Grey College is the most represented school in South Africa’s Under-19 Academy squad. This team will be doing battle with their French counterparts on Saturday.
Grey College contributes four players to the 26-man European tour party that will face France and Ireland over the coming weeks.
The Bloemfontein-based institution leads a diverse group of 16 schools from across the country.
Traditional rugby powerhouses dominate the selection, with Grey College’s quartet joined by three players each from Paul Roos Gimnasium in Stellenbosch and Johannesburg’s King Edward VII School (KES). Combined, these three schools contribute 38.5% of the entire squad.
Grey College’s representatives include Pieter van der Merwe and Heinrich Theron, both with the Vodacom Bulls, alongside prop Danie Kruger (DHL Western Province) and replacement hooker Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Paul Roos Gimnasium, renowned for producing Springbok forwards, has contributed locks Riley Norton (captain) and number eight Reuben Kruger, as well as prop Oliver Reid—all three representing DHL Western Province.
KES rounds out the leading schools with centre Kebotile Maake and hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele (both Vodacom Bulls), alongside flyhalf Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Jeppe High School for Boys, Rondebosch Boys’ High School, and Affies (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool) each contributed two players to the squad.
The geographical spread extends from the Western Cape’s rugby heartlands to Gauteng’s urban centres and beyond. Schools such as Outeniqua High School in George, Maritzburg College in KwaZulu-Natal, and Westville Boys’ High School also represented.
Notably, 10 different schools contribute single players to the squad, demonstrating the depth of talent development across South African school rugby structures.
Here is the team that will face France:
15 Akahluwa Boqwana (DHS/Vodacom Bulls),
14 Lindsey Jansen (Noordheuwel/Vodacom Bulls),
13 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Jeppe High School for Boys/Hollywoodbets Sharks),
12 Pieter van der Merwe (Grey College/ Vodacom Bulls),
11 Dylan Miller (Rondebosch Boys High/ DHL Western Province),
10 Vusi Moyo (KES /Hollywoodbets Sharks),
9 Elgernon Meyer (Outeniqua High School/Fidelity ADT Lions),
8 Reuben Kruger (Paul Roos Gimnasium/DHL Western Province),
7 Aiden de Costa (Wynberg Boys’ High School /DHL Western Province),
6 Kebotile Maake (KES/Vodacom Bulls),
5 Riley Norton (Paul Roos Gimnasium/ DHL Western Province),
4 Heinrich Theron (Grey College/ Vodacom Bulls),
3 Danie Kruger (Grey College/DHL Western Province),
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (KES/Vodacom Bulls),
1 Oliver Reid (Paul Roos Gimnasium/DHL Western Province).
16 Liam van Wyk (Grey College/Hollywoodbets Sharks),
17 Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Maritzburg College/Hollywoodbets Sharks),
18 Ulrich van der Merwe (Helpmekaar Kollege/ Hollywoodbets Sharks),
19 JD Hattingh (Affies/Fidelity ADT Lions),
20 Tom Barnard (Rondebosch Boys’ High School/DHL Western Province),
21 Vuyo Gwiji (Northwood/ Fidelity ADT Lions),
22 Luan Giliomee (Charlie Hofmeyr/Hollywoodbets Sharks),
23 Janco Purchase (Affies/Hollywoodbets Sharks),
24 Risima Khosa (Jeppe High School for Boys/Fidelity ADT Lions),
25 Brooklyn Newman (Garsfontein/Vodacom Bulls),
26 Unathi Mlotshwa (Westville Boys’ High School/Vodacom Bulls).
