M.Comm. / Sport is an integral part of just about every society and every country in the world. In many countries sport has become an essential part of the historical and cultural development of the country. Winning the rugby world cup in 1995 changed the history and future of South Africa significantly. In many ways, sport has the potential to define a society or country. Rugby as a team sport has attracted a lot of interest and attention over the past few years. Rugby at an elite level has rapidly changed from simply being an amateur pastime to being a significant global sporting industry. The progression from amateur to professional sport has increased the popularity of rugby and this has drawn attention to the business potential of the sport. No business, organisation or government entity can survive without finance. The saying ‘money makes the world go round’ accurately reflects the rugby industry, with television networks spending large amounts to air premiere events. From ticket sales to broadcasting revenue and sponsorship deals, sport teams can generate substantial amounts of money, but they also need to spend a lot to attract the best players. As the popularity of rugby continues to increase, so does the commercialisation of rugby. This commercialisation is reflected in the remuneration of the players. Rugby unions need to contract the best possible players in order to maximise team performance, as success on the field will have direct financial implications. The aspiration to contract the best possible players could lead to the financial distress of a rugby union if the union’s true financial position is not considered. Team owners of English and European football clubs condemn escalating player salaries and claim that they jeopardise the solvency of clubs. There is a real need for rugby unions to understand how the financial value reflected in the remuneration of a player is determined. The aim of this study will be to determine the factors that senior management and coaching staff at the five rugby unions in South Africa consider when determining the value of a player in contract negotiations. The empirical part of the study investigates the factors perceived to influence the value of rugby players by analysing and statistically interpreting the perceptions of senior management and coaching staff at rugby unions in South Africa. A quantitative research methodology will be applied to the study: this takes the form of a survey using a structured questionnaire. The population included all the rugby unions in South Africa and the sample represented all five rugby unions that participate in the Super 14 competition.

Please read the abstract in the section front of this document / Dissertation (MA (Human Movement Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted

MSc Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009. / INTRODUCTION Rugby is a high impact sport with many injuries reported in the literature. A high rate of ankle injury is reported with resultant recurrence of these injuries. There is however only scarce epidemiological data with minimal detail to highlight clinical findings and prevalence of ankle injuries especially in the club rugby fraternity. AIMS This study investigated the prevalence of clinical signs of ankle injuries in rugby players at club rugby level in the South Gauteng region. The data collected was used to identify the clinical signs related to ankle instability for perceived, mechanical and functional parameters and was applied to determine the difference between players with and those without previous injury. METHODOLOGY The researcher obtained ethical clearance to do the study from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Witwatersrand. Permission was obtained from the Golden Lions Gauteng Rugby Union to use players in the South Gauteng region. One hundred and eighty players from nine clubs in the region participated in the study. Informed consent was obtained from all parties concerned and players were asked to complete a battery of tests. To determine the prevalence of clinical signs of perceived instability each player was asked to complete a data questionnaire and the Olerud and Molander questionnaire. The data questionnaire also included questions pertaining to the exclusion criteria. iii Objective testing was done to determine the clinical signs of mechanical instability of both ankles of each player through mechanical tests; the talar tilt and anterior drawer tests. Balance and proprioception were assessed through the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) which is used to indicate clinical signs of functional instability and these tests were used to determine the prevalence of clinical signs of functional instability and to relate the clinical signs of functional instability to the other clinical findings. RESULTS The prevalence of ankle injuries at club rugby level is discussed for the different parameters of instability. The prevalence of clinical signs of perceived instability based on the Olerud and Molander questionnaire is 47%, as reported by the player and is further described in a sub-analysis of perceived problems. The prevalence of clinical signs of mechanical ankle instability, when laterality is ignored is 38.7%. The prevalence of clinical signs of functional ankle instability depends on the surface and the visual input and is greater as the challenge or protuberance increases in difficulty. The clinical signs of perceived, mechanical and functional ankle instability are further described and related to other clinical findings for two groups, namely those with and those without previous injury to the ankle and as expected clinically significant differences were noted with the players with previous injury recording a higher prevalence for perceived and mechanical parameters. The odds ratios for the presence of certain clinical signs revealed significant p-values for the presence of pain, stiffness and swelling and the need for supports e.g. bracing or taping and the affect on activities of daily living. DISCUSSION In this study there is a high prevalence of clinical signs of ankle instability in club rugby players for perceived, mechanical and functional parameters, compared to the prevalence reported in the literature. From the study the clinical findings associated with the presentation of ankle injuries in club rugby players have been established and related to the perceived, mechanical and functional signs of instability. Differentiation between players with reported ankle injury and those without were also done and significant differences were noted between the two groups for perceived and mechanical parameters but where the functional assessment was done it supported the fact that balance and proprioception tests included the whole kinetic chain and does not view the ankle in isolation. It was evident that previously injured players were more likely to sustain future injury to the ankle and odds-ratios to support this showed an increased risk of the presence of swelling, stiffness and pain for players with previous injury and the greater need for the use of supports and influence on activities of daily life. The information gathered can be used in the future to set up a management plan for pre-season screening, assessing and addressing individual predisposing biomechanical factors, managing acute injuries successfully and rehabilitation in the post-season phase.

