As we have done in previous years we update our team of the decade and with 2022 being the first true full season naturally a large portion of those boys put their hands up and knocked a few of the unlucky boys from the 2020 and 2021 season off the list.
What is certainly not in doubt is the fact that the talent pool at junior level is looking fantastic.
15) Nabo Sokoyi (Grey College, 2020)
Who can forget how Nabo was unleashed on the school rugby scene in 2019, the youngster immediately announced himself scoring tries for fun in his rookie year. Nabo’s all round ability was obvious, his handling was unmatched and his ability to open up space and put his team mates into space entertained many an observer.
Currently with the Bulls Nabo has continued his good form helping the Pretoria based outfit to numerous youth title wins and looks to develop into a centre rather than an outside back.
14) Alfondso Isaacs (Grey College, 2022)
We knew about Alfondso when he was still in Cradock, the North Eastern Cape community let us know in no uncertain terms that there was a Springbok in the making gracing their fields. Fast forward a few years and he was tearing up play in the Grey College jersey and was deservedly selected to the SA Schools team.
He will be joining the Bulls in 2023 and no doubt will aim to make a massive impression there.
13) Suleiman Hartzenberg (Bishops, 2021)
Many things can happen in a young players career so success is not a guarantee but there every so often is a player that comes around that you just instinctively know that has the talent, attitude and determination to go all the way and Suleiman is that player.
His midfield partnership with Bruce Sherwood was absolutely destructive, it is hard to imagine you will find a more potent partnership is school rugby. He showed that this was no one off with him fitting into the Varsity Cup with ease and being a part of the SA Under 20 teams victorious run in the 2022 Summer Series.
12) Damian Markus (Stellenberg, 2022)
Damian could have the highest rugby IQ I have seen for his age and the amazing thing about him is that it is all instinctive, to think a player with this much talent in reading of the game is mainly self-taught is absolutely frightening.
Imagining a midfield partnership with him and Suleiman is a mouth-watering prospect, if Suleiman gets space he’s almost impossible to stop and Damian is a player that can find space in the most unlikely of scenarios.
11) Ebenezer Tshimanga (Wynberg, 2021)
It’s going to take a very special player to knock Ebenezer off this list, the burly winger had a feared reputation in schools rugby and it is not hard to see why. His runs were absolutely devastating running over opponents with ease and who could forget how he almost single handedly carried Wynberg in their unlikely victory over Paul Roos in the Western Province rugby day back in 2020.
You are going to have a hard time to find a player who possesses Ebenezer’s qualities and no doubt he will be a household name in the future.
10) Sacha Mngomezulu (Bishops, 2020)
The Bishops team of 2020 is often called “the best that never was”. The pandemic cost the school a potential unbeaten season is the eyes of many and when you think of Sacha leading that talented backline into battle you just know that champagne rugby would have been the order of the day.
Since he has left school his rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Captaining the Baby Boks to victory may be enough for most young professionals but Sacha did not rest of his laurels and has been a regular fixture in the Stormers senior squad.
Will he be the first Springbok on this list? Let’s see.
9) Caleb Abrahams (Grey College, 2022)
A problem position in the past, this to us was the most difficult position to pick. Nico Steyn was our scrumhalf of the year in 2020 and Neil le Roux in 2021 and both are outstanding players who seem intent on making the green and gold jersey their own in the future.
Caleb has the fortune of a full season in 2022 and he more that delivered on his promise with some absolutely outstanding performances and tries were scored for fun. He must surely be part of the Baby Bok squad reckoning this year?
8) Siba Mahashe (Hudson Park, 2022)
Siba was no doubt the leading 8th man in the country for 2022 although other players were outstanding as well but Siba with respect to Hudson Park wasn’t part of a Top 10 program and to shine in such circumstances showcases true ability to overcome the odds.
He was a standout at Craven Week, he was rewarded with an SA Schools callup where he further showcased his immense talent. A big player with a big future, be left in little doubt.
7) Lukas Meyer (Grey College, 2022)
Everyone knew Lukas was a special player before the season began, his engine is something that is out of this world and he entered 2022 as a player to watch but left it as one of the most in demand loose forwards in the country.
The Bulls naturally won the race to his signature and under the guidance of former Grey College coach Wessel du Plessis expect him to flourish even further.
6) Paul de Villiers (Oakdale, 2021)
An absolute workhorse who formed a formidable loose forward combination with the likes of Philip Kleynhans de Villiers’ inclusion into the SA Under 20 squad came as no surprise to those who have been following his career.
