Spamer, Emanuel J.Du Plessis, Daniel J.Kruger, Ernst H.2009-07-282009-07-282009Spamer, EJ, Du Plessis, DJ & Kruger, EH 2009, 'Comparative characteristics of elite New Zealand and South African u/16 rugby players with reference to game-specific skills, physical abilities and anthropometric data', South African Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 53-57. [http://www.journals.co.za/sama/m_sajsm.html]1015-5163http://hdl.handle.net/2263/10873OBJECTIVE: A comparative study of elite New Zealand and South African u/16 rugby players with special reference to game-specific skills, physical abilities and anthropometric data. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A battery of tests was used to obtain information concerning a group of elite New Zealand players (N=24) and two elite South African groups (N=64). Information was obtained for game-specific skills, physical abilities, and anthropometric data. RESULTS: The New Zealand players outperformed the South African players in game-specific tests, physical abilities, and anthropometric measurements. Where the South African groups performed better than the New Zealand group, it was not practically significant. CONCLUSION: South African rugby authorities should be cognisant of the areas where South African u/16 rugby players were outperformed by their New Zealand counterparts, and consequently develop specific development programmes to address these shortcomings.enHealth and Medical Publishing GroupNew ZealandSouth AfricanRugby playersSkillsPhysical abilitiesAnthropometric dataRugby football players -- South AfricaRugby football players -- New ZealandAthletic ability -- TestingPhysical fitness -- Testing.Article