The top 10 South African schoolboy signings of 2026

SPOTLIGHT: With the Craven Week done and dusted, and the schoolboy season nearing its conclusion, unions are finalising their recruitment drives for 2027.

The Bulls have already made several handy signings, while the Stormers last month announced 13 players who will join their Rugby Institute next year.

The Sharks, meanwhile, have managed to retain some of their homegrown talent in Durban, while the Lions have continued with their model of backing local rising stars.

With several players already having put pen to paper on their first professional contracts, Rugby365 picks out 10 of the top schoolboy signings of the year.

(NOTE*: This is in no particular order, and the list is based on how well each signing fits the respective union rather than who is considered the best player.

Travis Pheiffer (Flyhalf)
Paul Roos to Bulls

Travis Pheiffer heading to Pretoria is a massive coup for the Bulls, and those involved in the schoolboy game will echo the same sentiments.

The Paul Roos playmaker has been among the standout players this year, and once again showed his class for Western Province XV at the Craven Week.

He’s a jack of all trades kind of flyhalf and will be remembered mostly for his performance against Affies this year.

In that game, Pheiffer scored two tries, slotted over six conversions, and scored a penalty to contribute 25 points in his side’s 45-28 win.
The Bulls have done good business in snatching him away from the Stormers.

Lamla Mgedezi (Fullback)
Grey College to Stormers

Rugby365 has it on good authority that three unions – Bulls, Lions and Cheetahs – were on the hunt for Lamla Mgedezi’s signature, but he chose the Stormers.

That’s because the speedster is from Cape Town, and the decision just made more sense for him.

Mgedezi needs no introduction, having played SA Schools rugby for two years in a row and formed an integral part of Grey College’s success over the last few seasons.

His versatility also comes in handy. He can play fullback and wing, has electric pace, and often tears up defenders with ease.

He’s one of two players from schools outside the Western Cape signed by the Stormers, the other being Anesu Kuzonyei from Northwood.

Erin Nelson (Centre)
Graeme College to Lions

The Lions have an unorthodox recruitment method, and the signing of Erin Nelson proves just why.

Nelson has been one of the standout players in the Eastern Cape this season and continued in his fine form for Eastern Province at the Craven Week.

Many call him the raging bull because of his power, pace, and ability to break tackles and force his way over the advantage line.

If you’re looking for a comparison, Ethan Adams quickly comes to mind, and that should explain the decision by the Lions to go on the hunt for Nelson.

He’s also played for the SA Schools side twice, and his move to Johannesburg means he’ll reunite with former schoolmate Batho Hlekani.

Luxolo Sonkononkono (Fullback)
Westville Boys’ High to Sharks

Commentators are already finding it hard to pronounce his surname, and they’ll need to learn it quickly because this kid isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Sonkononkono is the next fullback to sign for the Sharks from the Westville factory after they produced Zekhethelo Siyaya last year.

He’s very different to Siyaya, but there are similarities in the way he attacks the gain line, opens up defences, and often makes magic out of almost nothing.

He’s got a massive boot on him and has kicked 50/22’s for fun this season.

Sonkononkono also starred for the Sharks at the Craven Week before scoring a beautiful try for the SA Schools side in their 33-34 loss against SA Schools A.

Christoff Crous (Flyhalf)
Grey College to Cheetahs

The Cheetahs have struggled to retain talented players in the past, but securing the services of Christoff Crous could be a step in the right direction.

The Grey College flyhalf has opted to stay in Bloemfontein alongside three of his teammates, Eddie Mabena, O’Ryan Kleyn, and Chris Nieuwoudt.

While Grey hasn’t had the best of seasons, Crous has been a shining light, producing several promising performances.

He contributed 11 points in his side’s famous win over Paarl Boys’ High and was named Man of the Match.

Crous is widely regarded for his game awareness and ability to control matches while putting the opposition under pressure.

Juvan Burden (Lock)
Stellenberg to Stormers

Juvan Burden is two metres tall, weighs just over 106kg and is certainly a player to keep an eye out for in the near future.

After impressing in 2024, the Stellenberg forward has been on an upward trajectory this season, underlining his potential.

He’s a menace to the opposition during line-out time, known as the enforcer, and his team always relies on him to hit the rucks hard, clear out opposition players, and provide clean ball.

His ball-carrying skills are also impressive for a lock, and he’s already donned the green and gold twice in two years.

Burden’s short-term goal is to represent the Junior Springboks and play in the URC, and it’s safe to say he’s on track to achieving those goals with the Stormers move.

Kwagga van der Vyver (Loose forward)
Garsfontein to Bulls

The Bulls will be praised for the backline signings they’ve made, but they’ve done equally good business in the forwards department as well.

Kwagga van der Vyver is an example of that, and the Garsfontein loose forward will be immense for the Pretoria franchise going forward.

Apart from his work on the ground as a jackal, the youngster tracks hard around the park, carries well, and more often than not, gets his team over the advantage line.

He’s played a crucial role in his side’s famous wins this season and is highly rated in the Pretoria rugby circles.

Alexi Tyropolis (Lock/Flank)
Grey College to Lions

Alexi Tyropolis is another typical Lions signing.

Nothing fancy or flashy, just a player who will go to war for you over and over again.

Tyropolis brings to Johannesburg some nice versatility in that he can play lock and flank and is an option during line-out time.

The Grey College man has tracked well over the age groups and was part of the Free State side at this year’s Craven Week.

The Lions will get in him a workhorse, a player that does the basics well and gets himself stuck into battles.

Dehan Botha (Wing)
Affies to Bulls

The word that comes to mind when Dehan Botha’s name pops up is ‘explosive’.

The Affies powerhouse wing has been impressive all season long, racking up metres, beating defenders, and scoring some great tries.

He’s been described as a hardworking player who’s dedicated to his craft and pays careful attention to his conditioning.

While wing is his preferred position, Botha can slot in at centre, offering his side the option as a first receiver off a line-out or scrum.

Once again, a good signing by the Pretoria franchise.

Jadrian Afrikaner (Centre)
Westville Boys’ High to Sharks

Jadrian Afrikaner has consistently delivered top performances for Westville over the past two years and deserves the move to the Sharks.

The electric centre unfortunately missed out on Craven Week action this year as he’s a year old but had done just enough in previous years to catch the eye of Sharks recruiters.

His SA Schools’ performances in 2025 said it all. He’s a versatile player who can adapt at inside and outside centre as well as on the wing.

Afrikaner has pace to burn, power, and soft hands, which make him a threat. An addition like his to the Sharks can only strengthen the Durban side for the near future.