The countdown is on. With less than a fortnight until schoolboy rugby’s premier showcase kicks off in Gqeberha, the squads are locked in, injuries sorted, and expectations sky-high. Boland and the Leopards fire the opening salvo at Grey High on 6 July at 09:30, but the real mouth-watering clash arrives on day two when the Lions and Bulls collide on 7 July.

This year’s tournament promises fireworks. With U17 EPD camp graduates scattered across squads and several players already signed to professional institutes, the talent pool runs deep. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the stars who could own the headlines over the next fortnight.

The Blue Bulls roll in

The Blue Bulls arrive with serious intent and a squad bursting with EPD pedigree. Counter-attacking fullback Drewyn Baron can cause absolute havoc when given space, his attendance at last year’s U17 EPD camp speaks to his quality. Late inclusion Dandré Brink replaces the injured Thabiso Simelane and brings speed and power in buckets.

Inside centre Dylan Stumke has carved out a reputation as a hard-running, no-nonsense defender whose workrate is relentless. His U17 EPD camp invitation confirms his standing amongst the nation’s elite. The versatile Stephan “Kwagga” van der Vyfer is equally comfortable at hooker or flanker, delivering tough breakdown work whilst possessing genuine line-breaking ability.

Second-rower JJ Fourie stands out for unmatched workrate, he creates tries, then finishes them with exceptional support play. Hooker Charl Els, another EPD graduate, brings breakdown toughness and clinical lineout throwing that Affies have relied on all season. This Bulls pack has the grunt to dominate.

Backline brilliance from the Highveld

The Lions have assembled a backline that could tear opponents to shreds. Monument and Jeppe have stocked this squad with genuine game-breakers who blend flair with ruthless efficiency.

Ndzalama Mbalati headlines the attack. Originally a flyhalf at the U16 EPD camp in 2025, he now operates at fullback for the Lions, offering dual-threat coordination and lethal counter-attacking ability. His boot can kick the Lions out of trouble; his vision unlocks defensive structures.

Outside centre Blessing Monareng is a proper barnstormer, fast, strong, and brutally difficult to halt. Originally a wing at the U16 EPD camp, he’s transitioned seamlessly to the midfield for both Monument and province. His partnership with playmaking inside centre Ethan Lourens creates enough space for the Lions backs to exploit ruthlessly.

Wing Ruan Genis boasts a try-scoring record that’s genuinely exemplary, at one stage this season you could bank on him crossing the whitewash at least once per match. He’s part of South Africa’s frightening crop of emerging wingers who can run through you or around you with equal menace.

Flyhalf Jaydon Viljoen grabbed headlines early in the season with a monster 60-metre drop goal against Grey College, but he’s far more than just a boot. He coordinates attacks superbly, finds runners in space, and operates as the perfect pivot. EPD graduates Mihle Dyakala (wily loose forward), Pano Letsie (quick-footed inside centre), and prop Mako Mandisa add national-level pedigree throughout the squad.

The Grey College conveyor belt

Grey College’s production line shows no signs of slowing, and the Cheetahs benefit enormously. Fullback Lamla Mgedezi needs no introduction, he’s been an absolute weapon all season and opponents will find him hellishly difficult to stop. His U17 EPD camp attendance merely confirms what the schools circuit already knows.

Eddie “Spiderman” Mabena has been labelled Mgedezi’s understudy, but he’s carved out his own fearsome reputation. Dangerous on both sides of the ball, he beats you with trickery and pace whilst never shying away from the big defensive moments.

No. 8, Niel du Randt has proven his mettle with massive carries and defensive workrate second to none, he’ll relish the chance to smash opponents in the fabled white and orange. Hooker Xander de Beer has matured into a proper operator, wily and seemingly everywhere at once. Prop Hennie Bredenhahn is built like a tank and scrums like one too, usually requiring two or three defenders to halt his momentum.

The coastal juggernauts

KwaZulu-Natal has assembled an absolutely monstrous squad that could dominate up front whilst terrorising teams out wide. This is the deepest talent pool on show.

Westville fullback Luxolo Sonkononkono has been sensational all season, a quality boot combined with counter-attacking prowess makes him brutally difficult to stop. His U17 EPD camp attendance positions him firmly in SA Schools conversations. DHS speedster Amo Mataboge (also U17 EPD) has pace to burn and earned plaudits for standout attacking play and field awareness during the high-profile Monument clash.

