The future of South African rugby is taking center stage as SA Rugby officially unveils the SA Schools and SA Schools “A” squads. This year’s announcement marks a massive, historic milestone for the sport with the introduction of the inaugural SA Schools Girls match, creating a powerful new pathway for young female athletes across the country.
Set to take place at Grey High School in Gqeberha, the double-header kicks off on Thursday with the girls’ match at 13:00, followed by the boys’ showcase at 15:00. Both highly anticipated encounters will be streamed live on SA Rugby’s official YouTube channel.
Key Leaders and Returning Legends
The Boys’ Captains
- SA Schools Captain: Westville Boys’ High School lock Lwandile Mlaba leads the flagship side, supported by vice-captain Jacobus de Villiers (Oakdale). Both are among 11 players in the squads who have already worn the green and gold.
- SA Schools “A” Captain: Hendre van Zyl of Paarl Gimnasium takes the armband for the “A” team, with Durban High School’s Nathan Aneke serving as vice-captain.
The Girls’ Pioneers
- SA Schools Girls Captain: Jessie Schoeman (DF Akademie, Western Province) captains the premier girls’ team. She is one of six players who bring crucial national under-18 experience to the squad.
- SA Schools Girls “A” Captain: Hoërskool Standerton’s Angel Nxasane will proudly captain the “A” team.
Team School Rep Standings: Who Dominates the Class of 2026?
| High School | Number of Representatives |
| Paarl Gimnasium | 5 |
| Durban High School (DHS) | 4 |
| Garsfontein | 4 |
| Grey College | 4 |
| Graeme College | 4 |
| Paul Roos Gymnasium | 3 |
| Michaelhouse | 3 |
Complete Team Sheets
Boys’ Squads
SA Schools
15 Ethan van Biljon (WP, Stellenberg), 14 Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queens College), 13 Erin Nelson (EP, Graeme College), 12 Ethan Barker (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 11 Lamla Mgedezi (Cheetahs, Grey College), 10 Travis Pheiffer (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), 9 Mickyle Booise (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 8 Jacobus de Villiers (vice-captain – SWD, Oakdale), 7 Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood), 6 Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks, Kearsney College), 5 Juvan Burden (WP, Stellenberg), 4 Lwandile Mlaba (captain – Sharks, Westville), 3 Nic Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse), 2 Theo Boshoff (Sharks, Maritzburg College), 1 Clement Makhelele (Sharks, Kearsney College).
Replacements: 16 Iglesias Bruiners (DHS), 17 Matthew Prins (Outeniqua), 18 Ruben Lombard (Garsfontein), 19 Jean Dreyer (Paarl Gim), 20 Stefan van der Vyver (Garsfontein), 21 Glodi Tshipamba (Jeppe), 22 Luke Doyle (Graeme College), 23 Achmat Behardien (Wynberg), 24 Tiaan Basson (Paul Roos), 25 Anesu Kuzonyei (Northwood), 26 Luxolo Sonkonokono (Westville).
SA Schools “A”
15 Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, Nelspruit), 14 Amogelang Mataboge (Sharks, DHS), 13 Nathan Aneke (vice-captain – Sharks, DHS), 12 Ruan Roux (Free State, Grey College), 11 Ruan Genis (Lions, Monument), 10 Ruan Fluks (Blue Bulls, Garsfontein), 9 Shaye Lourens (Golden Lions, Helpmekaar), 8 Niel du Randt (Free State, Grey College), 7 Hendre van Zyl (captain – WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 6 Siphesishle Marule (Pumas, Middelburg), 5 Martin van Niekerk (Blue Bulls, Affies), 4 Akho Tonjeni (EP, Graeme College), 3 Priden Sibiya (Sharks, DHS), 2 Charles Whitehead (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), 1 Max Malan (WP, Paarl Boys High).
Replacements: 16 Charl Els (Affies), 17 Aphelele Chamane (Michaelhouse), 18 JW Coetzee (Grey College), 19 Werner de Bruin (Paul Roos), 20 Linakho Mehlomakulu (Rondebosch), 21 Rufagon Hendricks (Outeniqua), 22 Jaydon Viljoen (Monument), 23 Alex Jankowitz (Michaelhouse), 24 Lucritia Magua (Graeme College), 25 Drewyn Baron (Garsfontein), 26 Luniko Marivate (Kingswood College).
Girls’ Squads
SA Schools Girls
15 Chariva Visagie (Middelland Sec), 14 Anothando Mbada (Motherwell), 13 Jessie Schoeman (captain – DF Akademie), 12 Endinalo Fihla (Usasazo), 11 Liyabona Kali (Hlumani), 10 Mia Kanka (Rusthof), 9 Imange Norayase (Similela), 8 Oratile Finyade (Steelcrest), 7 Inga Jim (Curro Delft), 6 Inathi Nxiweni (Athlone), 5 Nommah Sandifolo (Bosmansdam), 4 Sine Rasmeni (Langa), 3 Likhona Masiza (Sophumela), 2 Silakhe Masizana (Motherwell), 1 Isipho Dungelo (Sophumela).
Replacements: 16 Lethokuhle Madwayi (Curro Delft), 17 Aqhama Siko (Percy Mdala), 18 Rethabile Kubequ (Altmont Tech), 19 Lisakhanya Kaptain (Coselelani), 20 Nokulinda Makhubela (Mbuyane), 21 Asive Gaqa (Ned Doman), 22 Surrender Chauke (Magoza), 23 Zoe Antonie (Kasselsvlei), 24 Alice Ncube (Kwa-bhekilanga), 25 Sibahle Luti (Alexandra Road), 26 Raylee Phathakge (Steelcrest), 27 Nonhlanhla Thumbuni (Nellmapius).
SA Schools Girls “A”
15 Buncwane Komani (Bhongolethu), 14 Tatum-Joy Kaboni (George Sec), 13 Naylha Jansen (George Sec), 12 Endinako Higa (St Anne), 11 Alicia de Klerk (Brackenfell), 10 Angel Nxasane (captain – Hoërskool Standerton), 9 Maira Hlatshwayo (Nellmapius), 8 Mamello Motaung (Rheederpark), 7 Natalie de Vos (Middelland Sec), 6 Liyema Ngawuliswazi (Tsholomnqa), 5 Kungawo Hlalukana (Similela), 4 Anomtha Mamana (Eyabantu), 3 Zayaan Majiet (Manenburg), 2 Iminathi Nkwandla (Sophumelela), 1 Lindokuhle Mkonto (Ithembelihle).
Replacements: 16 Charmaine Seodi (Magoza), 17 Thando Hlakanyana (Krugersdorp High), 18 Limise Njoli (Kwamagxaki), 19 Palesa Nqadini (Mzontsundu), 20 Elihle Sontsethe (Dalibaso), 21 Zukhanye Roxa (Eyabantu), 22 Busisiwe Wisani (Rheederpark), 23 Oratilwe Moreke (Welkom High), 24 Kelebohile Thate (St Anne), 25 Lene Joubert (Breinmeester), 26 Charnique Brown (Alexandria High).
