These are not the 'big school' Boks

South Africa’s school system is recognised as among the best in the world and produces a steady stream of world-class rugby players.

As we prepare to close out the 2024 season, @rugby365com examines the bedrock of the game in South Africa.

There is no denying that the so-called ‘big schools’ have the most representation at the Springbok level.

However, smaller schools also play a huge role in unearthing and developing talent.

Looking at the Springbok squad on the end-of-year tour and the top schools in the country, Paarl Gymnasium has three representatives (Johan Grobbelaar, Grant Williams, Handré Pollard).

That is followed by several with two Boks –  Paul Roos Gymnasium (Willie le Roux, Damian Willemse), Grey College (Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Reinach), Paarl Boys High (Thomas du Toit, Frans Malherbe), Glenwood (Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse), along with the one-player schools like Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (RG Snyman), Boland Landbou (Canan Moodie), King Edward VII School (Malcolm Marx), Maritzburg College (Jesse Kriel) and St. Albans College (Bongi Mbonambi).

It is interesting to note that there is a long list of the names in the Springbok squad who did not attend top schools at all but elevated themselves to the highest level.

These include players like Eben Etzebeth (Tygerberg), Jean Kleyn (Linden Hoerskool), Manie Libbok (Outeniqua), Ruan Nortje (Wonderboom), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Paulus Joubert), Jasper Wiese (Upington), Cheslin Kolbe (Brackenfell), Andre Esterhuizen (Klerksdorp), Makazole Mapimpi (Jim Mvabasa SS School), Kwagga Smith (HTS Middelburg), Ox Nché (Louis Botha), Lukhanyo Am (De Vos Malan), Wilco Louw (Drostdy HTS), Franco Mostert (Brits High), Vincent Koch (Hugenote), Damian de Allende (Milnerton), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Swartland) and Elrigh Louw (Transvalia).

The school debate can get very intense.

However, it is worth noting that some of our top players – Etzebeth, Du Toit, Koble, De Allende and Nche – did not have the luxury of attending top schools.

Yet, they rose above the rest through pure hard work and talent.

South Africa’s depth is the envy of the world.

Hundreds of South African players compete in elite leagues abroad – such as the Premiership, Top 14, Japan League One and Major League Rugby.

Many more are involved in the lower tiers.

Despite the ongoing exodus, local franchises have remained competitive in tournaments such as the United Rugby Championship and European Cup.

More schools have hired professional coaches and implemented high-performance programmes, and the schoolboy scene has become fiercely competitive as a result.

There isn’t a great deal separating the top 20 school teams in the country.

Here is a list of the current top 20 schools in the game:

Paarl Gimnasium
Paul Roos Gymnasium
Paarl Boys’ High
Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies)
Grey College
Oakdale Agricultural High
Jeppe High School for Boys
Dr. EG Jansen High School
Rondebosch Boys’ High
Durban High School
Garsfontein High
Wynberg Boys’ High
Monument High
Noordheuwel High
Boland Landbou
Maritzburg College
Northwood School
Outeniqua High
Waterkloof High
King Edward VII School (KES)
St Alban’s College 1

The Springboks and their schools:

2024 Johan Grobbelaar (Paarl Gim)
2024 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Grey College)
2024 Sacha Mngomezulu (Bishops)
2024 Ben-Jason Dixon (Paul Roos)
2024 Edwill van der Merwe (Paul Roos)
2024 Jordan Hendrikse (Glenwood) 1
2023 Gerhard Steenekamp (Potch Gim)
2023 Jean Kleyn (Linden)
2022 Manie Libbok (Outeniqua)
2022 Canan Moodie (Boland Landbou)
2022 Grant Williams (Paarl Gim)
2022 Ruan Nortje (Wonderboom)
2022 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Paulus Joubert)
2022 Elrigh Louw (Transvalia)
2021 Jaden Hendrikse (Glenwood)
2021 Jasper Wiese (Upington)
2021 Aphelele Fassi (Dale College)
2019 Cheslin Kolbe (Brackenfell)
2018 Damian Willemse (Paul Roos)
2018 Marco van Staden (Bekker Hoerskool)
2018 RG Snyman (Affies)
2018 Thomas du Toit (Paarl Boys)
2018 André Esterhuizen (Klerksdorp)
2018 Makazole Mapimpi (Jim Mvabasa SS School)
2018 Kwagga Smith (HTS Middelburg)
2018 Ox Nché (Louis Botha)
2018 Lukhanyo Am (De Vos Malan)
2017 Wilco Louw (Drostdy HTS)
2016 Malcolm Marx (KES)
2016 Bongi Mbonambi (St Albans)
2016 Franco Mostert (Brits High)
2015 Vincent Koch (Hugenote)
2015 Jesse Kriel (Maritzburg)
2014 Cobus Reinach (Grey College)
2014 Damian de Allende (Milnerton)
2014 Handré Pollard (Paarl Gim)
2014 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Swartland)
2013 Siya Kolisi (Grey High)
2013 Willie le Roux (Paul Roos)
2012 Frans Malherbe (Paarl Boys)
2012 Eben Etzebeth (Tygerberg)

@rugby365com