Promising future for newly-selected WP under-13 player

Irshaad Hanslo, 13, a promising rugby player from Tafelsig and a member of Lentegeur-based Collegians RFC’s junior set up, has been selected for the Western Province under-13 Craven Week team due to take part in SA Rugby’s Youth Week, at Selbourne College in East London, at the end of the month.

Zonal convener and WP Rugby schools under-12 assistant coach Brian Meyer considers the youngster a hard, fast and smart player.

“He has the physical skills, game intelligence and understands the flow of the game, allowing him to make quick decisions and communicate effectively,” said Meyer, who helped to establish the Mitchell’s Plain Primary Schools League in 2022..

An all-round sporty kid, equally comfortable with the ball in hand or at his feet, young Irshaad has excelled in school athletics and club soccer. 

The eldest of three siblings and a Grade 7 pupil at Yellowwood Primary School, Irshaad swapped his soccer boots for rugby cleats three years ago when Coach Liam Macauley asked his parents to allow him to play for the school. That same year, he joined Collegians.

“I first noticed him in 2023 while on playground duty,” Macauley said. “The Mitchell’s Plain primary schools under-11 league was just starting and I needed players to field a team,” he said.

The youngster’s speed and physicality made an immediate impression on the coach, it was clear he had a potential front-ranker on his hands. Established in 2022, the primary schools league has grown from around six teams to 12 this year in the under-13 age group, said Macauley, with three divisions – under-11, under-13 boys and under-13 girls.

“He primarily plays as a loose forward but is equally comfortable at lock,” Macauley said. 

He said Irshaad’s selection for the WP under-13 side follows a rigorous trial process starting from a zonal team, to regional to inter-provincial. 

“In total there have been around eight rounds of trials all over the place, at Hamilton RFC, Kuilsriver RFC and in Worcester,” he said.

Macauley said, Irshaad’s selection represents opportunity beyond the playing field as he has been offered a full scholarship to Bishops Diocesan College next year, following in the footsteps of  another former Collegians and Primrose RFC junior, Nizaam Carr. A former West End Primary pupil, Carr also attended Bishops and has made his mark with Western Province, Stormers and Blue Bulls, among others.

For Irshaad, the journey has just begun and any opportunity to play ball is one to be grabbed with both hands, he said.

“At the club, I play eighth man, and at Western Province, I was selected to play openside flank. I enjoy being the first to break away from scrums to make the big tackles. When I play eighth man, I pick up from scrums and turn the heat up,” he said.

Collegians’ head of primary schools coaches, Taufiq Robinson, oversees training, mentorship and growth opportunities for its young players, like Irshaad.

“At the moment, Collegians has seven different age groups in the primary schools division, ranging from under-7 to under-13, focusing on skills development, teamwork and sportsmanship,” he said.  “Promoting junior development is crucial for nursing talent, confidence and ensuring a good future for the club.”

“Challenges we face include managing varying skill levels and balancing competition with development. We overcome this by providing coaching, a supportive environment and setting goals for progression,” he said. “With hard work and patience, we as a club are able to break barriers.”

Like Robinson, long-serving club member and under-18 coach, Ebrahiem Jumat has known Irshaad for about three years.

“I first started coaching him when he was playing under-11, and it’s been great to watch his progress since then,” he said.

“He’s a powerful player – physically strong, quick on his feet, and he stands out with his speed and agility. His background in athletics at school definitely helps him excel in that role,” said Jumat.

“At Collegians, our main focus is on development. We’re committed to helping young players grow – not just in terms of rugby skills, but also in building their confidence and character,” he said..

“Junior development is crucial because it lays the foundation for future success, both on and off the field.”

“One of our biggest challenges is time – we often don’t get enough of it with the boys, especially with their school commitments and other responsibilities,” he said. 

Another serious issue is the safety of our players. Gang-related violence, including shootings in the area, can affect attendance since many of the boys walk to practice. We try to work around these obstacles by maintaining open communication with parents, offering support, and making training as safe and structured as possible.”