The aim of NextGenXV is of course to give exposure to as many up and coming rugby players as possible.
In this our new series “under the radar” we attempt to look at players that are perhaps being overlooked or have not yet gone into the minds of mainstream school rugby supporters.
Many of the talents in South Africa aim for a career in rugby but often find troubles in terms of their next step of their journey, by giving these players a platform it is our hope that the numerous scouts and coaches at both professional and varsity level who follow our brand may find an opportunity for one of these spirited youngsters in their team.
BRUCE SHERWOOD (BISHOPS)
Date of Birth: 29 June 2004
Position: Inside Centre
Height: 184cm
Weight: 94kg
Squads: WP High Performance Squad 2020
Strengths: Ball carrying, vision, offloads
Bruce is a genetic freak, pure and simple Weighing almost 95kg, over 6 feet in size and running the 100m in 12 seconds says it all.
But behind that brute is a youngster with an excellent rugby brain often timing his runs to perfection and using his size wisely instead of solely relying on it. No doubt he has a massive future in the game and under the watchful eyes of coach Wes Chetty and director of rugby Dave Mallett he has rugby brains that can help turn him into a cracking player
CHRISTIAAN GATES (NELSPRUIT)
Date of Birth: 2 January 2003
Position: Flyhalf
Height: 178cm
Weight: 79kg
Squads: Pumas Grant Khomo 2019, Craven Week 7’S, 2019
Strengths: Spatial awareness, rugby IQ, Kicking, skill, pace, distribution
The first time I saw Christiaan play it was clear to me he was a special talent. He is a dynamic pivot who can kick with both feet and has a tremendous eye for the gap helping get his outside backs on the front foot as well as pushing them into space with his excellent distribution.
He is not afraid to throw caution to the wind and has the confidence to back himself even in dangerous situations as his mature head has shown by rarely doing anything that would jeopardize the teams play.
ELI VAN SCHOOR (QUEENS)
Date of Birth: 31 January 2003
Position: Lock/Flank
Height: 187cm
Weight: 98kg
Squads: Border U12 , Border U13 Craven Week , Border U16 Grant Khomo Week , U19 EPD camps.
Strengths: Lineout jumper, leadership, turnover ball at rucks, carrying on attack.
Eli has been a stalwart for both the Border region and Queens from a young age where his talent has shone. Despite Queens having had some disappointing scores over the past few years many feel that this years group is the group to keen an eye out for and Eli is counted among its leaders!
SAMUEL FRANCIS (ST ANDREWS COLLEGE)
Date of Birth: 14 March 2003
Position: Flyhalf
Height: 183cm
Weight: 84kg
Squads: St Andrews College 1st XV 2020/21
Strengths: Vision, Kicking, Footwork, Passing, Tackling, Leadership
Sam Francis is truly an under the radar prospect, a player who embodies the St Andrews College ethos of high IQ and entertaining rugby the young flyhalf was poised to set the season alight before yet another delay to his season.
A hefty boot, an ability to tear open defenses and a true general on and off the field there is no doubt he has all the qualities to become a top class flyhalf.
