The Springboks are preparing for another blockbuster clash against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 5 September, and Rassie Erasmus has opted for continuity in his selection.
Erasmus has made four changes and one positional switch to his starting XV for the third Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
But there is another fascinating story behind the matchday squad: where did the Springboks go to school?
From Grey College and Paarl Boys’ High to Maritzburg College and Bishops, the 23-man squad features players who attended some of South Africa’s most renowned rugby schools.
FOUR CHANGES FOR THE ALL BLACKS CLASH
Ox Nche, Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx return to the starting lineup, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit and Deon Fourie moving to the replacements bench.
There is also an injury-enforced change involving Damian Willemse.
Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback, while Kurt-Lee Arendse comes into the starting team on the wing.
Erasmus expects New Zealand to respond strongly after the Springboks’ 33-26 victory in the previous Test.
The result levelled the series with two matches still to play, setting the stage for another intense battle in Johannesburg.
The third Test kicks off at 17:10 at FNB Stadium.
THE SCHOOLS BEHIND THE SPRINGBOK STARS
The matchday 23 includes representatives from schools across South Africa.
Among the most notable is Paarl Boys’ High, which has produced two players in the squad: Thomas du Toit and Cameron Hanekom.
No other school has more than one player represented in the 23-man squad.
The full list of schools is:
| Position | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Cheslin Kolbe | Brackenfell |
| 14 | Kurt-Lee Arendse | Paulus Joubert |
| 13 | Jesse Kriel | Maritzburg College |
| 12 | Damian de Allende | Milnerton |
| 11 | Ethan Hooker | Westville Boy’s High |
| 10 | Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu | Bishops |
| 9 | Cobus Reinach | Grey College |
| 8 | Jasper Wiese | Upington |
| 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit | Swartland |
| 6 | Siya Kolisi (captain) | Grey High |
| 5 | Ruan Nortje | Wonderboom |
| 4 | Eben Etzebeth | Tygerberg |
| 3 | Wilco Louw | HTS Drostdy |
| 2 | Malcolm Marx | KES |
| 1 | Ox Nche | HTS Louis Botha |
Reserves
| Position | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Deon Fourie | Pietersburg |
| 17 | Gerhard Steenekamp | Potchefstroom Gimnasium |
| 18 | Thomas du Toit | Paarl Boys’ High |
| 19 | Lood de Jager | Hoërskool Hugenote |
| 20 | Andre Esterhuizen | Klerksdorp |
| 21 | Cameron Hanekom | Paarl Boys’ High |
| 22 | Morne van den Berg | Linden |
| 23 | Manie Libbok | Outeniqua |
A BATTLE OF RUGBY TRADITIONS
The list highlights the broad geographical spread of South African rugby development.
The Springbok squad features players from schools in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, the Northern Cape and Limpopo, underlining the depth of rugby talent being produced around the country.
For the schools involved, having a current Springbok in the matchday squad represents a significant achievement and another reminder of the role schoolboy rugby continues to play in developing elite players.
And with Paarl Boys’ High the only school with two representatives in the squad, its rugby pedigree gets another moment in the spotlight.
WHO ATTENDED YOUR SCHOOL?
The Springboks may be preparing for one of the biggest Tests of the season, but the schoolboy rugby connection adds another layer of interest for supporters.
Which famous rugby player attended your school — and does your school have a Springbok connection?
