In a well deserved boost for Border schools rugby, six players were rewarded for their top Craven Week form by being selected for the South African Schools team, after the Buildit Border Craven Week team went through their campaign unbeaten.
Fullback and captain Sibabalwe Xamlashe, flank-lock Jarrod Taylor, hooker Jacques Goosen, flank-lock Uzile Tele, inside centre Mnombo Zwelendaba and scrumhalf Thomas Bursey are the players to be included in this year’s 28-man squad that will take on England, Wales and France in a quadrangular series in the Western Cape next month.
Although not fully confirmed, contacts at Border schools rugby were of the belief that the six players selected was the most ever in a single year from the region.
“I’m delighted that so many players from Border have made the SA Schools team this season, it’s a just reward based on the performances of the team,” said Craven Week coach and Hudson Park head of Rugby James Winstanley.
“For many years we have had SA Schools quality players who did not get the opportunity to be selected based on the province not quite reaching its potential at Craven Week, so it is great to see the guys rewarded this time.”
Only Western Province with 10 representatives has more than Border this year and of the six players selected five are from Selborne College, the most they have ever produced in a single year, and one from Hudson Park High School.
This makes Selborne the most represented school in this year’s team, ahead of Paul Roos with four and Paarl Boys and Glenwood with three representatives each.
The last Selbornian to make the SA Schools team was David Britz in 2015, while Xamlashe, Taylor, Goosen, Zwelendaba and Bursey join the ranks this year.
“It could have been a number of guys, but we are chuffed and pleased about the record breaking number,” said Craven Week assistant coach and Selborne head coach Phiwe Nomlomo.
“We haven't as a school had five guys involved in the SA Schools team in a single year ever, so I think that shows the calibre of players we are working with.”
For Hudson, Tele is their first SA Schools player since Andisa Gqobo in 2004, which marks a big achievement for the school.
In all it has been a fantastic effort from the Border Craven Week team and this could set things up for a really good next few years for Border schools rugby.
“I think this is a real starting point for Border Schools rugby moving forward,” said Winstanley.
“The support the team received from home during the tournament was overwhelming.”
 
IN THEIR COACHES WORDS:
James Winstanley on Hudson's Uzile Tele:
“Uzile has had a long and hard road into the SA Schools team.
“He has a humble beginning coming from a rural area close to Middledrift, he was not a natural rugby player however he has worked hard over his time at school and has had to cope with a lot of feedback from his coaches to reach his current level of performance.”
Phiwe Nomlomo on Selborne's super 5:
“Thomas Bursey, we call him the ice man here as he is never flustered, he is the coolest and calmest guy we have in the side, does a lot of things that people won't notice and is the reason we are able to play at the pace that we play at.
“The skipper, Siba (Sibabalwe Xamlashe), under his leadership the boys have grown, he has been an enormous leader, he is the captain they follow, he is the captain of the school, not just the team and it has been unbelievable how he has kept everyone together.
“Jacques Goosen was undoubtedly for me the best hooker at the Craven Week, his work rate was second to none and for a guy that is a 17-year-old in Grade 11, still has a lot to learn and room for growth he really is a special player.
“You are guaranteed go forward ball with Mnombo Zwelendaba, when he touches the ball there is always something exciting that will come of it, he is the bone cruncher and back breaker and is everything you don't want to face.
“You know exactly what you will get out of Jarrod (Taylor), he is confrontational like you can't believe, he enjoys playing on the gainline, defensively he there is no nonsense there and he is a massive ball carrier.”..