[imagesource:facebook/springboks]

You’d think one would see a trend emerging when it comes to which schools our Bokke attended, but the education histories of the players chosen to play for the 2023 Rugby World Cup are just as diverse as the squad itself.

There are only two schools amongst those attended by the Springboks that can boast more than one rugby star as alumni, and it’s no surprise that rugby-proud high schools like Paul Roos Gymnasium and Tygerberg have ‘old boys’ players on this year’s World Cup line-up.

It’s not the first time Paul Roos has beamed with pride over their matriculants going on to do big things in SA rugby. In 2019, the Stellenbosch school could say that they had a record-number of alumni playing in the national green ‘n’ gold.

Congratulations to Old Boys Willie le Roux, Schalk Brits, Herschel Jantjies and Steven Kitshoff who won the Rugby Championship with the Springboks on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/HRrkUp4W8P

— Paul Roos Gymnasium (@PaulRoos_Gym) August 12, 2019

As for the rest, here’s a full breakdown of who will be taking on which positions in this year’s international competition, as well as where our Bokke boys cut their teeth before going on to represent the country:

FORWARDS
Props: Steven Kitshoff (Paul Roos), Vincent Koch (Hugenote – Wellington), Frans Malherbe (Paarl Boys’ High), Ox Nche (Louis Botha), Trevor Nyakane (Ben Vorster)

Hookers: Bongi Mbonambi (St Alban’s College/Voortrekker), Malcolm Marx (King Edward VII)

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Tygerberg), Jean Kleyn (Linden), Marvin Orie (Tygerberg), RG Snyman (Affies)

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Swartland), Siya Kolisi (Grey High School), Kwagga Smith (HTS Middelburg), Marco van Staden (Bekker), Duane Vermeulen (Hoerskool Nelspruit), Jasper Wiese (Hoerskool Upington)

Utility forwards: Deon Fourie (Hoerskool Pietersburg), Franco Mostert (Brits)

BACKS
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Waterkloof), Jaden Hendrikse (Glenwood), Cobus Reinach (Grey College), Grant Williams (Paarl Gimnasium)

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Outeniqua), Damian Willemse (Paul Roos)

Centres: Damian de Allende (Milnerton), Andre Esterhuizen (Hoerskool Klerksdorp), Jesse Kriel (Maritzburg College)

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Paulus Joubert), Cheslin Kolbe (Brackenfell), Willie le Roux (Paul Roos), Makazole Mapimpi (Jim Mvabaza), Canan Moodie (Boland Landbou)

While high school was a while ago for a lot of these star players, it doesn’t stop our Bokke from showing big love to the institutions that helped them follow their dreams.

It’s touching to see big players like Damian De Allende, who will be playing a centre position for this World Cup, revisiting their old schools and showing respect to their first serious coaches.

Maybe little Gabriel De Allende is starting early in terms scouting out his future education and rugby involvement. Nevertheless, there’s a clear pride from SA schools that have Springbok alumni that we love to see.

Do you spot your own high school here? Let us know if you attended one of the many Bokke schools.

I’m dying to meet the poor student who had to sit behind Eben Etzebeth during maths class, whiteboard fully obscured by his hulking frame.

[sources:sapeople]