Background: Rugby injuries are a common phenomenon. The aim of medical professionals is to treat these injuries to the best of their abilities, and if possible, to help prevent their occurrence. Bahr and Holme (2003) argue that sports participation carries with it a risk of injury, with the even more weighty issue that it might later even lead to physical disability. Junge, Cheung, Edwards and Dvorak (2004) recommends the development and implementation of preventative interventions to reduce the rate and severity of injuries in Rugby Union. The Medical and Risk Management Committee of USA Rugby (2003) also reports that the key to preventing injuries in any sport is identifying and addressing the risk factor associated with it. Various studies have identified weakness in plyometric strength, proprioception arid balance as - of lower leg and ankle injuries (Margison, Rowlands, Gleeson arid Eston, 2005; Stasiwpoulos, 2004; Verhagen, Van der Beck, Twisk, Bahr and Mechelen, 2004; Baltaci & Kohl, 2003; Mlophy, Conaoly and Beynnon, 2003; Moss, 2002; Anderson). Aims: ThE aim of this study was to investigate the influence of proprioception, balance and plyometric strength on the occurrence of lower leg injuries in schoolboy rugby players. A further aim was to develop a preventative training programme to address these variables, should they prove to have an influence on lower leg injuries. The possible inclusion of these tests in talent identification test batteries will also be examined. Design: A prospective cohort study. Subjects: A group of 240 schoolboys in U/14, U/15, U/16 and U/18 age groups in two schools (Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom ("Volkskool") and Potchefstroom Boys High School ("Boys High")) in the North West Province of South Africa was used as the test cohort. Method: At the beginning of the 2006 rugby season all players were tested for proprioception, balance and plyometric strength. These tests were conducted using a computerised tilt board for proprioceptive testing; Star Excursion Balance Test for Balance and an electronic timing mat for plyometric strength. During the season, weekly injury clinics were held at both schools to document all injuries that occurred following the preceding weekend's matches. A statistical analysis was done on all the data collected from the test batteries and injury clinics. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation, minimum and maximum) were used as well as practical significant differences (d-values) (Cohen, 1988). The ratios for left and right leg plyometric strength to bilateral plyometric strength (L+R/Bil) and individual left and right leg plyometric strength to bilateral plyometric strength (L/Bil and R/Bil) were also calculated. Results: A profile of proprioception, balance and plyometric strength was compiled for schoolboy rugby players using the test data The U/18 players generally bad the best test results of all the age groups, outperforming U/14, U/15 and U/16 players with most tests. U/15 players outperformed both U/14 and U/16 players. Backline players performed better than loose forwards and forwards in plyometric tests in most age groups. Loose-forwards also outperformed tight-forwards with plyometrics at most age groups. At U/15 and U/16 level, tight-forwards slightly outperformed loose-forwards with Star Excursion Balance Tests. Generally, A-teams performed better than B-teams with all the tests except L+R/Bil; L/Bil and R/BiI. The difference between the teams, however, only had a small to medium effect and cannot be considered practically significant. At U/14 and U/15 levels, there were more practically significant differences between the A- and B-teams, with A-teams outperforming B-teams. The tests could have some value for talent identification at this age level. A rugby epidemiological study was done on the data collected in the weekly injury clinics. This study recorded 54 injuries at the two schools involved during the 2006 season from April to July. Two hundred and forty players were involved in 10890 hours of play. Eight thousand nine hundred and ten of these player hours were practices and 1980 were match hours. These injuries occurred at a prevalence rate of 4.96/1000 player hours. Match injuries accounted for 77.78% of all injuries with training sessions resulting in the remaining 22.22% of injuries, with a match injury rate of 1 injury per individual player every 3.14 matches. U/14 players showed an overall match injury rate of 11.11/1000 match hours. U/15 players showed a rate of 2.47/1000 match hours. The low rate may be attributed to underreporting of injuries by the U/15 players. U/16 players showed a late of 22.33/1000 hours, while U/18 players showed an exceptionally high rate of 45/1000 match hours. The tackle situation was responsible for the highest percentage of injuries (57.14%). Boys High presented with more injuries (57.4%) than Volkskool at a higher prevalence rate (5.60/1000 player hours). In a positional group comparison, backline players presented with 51.85% of injuries. Since backline players only present 46.7% of players in a team, this shows that backline players have a higher risk of injury. A-team players presented with 66.6% of injuries at a prevalence rate of 6.37/1000 player hours. B-team players had an injury rate of 3.43/1000 player hours. The test values for the players suffering lower leg injuries were compared to those for uninjured players. There were eight players with nine lower leg injuries: one player had injuries of both