With us set to announce our World Under 18 XV tomorrow (30 October 2022) we thought we would look back at how our inaugural 2020 and 2021 squads were coming along in terms of their development.
We have only looked at our starting XV’s, for a full list of the players plus benches click here.
FULLBACKS
Ajay Faleafaga (2020)
Faleafaga was named in our team as an Under 17 player, such was his level of talent.
Immediately after leaving school he was snapped up by the Highlanders where he was impressed and is earmarked for bigger things moving forward.
Jeremiah Asi (2021)
An absolute star for a strong St Peters outfit, Asi combined flair and speed with a high rugby IQ to set the schools scene alight in his final year.
Another player who has joined the Highlanders, according to their youth coach he will continue his rugby journey was a winger so it’s a case of wait and see in terms of the prospect fulfilling his much vaunted talent.
RIGHT WING
Curwin Gertse (2020)
Gertse had it all at schools level, breaking into the Paarl Gim 1st team as a Grade 11 in 2019 he truly set the scene alight with tries galore, an ability to carve open space and speed which left many an opponent in the dust.
His first year out of school he was selected for the Junior Boks and performed admirably in difficult conditions in their international series against the likes of Georgia and Argentina. Despite being one of the best wingers we have seen at school level for some time the transition into senior rugby has been a tough one for the young Gertse.
The Sharks certainly need to do more to give talents such as this the opportunity to shine, the talent is there and we hope that he can pull through during a testing period.
Cassius Cleaves (2021)
It is fair to say that Cleaves is well on his way to showing that his form at school level was far from a fluke with the youngster scoring 4 tries in 4 appearances for Harlequins an exceptional strike rate from the 20 year old.
The Wellington youngster was an absolute standout at school level and we did not hesitate naming him to our World Under 18 team and from the looks of things it was a very good call.
OUTSIDE CENTRE
Jack Howarth (2020)
Howarth was one of the leading centres in the 2020 GPS competition and guided Brisbane Boys to their first ever outright win in the competition.
Unfortunately the player was lost to rugby league where he was signed to the Melbourne Storm. He played in the Under 19 State of Origin match for Queensland but suffered an injury in the second half, no doubt a player that will make a significant impact in the game long term.
Suleiman Hartzenberg (2021)
One of our favourite players to watch, in 2020 before the pandemic hit he announced himself on the school stage with an amazing performance against Paarl Gim in the Western Province rugby day. In the few matches he played in 2021 he was exceptional, a natural talent who was arguably the most talented player in his age group.
Fast forward to his first year out of school and the try scoring machine has continued his fine form with standout performances for the UCT Ikeys, Western Province Under 20 and 2 tries in 4 appearances for the Stormers. Hartzenberg is well on his way to higher honours.
INSIDE CENTRE
Mambo Mkhize (2020)
Mambo was the total package at school level, those hands were safe as houses and his offloading as well as strength in carrying made him a fearsome opponent for even the most talented centres in the nation.
He was quickly snapped up by his home union of the Sharks, named to the South African Under 20 squad in 2019 and performed well in tough conditions that were not suited to his playing style. He has since moved on to start afresh at Western Province and we hope that we can see him fulfil his talent in the future.
Jac Lloyd (2021)
The Welshman was immensely gifted as a school player while representing Clifton and had numerous clubs after his signature but ultimately joined his older brother at the Bristol Bears.
Despite his young age he has already made 3 senior appearances for the club as well as representing the Welsh Under 20 side on 4 occasions.
LEFT WING
Joseph Suaalii (2020)
One of the most prodigious talents to come out of the schools game, possibly the finest since Louis Rees-Zammit Suaalii unfortunately is yet another talent to have been lost to Union with Sydney Roosters signing him while still a school player.
The youngster has not looked back since and has an incredible strike rate with 16 tries scored in only 24 appearances. His performances did not go unnoticed and he was called up to the senior state or origin squad in 2022 despite still being a teenager. Suaalii has all the attributes to become a legend in the game, what could have been had be chosen Union?
Ebenezer Tshimanga (2021)
20 years old and standing in at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 104kg Tshimanga has often been confused with being Fijian instead of Congolese.
His exploits at school level have been known since the lower age groups with tales of his size, strength and speed being major discussion points throughout his career. His transition into the senior side of the game has been seamless with Tshimanga easily mixing it with the senior players, rumours continue to circulate around a move to France and with that who knows what direction his international career could take.