Michaelhouse inside centre Alex Jankowitz caught attention as a reliable, big-booted fullback in 2025 before transitioning to No. 12 this season. Daniel Miskey is widely regarded as one of KZN’s most composed and tactically sharp young playmakers.

The loose-forward arsenal is frightening. Jamie Wimble embodies the modern schoolboy eighth man, imposing size and direct power combined with explosive pace and devastating legal hits. He’s a frequent try-scorer thanks to exceptional support lines and sharp rugby brain. U17 EPD graduate Zander Muller draws comparisons to Jasper Wiese and Gregory Alldritt, bringing compact, abrasive physicality to breakdowns and carrying duties. He’ll pack down at blindside flanker.

Nhlanhla Ndlovu possesses an unusual combination: raw physical power and heavy-hitting defence coupled with backline-level acceleration. He’s famous for slicing through defensive lines from deep and outsprinting opposition wings to score spectacular solo tries.

Lock/flanker hybrid Wandile Mlaba is recognised as one of the country’s premier tight-five prospects, blending the size and aerial supremacy of a lock with the mobility, ball skills and breakdown urgency of a flanker.

Up front, Nicolas Salmousas, affectionately nicknamed “The Greek God”, is the prototypical modern tighthead. He couples brute scrummaging strength with rare mobility and explosive carrying ability. Hooker Theo Boshoff has been described as a “highlights package in human form,” blending clinical technical skills with massive workrate and a devastating handoff. Prop Aphelele Chamane breaks the mould, offering technical stability and immense scrummaging power alongside soft handling skills and explosive loose-play workrate.

Midfield enforcer Olwethu “The Tonka” Kosani is celebrated for immense physical dominance, he runs over defenders like an extra loose forward. Wing Lwazi Mbebe operates with outrageous confidence, blending rapid acceleration with deceptive footwork and high-risk, high-reward flair.

Western Province talent on show

Western Province showcases several players already signed to the Stormers Rugby Institute for 2027. Centre Tiaan Basson is regarded as one of the country’s most exciting talents. Wing/centre Ethan Barker combines a large frame with soft skills, excelling at late offloads and dominant defence.

Flyhalf Ethan van Biljon controls tempo masterfully with tactical kicking and pinpoint cross-kicks. Scrumhalf Mickyle Booise delivers lightning-quick service with exceptional game management and a sharp eye for gaps. Loose forward Hendré van Zyl is a destructive primary ball carrier with soft handling skills and spatial awareness.

The towering two-metre, 106kg lock Juvan Burden is regarded as one of the most destructive young tight-five prospects in the country, another Stormers Institute signing. Hooker Charles Whitehead combines accurate lineout throwing with devastating gainline carries, whilst wing Caleb Bell possesses blinding pace and unmatched counter-attacking instincts.

WP XV fields exciting talent too: wing Cadynn Samuels has earned “The Flash” comparisons for blistering speed, whilst at pivot Travis Pheiffer draws comparisons to Jan Serfontein for his tactical mastery. Eighth man Yanos Molnar is a bulldozer who doesn’t look for space, he runs through it.

The Rest: don’t sleep on these

SWD brings genuine quality. Jacobus de Villiers offers the complete modern loose-forward package, endless engine, bruising hits, breakdown excellence and explosive carrying. Fullback Darnell Delport possesses safe hands, a massive boot and lethal counter-attacking ability, whilst flyhalf Caleb Williams manages territory brilliantly with elite goal-kicking from extreme distances. Scrumhalf Fagon Hendrick brings lethal acceleration and an elite sniping game.

Griquas captain MG van Greunen stands over two metres tall and dominates lineouts, his disruption of Leopards’ lineouts in the warm-up matches was immense. Flyhalf JG van Heerden controlled the match superbly when Diamantveld faced Stellenberg at Wildeklawer.

The Leopards counter with Wesvalia inside centre Wian du Preez, the “Maroon magician” can do it all. The Pumas field Nelspruit’s Rhandzu Mkhabela, who destroyed defenders at Noord-Suid and earned player-of-the-day honours.

This year’s Craven Week promises genuine theatre. With professional contracts already secured, EPD camp graduates littered throughout, and schools reputations on the line, these youngsters will leave everything on the park. The future of South African rugby looks frighteningly bright.