Josh Neill’s rise in green is another reminder that South Africa’s school system produces world-class talent for others as well as itself, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for the Sunday Times, Keohane says Ireland’s gain is South Africa’s loss after the former SA U18 loose forward delivered a Man of the Match performance for Ireland U20 against Italy in Cork.
Less than a year ago, SA Rugby magazine hailed Neill as a rising Western Province and SA Schools star.
However Neill, who matriculated at Rondebosch Boys’ High in 2025, made the call in Grade 11 that his rugby future would be in Ireland, qualifying through Irish grandparents.
The Stormers made every attempt to keep him in Cape Town. So did South African rugby. But this decision, as Keohane notes, “was bigger than rugby”.
Neill had already worn green and gold at U18 level in 2024 and 2025. His departure follows a familiar pattern across rugby and cricket, where South African school products increasingly pursue international futures elsewhere.
Rondebosch director of rugby Clinton van Rensburg described Ireland as having secured a gem, praising Neill’s leadership and explosiveness.
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History supports that view. Dion O’Cuinneagain captained both Ireland and the Springboks Sevens after schooling at Bosch and CJ Stander played 51 Tests for Ireland.
Both are now living back in South Africa.
‘I think we can go all the way – Player of the match Josh Neill says it was a special night in Cork as Ireland edge out Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations pic.twitter.com/fuAI9cb3fI
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) February 13, 2026
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