Highly-rated South African twins on Scotland radar after Glasgow update

Glasgow Warriors’ 20-strong senior academy intake for the 2026/27 season includes highly-rated South African-born, Scottish-qualified twins, James and Josh Mckenzie.

James is a utility back, while Josh, who has played for the SA Schools U18s side, is a versatile forward who can play across the back five of the scrum.

Eligible for Scotland through their paternal grandparents, the brothers caught the eye during the Warriors’ United Rugby Championship tour of South Africa in April, training with the squad while in Johannesburg.

Educated at Kingswood College in the Eastern Cape, the pair have also spent time in Scotland through an exchange programme with Glenalmond College, where they gained valuable exposure to Glasgow Warriors training and Scottish Rugby’s performance pathway.

The Mckenzie’s aren’t the only recruits from the southern hemipshere, with Australian-born, Scottish-qualified scrum-half Callum Reidy also joining the Senior Academy after impressing during an extended spell training with Franco Smith’s squad throughout last season.

This trio is complemented by several Scotland age-grade internationals, including this year’s U20s skipper Joe Roberts, who is one of 10 returnees from last year.

Last season, nine players graduated from the academy to earn professional contracts and senior academy manager Nick Ryan is excited by the latest crop.

“We’re really excited by the group coming into the academy this season. A number of these players have been part of our pathway for several years and it’s rewarding to see them take the next step, while others have impressed through opportunities within our environment or arrive having experienced different development journeys,” he said.

“The academy has a strong track record of producing players capable of making the transition into professional rugby, and it’s now up to this group to make the most of the opportunities they’ll receive training alongside Franco and the senior squad every day.”

Glasgow Warriors Senior Academy Squad 2026/27

Stage One

Henry Armstrong – Fly-half
Rory Baxter – Back Row
James McKenzie – Back three
Josh McKenzie – Back Row
Lloyd Moncrieff – Back Row
Max Morrison – Prop
Harvey Preston – Back Row
Callum Reidy – Scrum-half
Guy Rogers – Wing
Campbell Waugh – Centre

Stage Two

Dylan Cockburn – Second Row/Back Row
Jackson Rennie – Prop
Cameron Van Wyk – Wing

Stage Three

Alex Bryden – Centre
Dan Halkon – Lock
Ollie McKenna – Prop
Rory Purvis – Back Row
Harry Provan – Wing
Joe Roberts – Hooker
Jake Shearer – Prop