World Footy News

After South Africa's second provincial championships in late September 2009 the talent managers selected two squads to carry the country forward over the next few years. The Inland (North West and Gauteng) and Coastal (KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape) squads feature a mix of the country's best senior and youth talent,

Stewart Edge, an AFL talent expert spending an extended period in-country, said “We were really pleased by the improved standard of play at this year's Nationals and thrilled to announce two squads that will regularly attend intensive weekend camps and play more often against quality opposition”.

Clearly the AFLSA brains trust have identified regular quality matches as a key to advancing their national program. For players not selected, there is hope. “The squads will be fluid with players coming in and out of contention based on two measurable criteria - ability and effort,” said Edge, when speaking to the players at the Nationals. “The three areas you will need to improve on to maintain your place in the squad include physical fitness, skill development and knowledge of the game”.

The first camps will take place in November with both squads set to play the Flying Boomerangs Indigenous Youth team when they tour early next year.

A major camp involving both squads in March 2010 will provide a selection opportunity to the SA Lions before the fourth AIS / AFL Academy tour of South Africa arrives in April. The Lions will play the AIS at Sahara Park, Newlands on Sunday April 11 before the camp program continues for the rest of South Africa’s domestic season. Presumably if more quality matches are needed, the two squads would also compete against each other.

Below is the initial squad - expect plenty of these cubs to be hungry and snarling Lions looking for a grand final spot at the 2011 International Cup. And just maybe some will already have been international rookie listed by AFL clubs.

footyWILD ROAR Talent

Inland Development Squad

North West Province

Senior:
1. Tiro Tonyane
2. Obakeng Poni
3. Keagile Garenamotse
4. Kagiso Gaonose
5. Tshepiso Mogapi
6. Thabiso Phakedi
7. Steven Matshane
8. Godfrey Molohlanyi
9. Abueng Senyadio
10. Samuel Sethibe

Youth:
1. Albanos Moji
2. Thembisile Oupaster
3. Busang Modiko
4. Thato Itumeleng
5. Boitumelo Thiboeng


Gauteng

Senior:
1. Odin Williams
2. Steven Malinga
3. Benjamin Motuba
4. Brian Mitchell
5. Tshoboko Moagi
6. Mazizi sifanelo

Youth:
1. Dalfon Stoffberg
2. Thando Dlamini
3. Prince Nematswerani
4. Keitumetse Molelle
5. Laurence Portwig
6. Tshukudu Moagi

Coastal Development Squad

Western Cape

Senior:
1. Sipho Hadi
2. Zimasa Mangali
3. Akhona Thembani
4. Simphiwe Mbalo
5. Athenkosi Madikane
6. Bayanda Sobetwa
7. Sinethemba Boki
8. Khaya Sikiti
9. Lucky Tywaku
10. Anele Magqwaka
11. Sakhile Dutyulwa
12. Malibongwe Mlamli
13. Lwazi Jawe

Youth:
1. Zolani Nyiki
2. Sinethemba Dubulekwele

KwaZulu Natal

Senior:
1. Freedom Gumede
2. Mlungisi Manyoni
3. Nkululeko Ngcobo
4. Mfanelo Mthinkhulu
5. Lungisani Mtolo
6. Mandlakayise Mgoduka
7. Thembikosi Zwane
8. Sizwe Zulu
9. Siyabonga Masondo

Youth:
1. Nkululeko Dlamini
2. Jerico Dube