South Africa has a good reputation in rugby sport and one of the best countries that produces some of the greatest rugby players in the world. Players like Wynand Olivier, Beast Mtawarira, Bryan Habana, Hanyani Shimange, and many others first honed their skills at one of South Africa’s top rugby schools.
Top 10 best rugby schools in South Africa
- Grey College
- Paarl Boys
- Paul Roos Gymnasium
- Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool
- maritzburg college
- Grey High School
- Glenwood High School
- Michaelhouse
- Kearsney College
- Rondebosch Boys’ High School
1. Grey College
Grey College is an English and Afrikaans medium school located in Bloemfontein, Free State, and is widely regarded as the best in South Africa, having a good history of rugby. Many famous Springbok players have come from Grey College, including Andre Joubert, Os du Randt, and Francois Steyn.
About Grey College
Founder: George Grey
Founded: 13 October 1855
Motto: NIHIL STABILE QUOD INFIDUM
Colors: White, Gold
School fees: R39 840
Boarding; R35 060 (tuition)
Headmaster: Jurie Geldenhuis (Primary School)
2. Paarl Boys’ High School
Paarl Boys’ High School is also an Afrikaans and English school, one of the most prestigious schools in Cape Town, South Africa, and has a strong rugby tradition. The school’s first team has won numerous national titles, and many famous Springbok players have also come from Paarl Boys’ High, including Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger the South African legends.
Paarl Boys’ High School Contact Details:
Tel:(021) 872 2875 / (021) 872 3668
Postal Address: PO BOX 11, Paarl, 7622
Street Address: Auretstraat, Paarl, 7646
3. Paul Roos Gymnasium
Paul Roos Gymnasium is located at Stellenbosch, one of the oldest rugby schools in South Africa. The school’s first team has won numerous national titles, and many famous Springbok players have come from Paul Roos Gymnasium, including Bryan Habana and Morné Steyn.
Founded: 8 January 1866, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Colors: White, Maroon, Gold
Motto: Semper Splendidior
Sister school: Bloemhof High School; Rhenish Girls’ High School
Nickname: The Roos; The Maroon Machine; PRG
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4. Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies)
Affies is located in Pretoria and have a strong rugby tradition. Many famous Springbok players have also come from this school, including Fourie du Preez and Pierre Spies. Affies have a good track record of bringing up talented rugby players and also offer other sport games in its department.
Motto: Laat daar lig wees
Mascot: Wit Bul – Only for rugby
Colors: White, Red, Yellow, Green
Founded: 28 January 1920
School fees: R49 185-00 for boarding
Tuition; R49 800-00
Headmaster: Peregrine Joynt
Houses: Koedoe; Hartebees; Koshuis; Dorp (Combination of Koedoe and Hartebees)(Also known as Dailies)
5. Maritzburg College
Maritzburg College in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, the school’s first team has won numerous national titles. Many famous Springbok players have come from Maritzburg College, including Butch James and Bismarck du Plessis.
Maritzburg College school fees for 2023, excluding the acceptance deposit
Tuition: Grade 8 (Form 2) Day Scholars, including the differential rate, is R65 700
Tuition: Grade 9-12 (Form 3-6) Day Scholars is R61 400. Visit the official site for more information.
Maritzburg college contact Information
Postal Address: PO Box 398, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 | School Office Fax: 033 394 2908 | Finance Office Fax: 033 394 2559.
6. Glenwood High School
Glenwood High School was founded in 1910 located in Durban and has a strong rugby tradition, the school’s first team has also won many national titles. Many famous Springbok players have come from Glenwood High, including Butch James and Tendai Mtawarira.
Glenwood High School Contact Info
Tel: +27 31 2055241
Fax: +27 31 2055241
www.glenwoodhighschool.co.za
1 Z K Mathews Rd, Glenwood, Durban
7. Grey High School
Grey High School in Port Elizabeth has a proud rugby tradition, and the school’s first team has won numerous national titles. Many famous Springbok players have come from Grey High, including Robbi Kempson and Schalk Ferreira.
About Grey High School
Founded: 4 June 1856
Colors: White, Blue
Founders: George Grey, John Paterson
Tuition: R71,640 (boarding); R59,520 (tuition)
Number of students: 870 boys
Nickname: The Gray
8. Michaelhouse
Michaelhouse in Balgowan has a strong rugby tradition, and the school’s first team has won numerous national titles. Many famous Springbok players have come from Michaelhouse, including Butch James and Ryan Kankowski.
About Michaelhouse
Founded: 1896
School types: Boarding school, Private school
Rector: Antony Clark
Number of students: 615 boys
9. Kearsney College
Kearsney College is located in Durban and has a proud rugby tradition, with many famous Springbok players who have come from Kearsney College, including John Smit and Pat Lambie. They also offers scholarships to students who have achieved extraordinary performance as a student.
About Kearsney College
Founder: Liege Hulett
Founded: 1921
Colors: White, Blue, Maroon
Motto: Carpe Diem
Mascot: Greyhound
School fees: R 259 000 p.a. (boarding) 2019; R 178 640 p.a. (tuition)
10. Rondebosch Boys’ High School
Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town has a strong rugby tradition, and the school’s first team has won numerous national titles. Many famous Springbok players have come from Rondebosch Boys’ High, including Bob Skinstad and Breyton Paulse.
About Rondebosch Boys’ High School
Founded: 2 February 1897
Colors: White, Blue, Gold
Motto: Altius et Latius
Headmaster: Shaun Simpson
School fees: R61 500-00 (tuition); R56 000-00 (boarding)
Campus: Urban Campus
Top five Greatest Rugby Schools in the World
Grey College has always been voted as one of the best rugby schools in the world “number one rugby podcast in the United Kingdom”.
1. Grey College (South Africa)
2. St Joseph’s (Australia)
3. Black Rock College (Ireland)
4. Christchurch Boys’ (New Zealand)
5. Paul Roos (South Africa)