Lwazi Zangqa, SA Schools / u18 head coach to take the helm at St Alban’s

2025 has been nothing short of historic for South African rugby at all three international levels of the game. At the top level, the reining world champion Springboks, under the tactical genius of Dr Rassie Erasmus, claimed another Rugby Championship, cementing their status as world leaders once again.

At u20 level, Kevin Foote overcame a shaky start at the Rugby Championship on home soil to orchestrate a stunning turnaround at the World Rugby u20 Championship in Italy a few months later, guiding the Baby Boks to a dominant title and proving his flexibility and tactical brilliance as a coach.

The real fireworks came at u18 level. First-time national head coach Lwazi Zangqa, long tipped as a rising star in coaching, delivered a masterclass in domination. The schoolboys in Green and Gold hammered Ireland 45-5, France 43-21, and England 69-24 —the most one-sided victories against these strong rugby nations in the history of the u18 international series (average score: 52-17). Zangqa’s strategic acumen and leadership were on full display, announcing some of South Africa’s next generation of rugby stars in emphatic fashion.

Now, Zangqa—a Hudson Park Class of 2008 alumnus and current Co-Ed Director of Rugby and Director of Sport—is ready for his next challenge as Director of Rugby at St Alban’s College in Pretoria. The move not only allows him to shape rugby at one of Gauteng’s schools with the capability to improve but also positions him for potential opportunities with the Bulls or one of the province’s Varsity Cup teams, where his World Rugby IRB Level 3 credentials could shine on an even bigger stage.

St Alban’s has found their rugby leader, but Hudson Park will deeply feel the loss of Lwazi—his passion, commitment, and infectious personality make him impossible not to admire.