The four rugby franchises are expected to downsize their expensive junior structures due to financial constraints and SA Rugby's cut of junior competitions. SA Rugby is currently re-evaluating its junior rugby competitions and is expected to only host a U20 Rugby Championship in 2026, as opposed to a U19 and U21 SA Rugby competitions.
SA Rugby and its member unions are currently exploring changes to the men’s age-group provincial competitions, following a thorough review of the current structure. Details will be confirmed in due course according to SA Rugby.
Last year, the Hollywoodbets Sharks (SA Rugby U21 Cup), Border Bulldogs (SA Rugby U21 Shield) and Vodacom Bulls (SA Rugby U19 Cup) won their respective age-group competitions.
This change in attitude by SA Rugby and the costs involved in developing a big squad with only one competition for the juniors planned, will see the Franchises early identifying players that “will” make it to the top and rather spend their money on those players.
It is expected that the number of U19 players contracted by the unions, previously 20 to 40, will be dramatically reduced in the future. The franchises will rely on local universities and club players to participate in future SA Rugby junior competitions.
In Cape Town, the Stormers have in recent years contracted the minimum junior players; however, they have relaunched the Stormers Rugby Institute (formerly the Western Province Rugby Institute), officially on Monday, 2 February 2026, which is a clear indication of what is also to come at the other franchises.
The relaunch was made possible by the stabilised financial position of Stormers Rugby following significant investment from Red Disa Investments.
The institute is overseen by experienced coach Jacques Hanekom, who previously ran the successful Western Province programme that produced numerous Springboks.
The academy is based at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS), and it operates as a non-commercial, world-class bridge between junior schoolboy rugby and the professional senior game. Players do not pay to join; instead, the Stormers target and recruit exceptional local talent to develop them for the senior squad.
The 2026 intake Stormers are Gert Kemp (Paul Roos Gymnasium, loose forward), Jordan Steenkamp (Paul Roos, wing), Jayden Brits (Boland Landbou, scrumhalf), Jordan Jooste (Boishaai, prop), Altus Rabe (Paul Roos, hooker), AJ Meyer (Grey College, lock), Markus Muller (Paarl Gymnasium, centre), Joseph Udo-Idung (DHS, prop), Matt van der Merwe (Rondebosch Boys, prop), Randall-John Davids (Rondebosch Boys, centre) and Quintin Potgieter (Paarl Gymnasium, loose forward).