legs. Six of the injuries were intrinsic of nature and two players had extrinsic injuries. Test values for all five tested players with intrinsic injuries were weaker by a high practically significant margin for the L+R/Bil ratio. Conclusion: L+R/Bil proved to be the test result with the most influence on the occurrence of intrinsic lower leg injuries. When the individual test results for the players with intrinsic injuries are compared to the percentiles for all players, it becomes visible that the injured players fall in the 20th percentile for both L+R/Bil and Injured leg/Bil ratios. These 20th percentile values could thus be used as a standard for determining the possible occurrence of intrinsic lower leg injuries. These 20th percentile values are 1.012 for R+L/Bil ratios; 0.483 for L/Bil ratios and 0.492 for R/Bil ratios. This study shows that plyometric ratios for L+R/Bii, L/Bil and R/Bil have an influence on lower leg injuries in schoolboy rugby players. Proprioception and balance did not have any practically significant effects on the occurrence of these injuries. A preventative training programme was also designed following a study of the literature, combined with these results. The tests could also possibly be integrated in talent identification test batteries at U/14 and U/15 level. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

<p>This study investigated, within the context of Brain Reserve Capacity (BRC) theory, whether repeated concussions resulted in residual deficits in cognitive and academic functioning of early adolescent rugby players relative to non-contact sports controls.</p>

Rugby union is a popular sport played in more than a 100 countries worldwide. In South Africa rugby is a major sport c0mpare.d to other playing countries such as Australia, England, France, Ireland and Scotland where it is only thud, fourth or fifth most popular sport (SARFU: 2003d:ll) Rugby consists of various activities that require certain anthropometrical, physical and motor and rugby-specific components. These components are specific to the positional requirements in rugby (Craven, 1974; De Ridder, 1993; Noakes & Du Plessis, 1996; Malan & Hanekom, 2001; Van Gent, 2003). Du Randt and Headley (1993:112) stated that the process of talent identification in South Africa was uncontrolled and in the beginning phase. Since then scientific research on talent identification of youth rugby players in South Africa has been done by De Ridder (1993), Pienaar and Spamer (1995,1998), Hare (1997) and Van Gent (2003) to name a few. Research has been done regarding positional requirements (Van Gent, 2003) in the adolescent rugby player. However, little is known about the elite schoolboy rugby player in South Africa and internationally. In 1995, the National Sports Council of South Africa compiled a policy, highlighting the need and importance of a scientific identification and development programme of talented sportspeople (South Africa, 1996). Eight years after the national policy was compiled, the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) launched a major new player identification and development strategy (SARFU, 2003d:15). In 2003, SARFU identified the U/16 age group schoolboys as the first level of talent identification thus the focus should be on South African schools in particular, because this is the breeding ground for elite sportsmen and women. The U/16 and U/18 players are chosen to represent their provinces at a national rugby week. The U/16 and U/18 rugby players chosen at the end of the national rugby week (Grant Khomo U/16 week and the U/18 Craven Week for High Schools) are named the Green Squad and consists of a 100 top players from both the U/16 and U/18 groups (SARFU, 2003b:2). This study is the start of a new phase of research on the elite youth rugby player. The significance of this study is the compilation of a profile of the U/16 and U/18 elite rugby player, with reference to anthropometrical variables, physical and motor abilities and game-specific skills which will serve as a guide to the school and provincial coaches on team selection and individual training programmes. A further contribution is that this research will support SARFU in the process of identifying and developing youth rugby players. Furthermore, this study will also form part of an international research profile on talent identification of elite youth rugby players as well as the development in school sport. The aim of this study was to compile a status profile of the U/16 and U/18 elite rugby player in South Africa with reference to anthropometrical variables, physical and motor abilities and game specific skills as well as a status profile for different playing positions of the U/16 and U/18 elite rugby player in South Africa. The literature review emphasises the value of sport education and physical education in schools as well as the growth and motor development of the adolescent. According to Dick (1992:125) the adolescent period is the best time for the athlete to develop physical and motor abilities. Physical and sport education in schools offers the adolescent the opportunity to develop certain skills be it physical, motor, emotional or mental skills. In South Africa many talented and less talented adolescents have the opportunities to participate in sport due to player development programmes in various sports. Not only does physical and sport education aid to improve health related and skill-related fitness but also aids in talent detection and talent identification programmes. It is