FLYHALF
Sacha Mngomezulu (2020)
Sacha was born to play this game, we have said it once and his exploits have proven us right. A player who entertains audiences Mngomezulu has all the attributes you would dream of for a modern day backline player.
In a game that sorely lacks star power at the very top, this is a player who could change that in the future and such is his ability that it has been rumoured that Eddie Jones is after him for the England setup. A recent callup to the Bok training squad suggests there may be fire where there is smoke and our South African team certainly hope that Mngomezulu’s blood remains green.
Jamie Benson (2021)
Not since Marcus Smith has there been a school player who has commanded as much respect as Jamie Benson, a player we named our number 1 prospect for the English season in his final year.
So far the youngster has made 3 appearances for Harlequins notching up 10 points and if he reaches even a small portion of the potential he had shown at school level the sky is truly the limit for young Benson.
SCRUMHALF
Noah Hotham (2020)
Hotham was always bound to become a great rugby player, the son of famed schools coach Nigel rugby runs deep in the veins of the Hotham family.
Noah showed his form for Hamilton Boys was no fluke with the youngster showing exceptional skill and ability for the Baby Blacks in the 2022 Oceania Cup which the team absolutely dominated. Not content with showing his ability at youth level Hotham backed up these performances showing fine form in the local NPC competition for Tasman.
In just 12 appearances the youngster has already notched up 35 points, the Crusaders noticed this and signed him to their franchise on a 3 year contract starting from 2023. The future certainly looks bright for this young star.
Sam Howling (2021)
Another son of a famed coach, Howling is the son of Matt Howling a coach at Kelston. In Sam’s final year Kelston won all 10 of their Auckland 1A matches having a 100% record in the competition which is extremely rare in what many feel is the strongest school rugby competition on the planet.
Their average score of 32-9 against opponents spoke volumes of their dominance and if Kelston were an orchestra then Howling was their conductor. His pace is a sight to behold and his strength and aggression in defence makes him a dual threat in this regard.
Snapped up by the Hurriances after school he has since performed well for their Under 20 team and he is being earmarked by many as the future of the franchise. We cannot wait to see how he develops.
8TH MAN
Carwyn Tuipulotu (2020)
An absolute man mountain whilst at Sedbergh, Tuipulotu was one of the most talked about school rugby players in 2020 and for good reason with some truly standout performances for the Browns.
Fast forward to 2022 and the 120kg back rower has so far played 11 matches for the Scarlets and has 4 Wales Under 20 caps under his belt. He is certainly looking to be the real deal.
Neels Volschenk (2021)
Neels was one of those cursed by the pandemic, never truly having the chance to show his massive potential to the world. With the Bulls having the likes of Cameron Hanekom and Hardus Rothmann available to them in the 8 position Neels has seemingly found a new home for himself at openside for the Bulls.
Numerous appearances and solid performances for the lower age group teams puts him in good stead for the future, forwards unlike backline players usually take far more time to blood in.
OPENSIDE FLANK
Emeka Ilione (2020)
What an immense talent England have in young Emeka Illione. Whilst England did not have their most successful year at Under 20 level the former Rugby School scholar was immense for the whites all season.
His ability at the breakdown as well as stellar leadership has shone through and no doubt Eddie Jones will be keeping a close eye on him.
Guy Pepper (2021)
An absolutely ferocious player at Barnard Castle where he schooled, we featured Pepper in a video very early on and our praise of him has proved to be justified with the youngster just recently making his debut for the Newcastle Falcons.
He possesses every quality you look for in an openside flanker and there is little doubt that although he will have tough competition for the 7 jersey his fighting spirit could take him to the pinnacle of the game.
BLINDSIDE FLANK
Zac Hough (2020)
Hough was another member of the Brisbane Boys team who took home the GPS in 2020 and led the competition in meters carried, quite the achievement considering he was in his Grade 11 year.
He was quickly snapped up by the Rebels and will no doubt be fast tracked into the senior setup after his exploits for the Junior Wallabies.
Che Clarke (2021)
An absolute unit! The former Kings College pupil was so highly regarded that New Zealand school rugby guru Herschelle Fruean named him as the number one prospect for the 2021 season and Clarke did not disappoint often dominating his opposition.
He was called up to the senior men’s sevens side as for the 2022 Common Wealth Games where he won a bronze medal, there is no doubting Clarke’s talents and it’s going to be very interesting to see how he develops further.
LOCK (#5)
Allen Craig (2020)
Another HSTop200 number 1 prospect, Craig was unfortunately severely impacted by the pandemic in his final year of school but had already received his New Zealand Under 18 colours as a Year 12 in 2019.
