NORTHWOOD School pupil Gugu Nelani was recently selected for the SA Schools A side. The 17-year-old matric pupil is the second Northwood pupil to represent the national schools squad following Ngoni Chidoma’s selection in 2014.

Nelani, who represented the KZN team at Craven Week, will now be part of the quadrangular series to play four other international teams later this month. The SA Schools A team will tackle England, Wales, Italy and France. He was one of three KZN players to make the SA A squad.

“I feel blessed for the opportunity, it’s been my goal since Grade 7 so this is a dream come true. I was with friends when I received the news and I was just ecstatic. I had a good tournament but I owe a lot to the coaching team and management team at the school,” he said.

Nelani said he was looking forward to the quadrangular series.

“For me it’s not about who I’m playing but who I’m playing for. I’ve humbled and proud to represent my country. I’m hoping to inspire other boys from similar situations to know that they are greater than they are,” he said.

• The SA Schools and SA Schools A teams will take on their counterparts from England‚ Wales‚ France and Italy from 12 to 20 August in Cape Town and Paarl‚ with the teams set to battle it out in three rounds of matches.