Each year, NextGen releases its definitive list of 100 young players to watch ahead of the upcoming season. Over time, the NextGen100 has become an annual fixture in the rugby calendar, the moment that signals a new campaign is truly upon us.
It is a celebration of emerging talent, potential, and performance, highlighting the players who have caught our eye through consistency, impact, and trajectory.
We would also like to make one thing clear to those who do not see their name featured. This list is not a judgement of ability, nor a prediction of career ceilings. Rugby history is filled with players who were overlooked early and went on to achieve extraordinary things in the game. The NextGen100 is simply our way of spotlighting who we believe is worth watching right now.
With that said, here is the 2026 NextGen100.
| NAME | SCHOOL |
| Achmat Behardien | Wynberg |
| Adrian Smith | Oakdale |
| Alexi Tryopolis | Grey College |
| Anwil Jacobs | Drosdty |
| Aphelele Chamane | Michaelhouse |
| Armand van Eck | Noordheuwel |
| Caden Snyman | Paarl Boys |
| Caleb Bell | Rondebosch |
| Charl Els | Affies |
| Charles Whitehead | Paarl Gim |
| Ciarin Killian | Grey High |
| Cilermo Carolus | DHS |
| Cole Brown | SACS |
| Daniel Naude | Grey High |
| Darren Makeza | Drosdty |
| Diaan Augustyn | Oakdale |
| Drewyn Baron | Garsfontein |
| Dylan Stumke | Menlopark |
| Eddie Mabena | Grey College |
| Erin Nelson | Graeme |
| Ethan Barker | Paarl Gim |
| Ethan Lourens | Helpmekaar |
| Ethan van Biljon | Stellenberg |
| Glodi Tshipamba | Jeppe |
| Hannes Nagel | Affies |
| Hendre Lombard | Affies |
| Hendrik van Zyl | Paarl Gim |
| Henru Erasmus | Grey College |
| Jacobus de Villiers | Oakdale |
| Jaeger Coetzee | Boland Landbou |
| Jamie Wimble | Northwood |
| Jandre van der Merwe | Helpmekaar |
| Jaydon Viljoen | Monument |
| Jean Dreyer | Paarl Gim |
| Jody Abrahams | Menlopark |
| Johannes van der Walt | Northwood |
| Juan Visagie | Boland Landbou |
| Juandre Ehlers | Monument |
| Julies Monroe | Paarl Gim |
| Juvan Burden | Stellenberg |
| JW Coetzee | Grey College |
| Kean Lourens | Noordheuwel |
| Kieran Reid | Noordheuwel |
| Kwaza Gabinga | Rondebosch |
| Lamla Mgedezi | Grey College |
| Lehan Barnard | Paul Roos |
| Lehan Nieuwoudt | Paarl Gim |
| Leighton Lawrence | Nico Malan |
| Liam de Villiers | Paarl Boys |
| Liyema Tsoko | Maritzburg |
| Llewellyn Vermaak | Helpmekaar |
| Louis Koen | Paarl Gim |
| Lucritia Magau | Graeme |
| Luke Bowman | Selborne |
| Luke Doyle | Graeme |
| Luke Faure | Kearsney |
| Luxolo Sonkononkono | Westville |
| Lwandile Mlaba | Westville |
| Lwazi Mbebe | Kearsney |
| Macho Mandizha | St Johns |
| Mark-Hein Fourie | Oakdale |
| Martin van Niekerk | Affies |
| Matthew Prins | Outeniqua |
| Mendriano Abrahams | Menlopark |
| Mickyle Booise | Paarl Gim |
| Mihle Dyakala | Jeppe |
| Morne Bisset | Affies |
| Myburg Eksteen | Oakdale |
| Nathan Aneke | DHS |
| Ncuthu Kepe | Queens |
| Nhlanhla Ndlovu | Kearsney |
| Nicolas Salamousas | Michaelhouse |
| Olwethu Kosani | Maritzburg |
| O’Ryan Kleyn | Grey College |
| Phano Letsie | Jeppe |
| Prestan Bennett | Grey College |
| Qiraan Hermanus | SACS |
| Queenton Mcube | Pretoria Boys |
| Ruan Genis | Monument |
| Ruan Lindeque | Paarl Gim |
| Rueben Winter | Paul Roos |
| Sambesiwe Ndamase | Glenwood |
| Shaye Lourens | Helpmekaar |
| Shelvon Mabooi | Rondebosch |
| Sian van Heerden | Paul Roos |
| Siwe Ndamase | Glenwood |
| Stephan Jansen van Rensburg | Pietersburg |
| Steven Muller | Paarl Boys |
| Thabiso Simelane | St Albans |
| Thomas Saunders | Paarl Gim |
| Tiaan Basson | Paul Roos |
| Tidi Moeketsane | Noordheuwel |
| Travis Pheiffer | Paul Roos |
| Treves Cupido | Paul Roos |
| Tristan Kemp | Grey High |
| Tylo Hess | Durbanville |
| Will Stevens | St Andrews |
| Yuvrah George | Garsfontein |
| Zander Muller | Hilton |
| Zander van der Bergh | Grey College |
| Zay-Winn Januarie | Durbanville |
| Zeake Mata | Queens |
