The two most talked about schoolboy midfielders in South African rugby have made their post-matric moves—and the biggest winner is unquestionably the DHL Stormers with the signing of rugby golden boy Markus Muller. The Lions have pounced on Grey College’s Ethan Adams. The duo headline rugby’s Class of 2025..

Muller, the captain of Paarl Gim for the upcoming season, is not just the best schoolboy centre in the country—he’s been the standout midfielder across all schools for the last two years. With over 50 tries and try assists to his name, including more than 20 tries this season alone (four hat-tricks, three braces), the No 13 jersey in the SA Schools team seems his for the taking.

And here’s why Muller just hit the professional jackpot: He joins a Stormers backline that boasts Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, two of the most gifted Springboks of the modern era. Whether playing inside or outside of this generational duo, Muller will be learning and linking with the best.

Cape Town Strikes Gold Again with Markus Muller

The Stormers didn’t just get Muller. The Western Cape conveyor belt is buzzing, and head coach John Dobson is keeping the local flavour strong with a serious intake of regional talent.

Joining Muller in Cape Town next year are:

  • Quintin Potgieter (Paarl Gim, loose forward)

  • Alutha Wesi (Rondebosch, loose forward)

  • Randall-John Davids (Rondebosch, centre)

  • Matt van der Merwe (Rondebosch, prop)

  • Jordan Steenkamp (Paul Roos, wing)

  • Altus Rabe (Paul Roos, hooker)

  • Gert Kemp (Paul Roos, loose forward)

  • Yaqeen Ahmed (Wynberg, flyhalf)

  • Jayden Brits (Boland Landbou, scrumhalf)

  • AJ Meyer (Grey College, lock)

MULLER STARS FOR PAARL GIM IN 2025

Dobson’s message is clear: build from within, strengthen the Western Province schools-to-Stormers pathway, and back the region’s talent.

“This speaks to our aim of harnessing the talent we have on our doorstep,” Dobson said. “We want our fans to see their players, from their communities, making it with the Stormers.”

Dobson also emphasized that while the focus is local, the Stormers remain alert to top-tier prospects from outside the region.

“We will make strategic acquisitions from around the country if they can make a big difference.”

The Battle of the Midfield Stars: Muller vs Adams

While Muller heads to the coast, Ethan Adams, the powerful outside centre from Grey College, is heading north to join the Lions. Adams, originally from Kareedouw in the Eastern Cape, has also starred in the SA Schools setup and was a standout at last year’s U18 Craven Week.

Both players will be tracked closely in their rookie professional seasons—but it’s Muller’s opportunity to slot into a backline with established Boks and gamebreakers that has him leading the headlines.

The Stormers Development Dream

Muller follows in the footsteps of a who’s who of Western Province-developed stars. Names like Damian Willemse, Salmaan Moerat, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, JD Schickerling, and Suleiman Hartzenberg all came through the Western Province pathway.

Now it’s Muller’s turn.

Our Verdict: The Stormers didn’t just sign a schoolboy star. They signed the schoolboy star—Markus Muller. And with Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the mix, Cape Town may have just locked in its next great midfielder.

YOU TUBE’S TRIBUTE VIDEOS AND SHORTS OF PAARL GIM SCHOOLS SENSATION MARKUS MULLER 

MULLER LEAD STORY ON SA RUGBY MAGAZINE

Src: keo.co.za