Picture a school with all the facilities, resources, and potential to lift its rugby profile to powerhouse levels — the only missing piece is the right leader at the helm. If they could appoint any headmaster purely to drive rugby success, who would they pick to transform raw potential into a dynasty? Here are ten of the best in the business:
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Tony Pinheiro – Durban High School
Tony isn’t winning popularity contests — not with his own staff and certainly not with rival schools — but he knows his stuff. Having built his rugby IQ as Glenwood’s deputy head, he applied it with ruthless effect at DHS. Think of him as that Olympic sprinter who eases up in the last 20m yet still wins — his lead is that commanding. -
Paul Viljoen – Paarl Gim
Paul’s breakthrough at Northwood — where he helped turn years of struggle into a sustained national presence — cemented his reputation. He sometimes lets his emotions get the better of him and often swaps the presidential duty of hosting rival headmasters for the raw edge of the touchline, but that passion is exactly what fuels his success. -
Leon Bantjes – Garsfontein
When the Garsies story is told, Bantjes’ name will be written in bold. His tenure turned a “rags to riches” tale into one of the quickest, most spectacular climbs in SA schoolboy rugby history. Even after his 2025 retirement, his legacy will be the dizzy heights he helped the Pretoria school scale. -
Janse van der Ryst – Queen’s College
If Janse had slicker oratory skills, he’d probably top every SGB wish-list in the country. But at Queen’s, he’s been a revelation. With limited finances and constant poaching pressure, he’s found ways to keep the ship steady and competitive. He’s proof that rugby vision can trump resources. -
Dawie Kriel – Noordheuwel
From sports director to headmaster, Dawie’s rise mirrors Noordheuwel’s own transformation. Once relative nobodies in the Noordvaal Cup premier league, they’re now legitimate national contenders. Under his watch, the Krugersdorp outfit has gone from out of place to setting the pace. -
Peregrine Joynt – Affies
Affies were already giants, with iconic leader behind them, but Peregrine has lifted the level further. Moving from staff member to the big chair is no small feat, yet rugby at Affies now feels stronger than ever. The “best overall rugby school in SA” tag is edging closer to undisputed. -
Dale Jackson – Jeppe
Dale is proof that passion counts. He followed his heart into teaching and left a mark in a big way. At Jeppe, rugby went from making up the numbers in the fixture list to prime-time attractions. As he now prepares for St John’s, his legacy in Kensington is cemented. -
Leon Grove – Kingswood
Co-ed. Small. Private. English-speaking. For rugby, those are red flags — but Leon Grove didn’t flinch. Despite Kingswood losing its bridging year buffer and juggling weaker junior teams with lofty 1st XV ambitions, he’s steadied the ship. Maximising limited resources is proving to be his trademark. -
George Harris – Hilton
Likeable George has one of the best reputations of any SA headmaster. When Hilton needed stability, he provided it — balancing academics with sport in a way few can. Rugby, once inconsistent and underwhelming, has turned a corner under his watch, even hitting heights that once seemed out of reach. -
Deon Scheepers – Wynberg
Grey College controversies, a Hilton coaching exit before that — Deon has taken his knocks. But resilience has defined his journey. Wynberg under his leadership has not only found its feet but also delivered rugby success in parallel. He’s shown that scars can strengthen, not weaken, a leader.
Mr Gittens the new Headmaster and boy what an appointment.
In my time at Jeppe he was Senior Phase Accounting teacher, 1st XV backline coach and a housemaster at our Sable boarding house.
I really don’t think we could have chosen a better person. I say this selfishly as well because he fully understands the mechanics of winning on the rugby field, this is probably our most rugby centric headmaster ever (I speak hesitantly and hugely uniformed of events prior 2005). He was heavily involved in the recruitment of the eventual 2013-2018 first XVs, that era at Jeppe; Simelane, Greene, Dayimani, Manyike, to name but a few. He was also very involved in the athletics side of things, as Ringo alludes to, a more than capable athlete himself as a schoolboy, still holds some records.
What a nice guy, we used to joke that we didn’t think Mr Gittens knew how the demerit system worked such was the lack of demerits he handed boys.
I’m sure now he is wiser and returns from the Midlands with even more to him.
Again, selfishly, the first thing he’ll inherit among a much improved school and campus is a 1st XV for 2026 we expect big things from! I know he’ll be relatively involved in it all.
Good luck to him
@beet (Comment #9)
I think our matric English teacher Mrs Rattray is one of his Deputies …. I was the worst student in the class could not spell to save my life….. Think our Afrikaans Teacher Mrs Grace retired last year after 44 years at the school….. Beegee is the 17th Headmaster in 135 years and I might be wrong think the 4th Headboy to become Headmaster ….. true champ our purple patch looks set to run long plus he is a rugby man through and through I mean he played Currie Cup rugby for the Border Bulldogs what a legend …. when we were in Gr 10 Beegee played 1st team rugby at flyhalf , 1st team cricket and craven week for the lions, was in the top 10 academics held both the 400 metres and 800 metres Gauteng Boys School inter high records with all that pressure on his shoulders …. the fact that he is normal human unlike some of us is amazing …. I am super happy about his appointment
@Ringo (Comment #7)
Well done to B.G.
I actually thought it was sad times for Jeppe when he left after 17 years of passionate service but its all worked out for the best now.
Is there anyone on the staff who taught him back in the day and will now have him as their boss.
All good Beet. I just have so much respect for the challenges the modern day headmasters have to deal with. Learners, parents, governing bodies, old boys and the broader community – all have different expectations. The headmasters have to find the balance in leading their schools and guiding their learners to face all the challenges of life- whatever it may be. Being on the side line, we can just support them. You are running a great blog. Thanks, and keep going.
YOU CAN ADD ANOTHER NAME TO YOUR LIST BG!!!!
People often forget what an outstanding rugby coach Mr Pinhiero was. Coached a very very good Glenwood 1st XV in 2000 (but for a few crucial injuries late in the season could have gone on to be undefeated)
Pinheiro only performs with a wheelbarrow of cash!
@Kantman (Comment #2)
Good points made. That call I received today touched on the need to look after these leaders that play a vital role in shaping the country’s future. The worry being that the quantity and quality of male educators willing to follow in the same footsteps is starting to thin out. So appreciate the man at the helm, especially if he’s doing a good job. Its s not an easy one.
@buitestaander (Comment #1)
Yeah, I think you raise a valid point. I actually had a call today that touched on a similar theme. And I’m glad you mentioned the context I relayed, because this isn’t an attempt to identify the best overall headmasters. There are plenty I admire—like the heads at KES, Stellenberg, and Pretoria Boys’, to name a few—who stand out among the many outstanding leaders we have.
A headmaster’s role is enormous: managing staff, caring for kids, dealing with parents, raising funds, steering finances, keeping pace with constant changes, and making sure the school runs smoothly day to day. Rugby, in the bigger picture, might only make up a sliver of that workload.
This list, then, is focused on something very specific: headmasters who have the ability to drive a rugby programme to its absolute max.
Great article – I learned something as always beet.
Have only met 2 of them, so cannot comment on which one I would pick.
I do believe a leader should be able to align with the culture of the school, understand and respect the community, and leave the school stronger when he or she departs.
I appreciate every headmaster of rugby playing schools!
A BRIDGE TOO FAR