The USA Men’s U23 staff have confirmed the traveling roster for the upcoming tour to South Africa, departing June 23rd through July 13.
A coaching staff partnership with Anthem Rugby Carolina and USA Rugby will lead the U23 tour with matches in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. This tour will provide a platform for player development and exposure to International rugby while creating an opportunity for coaches to continue cultivating and identifying emerging USA talent. The tour equally provides momentum for the U23 and U20 age group in this year’s absence of the World Rugby U20 Trophy competition.
The squad will be based at the Boland Agricultural School, utilizing its facilities for training and preparation. The tour schedule includes two matches against high level South African sides, Boland Cavaliers and Stellenbosch University's Maties Rugby Club with an additional scrimmage game currently under planning.
Head Coach, Agustin Cavalieri commented,
“This tour will expose young American talent to the top level of rugby by bringing them to the reigning World Champions’ home turf. Players will get a taste of playing at an international level and a chance to measure themselves in some very interesting tests, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate their current skill level and potential to coaches.
"From a developmental perspective, as coaches we will have the chance to create face to face interactions and identify players that will become the future of USA Rugby.”
While bringing a touring squad together with coaches and players from all corners of the country can be a challenge, Cavalieri explained the share approach and strategy for the USA Men’s U23’s,
“The shirt and the flag are the main motivation for these boys. They know the importance of this opportunity and that it is up to them to try to be as receptive as possible to perform at their best. Our coaching team are very enthusiastic about this player group and we can't wait to give them all the resources and tools necessary to help them succeed as rugby players and as humans, and help them come back from South Africa better than before.
"There will be teams that will put us to the test physically. Big forwards packs, whose strengths are the scrums and lineouts/mauls. It will not be easy to materialize and score points given their defensive culture and physicality. But it will force us to be very smart and play a style of rugby that suits our players and our culture. We have good quality and speed, which we will tap into to be able to play our rugby.
"It will be a big challenge but we are excited to put all the boys in a position to compete and have fun doing what they love most.”
No live stream is currently available from the organizers. Updates will be available for fans to follow along on @USARugby social channels.
| Name | School/Club |
|---|---|
| Adam Chadwick | Life University |
| Aidan King | NOLA Gold |
| Alejandro Tapia Martinez | Anthem Carolina |
| Alexander Hernandez | Chicago Hounds |
| Bastian Brunello | Mount Saint Mary's |
| Byron Finley | Cal - Berkeley |
| Campbell Robb | Central Washington |
| Coby Baker | Cal Poly |
| Connor Devos | Lindenwood |
| Corbin Smith | Anthem Carolina |
| Damian Morley | Miami Sharks |
| Darius Law | San Diego Legion |
| Elias Garza | Life University |
| Graeme Pedegana | Anthem Carolina |
| Hayden McKay | Mount Saint Mary's |
| Hugh O'Kennedy | Trinity College |
| Iosefa “JT” Toia'ivao | Saint Mary's College |
| James Rose | Life University |
| John Wilson | Saint Mary's College |
| Keelan Farrell | Durham University |
| Logan Ballinger | Life University |
| Oliver Kirk | Cal - Berkeley |
| Rand Santos | Cal - Berkeley |
| Rhys Mitchell | Anthem Carolina |
| Shaun Matthysen | Life University |
| Solomon Williams | Cal - Berkeley |
| Sosaia Pongi | Saint Mary's College |
| Spencer Huntley | San Diego Mustangs |
| Tiai Vavao | Central Washington |
| Tomiwa Agbongbon | Cornish Pirates |
| William Sherman | UCLA |
July 8th: USA Men’s U23s vs. Boland Cavaliers
Boland Park Rugby Stadium
July 12th: USA Men’s U23s vs. Maties Rugby
Danie Craven Stadium
Head Coach | Agustin Cavalieri
Assistant Coach | Elvis Seveali'i
Assistant Coach | Brendan Keane
Athletic Trainer | Natalie Frizell
Performance Analyst | Declan Oorloff
Team Manager | Darran Coleman
Physician | Karan Shukla
Physician | Peyton Fennell
