Two young rugby talents from the Lowveld, Rhandzu Mkhabela and Aiden van Heerden, are blossoming bright and mighty and have been selected for two respective national squads.

Aiden, a Grade 10 learner of Hoërskool Rob Ferreira and a key member of their U16 team, was selected for the Afrikaner Volkseie Sport (AVS) National 7s Rugby U16 President’s Team. He represented Suid-Oos Transvaal during the 2025 AVS Summer Week held in Meyerton from October 7 to October 11.

The U16 President’s Team will tour Poland and the Czech Republic from November 30 to December 9. Aiden’s father, Neil, is immensely proud of his achievement. “I don’t think a father can be more proud of his son than I am of Aiden, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for him.”

A born-and-bred Lowvelder, Aiden grew up in White River and attended White River Primary. He picked up rugby early and played Bulletjie Rugby for the school from Grade One onward. He participated in hockey too, but now a fully-fledged Robbie, he focuses solely on rugby and athletics.

Having started out as a tall, lanky forward, Aiden now plays as centre in 15-man rugby and is part of the backline in 7s. Aiden’s hero is none other than South African rugby legend Danie Gerber. The Van Heerden family is currently raising funds for Aiden’s trip and Neil can be contacted on 076 722 4465 for further information.

Rhandzu is a Grade 10 learner of Hoërskool Nelspruit where he has played an important role in the school’s U16 outfit. He was already part of the 55-man U16 elite player development (EPD) squad that attended a camp in October, and has now been selected for the SA Rugby U17 EPD Squad that will attend a camp starting later this month.

Rhandzu will be one of 53 U17 rugby players from across the country to attend the EPD camp at Boland Landbou in Paarl from November 29 to December 6. He is the only Mpumalanga player selected for the camp.

Born and raised in Mbombela, Rhandzu attended Laerskool Bergland. Initially, he seemed more likely to be a soccer prodigy and was registered with a soccer academy, but at nine years old, he convinced his parents to let him switch to rugby instead.

Then, in Grade Seven, when time came to choose a high school, Rhandzu’s father, Thulani, wanted him to attend Rob Ferreira to develop his athletics. He was also not proficient in Afrikaans. “But Rhandzu wanted to attend NHS for his rugby, so we gave him six months to show that he could do his academics in Afrikaans, and he proved himself to us,” Thulani said.

Three years on, this decision has proved fruitful. A speedy and tricky winger on the rugby field, Rhandzu still does athletics and is a sprinter and hurdle runner. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is his rugby idol at the moment and Rhandzu is determined to walk in his footsteps.

“To us as a family we are humbled and grateful for God’s grace to him. We know that his selection will inspire other children to work hard and remain disciplined,” Thulani said. “We hope he will remain humble and be a good ambassador for our city and the province.”