Like the Bishops class of 2020, the Oakdale class of 2021 were earmarked for the number 1 position in South Africa and Paul played a major part in that. Along with his excellent reading of the game comes a level of fitness were are told is unprecedented for a player of his age with his Bronco already at senior pro level. Keep a close eye on this young talent.
5) JF van Heerden (Grey College, 2022)
Who else were you expecting? Although as with every list there are likely going to be disagreements nobody that has an ounce of sanity would argue against the inclusion of this iron giant.
Many larger players rely solely on their size, van Heerden has so many different attributes to offer that it would need it’s own article, scratch that – it’s own book! He is a lineout general, he is an enforcer, he is an impeccable athlete and stands back for no player. He is Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield all rolled into one player and unless something catastrophic occurs that Bok jersey will be his for many years to come.
4) Connor Evans (Bishops, 2020)
Yet another Bishops youngster makes our list. Connor was our first ever number 1 prospect. Him and JF are a dream future combination in my opinion with each complementing each other and with Connor’s leadership and rugby IQ and underrated physicality they would put the fear of god into many a team.
Connor was one of the few players to play SA Schools in his Grade 11 year, luck was not with him and the pandemic naturally curtailed his bid to do the “double double” (playing SA Schools and SA Under 20 for two years each). A long and distinguished career awaits this young talent.
3) Zac Porthen (Wynberg, 2022)
Known as “The Fridge” Porthen’s leadership qualities shone through at Wynberg helping the team into a Top 10 outfit capable of challenging even the best sides in the country.
It was not only his leadership that shone through, Porthen dismantled many of the top front row prospects in the country with relative ease and was selected for the South African Under 18 team in 2022 and was rewarded with the captaincy as well.
No doubt a bright future awaits.
2) Luca Bakkes (Paarl Gim, 2022)
For many a school rugby player having a father that was a high level pro is a hidden curse, the power of expectation overwhelming many of them. Luca took it all in his stride and has emerged as a truly special player capable of dominating any opponents physically.
We had noticed Luca when he was still a junior player, he simply stood alone in his quality and although an aggressive player he plays in the right spirit. His work at the breakdown, his lineout throws and his immense work rate truly make him a special player who should go all the way in the game.
1) Blokkies Lavagna (Paarl Gim, 2021)
Blokkies was always known to be a talented player, one who worked hard and had a ton of potential. The question we asked ourselves in 2021 was whether or not he could take this potential and truly deliver.
Lavagna did his talking on the field and when I think back to the 2021 season he must be among the players who stood out the most. He is an exceptional young player and I still truly believe that this is just the beginning of this journey and we will still see a lot more from this gifted young player.
His transition from school to national Under 20 level was seamless and he will play a vital role in the Baby Boks hopes of claiming their first world title in over a decade.
Coach: Pieter Rossouw (Paarl Gim)
Although 2020 was a write off what we did see of the Paarl Gim team was something special with a fantastic win over a generational Bishops outfit in the shortened version of the game as well as a dominant win over a game Pretoria Boys outfit.
2021 came along and many felt that although a gifted outfit that Gim were perhaps a year too early to be considered a number one outfit. The team under Rossouw’s guidance showed that they were more than ready with a tactical masterclass against Grey College resulting in the Bloemfontein outfits first loss since 2017. A demolition job against Garsfontein was followed by another half century score against Helpmekaar and then two big wins over Paul Roos and Wynberg before the season was once again cancelled.
Expectations were high in 2022 and for good reason, there would not have been a punter in the country who would have bet against Gim having an unbeaten season. Losing 3 games was not was expected by any stretch of the imagination, but these were razor thin margins with Affies securing a come from behind win, Paul Roos securing an intercept in the dying minutes of their derby and Paarl Boys winning through a controversial try by 2 points. Factor in numerous injuries to key players and it puts it all into perspective.
Gim secured a legendary win over Grey, their second in a row and that was once again primarily due to a Rossouw tactical masterclass. Despite all the challenges faced in 2022 Rossouw was the glue that held his team together and when you see how hard the Gimmies boys fight for their team, their community and their coach it must be the unsung hero Pieter Rossouw that deserves much credit for his role in helping them secure the title of unofficial South African champions in 2022.
We cannot wait to see what 2023 has in store.
BENCH
16) Bryce Calvert (Westville, 2021)
17) Ruan Swart (Outeniqua, 2022)
18) Seb Lombard (Paarl Boys, 2020)
19) Reinhard Ludwig (Affies, 2020)
20) Merwe Olivier (Grey College, 2021)
21) Neil le Roux (Oakdale, 2021)
22) Compion von Luwdig (Paarl Boys, 2021)
23) Jurenzo Julius (Paul Roos, 2022)
