Latest news with #MarkusMuller
The South African
a day ago
- Sport
- The South African
SA U18 squads: All the schools where players come from
It has been confirmed that eight players who were part of the two SA Schools squads last year have been included in the two U18 groups selected for 2025. Western Province's Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, and Jordan Jooste, as well as Ethan Adams and AJ Meyer from Free State, the Sharks' Zekhethelo Siyaya, and André Poulton of the Golden Lions were included in the two squads of 26 players each. Western Province have the most representatives in the two groups – eight players in the SA Schools team and 12 in the SA Schools 'A' squad – for the battle between the two sides. The annual showpiece will kick off at 15:00 at Hoërskool Middelburg, hosts of the U18 Craven Week. In the SA Schools squad, there are three players from Grey College and Westville Boys High, while Paarl Boys High is well represented in the SA Schools 'A' squad with another trio of players. Lwazi Zangqa from Border has been named as the head coach of the SA Schools side, and he will be assisted by the Bulls' Cobus van Dyk, while the SA Schools 'A' team will be coached by Flash Malinga of the Sharks, with Clinton van Rensburg of Western Province named as his assistant. 1 Kai Pratt (SWD / Oakdale) 2 Altus Rabe (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium) 3 Luan van der Berg (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein) 4 Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks / Westville Boys High) 5 AJ Meyer (Free State / Grey College) 6 Chinedu Amadi (Golden Lions / King Edward VII) 7 Josh Neill (Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High) 8 Jacobus de Villiers (SWD / Oakdale) 9 Morne Noble (Western Province / Wynberg Boys High) 10 Liyema Nela (Sharks / Hilton College) 11 Jadrian Afrikaner (Sharks / Westville Boys High) 12 Markus Muller (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium) 13 Ethan Adams (Free State / Grey College) 14 Junaide Stuart (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS) 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks / Westville Boys High) 16 Clinton Agu (Golden Lions / Noordheuwel HS) 17 Jordan Jooste (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 18 Matthew van der Merwe (Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High) 19 Jayden Joubert (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 20 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks / Maritzburg College) 21 Gert Kemp (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium) 22 Zirk Meyer (Blue Bulls / Affies) 23 Ruben Groenewald (Blue Bulls / Affies) 24 Nathan Aneke (Sharks / Durban High School) 25 Lamla Mgedezi (Free State / Grey College) 26 Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls / St. Albans College) SA U18 Schools 'A' squad: 1 Andre Poulton (Golden Lions / Jeppe) 2 Keenan Myners (SWD / Outeniqua HS) 3 Bernhard du Toit (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 4 Diaan Augustyn (SWD / Oakdale) 5 Juvan Burden (Western Province / Stellenberg HS) 6 Caleb Koeberg (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium) 7 Quintin Potgieter (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium) 8 Stefan McDonald (Blue Bulls / Affies) 9 Jayden Brits (Western Province / Boland Landbou) 10 Jeandre Uithaler (Golden Lions / Noordheuwel HS) 11 Ncuthu Kepe (Border / Queens College) 12 Christian Vorster (SWD / Oakdale) 13 Erin Nelson (Eastern Province / Graeme College) 14 Lucritia Magua (Eastern Province / Graeme College) 15 Junade Pasensie (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS) 16 Thomas Muller (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 17 Jeffrey Singo (Blue Bulls / Pretoria Boys High) 18 JG Badenhorst (Free State / Grey College) 19 Lian Terblanche (Sharks / Northwood HS) 20 Briint Davids (Western Province / Milnerton HS) 21 Mickyle Booise (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium) 22 Ethan van Biljon (Western Province / Stellenberg HS) 23 Jeneall Davids (Western Province / Paarl Boys High) 24 Pieter Cilliers (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium) 25 Toriq Schambreel (Free State / Grey College) 26 Jadon Ocks (Western Province / Boland Landbou) SA Schools Management: Head Coach: Lwazi Zangqa (Border) Lwazi Zangqa (Border) Assistant Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls) Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls) Team Manager: Dean Moodley (Sharks) Dean Moodley (Sharks) Physiotherapist: Robin Williams (Sharks) Robin Williams (Sharks) Conditioning Coach: Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province) Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province) Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland) SA Schools 'A' Management: Head Coach: Flash Malinga (Sharks) Flash Malinga (Sharks) Assistant Coach: Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province) Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province) Team Manager: Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls) Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls) Physiotherapist: Rob Sims (Western Province) Rob Sims (Western Province) Conditioning Coach: Adriaan Jansen (SWD) Adriaan Jansen (SWD) Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