He is currently plying his trade at Northland in the NPC and despite his young age has already represented the team 6 times scoring a try in the process.
Daniel Maiava (2021)
Along with Hough, Maiava was quickly snapped up by the Rebels after his exploits for Nudgee at school level.
His rapid rise through the academy system was special with the player impressing so much that he was drafted into the senior squad where he has thus far made 2 appearances. With this being achieved after just one year out of school how long before we see the big lad pull on the Golden Wallaby jumper?
LOCK (#4)
Connor Evans (2020)
Our number 1 prospect for the 2020 season we were extremely excited to see how Evans and that years Bishops team would get on, they were simply stacked full of talent.
Unfortunately no rugby was played over the next year and we never got to see him in full flight, but in 2019 he was a true standout on the national scene earning a callup to the South African Under 18 team.
He has since represented the UCT Ikeys with distinction often being named as a player of the week and for many one of the players of the tournament. In 2022 his rich form continued being a key player in the Junior Springbok’s clean sweep during the Summer Series in Italy. So far he has represented Western Province 8 times and the Stormers once but expect the gifted starlet to add far more caps in the future.
Tahlor Cahill (2021)
Cahill has enjoyed a stellar 2022, picking up on his 2021 season the multi sport talent chose rugby as his preferred career option and has not looked back since.
A member of the New Zealand Under 20 squad who dominated this years Oceania Championship the Crusaders Under 20 talent further showcased his set of skills being named in the New Zealand Under 19 squad which toured South Africa and were dominant in virtually all their fixtures.
With Cahill only turning 20 next year expect him to be a shining light as the Baby Blacks look to win yet another World Under 20 championship.
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Fin Baxter (2020)
Baxter was easily one of the first names on our list when naming our 2020 team. The former Wellington College youngster was an absolute menace in the scrum and his work rate set him apart from his peers in no uncertain terms.
Harlequins knew about his exploits from a young age and they seem intent on building their pack around him in the future. So far 4 senior appearances have come in the 2022/23 season and with time on his side expect Baxter to become a well known figure in the game sooner rather than later.
Siale Luaki (2021)
Luaki was rated as one of the next big things to come out of the Wellington system with the former St Pats pupil bulldozing his opposition with ease. An exceptional scrummager with an enormous tank, Luaki was always going to be destined for bigger things.
Few could of anticipated his success in 2022 being named to both the New Zealand Under 19 and Under 20 teams both of which ended defeated with resounding wins over opposition players. Expect big things to come from him in the Under 20 scene next year.
HOOKER
Archie Vanes (2020)
One of the most underrated young forwards at school level, Vanes to many was a surprise inclusion in our inaugural squad but has gone on to achieve some great things after school.
So far he has made a total of 6 senior appearances for the Leicester Tigers scoring 5 tries, a strike rate even the most fearsome winger would envy.
Bryce Calvert (2021)
Calvert was for many the premier hooker in South Africa during 2021 and was able to get a few games under his belt before yet another wave slowed down sport in the country.
In the few appearances he did make there was little doubt in anyone’s mind they were watching a very special talent. His ball carrying was exceptional and his sheer power and force of will drove his players to always perform at their best level.
In 2022 he began his journey with the Sharks, a Union which has recruited some outstanding young players but perhaps have left a bit to be desired in the development department. With a new team coming in perhaps the likes of Calvert will be given their shot, the potential an athlete like this has simply does not disappear overnight.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Jack Boyle (2020)
If there is one thing you can always be certain of, it is that Ireland know how to produce quality props and Jack Boyle is the finest among them.
We know little of Irish Schools rugby which is often a closed environment for most, but the exploits of Boyle in St Michaels 2019/20 campaign was felt throughout the Home Unions and he was a popular choice for the number 1 jersey.
He was instrumental in Ireland Under 20’s dominant six nations performance this year with the team winning both the grand slam and triple crown. Boyle according to many punters was easily the best loosehead in the tournament and looks set for an exciting future in the game.
Seb Smith (2021)
Whether it is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen, but perhaps the most interesting attribute Smith has is his ability to play throughout the front row.
Still only 20 years old, Smith stand at 6 feet and 4 inches tall and weighs in at 112kg showing why he is just so versatile especially when one has seen his exploits at school level where he punished his opponents into submission in the scrum.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the youngster but with him being named to the Tigers senior squad for the 2022/23 season surely that potential will be fulfilled.
