COACHES 2026

SACS High is extremely fortunate to have a large number of keen rugby coaches on our staff. All of our teams have a master in charge, who is an academic teacher. Generally, they are assisted by an Old Boy or UCT Varsity Cup player.

Going into the 2026 season we are fortunate to have continuity across the board. The junior A-teams are headed up by the same masters as in 2025.

U14a – Ross Southgate and assistants in Danny Kessler (backs) and Michaelhouse Headboy 2024 Carlyle Hawkins (forwards). 

U15a – Mr Werner Botha and Kevin Kaba

U16a – Shaun Garbers and Rihaz Fredericks, with exciting addition being Stormers scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer as an additional assistant at U16 level.

In the U14 division Josh Strauss, who played an integral part in the U14A set-up in 2025, will take on more of a consulting role as his focus shifts towards the 1stXV forwards. 

At 1stXV level we are extremely excited to welcome Kofi Appiah on board as Head Coach for 2026. Kofi taught and coached at Rondebosch Boy’s High for five years. His time there included a stint as assistant coach for the 1stXV. He was then, and still is, a Western Province Grant Khomo assistant coach in charge of backline and attack. For the last few seasons he has also been an assistant coach for the UCT Young Guns. 

He will be assisted by Nick Maurer, who will remain the Teacher-in-Charge, of the 1stXV with a focus on coaching the defence. Josh Strauss, after a brief stint at the Bulls, will look after the forwards. Josh remains forwards coach for the UCT Varsity Cup team.

Mr Hummel and Mr Paconick will continue as 2nd and 3rd Team coaches with the same assistants, namely Gunner Hughes and Simo Gwala. We are excited to welcome two experienced schoolmasters, Nic Molyneux and Gerry Goedecke, to the senior division. 

After a superb season with the U16C-team in 2025, Mr Chris Jones and his assistants Devon Jearey and Jamie Ricketts, will move up the the U16B-team in 2026. Mr. Johann Klaasen will take over the U15B team, where he will be assisted by the very experienced Maxwell Bayoki. Mr Wepener will run the U14B-team in 2026.

All the squads are already hard at work preparing for the first matches of the season against Milnerton (away) on Friday 13 March.