SA Schools squads announced after Craven Week
Eight players who were part of the two SA Schools squads last year have been included in the two groups again this year when the teams do battle in Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 17 July. Western Province's Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, and Jordan Jooste, as well as Ethan Adams and AJ Meyer from Free State, the Sharks' Zekhethelo Siyaya, and André Poulton of the Golden Lions, all of whom featured in 2024, were again included in the two squads of 26 players each. Western Province have the most representatives in the two groups – eight players in the SA Schools team, and 12 in the SA Schools 'A' squad. The annual showpiece between the two sides will kick off at 15:00 at Hoërskool Middelburg, hosts of the U18 Craven Week. Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, congratulated all the players selected for the SA Schools and SA Schools 'A' teams. 'Your hard work, dedication, and performance have earned you this honour, and we celebrate your achievement today,' said Alexander. 'We also acknowledge those who missed out, and remind you that your journey is far from over. Today we celebrate not only the selection of these teams, but the promise of a pathway that nurtures excellence, resilience, and opportunity. 'These young athletes represent the future of South African rugby, and while we honour those selected, we encourage every player to remain committed to their journey. The road ahead is filled with possibilities.' Lwazi Zangqa from Border has been named as the head coach of the SA Schools side, and he will be assisted by the Bulls' Cobus van Dyk, while the SA Schools 'A' team will be coached by Flash Malinga of the Sharks, with Clinton van Rensburg of Western Province named as his assistant. 1 Kai Pratt (SWD / Oakdale)2 Altus Rabe (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium)3 Luan van der Berg (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein)4 Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks / Westville Boys High)5 AJ Meyer (Free State / Grey College)6 Chinedu Amadi (Golden Lions / King Edward VII)7 Josh Neill (Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High)8 Jacobus de Villiers (SWD / Oakdale)9 Morne Noble (Western Province / Wynberg Boys High)10 Liyema Nela (Sharks / Hilton College)11 Jadrian Afrikaner (Sharks / Westville Boys High)12 Markus Muller (Western Province / Paarl Gimnasium)13 Ethan Adams (Free State / Grey College)14 Junaide Stuart (Blue Bulls / Garsfontein HS)15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks / Westville Boys High)16 Clinton Agu (Golden Lions / Noordheuwel HS)17 Jordan Jooste (Western Province / Paarl Boys High)18 Matthew van der Merwe (Western Province / Rondebosch Boys High)19 Jayden Joubert (Western Province / Paarl Boys High)20 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks / Maritzburg College)21 Gert Kemp (Western Province / Paul Roos Gymnasium)22 Zirk Meyer (Blue Bulls / Affies)23 Ruben Groenewald (Blue Bulls / Affies)24 Nathan Aneke (Sharks / Durban High School)25 Lamla Mgedezi (Free State / Grey College) 26 Thabiso Simelane (Blue Bulls / St. Albans College)
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Craven Week results: WP thrash Sharks, face SWD in 'final'
Western Province and Eastern Province claimed crucial derby wins on the fourth day of the U18 Craven Week at Hoërskool Middelburg. WP maintained their perfect record at this week's tournament after downing the Sharks High Schools on Thursday, while EP proved too strong for Border in the Eastern Cape derby. Earlier on Thursday, the Valke and Griquas secured their first wins of the competition when they beat Boland and the Leopards, respectively. The first quarter of the coastal derby was fiercely contested, with the Sharks stretching the WP defence and wing Jadrian Afrikaner touching down for a hard-earned try. WP hit back with tries by centre Markus Muller and prop Matthew van der Merwe, while flyhalf Ethan van Biljon slotted a penalty goal on the stroke of half-time to boost his team's lead to 11 points. WP continued to dominate after the break, and went on to finish with six tries in an emphatic 45-13 win, with the impressive Muller bagging a brace. After losing 41-10 to the Sharks earlier this week, EP made a statement when they put three early tries past Border in the Eastern Cape derby. Flyhalf Tristan Kemp kicked three conversions and three penalty goals to steer his side to a convincing 30-12 victory. The game between the Valke and Boland was in the balance at half-time, before the boys from the East Rand shifted through the gears in the second stanza to secure a convincing 35-19 win. Meanwhile, Griquas bounced back from their recent loss to Border to down the Leopards 46-34, with flyhalf Aidan Gadeija scoring two tries and four conversions. The last round of the U18 Craven Week will be staged at Hoërskool Middelburg on Saturday, with WP taking on South Western Districts in the final match of the tournament. Boland 19-35 Valke Griquas 46-34 Leopards Border 12-30 Eastern Province Western Province 45-13 Sharks A-field EP vs Blue Bulls – 09:00Golden Lions vs WP XV – 10:15Sharks vs Free State – 11:30 WP vs SWD – 12:45
