A disturbing video from Milnerton High School in Cape Town has sparked national outrage. In the footage, a Grade 10 learner is physically and verbally assaulted by a group of senior boys.
The incident allegedly involves members of the school’s rugby first team. Among those named in is Briint Davids, a rising back‑row prospect and standout from Western Province’s Craven Week squad and the SA Schools structures.
His involvement in this case, still under investigation, casts fresh attention on the culture within school‑rugby environments and the responsibilities of young athletes in leadership roles.
VIDEO SPARKS OUTRAGE AND TRIGGERS ACTION
On or around 16 October 2025, a video – which has over a million views on Facebook – captured a 16‑year‑old Grade 10 learner being beaten with a belt, hose‑pipe, hockey stick and pole, while peers allegedly watched and recorded gleefully. The footage surfaced days later online and was shared widely, prompting the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to appeal publicly for the video’s removal. The South African Police Service also confirmed a case of assault to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened and is under investigation.
According to statements, the victim’s mother accused several older learners, “including some members of the school’s rugby first team”, of ongoing harassment and abuse.
Davids, who played for SA Schools A against Georgia and Ireland in August, also allegedly falls in that category. That association demands clarity and accountability from both the athlete and school.
SCHOOL AND PROVINCIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RESPOND
Milnerton High has confirmed the matter and initiated internal disciplinary processes in collaboration with the WCED. Bronagh Hammond, WCED spokesperson, communicated that interviews are underway and counselling support is in place for affected learners. The school’s code of conduct lists bullying and assault as serious misconduct‑level offences, punishable by suspension or expulsion.
Meanwhile, the school’s governing body is expected to report disciplinary findings this week. Stakeholders – including parents, learner bodies and advocacy groups – are demanding transparency regarding the outcome.
As for Davids, the outcome of the inquiry may influence not only his school status but also his eligibility for future provincial and national rugby opportunities.
The Milnerton High bullying video has ignited urgent questions about student‑safety, leadership in sport and institutional responsibility. As investigations proceed, Davids’ alleged involvement places him at the centre of a wider conversation on how schools and rugby programmes manage young athletes.
