The provinces are reportedly in hot pursuit.
According to a report by RugbyPass, both Leinster and Munster are after the signature of South African schoolboy prodigy, Josh Neill.
The Rondebosch Boys’ High School backrower can play blindside and number eight, and has represented both Western Province and South Africa at Under-18s level.
He holds an Irish passport, and his brother, Jordan, was a member of the Ireland Under-19s cricket squad for the 2024 World Cup.
Clips of Neill playing for his school have been doing the rounds on TikTok and garnering a significant number of views.
@schoolboy_2023 MOST EXITING 17 YEAR OLD PROSPECT JOSH NEILL#schoolboyrugby #springboksu18 #rugby ♬ original sound – Schoolboy_2023
@ruggaseditz Should he start for Sa schools #SAMA28 #viral #viralvideo #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #blowthisupforme #schoolboyrugby #dontletthisflop #fyp #fypシ゚viral #rugby ##CapCut ♬ sonido original – icris7iano – Michelli Dutra
However, Leinster and Munster will face stiff competition from his home URC side, the Stormers, as well as the Bulls, the Sharks, and the Lions.
English giants Leicester Tigers are also said to be interested.
RugbyPass also quoted a source, who said: “Josh is so good and has been incredible at schoolboy level. He has been playing at school level for two years in a row, and as a back-rower, that is crazy rare.
“But in South Africa, we just have so many back-rowers he could easily disappear. We just want freaks and don’t develop talent anywhere near as well as Ireland. I would be confident of him playing for Ireland if he went over.”
