Proven names for the Southern Suburbs coaching landscape in 2026

SACS have appointed Kofi Appiah (a Maritzburg College old boy) as their new U19A head coach. He joined from Rondebosch where he was an assistant coach and replaces the loyal Nick Maurer, who will remain on the staff in an assistant coaching role. Iconic former international player Josh Strauss, who spent time away from the Newlands-based school during the 2025 season while coaching and even turning out for the Bulls, returns to take up the role of forwards coach. Full-time coach Kofi represents a significant appointment for a school that will celebrate its 197th year in 2026 and is transitioning from teacher-coach to fulltime coach.

Sam Mofokeng has been confirmed as the permanent U19A head coach at Bishops. He was named interim coach of the “Platinum Blues” during the 2025 season, replacing Wes Chetty after the latter joined the WP junior rugby pathway as a full-time coach midway through the season. Interestingly Wes returns to school coaching as a consultant for his other alma mater Rondebosch. Sam is part of a dying breed – a teacher who also serves as head coach at a tier-one rugby school. Robbie Fleck has taken over as Director of Rugby and is quite possibly now one of the highest-paid rugby officials in South African schoolboy rugby. Well-known Tank Lanning and Norman Mukondiwa are the assistant coaches.

Following the departure of Jaco Zeeman, Rondebosch’s highly rated Director of Rugby, Clinton van Rensburg, is set to take charge of the first team. Former head coach Joel Carew remains in the mix, while Asisipho Malotana (Old Queenian) will also be on board. One of the many interesting high-profile arrivals is Charlie Post (defence), who was, among other roles, Director of Rugby at St Stithians and also worked at Wynberg in 2025.

Reigning Southern Suburbs champions Wynberg remain unchanged at the top. Old boy Justin van Winkel continues his excellent work as head coach. He will be assisted by the highly respected Gerry Posthumus, whom many will remember from his time running rugby at St Andrew’s until a few years ago. The other assistant coach is new arrival Dillon Frylinck (ex pro), who joins from the Bishops and replaces Chris de Klerk. Chris, like Charlie Post, is Bosch-bound, where he will coach their U15A side. The Director of Rugby at Wynberg is accomplished former professional scrumhalf Nic Groom, who, incidentally, is himself a Bosch old boy.