Sports
Queens College’s Kepe to face France, Ireland and England
Queens College High School has another Springbok in the making.
Ncutu Kepe has been named in the SA U18 squad for the 2026 International Series in the Western Cape, and this week he will pull on the Green and Gold to face France, Ireland and England.
“Safe travels and the very best of luck to Ncutu Kepe, who is on his way to Cape Town to represent the South African U18 Team,” Queens College posted on Facebook. “We’re incredibly proud of you, Ncutu. Wear the Green and Gold with the same passion and pride you’ve shown for Queen’s Green & Gold!”
Kepe is one of 10 players returning to the SA U18 setup from last year. He lines up alongside the country’s top schoolboy talent under head coach Lwazi Zanqa, with Heinrich Martin as assistant and Clinton van Rensburg as defence coach.
The SA U18 and SA U18 ‘A’ squads were announced this week for the annual tournament that runs from 7 to 15 August in and around Cape Town. It’s a key part of SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development pathway, and a proven stepping stone to junior and senior representative rugby.
The challenge ahead:
The Border centre will get his first test on Friday, 7 August at Hoërskool Durbanville when SA U18 take on France at 15h30. Round 2 sees them face Ireland on Tuesday, 11 August at Boland Landbou, 15h30.
The series wraps up with a blockbuster against England on Saturday, 15 August at Stellenberg High School, 15h30.
The SA U18 ‘A’ side, coached by Flash Malinga and Cobus van Dyk, will also be in action, playing Ireland, Georgia and France on the same days. Other nations in the tournament are England, Ireland, France and Georgia.
Kepe’s selection is a huge boost for rugby in the Chris Hani region. Queens said his call-up is “an outstanding achievement and a testament to his hard work, talent and dedication.”
“Go well, Ncutu – the entire Queen’s community is behind you,” the school added.
He joins a proud list of Border representatives at this level, and will hope to follow the path of those who used the U18 series as a launchpad to Junior Boks and beyond.
