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England pair crowned the two best global schoolboy rugby prospects in 2024

By Ben Smith
Junior Kpoku celebrates an England U20s try versus Ireland. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

England U20 pair Jack Bracken and Junior K’poku have been named the top two U18 prospects in the world in 2024 schoolboy rugby.

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The top 50 rankings published by NG rugby, feature 13 Australians, 12 New Zealanders, nine English, nine South Africans, three Frenchmen, two Japanese, and two Welshmen.

Bracken, the number two ranked prospect, is the son of former England scrumhalf Kyran who had 51 caps for his country and over 100 games for Saracens. The electric winger scored a hat-trick on debut for England U20 in this year’s tournament.

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The number one ranked player, lock Junior K’poku is Paris-based having joined Racing 92 and has already representing the club at top level, as well as Exeter Chiefs previously.

The exceptional talent weighs in at 117kgs and is just shy of 6ft 7. Speaking with RugbyPass earlier this year, K’poku explained two of his brothers play in France, one with Lyon and one with Bourgoin.

@rugbypass Junior Kpoku has been on 🔥 this #WorldRugbyU20s #rugby ? original sound – RugbyPass

Both 18-year-olds have just became World U20 Champions in South Africa as England U20 claimed the crown over France U20 in the final. Both could feature yet in the years to come at this level.

The third ranked prospect is Australian flyhalf Joey Walsh, who is a Waratahs age grade product from St Augustine’s school.

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Unfortunately for Rugby Australia, the ‘special’ talent has committed to the Manly Sea Eagles from 2025 and will follow the NRL pathway following school.

The top ranked South African player came in at number four, lock Alzeadon Felix of Grey College, while South African schoolboy midfielder and Grey College teammate Pieter Van der Merwe was named at number six.

The highest ranked New Zealand player is Hamilton Boys High School midfielder Hiraka Waitai-Hiranga, ranked eighth overall.

Waitai-Hiranga starred at the World Schools Festival in Thailand three seasons ago in 2022 when Hamilton Boys were crowned winners.

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The second five-eighth is also heading down the rugby league pathway with the New Zealand Warriors who have named him as a signing to their SG Ball U19 squad.

The next best New Zealander is also a No 12, Jarrel Tuiamalo-Vaega of Kelston Boys, who just missed the top 10 coming in at number 11.

The full list of the top 50 U18 prospects in the world is available here.

 

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Comments

15 Comments
A
AF 44 days ago

Hey Benny BS,

“lock Alzeadon Felix of Grey College”? Really?

He’s a flyhalf, you nutjob.

R
RW 44 days ago

Doesn’t matter what they change if they still employ Bin Smut.

B
Bull Shark 44 days ago

And I’m back to one comment in my history.

Damn.

B
Bull Shark 44 days ago

Oh no. I lost my Bull Shark avatar. With this new password thing.

I see the poor user experience has extended from the quality of journalism (eg this article) to the Rugbypass platform.

I should have read the terms and conditions. I’m probably not going to be allowed to call anyone a Kant anymore.

D
DH 45 days ago

Oh Ben, you only had one job to do here. It was to accurately report on someone else's news and you couldn't even do that properly.

L
Lewis 45 days ago

Hello Guys, great article

E
Edward 45 days ago

Ben Smith, hack of a journalist again.

Alzeadon Felix is a flyhalf.

Photo of Sodeke

R
Robbie 45 days ago

England desperately need to ensure that all the U20 Championship team have a real pathway into the English profession game.

B
Blair 45 days ago

For those people questioning why NZ/Australia are pushing so hard to speed the game up and change the rules to improve the spectacle it’s for this exact reason.
Rugby league is winning in the battle of sports down under, and sadly top talent from both countries is now more likely to funnel into the NRL than rugby union.
Short term I’m sure other countries will rejoice in a new global order but long term this is terrible for the game of union that we all love

D
Dan 45 days ago

Scotland are already eyeing up the top ranked South Africans.

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Assistant coach’s warning for Springboks as All Blacks look to bounce back

I think the set pieces are going to be even stevens. The boks will be much better on their lineouts. Tamaiti Williams got pumped in the first half by Malherbe and the ABs were very lucky not to have conceded more scrum penalties. So one would expect them to have worked on that. As well as penalty count and discipline.


The weather in Cape Town looks fine albeit a bit gusty. Shouldn’t be as high a high scoring game so taking and slotting high pressure penalties is going to be on the cards. Hence Pollards cool calm demeanor at 10.


I think the kicking contest is going to decide this match. Both teams put each other under pressure last week albeit at different parts of the game. The boks came into the ascendancy as they kicked longer range kicks onto the back. So Will Jordan’s selection at the back over BB is interesting. I’m not sure Will is as good a tactical kicker as BB, but perhaps they’re expecting more of the same, with Will and Reece launching counter attacks off deep kicks.


But I expect the boks will be launching more contestables with Moodie chasing. Using his close on 2 m frame to pressure Reece and on kick-offs. If this works, can we expect to see BB back on with Tele’a taking Reeces place and Jordan back on 14? Early in the second half.


I think it’s going to be a low scoring game, both defenses will be tighter today. The boks will try and keep the ABs from taking any early lead. Expect them to play to their conservative style in the first half, box kicks. Aggressive defending. Staying in the AB half. The bomb squad will come on earlier if they play this style.


Grant Williams is going to be dangerous today for the ABs. His ability to find and snipe through gaps is stunning. The ABs are going to have to keep an eye on him carefully. Particularly if they’re keeping an eye on multiple big runners coming at them. DDA. Eben. Wiese. Siya. William is due a massive game in the 9 jersey. We haven’t seen him at his best yet. His box kicking this RC has been on point.


Expect to see SFM come in at 12 today for DDA in the second half. DDA is going to go back to his battering ram, flank forward role in the backline.


The ABs ability to score off our mistakes is where they are still so dangerous. And that’s what I’m nervous about. The boks execution this RC hasn’t been perfect. I think Jordan and Reece are going to be waiting for those mistakes. And that’s where I think the ABs can win it. A few quick scores early or late in the game. The boks are going to have to be wide awake and on point.


I’m excited to see where Am fits in today. I miss him and before his untimely injury he was my favorite player in the Bok backline. I expect he may come on at 13, kriel moving to wing and Moodie coming off to boost our backline defence. Moodie could even move to Fullback for Willie.


I can’t wait for this game. Good luck to you kiwis. There’s going to be fireworks today and lots to talk tomorrow that’s for sure!


No jets expected over Cape Town Stadium today. But the DJ has ABBAs greatest hits locked and loaded.

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