Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, widely known as Affies, was founded in 1920 and holds the distinction of being the first purely Afrikaans medium high school in South Africa. The school started with only 45 boys in the home of General Piet Joubert before moving twice as it grew into a major educational institution. By 1929 the boys and girls were separated into two schools, creating the twin Affies and Meisieskool campuses that still face each other on Lynnwood Road.
Affies built its reputation through strong academics, discipline, and a proud cultural identity rooted in Afrikaans heritage. The school became a powerhouse across multiple fields, producing national figures in politics, the arts, business, and academia. Its Old Boys include ministers, scholars, actors, musicians, entrepreneurs, and some of South Africa’s most recognisable names.
In modern times Affies is best known for its sporting legacy. It has produced an extraordinary list of professional athletes, including Springbok rugby players, international cricketers like AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, Olympic athletes, and world class sportsmen across many codes. With over 1,400 boys, strong facilities, and a high performance culture, Affies remains one of Pretoria’s leading boys’ schools and a major contributor to South African sport and culture.