As the Springboks prepare for their highly anticipated Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks in Cape Town this Saturday, our eyes are on the local heroes who have risen from the Western Cape to represent South Africa on the world stage.
These hometown stars have not only captured the hearts of their community but have become key players in the nation’s pursuit of rugby glory.
Cape {town} Etc takes a closer look at the Western Cape talent set to shine in this weekend’s showdown.
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Frans Malherbe (3)
Despite being born in Bredasdorp, the team’s prop attended high school at Paarl Boys High, a school well-known for producing quality rugby players. Malherbe made his DHL Stormers debut in 2011 and has only risen in the ranks since.
Eben Etzebeth (4)
The 32-year-old Capetonian attended Tygerberg High School, located in Parow. The number four lock made his first test debut for the Springboks against England in 2012. Etzebeth was voted South African Young Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and has gone on to become a household name.
Pieter-Steph du Toit (7)
Also hailing from Cape Town, du Toit attended Swartland High School in Malmesbury. His breakout came during his final years at Stellenbosch University, where he was called up to the Junior Springbok team.
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Grant Williams (9)
The Sharks player was born in Paarl and attended Paarl Gimnasium. The 28-year-old Williams has been described as ‘a typically busy halfback, with a lethal turn of pace.’
Handre Pollard (10)
Though Somerset West is his home town, Pollard is also a Paarl Gimnasium alumni, where he was selected for South Africa schoolboys in 2012. He made his debut for the Springboks during the Scotland test match in 2014 and has since been a proud member of the team.
Cheslin Kolbe (11)
Kolbe currently plays for Tokyo Sungoliath in the Japan Rugby League One as well as the South African national team. The 30-year-old outside back was born in Kraaifontein and received his secondary education at Brackenfell High School. Kolbe was called up to the South African national team in 2018 for the Rugby Championship.
Damian de Allende (12)
The 32-year-old Capetonian attended Milnerton High School, where he originally played cricket. Damian eventually shifted focus to rugby training and began to work his way up the WP ranks, going on to become part of the national team.
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Canan Moodie (14)
The 22-year-old Bulls player was born and bred Paarl, where he attended Boland Landbou High School. Despite being one of the youngest players on the national team, Moodie has proved that he can hold his own with the rugby giants.
Willem le Roux (15)
Le Roux, currently 35-years-old, is originally from Strand. He attended Paul Roos Gimnasium High School in Stellenbosch. When commenting on ‘Willie,’ the Boksquad claimed, ‘whether you love him or hate him, Le Roux is a crucial component in the Springbok’s evolution.’
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (22)
The 22-year-old Stormers star, described as ‘the Springbok’s latest prodigy’ also hails from the Mother City. Sacha attended Bishops Diocesan College in Rondebosch and this is where he began his rugby journey. UltimateRugby has claimed that ‘he is poised to have a promising rugby career ahead as a key member of the Stormers and Western Province.’
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Picture: Gallo Images / Gallo Images
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