Five to Watch: Rising stars set to shine at KES Easter Festival
Like any other prestigious rugby tournament in South Africa, the 21st King Edward VII Easter Festival will see a wealth of talent descend upon the “Home of the Reds”.
Follow all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Having a host of top schools in attendance makes it a challenge to select only five players to watch over the two days.
Nevertheless, SuperSport Schools Plus has identified five potential standouts at this year’s KES Easter Festival, featuring two forwards and three backs.
The five to watch are:
Josh Neill – Rondebosch Boys’ High School:
Arguably leading the pack of packs, Neill will play a crucial role in the Bosch boys’ two fixtures – against King Edward VII in the main match on day one, and Queen’s College the following day. The blindside flanker firmly established himself as one of the premier loose forwards in South African schoolboy rugby last year.
In 2024, he was selected for the SA Schools side following a stellar season. This year is no different. His attacking prowess and ability to read the game two phases ahead make him stand out once again, as he regularly tears through defences with powerful surges. Moreover, his lineout work has been instrumental in providing Bosch with a solid attacking platform.
Lohan Potgieter – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool:
Potgieter is another player poised to light up the “Home of the Reds”. Operating at openside flanker, Potgieter has been a menace to opposing teams throughout the 2025 season. His relentless energy on both attack and defence ignites the rest of his forward pack – as was evident in the Wit Bulle’s recent encounters with Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Gimnasium.
On attack, he consistently beats the first defender and, although he may be smaller in stature than some of his peers, his tenacity in contact is reminiscent of Kwagga Smith and Jaco Kriel.
Jeandré Uithaler – Hoërskool Noordheuwel:
Uithaler has certainly been outstanding for the Light Blues throughout 2024 and into 2025. However, he truly announced himself with a commanding performance in Noordheuwel’s narrow defeat to Grey College at the recent North/South tournament in Stellenbosch.
His shift from fullback to flyhalf has elevated his game immensely. Uithaler’s pace and shrewd decision-making play a pivotal role in getting the Krugersdorp side’s backline moving forward. In addition, his nifty footwork enables him to exploit the tightest of spaces.
Bongani Khumalo – Northwood:
Wearing the No. 13 jersey for Northwood, Khumalo poses a serious threat in the famous block jersey. The outside centre adds firepower to an already explosive Northwood back division. His aggressive running and astute lines make him a nightmare for opposition defences.
In addition to his attacking ability, Khumalo is rock-solid on defence, offering vital cover against the likes of KES’s dynamic backline and the pace of Pearson’s outside backs.
Lindelani Khambule – Jeppe High School for Boys:
Despite his team’s heavy defeats of late, Khambule has been a standout performer and is another No. 13 to watch closely. He embodies Jeppe’s renowned never-say-die spirit, as shown in their fixtures against Grey College in Stellenbosch and Hoërskool Monument on the Collard Field.
Like Khumalo, Khambule is a deadly weapon on the attack. His explosive pace from a standing start frequently catches defenders off guard. His attacking arsenal includes a lethal hand-off, which enables him to break the line and often finish with a try for the men in black and white stripes.
Do keep an eye out for the above-mentioned five players, although they are far from the only ones worth watching. As previously mentioned, when top schools come together, so too does the very best in schoolboy rugby talent.
