Speculation over as Scottish rugby snaps up promising South African twins
UPDATE: Scottish Rugby has finally secured the signings of two promising young South African rugby players.
This is after it was confirmed that twins, Josh and James Mackenzie of Kingswood College in Makhanda, will move to Scotland to pursue professional rugby careers at the end of the year.
The duo are set to join the Glasgow Warriors Academy, putting to bed speculation regarding their futures after they trained with the Scottish outfit in Johannesburg in April.
According to reports, the Mackenzie twins are qualified to represent Scotland through paternal grandparents, and that’s what prompted Scottish rugby to pursue their signatures.
Both are in matric and currently play first-team rugby for Kingswood. James is a utility back, while Josh can operate on the flanks and lock positions.
Josh also made the Eastern Province Craven Week side in 2024 and 2025 and represented the SA Schools’ U18 side under his former coach, James Winstanley.
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The twins visited Scotland last year as part of Kingswood’s exchange programme and spent two months at Glenalmond College in Perthshire.
During that period, they spent time at Edinburgh and Glasgow and reportedly met with Scottish Rugby’s performance director, David Nucifora, and Kenny Murray, who leads the governing body’s National Talent Pathway programme.
Both have not been selected to represent Eastern Province at this year’s Craven Week.
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“Congratulations to Kingswood College 1st XV rugby players, James and Josh Mackenzie, who have both been signed by Scottish Rugby,” the school confirmed on its social media platforms.
“They will join the Glasgow Warriors Academy after their final matric exams in December.”
“Josh and James spent a few months in Scotland last year and were quickly spotted by Scottish rugby.”
