10 May 2023
Sevens rugby in KZN is in a very healthy state. In March, Michaelhouse lifted the Rugby School International Sevens title and now five boys – from DHS, Northwood, Glenwood and Westville – have been selected for the national u18 squad.
Those who have been keeping a close eye on rugby in KZN will know that some of the most exciting and skilful running rugby has been played by DHS. Thus, it is not that surprising to learn that two of the school’s 1st XV, Hopewell Ntshangase and Zingce Simka, have been included in the 26-player group.
They’ll be joined in the line-up by Northwood’s Siyanda Nkosi, Glenwood’s Mnelisi Gamede, and Westville’s Siya Ndlozi, with a place in the South African team for the Commonwealth Youth Games, which take place in Trinidad and Tobago from 4-11 August, on the line.
Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games (commonwealthsport.com)
Tobago’s Shaw Park Cultural Complex will host the Sevens from 6-8 August.
The men’s line-up at the Games will include South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Jamaica, Scotland and Fiji. The women’s event features the hosts, Canada, Wales, Australia, Fiji and Kenya.
South African Sevens Squad
Invitations have been extended to the following boys to attend the SA Rugby under-18 Sevens Training Camp from 16-18 June. A team will be named for the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games thereafter.
Albie Bester (Boland Landbou), Dewald de Villiers (Boland Landbou), Luan Giliomee (Charlie Hofmeyer), Valentino Lenge (Diamantveld), Hopewell Ntshangase (DHS), Zingce Simka (DHS), James Nero (Durbanville), Jeandre Jacobs (Dr EG Jansen), Nathan Mathee (Dr EG Jansen), Luan Olivier (Garsfontein), Mnelisi Gamede (Glenwood), Alzeadon Felix (Grey College), Marno Stopforth (Grey College), Martin Botha (Grey College), Lavela Pongolo (Kings College), Ceano Everson (Monument), Jody Schambreel (Monument), Siyanda Nkosi (Northwood), Jeffwin Wesso (Outeniqua), Samuel Badenhorst (Paul Roos), Dwayne Lubbe (Prieska), Bernardo Diedericks (Robertson), Gino Cupido (Strand), Fano Linde (Voortrekker Bethlehem), Ethan Jones (Welkom Gimnasium), Siyabonga Ndlozi (Westville)
Sevens at the Commonwealth Youth Games
When Sevens was last played at the Commonwealth Youth Games, in 2017, in The Bahamas, South Africa was not included. Samoa won the gold medal, defeating England 10-5 in the final, while Fiji beat Canada 28-14 to claim the bronze medal.
Australia beat Canada 31-5 to win the women’s competition, while Wales won the bronze with a 19-14 win over Fiji.
The Commonwealth Youth Games were first held in Edinburgh in 2000, but it was only at the fourth edition, held in Douglas on the Isle of Man, that Rugby Sevens was introduced.
“An invaluable opportunity for the future stars”
In a statement in March, World Rugby Chief Executive Officer Alan Gilpin said: “The Commonwealth Youth Games is an invaluable opportunity for the future stars and leaders of rugby sevens to experience high-level and meaningful competition while also experiencing and sharing the values of sport through a historic multi-sport event.
“We have seen gold medal winners from this tournament go on to win medals in the Olympics and on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, and I would like to wish all of the athletes, staff and officials all the best in their preparations as they get set for kick off in August.”
The Commonwealth Youth Games will feature over 1 000 athletes and para-athletes in action, aged between 14 and 18, from 72 nations and territories.
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