Oakdale: the small school with a massive rugby heart

Oakdale Landbouskool, the beautiful 97-year-old farm school located just outside Riversdale—approximately 300km from Cape Town—is the smallest school by student numbers in this year’s national top 10. Yet, its presence on that list is a clear testament to the exceptional work being done by its dedicated coaching staff working with some terrific players.

With fewer than 400 learners, Oakdale faces natural challenges around squad depth and consistency year after year. But this has never deterred them. They don’t shy away from the big challenges. In fact, they embrace them. Oakdale plays one of the toughest fixture lists in the country annually and remains firmly among South Africa’s premier rugby schools. Toughness and work ethic are cornerstones of the school’s identity.

Leading the rugby programme is Malan du Plessis, a top-tier coach and true rugby man. But at Oakdale, there are no fancy titles like “Director of Rugby”. It’s all hands on deck. Du Plessis serves as Head of Sport and Infrastructure, and true to Oakdale’s unique agricultural style, he also oversees the school’s fruit farming department.

Covid cruelly robbed Oakdale of two incredibly talented rugby years. The teams of 2020 and 2021 were loaded with standout players and real potential and almost certain to be ranked as memorable Top-5 finishers. Getting back to that level was never going to be easy—but 2025 is shaping up to be a truly special year.

This current team boasts an abundance of talent. The balance is near perfect. Up front, they have power and physicality in the engine room. Loosehead prop Kai Pratt is as highly rated as any front-rower in the country. There are few locks bigger or more imposing than u17 giant Diaan Augustyn. He is ably backed up by the ever-reliable secondrower Ruan Swart.

The loose trio is among the best in the country—well-balanced, dynamic, and hard-working. Jacobus de Villiers, younger brother of pro player Paul de Villiers (who was destined to shine in the 2020 side and later captained the 2021 Bulls), adds pedigree to the back row. Athletic Liam Lightley embodies the creative flair that Oakdale builds into its style of play. His role has been perfectly tailored by the coaches to maximise his natural gifts. And then there’s Jannes Snyman—a true “boerseun” in every sense. Tough as nails and uncompromising, and on some days it feels like he’s the ball’s shadow.

While farm schools are expected to produce big, strong forwards, Oakdale’s backline is a joy to watch. The halfback pairing of Jandrian Goosen and CT Vosloo is electric—sharp, composed, classy, and unafraid to get physical when the game demands it. Big inside centre Christiaan Vorster has earned admirers across the country and has all the tools to go far in the game if he chooses to pursue rugby professionally.

Wing Lee-Winn Pretorius combines excellent game sense with blistering pace, while fullback Reinhart Viljoen brings flair and unpredictability in equal measure. He’s a genuine X-factor player—sometimes audacious, always dangerous. Defences dread him, because he can strike from deep and change a match in an instant.

Despite all the individual brilliance, it’s the way this Oakdale side gels as a unit that makes them a formidable force.

This Saturday, they face one of their sternest tests yet—a clash with a red-hot Paarl Gim side on the Jan Kriel Field in the Winelands. Paarl Gim, superbly coached and in top form, represents a mammoth challenge. Oakdale has already had a superb season, with a win over Boishaai and a tough, competitive first match of the season outing against Grey College in Bloemfontein. Since their defeat to Rondebosch in game two of the campaign, they have not lost again – an eight match unbeaten run.

But this weekend could be the ultimate litmus test—a defining moment to see just how special this 2025 Oakdale team really is.

A trip down memory lane – Oakdale’ two fine Covid u19A teams: