The case against two Port Elizabeth students, Emile Du Plessis and 22-year-old Adrian Doman, who stole a penguin from Bayworld in September this has been postponed to March 2017.
Their lawyer, advocate, Hannelie Bakker, said her clients were not present as they were writing exams.
18-year-old Du Plessis and 22-year-old Doman face charges of theft, contravention of marine conservation regulations and trespassing.
The pair handed themselves over to police after Buddy's search made international headlines.
They told the police they released him into the ocean at Pollock Beach as they did not believe penguins should be kept in captivity.
Bakker said they would make further representation to the National Director of Prosecutions to refer the case to an organisation such as Nicro for rehabilitation.
Buddy the penguin still has not been found and his two chicks died at the oceanarium shortly after he was stolen.
