Seven months since the launch of the Investec International Rugby Academy in South Africa, IRA Founder Murray Mexted and IRASA Director Dick Muir have both expressed their delight with the results from the three courses staged so far.
“The Investec International Rugby Academy first and foremost provides a platform for development for players and coaches into professional rugby,” said Muir.
“At the initial high performance course in Pretoria we were blown away with the talent on offer and the opportunity the courses presented to us to harness that talent. This trend continued with the second and third Advanced Courses at Michaelhouse in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the King Edward VII School in Gauteng.
“The success stories speak for themselves, and judging by the results from the first three courses, we are definitely on the right track.”
Some of the standout performances at senior level came from Duncan Naude, Derrick Harwood, Torie Meyer, Jeffrey Taljaard, Tembani Mkokeli, Royden Kennedy, Sabelo Kolanisi and Dewald Nel.
Harwood and Meyer made the Lions squad and played in the Currie Cup this season, while Taljaard played in both the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup for the Vodacom Bulldogs. Mkokeli, Kennedy and Kolanisi all made the Border squad and played Vodacom and currie cup, and promising flyhalf Dewald Nel ran out for the Lions Under-21 side.
On a junior level, several participants advanced to the Craven Week and made their Interprovincial teams. Tommy Allen (nephew of Springbok and Scotland hooker, John Allan) also made the Under-17 squad for Scotland.
Mexted says that there can be no doubt that the Investec International Rugby Academy plays an important role in paving the way for young players to find their way to the professional stage, and for coaches to raise the level of their game.
After attending the first High Performance Course in Pretoria, Duncan Naude showed lots of potential and was approached by different South African franchises to play Currie Cup, but opted to take the opportunity to attend a second course in New Zealand.
Muir added that there are a number of players who have been approached to further their careers.
“There is a wealth of untapped talent in this country and I feel confident in saying that South African rugby is strong and growing even stronger through the Investec International Rugby Academy.”