, Kearsney College), Ndzalama Mbhalati (Lions, Jeppe), Reuben Smith (Bulls, Affies).

Centres: Anfred Jansen (EP, Grey High), Elgenio Oerson (Sharks, Glenwood), James Sale (WP, SACS), De Waal Vivier (WP, Paarl Gim), Asa Mgwatyu (Lions, KES), Danre Brink (Bulls, Affies).

Wings: Rosco Williams (Sharks, Glenwood), Kingsley Pule (Cheetahs, Grey College), Blessing Manoreng (Lions, Monument), Darnell Delport (SWD, Outeniqua), Sterlin Padi (Sharks, DHS), Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit).

Fullbacks: Ray-Nathin van Kolver (Lions, Monument), Kyle van Staden (Bulls, Affies), Hadley Erasmus (WP, Durbanville).

Girls U16 EPD group (5-11 October at La Rochelle Girls' High School):

Props: Fetumane Endinako (Border, Ngangelizwe), Zayaan Majiet (WP, Manenberg), Fiona Sehlangu (Limpopo, Magoza), Thando Hlakanyana (Lions, Krugersdorp), Amahle Tole (EP, Motherwell), Rethabile Kubequ (Lions, Altmont Tech), Zingce Lofana (WP, Zimasa Primary), Maphanga Ludumo (Pumas, Lowveld), Agnes Maoka (Limpopo, Northern Academy), Sanga Makalane (EP, Port Alfred).

Hookers: Shanelia Heugh (WP, HTS Bellville), Robyn Scheepers (WP, Curro Delft), Pobana Musawenkosi (Border, Tsholomnqa), Alwandle Ngcobo (KZN, uMlazi Cotech).

Locks: Ntuli Ntwariso (Lions, Altmont Tech), Ogbu Nicole (Lions, Sir John Adamson), Karabo Mokale (Bulls, Phatheng Secondary), Magriet de Klerk (WP, DF Malan), Sine Sezelwa (Border, Kalalo Junior), Tsakani Chauke (Lions, Kwabhekilanga Secondary).

Loose forwards: Inathi Nxiweni (WP, Athlone), Nokuthula Dube (Bulls, Kgomotso Secondary), Sarender Chauke (Limpopo, Magoza), Erin Ogram (Sharks, Richardsbaai), Nqadini Palisa (EP, Mzontsudu), Hlatshwayo Onthathile (Pumas, Lowveld), Mtebele Noluthando (Leopards, Bothoka THS), Chemike Visser (Bulls, Concordia).

Scrumhalves: Sontsethe Elihle (Border, Kalalo Junior), Larissa Kriel (Lions, Marais Viljoen), Imange Norayose (Border, Silimela), Brumilda Fitzgerald (EP, Middelande).

Flyhalves: Jehoma Danrica (WP, Simon's Town), Alice Ncube (Lions, Kwabhekilanga), Angel Nxasane (Pumas, Standerton), Nxumalo Noxolo (Pumas, Lowveld).

Centres: Landor Azraa (WP, Manenberg), Mia Kanka (WP, Rusthof Secondary), Angel Minnaar (EP, Middelande), Sherezaan Fortune (WP, Manenberg), Tatum-Joy Kaboni (SWD, George), Pathakge Ralley-Amahle (Pumas, Hill Crest).

Wings: Kali Liyabona (Border, Hlumani), Jacobs Cassidy (Boland, Gansbaai), Letticia Prins (WP, Scottsville), Sibongiseni Gumede (Lions, Vorentoe), Madiniyah Joseph (WP, Downeville Primary), Nkosi Ayanda (Pumas, Azalea).

Fullbacks: Chariva Visagie (EP, Middelande), Chibandika Joan (Pumas, Hill Crest).