The search for South African schoolboy rugby royalty is officially underway as the public nomination window for the prestigious 2026 Ruggas Awards has opened. This is the ultimate opportunity for fans, schools, and communities to ensure their standout schoolboy rugby heroes receive the national recognition they deserve for an exceptional season.
If you want to back your players, coaches, or schools, you have a limited window to make your voice heard:
Nomination Window: Open from 02 September 2026 until 12 September 2026.
How to Nominate: Anyone in the rugby community can submit their candidates by emailing their choices directly to awards@ruggas.rugby within this timeframe.
Nominations Received up to 06/09/2026
Player of the Year
Achmat Behardien (Wynberg)
Ethan van Biljon (Stellenberg)
Hendré van Zyl (Paarl Gim)
Jacobus de Villiers (Oakdale)
Jaydon Viljoen (Monument)
Juvan Burden (Stellenberg)
Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College)
Morne Noble (Monnas)
Shudley Rhoda (Parel Vallei)
Thoma Saunders (Paarl Gimnasium)
Travis Pheiffer (Paul Roos Gymnasium)
Female Player of the Year
Alice Ncube (Kwa-Bhekilanga Secondary School)
Anothando Mbada (Motherwell High School)
Buncwane Komani (Bhongolethu Secondary School)
Endinalo Fihla (Usasazo High School)
Inga Jim (Curro Delft)
Jessie Schoeman (DF Malan)
Lene Joubert (Breinmeester Akademie)
Mia Kanka (Rusthof High School)
Naylha Jansen (George Secondary School)
Nommah Sandifolo (Bosmansdam High School)
Shanelia Heugh (Bellville Technical High School)
Sinelizwi Rasmeni (Zimasa Secondary School)
LSEN Player of the Year
Zaynodeen Bennie (Bergsig Special School)
Yusuf Hannibal (Jan Kriel)
Forward of the Year
Charl Els (Affies)
Corne Niemand (Paarl Gim)
Jacobus de Villiers (Oakdale)
Juvan Burden (Stellenberg)
Lwandile Mlaba (Westville)
Martin van Niekerk (Affies)
Nic Salamousas (Michaelhouse)
Niel du Randt (Grey College)
Reagan Blignaut (Zwartkop)
Stefan van der Vyver (Garsfontein)
Yanos Molnar (Stellenberg)
Backline Player of the Year
Achmat Behardien (Wynberg)
Drewyn Baron (Garsfontein)
Ethan van Biljon (Stellenberg)
Jaydon Viljoen (Monument)
Juan Dreyer (Hoërskool Pietersburg)
Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College)
Liam de Villiers (Paarl Boys' High)
Rhandzu Mkhabela (Nelspruit)
Ruan Genis (Monnas)
Shudley Rhoda (Parel Vallei)
Tiaan Basson (Paul Roos)
Thomas Saunders (Paarl Gim)
Travis Pheiffer (Paul Roos Gymnasium)
Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Year
Ethan van Biljon (Stellenberg)
Jacobus de Villiers (Oakdale)
Jaydon Viljoen (Monument)
Juvan Burden (Stellenberg)
Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College)
Stefan van der Vyver (Garsfontein)
Travis Pheiffer (Paul Roos Gymnasium)
Team of the Year (1st XV)
Affies
Garsfontein
Graeme College
Monnas
Parel Vallei
Rondebosch
Stellenberg
Paarl Gimnasium
Coach of the Year
Christiaan Gouws (Middelburg)
Clinton van Rensburg (Rondebosch)
Corstiaan Vermaak (Pietersburg)
Cobus van Dyk (Waterkloof)
Dawid Gouws (Zwartkop)
Divan Batt (Stellenberg)
Flash Malinga (Maritzburg College)
Jannie du Plessis (Monnas)
Jannie Geldenhuys (Grey College)
Jonty van der Meulen (Graeme College)
Lucas Roothman (Parel Vallei)
Lwazi Zangqa (St Albans)
MJ Mentz (Nelspruit)
Philip "Vlos" Molnar (Diamantveld)
Pieter Rossouw (Paarl Gimnasium)
Ruhan Jacobs (Affies)
Sylvester Booysen (Garsfontein)
School of the Year
Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies)
Durban High School
Grey College
Maritzburg College
Monnas
Parel Vallei High School
Paul Roos
Paarl Gymnasium
School of the Year (Most Improved)
Durban High School
Middelburg
Nelspruit
Parel Vallei
Pietersburg
Rustenburg
Zwartkop
Administrator of the Year
Duppie du Preez (Stellenberg)
Hendré Marnitz (Maritzburg College)
Morne Crous (Pietersburg)
Ruhan Jacobs (Affies)