First XV five-eighth Josh Hardie and hooker Sam Thomas have both been selected in the NSW under 18s Country team to tour South Africa for two weeks later in the year.

It is the second time Mudgee native Thomas has been picked for the side, having been the only 17-year-old in the group last year when they toured Spain.

It will be the first opportunity with the team for Hardie, who is Bathurst-based and plays club football for the Bulldogs when he can. Like Thomas last year, he is in the younger age bracket at just 17.

The path to selection for the two players was varied.

“It is picked on club football, not school. I’ve played with Mudgee and Josh with the ‘Dogs,” Thomas explained.

“I played in the City-Country match earlier in the year and after that they named the touring squad, which I was lucky enough to be in.

“Josh hadn’t played much club football at that point and hadn’t played in that game, but they were a bit short of five-eighths and fullbacks, so I mentioned his name and in the end they had a look at him and decided to give him an opportunity.”

The side will spend 16 days in total in South Africa and play a number of school and provincial teams.

Only the New Zealanders have kept South African rugby from the top of the world pecking order over the last two decades, and the Stannies pair expect that level to filter down into the South African junior teams.

“I’d say they are going to be pretty big boys, and style-wise I think they will probably be similar to the Springboks and focus a lot on goalkicking,” Hardie said.

“They will be tough teams and very hard to beat, I’d say.”

Neither player is a stranger to high level representative football. Thomas has played for the ISA firsts team in addition to his Country tour last year, while Hardie has represented the NSW under 16s.

By rights, neither should have cause to be overawed when they step out on the park against the opposition.

But Hardie admits there will be much to learn given that he will be one of the youngest players in the team.

“I think it is a combination of both wanting to play well and show what I can do, but at the same time just using the experience to learn, to see how some of the other players handle it,” he said.

“Hopefully I’ll take it all on board and make the same side next year as well.”

Thomas already knows the benefits of that.

“Last year, going to Spain was a great experience,” he said.

“I was the only 17-year-old there, but took a lot out of it and I think that has helped my football since then.

“I think my form has been pretty good this season and hopefully that continues when we get over there.”