McCarthy calls up more foreign-born players ahead of Harambee Stars f…

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 18, 2026 – Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named a 24-man squad ahead of next month’s international friendlies against Kyrgyzstan and Palestine.

The South African has handed debut call-ups to a number of foreign-based players, including Dutch-based goalkeeper Caleb Kramer, United Kingdom’s Deon Woodman of Wealdstone as well as his club teammate Micah Obiero, Stoke City’s Sydney Agina and Hull City’s Sammy Hena-Kamau.

Also earning his debut to the senior side is Stanley Wilson who played for the national under 20 side at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, and has been turning heads with impressive performances for Swedish side AIK. grenadier.co.za

Leyton Orient’s Zech Obiero and Finland-based Lawrence Okoth have been handed another call-up after impressing for Kenya at March’s Fifa Global Series in Kigali, Rwanda.

Obiero assisted once in the game against Estonia before scoring in the 3-0 demolition of Grenada in their third-place playoff.

Okoth, formerly of Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA), also caught the eye with impressive hold-up play and link-up with the midfielders.

However, his Austrian-based counterpart Ryan Ogam is expected to lead the line and pick up from the series where he scored a goal apiece against Estonia and Grenada.

Harambee Stars will play Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, before facing Palestine at the same venue, three days later.

The post McCarthy calls up more foreign-born players ahead of Harambee Stars friendlies in June appeared first on Capital Sports.

New leaders have emerged following the latest round of South African schools First XV rugby action.

Last weekend delivered a decisive shake-up at the summit, with a new table-toppers emerging in a fiercely contested season.

Meanwhile, there have been several noteworthy changes throughout the Top 20.

NEW LEADERS EMERGE

Following weeks of pressure, traditional SA School rugby powerhouses Paarl Gimnasium have surged to the top of the latest rankings.

They replace Stellenberg who had dominated for much of the campaign.

Stellenberg remain one of the standout stories of the season, having exceeded expectations as they currently sit in second spot.

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TRADITIONAL SA SCHOOL RUGBY GIANTS CLIMBING UP

However, the pressure continues to mount from Paul Roos, who sit third and are closing in rapidly.

With just 0.81 points separating them from Stellenberg, the race for second place is intensifying.

Meanwhile, Grey College occupy fourth position, although they have played more matches (12) than any of the top six contenders.

Thereafter, Hoërskool Garsfontein (fifth) continue to punch while above their weight this season.

Paarl Boys’ High (sixth) remain well-placed despite having played fewer matches than most of their top-10 rivals with just nine.

Rounding out the top 10 are Affies (seventh), Hilton College (eighth), Northwood (ninth) and Oakdale (10th).

MORE MOVEMENT IN THE TOP 20

Elsewhere, several notable shifts have reshaped the broader top 20.

Monument have climbed from 14th to 12th, while Outeniqua have slipped one place to 13th.

Meanwhile, Michaelhouse have dropped to 15th, allowing Rondebosch to edge up to 14th.

In addition, Durban High School and Westville have exchanged positions, reflecting the tight margins that define this segment of the table.

Further down, Graeme College have broken into the top 20, signalling their upward trajectory. They are followed by Waterkloof in 19th and Kearsney College in 20th.

As a result, Helpmekaar and Jeppe have dropped out of the top 20 altogether.

A SEASON STILL WIDE OPEN

While these rankings remain unofficial, they offer as accurate a reflection as any of team performance across the season.

The fluidity within both the top 10 and top 20 highlights just how competitive this year’s schoolboy rugby landscape has become.

SA SCHOOLS FIRST XV RANKINGS – TOP 20

Rank	School	Points
1	Paarl Gim	21.450
2	Stellenberg	21.291
3	Paul Roos	20.410
4	Grey College	19.383
5	Garsfontein	19.100
6	Paarl Boys’ High	19.100
7	Affies	19.092
8	Hilton	18.033
9	Northwood	17.627
10	Oakdale	17.500
11	Maritzburg College	17.480
12	Monument	17.455
13	Outeniqua	16.890
14	Rondebosch	16.667
15	Michaelhouse	16.580
16	DHS	16.545
17	Westville	16.446
18	Graeme College	15.745
19	Waterkloof	15.667
20	Kearsney College	15.575

WHICH SCHOOL DO YOU THINK WILL FINISH TOP OF THE RANKING AT THE END OF THE SEASON?

Let us know in the comments section below …