The Blue Bulls had the majority of their squad called up for the SA Schools trials later this month, which was announced at the conclusion of the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week in Port Elizabeth.
Following a joint decision by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and the SA Schools Rugby Association (SASRA), the SA Schools selectors on Saturday named a 50-man trials squad instead of an SA Schools team, as has been the custom at previous Under-18 Craven Weeks.
The SA Schools trial match will take place on 28 July, with a squad of 28 set to be named afterwards to take on Wales, France and England next month.
“We have opted for a change in selection strategy, where we have exposed our selectors to a broader base of players at the various Coca-Cola Youth Weeks, as well as a change in our preparation for incoming tests,” said SARU’s Senior Manager: Club, Schools and University Development, Nico Serfontein.
Western Province’s Chris October will coach the SA Schools team, with Boland’s David Coert the team manager.
SA Schools trials squad
- Blue Bulls: Abongile Nonkontwana, Caswell Khoza, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Heinrich Viljoen, Hyron Andrews, Johan Bannink, Jurie Linde, Justin Philips, Marcus Kleinbooi, Matjikinyane Molapo, Nicholas Janse van Resnburg, Pierre Schoeman, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Ryno Eksteen, Thabo Mabuza (15)
- Boland: Courtney Cupido, Francois Esterhuizen, Gideon Koegelenberg, Wilco Louw (4)
- Border: Akhona Sihunu (1)
- Eastern Province: Aidon Davis (Daniel Pienaaar), Selwyn Davids (Nico Malan), Sergeal Petersen (Grey High School) (3)
- Free State: Edward Schmidt, Ox Nche (2)
- Golden Lions: Christiaan Massyn, Dylon Smith, Jaco van der Walt, Koch Marx, Malcolm Marx, Stephan Vermeulen (6)
- Griffons: Rynard Snyman (1)
- KwaZulu Natal: Daniel du Preez, Jean Luc du Preez, Jesse Kriel, Sandile Kubeka (4)
- Pumas: Jano Venter (1)
- South Western Districts: Warrick Galant, Duhan van der Merwe, Ganfried May (3)
- Valke: Christiaan Meyer, Johan Labuschagne (2)
- Western Province: Chad Solomon, Handre Pollard, Jason Worrall, JD Schickerling, Leigton Rar van Wyk, Liam Hendricks, Ramone Samuels, Wesley Adonis (8)
Limpopo, Leopards, Griquas and the Country Districts teams failed to get representation on the squad.
Images of the three Eastern Province representatives in the SA Schools Trial Squad:
The Final Points standings at the 2012 Craven Week in Port Elizabeth:
| TEAM | WON | LOST | DREW | POINTS FOR | POINTS AGAINST | POINTS |
| Blue Bulls | 3 | 0 | 0 | 130 | 37 | 15 |
| EP | 3 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 54 | 13 |
| Namibia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 86 | 58 | 12 |
| SWD | 2 | 1 | 0 | 99 | 67 | 11 |
| Griffons | 2 | 1 | 0 | 91 | 81 | 11 |
| WP | 2 | 1 | 0 | 95 | 94 | 10 |
| Limpopo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 106 | 74 | 9 |
| Free State | 2 | 1 | 0 | 68 | 62 | 9 |
| EP CD | 1 | 1 | 1 | 56 | 60 | 8 |
| Lions | 2 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 69 | 8 |
| Griquas CD | 1 | 2 | 0 | 70 | 67 | 7 |
| KZN | 1 | 2 | 0 | 80 | 68 | 6 |
| Leopards | 1 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 67 | 6 |
| Valke | 1 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 76 | 5 |
| Pumas | 1 | 2 | 0 | 72 | 89 | 5 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 2 | 0 | 59 | 105 | 5 |
| Boland | 1 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 54 | 4 |
| Griquas | 0 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 45 | 3 |
| Border CD | 0 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 69 | 2 |
| Border | 0 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 63 | 1 |
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