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
U18 Craven Week kicks off in Middelburg: All the first round fixtures
An exciting week of schoolboy rugby is in store. The 2025 Craven Week for high schools kicks off at Hoërskool Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Monday. All the teams will play three matches, with the final scheduled for Saturday. Teams will play Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, with all the provincial sides in action in their third matches on Saturday. At the conclusion of the tournament, the SA Schools and SA Schools 'A' teams will be announced. They will face each other at Hoërskool Middelburg on Thursday, 17 July, while the U18 International Series will follow in August. Returnees to the Craven Week Nine players who featured in the SA Schools and SA U18 teams last year have been included in their provincial squads again. They are Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, Jordan Jooste (all WP), Ethan Adams, AJ Meyer (both Free State), Zekhe Siyaya (KZN), André Poulton (Lions), and Joshua McKenzie (EP). Eight teams are in action on the opening day of the tournament, with the Western Province XV and the Griffons meeting in the first fixture at 9.30am. Free State, who went down to Western Province in the final match of the 2024 tournament, will face South Western Districts thereafter. The first round of fixtures have been announced. The second and third round of fixtures will be announced after the first round. Day One schedule (Monday, 7 July) 9.30am: Western Province XV v Griffons 11am: Free State v South Western Districts 12.30pm: Blue Bulls v Golden Lions 2pm: Opening Ceremony 2.30pm: Pumas v Limpopo Blue Bulls Day Two schedule (Tuesday, 8 July) 10am: Leopards v Falcons 11.30am: Border v Griquas 1pm: Sharks High Schools v Eastern Province 2.30pm: Western Province v Boland
The South African
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Is Markus Muller South Africa's Greatest-Ever Schoolboy Rugby Talent?
Markus Muller is rewriting the standards for schoolboy rugby in South Africa – drawing comparisons to past prodigies like Handré Pollard and Frans Steyn. Like Pollard at Paarl Gim and Steyn at Grey College, Muller has combined raw physicality with on-field maturity to dominate at first-team level. Over the weekend, he scored five tries and nailed nine out of ten kicks in Paarl Gim's emphatic 80–19 win over Boland Landbou. That 43-point individual haul wasn't just another big performance – it marked a career milestone. Muller officially reached 50 tries for Paarl Gim's 1st XV, a feat that few, if any, schoolboys have matched at this level. Earlier this season, he led his side to a 43‑31 victory over Grey College, scoring two decisive tries to hand the Bloemfontein powerhouse its first home defeat since 2017. His influence extends beyond scoring; Muller regularly creates line breaks, assists tries, and marshals the midfield defence with confidence that belies his age. As he continues to rack up records and national recognition, many in the rugby world are asking the same question: is Markus Muller the greatest schoolboy talent South Africa has ever seen? Muller has amassed over 50 tries in the past two seasons alone, including a five-try-haul, four hat-tricks and three braces in 2025. With each game, he adds to a growing body of work that positions him as one of the most productive schoolboy backs in South African rugby history. At the 2024 Wildeklawer tournament, he scored twice in a commanding 31–10 win, further proving his ability to perform under pressure against top-tier opposition. His latest 43-point performance underlines the breadth of his game – blending try-scoring ability with accurate goal-kicking and tactical awareness. No longer just a standout in the midfield, Muller now performs like a complete backline general. Muller's form earned him selection for SA Schools in 2024, where he competes for the No 13 jersey with Grey College's Ethan Adams. National selectors have flagged him as a probable starter in the SA Schools team, and the Stormers have already signed him for their 2026 intake. He's expected to develop alongside Springboks Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, adding depth and dynamism to an already talented midfield pool. Muller also starred on the international U18 stage, scoring a crucial try in South Africa's 38‑26 win over Ireland, having helped build a 21‑12 halftime lead. He earlier represented the WP XV at Craven Week, where he impressed with both ball-in-hand and organisational play. As he prepares for the remainder of the 2025 season, one question becomes harder to ignore: are we witnessing the best schoolboy rugby player South Africa has ever produced? HAVE YOU WATCHED MARKUS MULLER PLAY YET? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
