Highly-talented youngster chooses South Africa over England

Camden Schaper has switched allegiances to play for South Africa’s Under-16 team after previously playing for England’s Under-15s when he was just 12 in 2015.

The Benoni-born attacking midfielder plays for Blackburn Rovers in England, where he has scored 14 goals and made 16 assists across seven appearances.

Despite being highly sought-after in England, he has always pledged that he wants to play for Mzansi.

CAMDEN SCHAPER OFF TO GERMANY WITH SOUTH AFRICA

The former SuperSport United star is currently in camp with Mzansi ahead of flying to Germany for the SAFA Bundesliga Dream 2026. The Under-16 national team will face German teams such as FC Augsburg and Arminia Bielefeld from 9-20 October.

The team will then proceed to the FIFA Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan from 22 to 30 October.

In mid-2025, Schaper became the centre of a fierce Premier League bidding war between Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Chelsea reportedly won the race after agreeing a historic £700,000 (R17 million) deal for his signature, making him the most expensive 13-year-old player in football history at the time. However, administrative and transfer restrictions meant he remained integrated into Blackburn’s U15 squad into 2026.

In April, Schaper helped Blackburn Rovers win the Iber Cup in Portugal. He scored three goals and made four assists in seven games. Later, at just 15, South Africa’s new attacking midfielder made his Under-18 debut for Blackburn Rovers when he came on as a substitute against Hull City.

In September, Camden was afforded an opportunity to train with his club’s Under-21s. It showed how highly he is rated by Blackburn Rovers.

FIFA UNDER-15 WORLD CUP

South Africa has been drawn in Group A for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival.

The tournament will feature an 8-a-side format played on smaller pitches, with the first edition being a boys-only competition.

Head coach: Selekedi Mogale

Group A:
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇦🇮 Anguilla
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇫🇷 France
🇽🇰 Kosovo
🇲🇻 Maldives

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