Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Isaac Kayembe’s formative years were spent in Johannesburg, where he enrolled at one of the most underrated rugby institutions in the country, Parktown Boys High School. Emerging as a lanky second rower, Isaac’s speed off the mark and large stride made him a nightmare for defenders in the junior ranks, and a dedicated strength & conditioning programme later made Kayembe near impossible to stop. Having filled out with considerable muscle mass, he earned a reputation of a ball-carrier who not only breaks tackles through sheer power, but also a devastating side-step and instinctual ‘corkscrew turn’ that leaves would-be defenders grasping at thin air.

He was duly drafted into the Golden Lions U16 High Performance Squad, despite still being U15, and his standout performances at the set piece led to selection for the Lions U16 Invitational XV at the Jeppe High School rugby festival. Injury prevented him from attending the U16 Grant Khomo Week of the following year, but his pedigree was such that Isaac was later selected for the Provincial IPT team, and later the Lions U18 Higher Performance Squad. Despite Covid-19 disrupting much of the 2020 season, his considerable presence has led Kayembe to be identified as one of the most physical age-group players in South African rugby.