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with back-to-back victories over the Griquas and Limpopo Blue Bulls.
“I am very impressed, this is a very improved team this year with lots of talent and skill, it seems they are also very well coached,” said Jooste.
“Congratulations to their coach, as well, because there have been a lot of improvements over the past few years.”
Jooste (60) played for South Africa under the old Saru during the apartheid era when there was a global sporting boycott against the South Africans.
He has been a selector since 1992.
In 2004 he became the convenor of selectors.
He believes the future is ripe for the current lot of players under the management of coach Goodwin “Jaws” Murambiwa.
“As selectors we are looking at power, we look at explosive speed, the strength of the players and then we also look at how the player will fit into the team set-up — how does he play and communicate with the rest of the team?
“I can assure you that half of this team, or even more of them, will make any university side or provincial side.
“I haven’t got the full list of names I identified but definitely the number 22 (Tawanda Ngosi) and the number 15 (Brendon Mandivenga) were outstanding today, even the 14 (Brendon Boshi).
“If they hang on to these boys, I think Zimbabwe will have a good national team in three to four years’ time, if they can keep them together.”
The Craven Week festival is a selection platform for Saru to pick players for the South Africa schools national team.
Online Reporter