PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 12: Ethan van Biljon of South Africa A during the U18 International Series match between South Africa A and Georgia at Boland Landbou on August 12, 2025 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Three of South Africa’s most exciting schoolboy flyhalves have already been snapped up by the country’s top unions.
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 12: Ethan van Biljon of South Africa A during the U18 International Series match between South Africa A and Georgia at Boland Landbou on August 12, 2025 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
According to reports, the Bulls have secured two standout prospects in Jaydon Viljoen and Travis Pfeiffer – underlining a fierce race for next-generation talent.
Viljoen, from Hoërskool Monument, recently grabbed headlines with a monster near-60m drop goal against Grey College, showcasing the kind of range that has set him apart this season. Pfeiffer, the playmaking star from Paul Roos Gymnasium, joins him in Pretoria as another highly-rated No 10.
Meanwhile, the Stormers have landed Ethan van Biljon from Hoërskool Stellenberg. The SA Schools representative is widely regarded as one of the standout names in schoolboy rugby this year, having already attracted interest from clubs in Japan and Europe, as well as other local unions.
The trio’s performances have not only excited fans but also caught the attention of top-level coaches. Vlok Cilliers, currently France’s kicking coach, has been particularly impressed by the kicking ability of Viljoen and Van Biljon.
Viljoen’s booming boot has already drawn comparisons to former Springboks Johan Goosen and Frans Steyn during their school days — both of whom made their names with long-range kicks on Grey College’s fields.
The visitors held the Stormers to 7-7 at half-time at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night and briefly led 14-12, before the home side pulled away in the final quarter to win 33-14.
“We were a bit impatient,” Dobson said, lamenting a number of entries into the opposition 22 followed by wrong option-taking. The coach highlighted the fact that his side ranked second for entries into the opposition 22, but 13th for their conversion rate, “which is a massive discrepancy”.
