MJ Mentz – Hoërskool Nelspruit
Hot on the heels of news that Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse has joined the Sharks on an informal, fixed-term URC coaching contract comes the long-anticipated announcement that his long-serving assistant, MJ Mentz, will take charge of all things rugby at Hoërskool Nelspruit in Mbombela.
MJ — younger brother of former Springbok wing Henno Mentz — brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Rhinos setup. His toughest challenges, however, may lie off the field. A growing concern among supporters is the steady stream of talented players leaving town for other schools in other provinces.
Convincing the school’s board to think and invest differently will be crucial if Nelspruit are to re-establish themselves as a leading rugby force. Equally important will be Mentz’s ability to earn the trust of his fellow coaches and align everyone behind a unified vision for the Rhinos.
Nico Breedt – Boland Landbou
Nico Breedt, who has moved from Maritzburg College to Boland Landbou, will have to hit the ground running. There’ll be no time to stand back and quietly assess the coaching landscape as the new Director of Rugby Affairs while getting familiar with the culture at the well-known agricultural school outside Paarl. He’ll jump straight into the deep end by taking charge of the u19A team. Liaan Scriven (backs) and Albertus Buckle (forwards) will be his two wingmen, while former head coach Schoeman du Preez shifts his focus to the u16A’s.
Tim Orchard – Uplands College
Maritzburg College old boy and former head coach Tim Orchard will be making a career move to private school Uplands, situated in the picturesque White River area near Mbombela. There, he’ll teach History and play a key role in the school’s rugby programme, while likely contributing to the Pumas youth week setup as well.
Justin Hollis – Glenwood
Justin Hollis, who hails from Queen’s, is one of those educators who conducts himself with the calm professionalism that suggests he’s destined to become a headmaster one day. For now, he’ll take charge of Glenwood for a second consecutive season in 2026.
Jeremy McLaren – Varsity College / Northwood
The year 2026 promises to be a major milestone for Jeremy McLaren, whose Varsity College team will become KwaZulu-Natal’s first-ever Varsity Cup proper affiliate. McLaren’s long association with Varsity College rugby predates their varsity competition ambitions, and when combined with his coaching journey — from humble school beginnings to tier-one success and provincial youth weeks — it’s a Cinderella story still unfolding.
Despite these commitments, he’ll continue to assist Northwood as their attack coach, maintaining a valuable link to the school game.
Kwanele Ngema – Kearsney
Kearsney has done well to retain the services of talented u16 coach and teacher Kwanele Ngema. He was reportedly a strong candidate for the Maritzburg College head coach position in Sleepy Hollow. It likely won’t be the last time his name surfaces in connection with big opportunities, as his reputation continues to grow. With Grant Bashford at the helm of the Kearsney 1st XV, Kwanele’s path to that high-profile slot may not open immediately, but his long-term prospects look bright.
TBC – Durbanville
Durbanville’s coaching situation remains a bit of an enigma. The difference this time is that their “wannabe” status is now firmly in the past. Years of hard work have paid off, and Durbies now stand shoulder to shoulder with some of South Africa’s biggest rugby brands in arguably the country’s toughest regional league.
With Ivan Jooste’s departure coming up, many expected a swift appointment. With no advert out, current indications point towards an internal replacement, with veteran Johan du Toit — now in his 60s — perhaps a likely candidate. His experience could provide stability while the school plans for the long term.
JR Foreman – Stellenberg
Charlie Hofmeyr’s loss is Stellenberg’s gain. The Charlies’ detailed advert for a new Head of Sport made it clear just how invaluable JR had been to their structure, especially as a contributor towards their epic unbeaten 2024 season. At Stellenberg, he’ll serve as Head of Athletics and contribute to the u15A rugby coaching setup, while also teaching Business Studies and Life Orientation.
Kieron van der Merwe and Shaun Prins – Strand
The Western Cape Education Department’s reduction of 2 400 teaching posts in 2025 hit many schools hard, including Strand, which lost five posts. This placed extra pressure on the teaching timetable and ultimately meant that long-serving Head of Rugby and u19A coach, Kieron van der Merwe — now in his eighth year — had to take on more classroom duties.
Fortunately, non-teaching staff member Shaun Prins was able to absorb more coaching responsibilities during the transitional period. From 2026, Shaun will take over as Head of Rugby and u19A Head Coach, allowing Kieron — who oversaw standout seasons including the remarkable 2023 campaign that showcased SA u18 star Gino Cupido — to shift focus including coaching the u16As while ensuring continuity.
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