Five to Watch: Rising Stars set to shine at 2025 Absa Wildeklawer
As South Africa’s schoolboy rugby fanatics ready themselves for the biggest schoolboy rugby tournament-arguably the largest of its kind in the world -the players from the country’s most prestigious rugby schools are beginning to feel the hype.
The highly anticipated Absa Wildeklawer kicks off on 30 April at Hoërskool Diamantveld in Kimberley.
Follow all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
As always, ahead of this colossal clash of the titans, the team at SuperSport Schools Plus has taken the plunge and nominated five players who could not only prove to be match-winners for their sides but also emerge as standout performers at the festival.
It’s important to note that players previously featured in our Five to Watch series will not be included again, as we’ve chosen to dive deeper into the rich well of talent within our schoolboy rugby structures.
That said, players like the formidable outside centres Markus Muller and Ethan Adams will undoubtedly remain massive attractions. Paul Roos Gimnasium‘s Gert Kemp will also be poised to make their presence known in the forward battles that are set to light up the Diamonds‘ home turf.
The Pretoria boys, Hoërskool Garsfontein’s Luan van den Berg, and the Wit Bul from Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies), flyhalf, Ruben Groenewald, will be key players for their respective sides, facing some imposing opposition.
Nevertheless, here are this weekend’s Five to Watch:
Zingce Simka – Durban High School
Having already donned the South African Schools A jersey in 2024, Zingce Simka has cemented his reputation as one of the most promising midfielders at schoolboy level. With fierce competition, especially in the midfield, there is no stage bigger than the Wildeklawer to make a push fot the mantle of the best in the midfield.
A powerful ball-carrier and defensive cornerstone, Simka will play a critical role for the KwaZulu-Natal outfit as they face off against Stellenberg‘s Jade Brigade and, more challengingly, against the powerhouse Paarl Gimnasium – as DHS tries to keep their unbeaten 2025 record intact.
Kai Pratt – Oakdale Landbou
Standing at 185 cm and tipping the scales at 115 kg, Oakdale Landbou‘s Kai Pratt will cut an imposing figure on the Kimberley turf.
Come scrum time, the hulking loosehead prop from the Bulle will be a tough man to shift. His clash with fellow powerhouse Luan van den Berg promises to be a standout duel when Oakdale faces Hoërskool Garsfontein on Thursday morning.
Yet, it’s Pratt’s tireless work rate – both with and without the ball – that truly elevates the Riversdal side in attack and defence.
Divan Pieters – Paarl Gimnasium
Divan Pieters, the unsung hero of Paarl Gimnasium’s backline, has been a consistent playmaker throughout the 2025 season.
Orchestrating attacks from the rear with aplomb, he has given Markus Muller and company the freedom to launch attacking forays from almost anywhere on the pitch.
His attacking prowess may go unnoticed by some spectators, but opposing defences will feel it acutely. With an uncanny ability to read the game and make high-pressure decisions appear effortless, Pieters is a silent assassin in Paarl Gim’s arsenal.
AJ Meyer – Grey College
After recently returning from injury, Grey College‘s South African Schools lock AJ Meyer has already made a major impact. Despite his side falling to Paarl Gim last week, Meyer’s presence in the physical exchanges, which brought him two tries, would have provided a massive boost to the coaches and supporters alike.
A force in the lineout and a relentless contributor in both attack and defence, Meyer brings the full package to Grey’s forward unit. Should he rally that pack effectively, Helpmekaar College could face a very long Thursday.
Tommy Muller – Paarl Boys’ High
The Paarl Boys’ High hooker has become a fixture in the famed striped jersey, seemingly never tiring. His relentless energy and high work rate have been essential to the success of the Boys’ High pack.
Muller is more than a presence in broken play. He is also a technician at set pieces. Often overlooked, lineout throwing is an art that Muller appears to have mastered, delivering pinpoint throws that allow his side to launch dangerous attacks from rugby’s most potent set piece.