also important to fully understand the adolescent's growth and motor development as these variables have an influence on sporting performance. The literature review also discusses talent identification models that have evolved over the past decades as well as talent identification in youth sport and youth rugby development in South Africa. Salmela and Regnier (1983) stated that talent identification is a long process in which potential sportspeople are identified and developed in a specific kind of sport. Assessments of talent identification programmes should be done regularly to get the best value for a country's sporting achievement as well as an individual's future sporting performance. This could help researchers to adapt regularly to the physical profile of youth rugby players and help to establish norms that can be used to identify and develop elite youth sportspeople. The empirical study (chapter 4) explains the different measurements and tests that were done with the Green Squad players. The research group consisted of U/16 (n = 93) and U/18 (n = 97) elite South African schoolboy rugby players, also known as the Green Squad of SARFU. The players of the Green Squad represented all 14 provinces of South Africa. Each player was tested in August 2003 and February 2004 according to a rugby test protocol of SARFU. The test protocol consisted of anthropometrical variables; body height, body mass, body fat percentage, muscle percentage, skin fold thickness and somatotype. The game-specific skill components that were used included ground skills, kicking for distance, passing for distance, passing for accuracy 4 m and catching and throwing over the crossbar. Physical and motor components consisted of bench press, pull ups, push ups, speed over 10 m and 40 m, agility Illinois test and speed endurance. Descriptive statistics (x, standard deviation, minimum and maximum) were used as well as practical significant differences (d-values) (Cohen, 1988). The method of principal components analysis (PCA) and correlations was used to determine best player position of the Green Squad 2003/2004 season (Bartholomew et al. 2002). The SAS-computer programme package of the North-West University, Potchefstroom campus (SAS Institute Inc., 1999) was used for data analysis. By means of the results that were obtained, it was indicated that as far as the anthropometrical variables among the Ul16 Green Squad players were concerned differences were found between the Green Squad group and U/16 rugby players of other studies. The U/l6 Green Squad players also reported practical significant differences with regard to anthropometrical components from 2003 to 2004. The results of the anthropometrical data of the U/18 Green Squad players compared favourably to literature. Although the U/18 Green Squad group improved from 2003 to 2004 in terms of anthropometrical components, low practical significance was recorded. In terms of physical and motor, the U/16 Green Squad players presented more improvements from 2003 to 2004 than the U/18 Green Squad players that could be due to growth and training programmes that were followed. However, the U/18 Green Squad players presented a better performance than the U/18 players in literature that could also be due to conditioning and training programmes that were followed. With regard to game skill components the U/16 and U/18 Green Squad rugby players possessed better game-specific skills in most tests than their counterparts in literature. Differences between national and provincial youth rugby players were recorded with regard to anthropometrical, physical and motor and game-specific components, thus the importance of further studies on the elite schoolboy rugby players, are evident. Practical significant differences were found between different playing positions in both age groups with reference to anthropometrical, physical and motor and game-specific components. It can be derived that differences do exist between playing positions with regard to' anthropometrical, physical and motor and game-specific components and that it is necessary to include the components in a player position test battery. To summarise, this study succeeded to compile a status profile of the elite youth rugby player with reference to physical and game-specific variables. This test battery can be used in positional talent identification and development models for elite schoolboy rugby players. School and provincial coaches can use this test battery as a guide on team selection and individual training programmes. It adds an enormous amount of knowledge on talent identification of youth elite rugby players. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Aims: The primary physiotherapeutic aims of the study were to validate a manual physiotherapy evaluation technique in the assessment of cervical biomechanical dysfunction, and to test the effectiveness of a manual physiotherapy treatment technique in the correction of cervical biomechanical dysfunction. The primary educational aims were to test the effectiveness and safety of a therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction as well as the effectiveness of a neck rehabilitation programme for improving neck muscle strength. Design: A four group experimental design with three pre-test - post-test groups and a control group was used for the investigation. Sample: The subjects were South African schoolboy rugby players between the ages of 15 and 18 years. Groups I and 2 presented with biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines, Group 