12 November 2026
Talent scouts from SA Rugby have identified Paul Roos Gymnasium as the overwhelming favourite to be crowned the top 1st XV in South Africa next year. The Stellenbosch powerhouse boasts an exceptional concentration of nationally recognised players across both the under-17 and under-16 age groups.
Up front, the under-17 contingent is expected to dominate the set-pieces and physical exchanges. Meanwhile, an exciting group of younger players is poised to take centre stage in the backline.
The forward pack will be anchored by a trio of current U17 Elite Player Development (EPD) selections. Prop Thomas Meyer and lock James Swart bring essential size and technical ability to the tight five.
In the loose forwards, Werner de Bruin adds significant pedigree to the squad. De Bruin holds dual honours as both a U17 EPD player and an SA U17 Sevens representative.
Behind the scrum, Paul Roos will blend experienced under-17 campaigners with a highly rated crop of under-16 EPD graduates. At halfback, U17 EPD scrumhalf Tristan Armitage provides a steady hand, while U16 EPD talent James Holm offers strong competition in the same position.
U16 EPD flyhalf King-Carter Stoffels is set to direct play from pivot. Outside him, the midfield features U17 EPD and SA U17 Sevens representative Albert Nel alongside U16 EPD centres Dominique Brandt and JP Immelman.
In the back three, U17 EPD outside back Cayden Samuels will be joined by U16 EPD selection Geshem Pietersen, giving the coaching staff ample pace out wide.
Beyond the eleven players already on SA Rugby's official radar, the overall depth at Paul Roos Gymnasium remains staggering. Several boys are waiting in the wings at the school to prove that they were overlooked by the EPD selectors.
This internal competition for jerseys ensures that standards at training remain high heading into the 2027 pre-season.
Paul Roos Gymnasium 2027 EPD Watchlist
* U17 Representatives: Thomas Meyer (Prop, U17 EPD), James Swart (Lock, U17 EPD), Werner de Bruin (Loose forward, U17 EPD & SA U17 7s), Tristan Armitage (Scrumhalf, U17 EPD), Albert Nel (Centre, U17 EPD & SA U17 7s), Cayden Samuels (Outside back, U17 EPD).
* U16 Representatives: King-Carter Stoffels (Flyhalf, U16 EPD), James Holm (Scrumhalf, U16 EPD), Dominique Brandt (Centre, U16 EPD), JP Immelman (Centre, U16 EPD), Geshem Pietersen (Outside back, U16 EPD).