KwaZulu-Natal enter the 2026 season boasting not one, not two, but three exceptionally talented SA EPD-accredited No.8s in the form of Zander Muller (Hilton), Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Kearsney) and Jamie Wimble (Northwood). It promises to be one of the most compelling positional duels in the country.
Wimble appears to be the real deal – the sort of player union recruiters get genuinely excited about and back with conviction. He looks like a bona fide long-term prospect who could well progress all the way to senior level. He has size, pace and power, coupled with a sharp rugby brain that sets him apart.
Muller, meanwhile, is a strong, balanced ball-carrier who could offer Hilton something akin to the “Thomas Dyer 2022 effect”. That season, Dyer was off the charts and deservedly earned SA Schools honours. With a strong campaign behind him, Muller could enhance his own chances of donning green and gold later this year – even if it is not necessarily at No.8.
Before the emergence of the outstanding specialist opensider Paul de Villiers at senior level, one might have questioned whether the explosive Ndlovu had the size for post-school rugby in the back row. At school level, however, Ndlovu is dynamite. He is relentless with and without the ball, consistently producing moments of impact that shift momentum.
Collectively, the trio are set to be hugely influential and should provide plenty of memorable moments for their respective supporters.
National Heavyweights Await
On the national stage, though, the competition is fierce. Jacobus de Villiers of Oakdale is red-hot property. A superb talent from a school that also produced CJ Stander, he has the pedigree and performances to match the hype.
Hendre van Zyl of Paarl Gim defines X-factor, boasting a top-notch skillset and a game-breaking presence. Along with the Oakdale bruiser, he is expected to be among the leading contenders for SA U18 honours this year.
Looking slightly ahead, next year’s prospects are already positioning themselves. Grey College U17 Neil du Randt is a name to remember, while Helpmekaar’s decision to favour Ruan Bester ahead of the highly rated Lleywellen Vermaak is a bold call that signals serious belief in Bester’s potential.
Another 2027 prospect is Caleb Pretorius of Affies, although he is likely to ply his trade at flank this season, with senior Janno Geyser set to don the Witbul No.8 jersey.
Others worth keeping tabs on include Mihle Dyakala (Jeppe), Lourenz de Jager (Garsfontein), Armand van Eck (Noordheuwel) and Ryno van der Westhuizen (Monument).
If early indicators are anything to go by, the battle for No.8 – both within KZN and nationally – could be one of the defining narratives of the 2026 schoolboy season.
@Grasshopper (Comment #12)
They hardly get any Dphs boys they all end up at Hilton or Kearsney…. Not sure where you get that from…. and what stars are still at Gwd prep?? Dhs feeder is Penzance and other than that they go out of province… Thats a fact not hearsay.
@Skywalker (Comment #13)
Great question, I would also be intrigued to see who they are playing. I see on the KZN fixture list they are only playing St Charles and Glenwood. The rest I assume must be festivals, inter-provincial games or smaller KZN teams?
Grasshopper mentioned Clifton. Who is Clifton even playing this year? NW have not played them in a while. Any views on their rugby programme?
There was some excitment about their 2024 u14A team, who beat Westville, Northwood, Kearsney, St Charles, and lost by 2 points to MBCollege. I believe they lost some of those players to other schools, but that team will be u16A this year. Is there any hope still in that group?
@ForeverHorseFly (Comment #7)
That is positive news, DHS will wipe us out having now fully tapped DPHS & Glenwood Prep stars, but that’s fine. That’s how it used to be, South Durban kids having never played rugby before vs kids who had. By matric we caught up. It was so funny getting selected for positions like a ‘combine’, fast kids wings, tall kids locks & loose forwards, chubby kids props. The animosity must be put to bed for the kids sake. Nothing better than a Durban derby….Horseflies vs Hoppers….Jimolayo Ji, School, school, school!
@beet (Comment #9)
Rosco is special, dare I say it, maybe better than Jaco Williams was. I still think Morne Joubert was our best back of this century. But one player can’t do it without a team. Having lost a prominent forward to House will be hard. I don’t know a huge amount about the team & depth but I do know they will all play hard for the special green jersey. We were always the underdogs in the 90s when I was there but always produced a shock or two, I expect that again. Realistically 6th or 7th in KZN, top 50 in SA, ideally top 40.
@Garsieoldboy (Comment #8)
I dont know too much about them TBH, but I do worry they will be lacking some size in the pack. 2024 and 2025 they had a good pack of forwards which they used well, and then to release some exciting backs – which led to 2 great seasons overall. I think most of the pack matriculated last year so not sure there is the same strength there in 2026? Jamie Wimble at 8 is a standout, but can’t do it alone. About 2-3 returning players in the backline I would think, but not sure who will play a pivotal position like flyhalf. So a bit of an unknown this year. Will be interesting to see. I see we play Garsfontein at Wildeklawer. Big ask! I think our 2024 team would have been up for a game, but I think this team is a lot younger and maybe smaller which could impact, especially if injuries occur.
@Grasshopper (Comment #4)
completely forgot to mention the Green Machine.
Interestingly I think they have the highest profile player in the province. Everyone has known the name Rosco Williams (and not just in KZN either) for the last 4 or so years. Now its time to see if he come fulfil the promise and deliver on the 1st XV stage
@Skywalker (Comment #6)
How’s the NW team shaping up this year?
@Grasshopper (Comment #4)
I see DHS u14A and u15A are playing Glenwood at the Glenwood festival this year, seems the tide is finally turning and this might be the beginning of the full fixture finally returning.
@Grasshopper (Comment #4)
Glenwood competed last year. How’s the mix this year in the team? Who do you see at top 4?
1. DHS
2. WESTVILLE
….
@beet (Comment #3)
Dhs will be the team to beat this year… Have a look at how many boys represented the Academy week last year… Majority of that side was Dhs and thats not even including the u16 from last year…. Kearsney still a young team but they will be much better than last year that’s for sure.. House very young side but have a very good u16 age group coming through.. College will be back to there best… Glenwood 2 injuries away from disaster… I Go back to my opening statement Dhs will be the team to beat this year..
@beet (Comment #3)
And the Hoppers written off, just how we like it. Genuinely though, Hoppers looking for a solid 5th in KZN. Clifton, who knows? Unfortunately Glenwood not playing DHS or House now it seems means we can’t get a round robin view…
@ForeverHorseFly (Comment #2)
I think DHS with their amazing depth head into the season as KZN favourites but they may not be untouchable. This weekend’s MHS vs SCC has an early feel of the woodenspoon battle but both are under new coaching influence to an extent with Marco and Craig having the reins, so maybe there will be something extra in their form. The chasing pack so hard to decide. Ville are expected to have at least two prominent u19s to bolster their squad, these older boys tend to be big difference makers. KC have two good age groups and made very good progress under Bashy last season. HC should be able to hold their own. MC some nice players who could gel and produce something worthwhile. NW normally an enigma but generally big, physical and understand their strengths well.
@Beet Any thoughts on what the KZN teams look like this year and who might come up on top?
The bits I saw of James Wimble play last year he looked like a tough and direct type of runner. Getting the Craven Week nod as a Grade 11m to even start a game or two also says a lot. Not sure how the pack will be for NW this year though? Any views? I dont anything really about the u16 players coming up. I think the 2 big locks from 2025 have matriculated and not sure of the flanks. Not sure who has come through but size is key in a pack nowadays, especially coming up against DHS, Westville etc. Hope he has some ball carriers around him as well. I wish him well for the season.