3 had no biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines and the players of Group 4, the control group, presented with or without biomechanical dysfunction of their cervical spines. Each group consisted of 25 players. Method: Group I received manual physiotherapy with x-rays before and after treatment. Groups 2 and 3 performed a therapeutic exercise programme, with before and after x-rays, and Group 4 received no intervention between their sets of x-rays. Following the second set of x-rays all the players from Groups I, 2 and 3 performed the neck rehabilitation programme after which a third set of x-rays were taken. Results: The results validated the manual physiotherapy evaluation technique. The manual therapy treatment technique used in the treatment of Group I showed highly significant improvements in cervical biomechanical function. Results for Group 2 following the therapeutic exercise programme showed moderate practically significant improvements in cervical biomechanical dysfunction. The therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction was found to be very safe with only small significant changes in x-ray measurements (Group 3). The results of the control group showed a negative trend of small statistical significance. A highly significant improvement in cervical circumference as moderate significant improvement in biomechanical function was found following the neck rehabilitation programme. Conclusion: It could therefore be concluded that the manual physiotherapy evaluation technique for motion segment analysis was indeed valid in determining biomechanical dysfunction of the cervical spine. The manual physiotherapy treatment technique as well as the therapeutic exercise programme for the correction of biomechanical dysfunction was found to be effective in the correction of cervical biomechanical dysfunction. It could further be concluded that the therapeutic exercise programme was safe to be performed by players without biomechanical dysfunction. The neck rehabilitation programme was effective in improving cervical circumference as well as cervical biomechanical function. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

<p>This study investigated, within the context of Brain Reserve Capacity (BRC) theory, whether repeated concussions resulted in residual deficits in cognitive and academic functioning of early adolescent rugby players relative to non-contact sports controls.</p>

Rugby union is a popular sport played in more than a 100 countries worldwide. In South Africa rugby is a major sport c0mpare.d to other playing countries such as Australia, England, France, Ireland and Scotland where it is only thud, fourth or fifth most popular sport (SARFU: 2003d:ll) Rugby consists of various activities that require certain anthropometrical, physical and motor and rugby-specific components. These components are specific to the positional requirements in rugby (Craven, 1974; De Ridder, 1993; Noakes & Du Plessis, 1996; Malan & Hanekom, 2001; Van Gent, 2003). Du Randt and Headley (1993:112) stated that the process of talent identification in South Africa was uncontrolled and in the beginning phase. Since then scientific research on talent identification of youth rugby players in South Africa has been done by De Ridder (1993), Pienaar and Spamer (1995,1998), Hare (1997) and Van Gent (2003) to name a few. Research has been done regarding positional requirements (Van Gent, 2003) in the adolescent rugby player. However, little is known about the elite schoolboy rugby player in South Africa and internationally. In 1995, the National Sports Council of South Africa compiled a policy, highlighting the need and importance of a scientific identification and development programme of talented sportspeople (South Africa, 1996). Eight years after the national policy was compiled, the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) launched a major new player identification and development strategy (SARFU, 2003d:15). In 2003, SARFU identified the U/16 age group schoolboys as the first level of talent identification thus the focus should be on South African schools in particular, because this is the breeding ground for elite sportsmen and women. The U/16 and U/18 players are chosen to represent their provinces at a national rugby week. The U/16 and U/18 rugby players chosen at the end of the national rugby week (Grant Khomo U/16 week and the U/18 Craven Week for High Schools) are named the Green Squad and consists of a 100 top players from both the U/16 and U/18 groups (SARFU, 2003b:2). This study is the start of a new phase of research on the elite youth rugby player. The significance of this study is the compilation of a profile of the U/16 and U/18 elite rugby player, with reference to anthropometrical variables, physical and motor abilities and game-specific skills which will serve as a guide to the school and provincial coaches on team selection and individual training programmes. A further contribution is that this research will support SARFU in the process of identifying and developing youth rugby players. Furthermore, this study will also form part of an international research profile on talent identification of elite youth rugby players as well as the development in school sport. The aim of this study was to compile a status profile of the U/16 and U/18 elite rugby player in South Africa with reference to anthropometrical variables, physical and motor abilities and game specific skills as well as a status profile for different