Five players to watch at the 2026 Fairtree Sport Festival
The Fairtree Sport Festival, hosted by Die Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria, is an exciting new platform for schoolboy rugby, creating opportunities for more players to showcase their talents on a big stage.
Follow all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
In previous years, the focus on the long weekend has mostly been on the ABSA Wildeklawer Sports Tournament in Kimberley.
Although Wildeklawer remains the premier gathering of South Africa’s top schools, other festivals, including the Standard Bank Grey High Festival, have broadened the reach of an overflowing talent pool. The new Fairtree Sport Festival takes place in the Jacaranda City on Saturday, 25 April, and Monday, 27 April.
As always, the team at SuperSport Schools Plus has taken on the challenging task of identifying five potential standouts.
The Five to Watch are:
Dylan Stumke (Die Hoërskool Menlopark)
In 2023, Dylan Stumke took social media by storm when, as a 16-year-old, he slotted a massive penalty from almost 60 metres. That sparked whispers of him becoming the next Francois Steyn. Since then, Stumke’s name has become widely recognised.
In 2025, he was one of only two players from Die Hoërskool Menlopark to represent the Blue Bulls at the Craven Week in Middelburg, despite being in Grade 11 only. Last year, the Parkies‘ midfielder was also included in the SA Rugby u17 Elite Player Development (EPD) programme.
On Friday evening, when Menlopark takes on Hoërskool Tygerberg, Stumke will return from an injury sustained against Paarl Gimnasium at the NMI Toyota Noord/Suid earlier this month. It’s a timely boost for the Pretoria school.
Stumke is a key figure in a dangerous backline, where he combines powerful carries with sharp vision, particularly alongside Jody Abrahams.
Kabelo Thloaele (Hoërskool Marais Viljoen)
The message to opponents of Kabelo Thloaele is simple: give him space at your peril.
An experienced member of the Marais Viljoen side, Thloaele was a standout performer in 2025, terrorising defences with his finishing ability on the wing. He has since transitioned to full-back, where his ruthless counter-attacking is his greatest weapon.
His combination of finishing instincts and attacking vision will make him a major threat against Hoërskool Merensky on Saturday and Dinamika on Monday.
Stephan Janse van Rensburg (Hoërskool Pietersburg)
Stephan Janse van Rensburg epitomises the modern-day prop. The captain of Hoërskool Pietersburg made a significant impact as a 17-year-old in 2025, asserting his authority in the front row.
His consistent dominance was rewarded with selection for the Limpopo Blue Bulls at the Craven Week in Middelburg, and, subsequently, a place at the SA Rugby EPD camp, where he joined the likes of Menlopark’s Stumke and Abrahams.
While his scrummaging forms the foundation of his game, his ball-carrying ability and uncompromising defence complete a formidable skill set, making him one to watch across both days in Pretoria.
Phillip Rykaart (Hoërskool Randburg)
If one is looking for a player with a relentless work rate and a massive engine, Phillip Rykaart is a name that pops up. A consistent performer since he emerged in 2025, he has since expanded his versatility.
Initially a lock, his ability to influence all areas of play has seen him evolve into a Pieter-Steph du Toit-type forward because he is equally effective on the flank.
He is renowned for his punishing tackles and powerful carries, which often require multiple defenders to bring him down.
If Rykaart asserts himself up front, Ligbron Akademie and Hoërskool Ben Vorster will face a tough challenge.
Hein Oelofse (Heidelberg Volkskool)
In a highly talented Heidelberg Volkskool side, Hein Oelofse stands out.
He’s the quintessential scrum-half – nuggety and alert to any opportunities to catch the opposition off guard. He’s playing for the Volkies‘ 1st XV for a second year and is a key figure in their backline.
His service from the base of the scrum, whether on the front foot or under pressure, remains consistently reliable, and he rarely delivers a poor performance.
Oelofse’s consistent form suggests he will be one of the key contributors to Heidelberg Volkskool‘s challenge when they face Bloemfontein’s Hoërskool Fichardtpark on Monday. He and his teammates will be eager to make a strong statement in Pretoria before they face Hoërskool Zwartkop in the final of the NWU Prestige Series a week later.
