Some schoolboy rugby standouts never manage to push on to bigger and better things, and others are poached right out of high school by overseas clubs waving around serious cash.

We may lose an alarming amount of talent in the gap between high school and professional rugby (we’re not alone on that front), but you’ll be hard-pressed to find schoolboy rugby played at a higher level anywhere in the world.

One man who knows that better than many is former professional referee Jonathan Kaplan, who spent a good 36 years taking charge of schoolboy matches.

In an article for Rugby Rocks, Kaplan picked an XV chosen from the best schoolboy players he reffed, with many familiar names featuring.

Before we dive in, Kaplan did offer this disclaimer:

The team is slanted in favour of the Western Cape schools as that is where I have done most of my games. I don’t have a player from Boland Landbou in my team, but for me, they are the most impressive South African rugby school. They have so few pupils yet regularly turn out the toughest teenagers en masse.

It’s a pity I couldn’t have refereed a wider selection of schools over a bigger area, including some of the smaller schools, but I only have limited time and I’ve done what I could.

In other words, cut the man some slack if your favourite laaitie didn’t make it.

Let’s run through the XV:

15. Willie le Roux (Paul Roos) 

14. James Small (Greenside)

13. Paul Jordaan (Grey Bloem) 

12. Jan Serfontein (Grey Bloem) 

11. Dillyn Leyds (Bishops)

10. Johan Goosen (Grey Bloem) & Handré Pollard (Paarl Gim)

Featured in the same article is the famous video of Goosen’s 36-point demolition of Paul Roos back in 2010:

Sadly, with Goosen, we are left to wonder what might have been.

9. Herschel Jantjies (Paul Roos) 

I’m pretty sure Herschel’s old coach won’t be surprised by Kaplan picking him at scrumhalf.

8. Bob Skinstad (Hilton) 

7. Schalk Burger (Paarl Gim)

6. Siya Kolisi (Grey PE) 

We know that Siya enjoyed his days at Grey PE, and it certainly told with his performances on the field.

5. Andries Bekker (Paul Roos)

4. Marvin Orie (Tygerberg)

3. Frans Malherbe (Paarl Boys’ High) 

2. Ashley Johnson (Paarl Gim) 

1. Thomas du Toit (Paarl Boys’ High) 

To lead the team, Kaplan picked Jake White (Jeppe) as coach.

Here’s Rugby Rocks’ video feature with Kaplan, where he touches on some of the most memorable clashes he officiated:

A reminder that you can watch live broadcasts, as well as highlights from various school sports matches, on School Sports Live.

[source:rugbyrocks]