South Africa’s twin age-grade stars Josh and James Mackenzie have committed their international futures to Scotland by signing with Glasgow Warriors.
Daily Mail Sport revealed in April that the brothers were on the radar of Scottish Rugby as part of their bid to scour the world for Scottish-qualified talent based in the southern hemisphere.
Now, Kingswood College — where the two Mackenzies have been educated — has confirmed they have been signed by the SRU and will join Glasgow’s academy.
Lock or back-row Josh Mackenzie has represented the Springboks at Under-18 level and trained with Glasgow on their trip to South Africa earlier this year for United Rugby Championship defeats by the Lions and Stormers.
So too did his twin brother James, a centre or wing. Both players have previously spent time in Scotland.
On their Facebook page, Kingswood College said: ‘Congratulations to Kingswood College 1st XV rugby players James and Josh Mackenzie, who have both been signed by Scottish Rugby to join the Glasgow Warriors Academy after their final exams in December.
Josh and James Mackenzie have swapped Kingswood College in South Africa for Scotstoun
‘Josh and James spent a few months at Glenalmond College in Scotland last year on Kingswood’s exchange programme and were quickly spotted by Scottish Rugby.’
Daily Mail Sport understands the two Mackenzies qualify for Scotland through their grandparents. The SRU has struggled to bring talent through its own age-grade system.
Of the squad which finished third in this year’s senior men’s Six Nations, captain Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Kyle Steyn, Tom Jordan, Fergus Burke, Pierre Schoeman and Jack Dempsey all had their roots in the southern hemisphere.
Even with a so-called golden generation of players — led by star playmaker Finn Russell — Scotland are yet to win a Six Nations title or reach the semi-finals of a World Cup in the professional era. There is a concern a host of their more senior figures could step away from Test duty after the 2027 global showpiece.
That is why head coach Gregor Townsend and performance director David Nucifora are keen to add to their talent pool for the future.
The search has already paid off, with Scotland’s squad set to be boosted by incoming talent from abroad.
The Mackenzie twins are the latest new arrivals, while Edinburgh have confirmed the signing of Scottish-qualified backs Riley Higgins and Louie Chapman for next season.
Centre Higgins and scrum-half Chapman were both born in New Zealand and currently play their rugby there with the Hurricanes and Crusaders respectively.
Bayley Kuenzle, an Australian-born utility back currently with the Western Force, is also moving to Franco Smith’s Glasgow.