playing positions of the U/16 and U/18 elite rugby player in South Africa. The literature review emphasises the value of sport education and physical education in schools as well as the growth and motor development of the adolescent. According to Dick (1992:125) the adolescent period is the best time for the athlete to develop physical and motor abilities. Physical and sport education in schools offers the adolescent the opportunity to develop certain skills be it physical, motor, emotional or mental skills. In South Africa many talented and less talented adolescents have the opportunities to participate in sport due to player development programmes in various sports. Not only does physical and sport education aid to improve health related and skill-related fitness but also aids in talent detection and talent identification programmes. It is also important to fully understand the adolescent's growth and motor development as these variables have an influence on sporting performance. The literature review also discusses talent identification models that have evolved over the past decades as well as talent identification in youth sport and youth rugby development in South Africa. Salmela and Regnier (1983) stated that talent identification is a long process in which potential sportspeople are identified and developed in a specific kind of sport. Assessments of talent identification programmes should be done regularly to get the best value for a country's sporting achievement as well as an individual's future sporting performance. This could help researchers to adapt regularly to the physical profile of youth rugby players and help to establish norms that can be used to identify and develop elite youth sportspeople. The empirical study (chapter 4) explains the different measurements and tests that were done with the Green Squad players. The research group consisted of U/16 (n = 93) and U/18 (n = 97) elite South African schoolboy rugby players, also known as the Green Squad of SARFU. The players of the Green Squad represented all 14 provinces of South Africa. Each player was tested in August 2003 and February 2004 according to a rugby test protocol of SARFU. The test protocol consisted of anthropometrical variables; body height, body mass, body fat percentage, muscle percentage, skin fold thickness and somatotype. The game-specific skill components that were used included ground skills, kicking for distance, passing for distance, passing for accuracy 4 m and catching and throwing over the crossbar. Physical and motor components consisted of bench press, pull ups, push ups, speed over 10 m and 40 m, agility Illinois test and speed endurance. Descriptive statistics (x, standard deviation, minimum and maximum) were used as well as practical significant differences (d-values) (Cohen, 1988). The method of principal components analysis (PCA) and correlations was used to determine best player position of the Green Squad 2003/2004 season (Bartholomew et al. 2002). The SAS-computer programme package of the North-West University, Potchefstroom campus (SAS Institute Inc., 1999) was used for data analysis. By means of the results that were obtained, it was indicated that as far as the anthropometrical variables among the Ul16 Green Squad players were concerned differences were found between the Green Squad group and U/16 rugby players of other studies. The U/l6 Green Squad players also reported practical significant differences with regard to anthropometrical components from 2003 to 2004. The results of the anthropometrical data of the U/18 Green Squad players compared favourably to literature. Although the U/18 Green Squad group improved from 2003 to 2004 in terms of anthropometrical components, low practical significance was recorded. In terms of physical and motor, the U/16 Green Squad players presented more improvements from 2003 to 2004 than the U/18 Green Squad players that could be due to growth and training programmes that were followed. However, the U/18 Green Squad players presented a better performance than the U/18 players in literature that could also be due to conditioning and training programmes that were followed. With regard to game skill components the U/16 and U/18 Green Squad rugby players possessed better game-specific skills in most tests than their counterparts in literature. Differences between national and provincial youth rugby players were recorded with regard to anthropometrical, physical and motor and game-specific components, thus the importance of further studies on the elite schoolboy rugby players, are evident. Practical significant differences were found between different playing positions in both age groups with reference to anthropometrical, physical and motor and game-specific components. It can be derived that differences do exist between playing positions with regard to' anthropometrical, physical and motor and game-specific components and that it is necessary to include the components in a player position test battery. To summarise, this study succeeded to compile a status profile of the elite youth rugby player with reference to physical and game-specific variables. This test battery can be used in positional talent identification and development models for elite schoolboy rugby players. School and provincial coaches can use this test battery as a guide on team selection and individual training programmes. It adds an enormous amount of knowledge on talent identification of youth elite rugby players. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.