Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has locked in a powerhouse 23-man squad to clash with England at Ellis Park this Saturday. While the opening Test of the season marks the historic launch of the inaugural Nations Championship, it also shines a massive spotlight on the grassroots systems that built the world champions.
In the match-day selection, only Grey College and Paarl Boys’ High boast multiple old boys (two each). The remaining 19 spots are a testament to the incredible depth across South African schoolboy rugby, drawing talent from 19 unique high schools nationwide.
Milestones & Heavy Hitters
The backline features massive celebrations as superstars Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse earn their milestone 50th Test caps—exactly eight years after making their international debuts.
Up front, the pack brings a combined century of elite experience. Captain Siya Kolisi leads the side for the 72nd time at the very stadium where he first took the captaincy reins back in 2018. Packing down with him are fellow Test centurion Eben Etzebeth and the reigning 2025 World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, hooker Malcolm Marx.
The Official Springbok High School Registry
The Starting XV
| Position | Player | High School |
| 15 | Damian Willemse | Paul Roos Gimnasium |
| 14 | Cheslin Kolbe | Brackenfell High School |
| 13 | Jesse Kriel | Maritzburg College |
| 12 | Damian de Allende | Milnerton High School |
| 11 | Kurt-Lee Arendse | Paulus Joubert Secondary |
| 10 | Manie Libbok | Outeniqua High School |
| 9 | Grant Williams | Paarl Gimnasium |
| 8 | Jasper Wiese | Upington High School |
| 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit | Swartland High School |
| 6 | Siya Kolisi (c) | Grey High School |
| 5 | Ruan Nortje | Hoërskool Wonderboom |
| 4 | Eben Etzebeth | Hoërskool Tygerberg |
| 3 | Thomas du Toit | Paarl Boys’ High |
| 2 | Malcolm Marx | King Edward VII School (KES) |
| 1 | Ox Nche | HTS Louis Botha |
The Bomb Squad (5-3 Split)
| Bench | Player | High School |
| 16 | Jan-Hendrik Wessels | Grey College |
| 17 | Gerhard Steenekamp | Potchefstroom Gimnasium |
| 18 | Zach Porthen | Wynberg Boys’ High |
| 19 | Marco van Staden | Hoërskool Bekker |
| 20 | Cameron Hanekom | Paarl Boys’ High |
| 21 | Cobus Reinach | Grey College |
| 22 | Andre Esterhuizen | Hoërskool Klerksdorp |
| 23 | Canan Moodie | Hoërskool Boland Landbou |
Match Day Info: The blockbusting Test kicks off at 17:40, broadcast live on SuperSport. Get to the stadium early or tune in at 13:30 to catch the historic curtain-raiser as the Springbok Women host the USA on home soil for the very first time.
