Read the special edition newspaper for Classic Clash between Grey College vs Paul Roos here. Filled with team photo’s, interviews and all the action.

We caught up with Luke Kent, the first-team rugby captain from Paul Roos to hear his thoughts on pre-season preparation, team goals, and what it means to lead with passion and purpose

How challenging was pre-season training, and how has it prepared the team for the season ahead?Pre-season was one of the toughest we’ve ever faced — both physically and mentally. The intensity pushed us to our limits, but it brought out the best in us. Our trip to World Schools played a massive role too. We trained hard, faced world-class teams, and spent every day living and playing together. That created something special — we weren’t just a team anymore, we became a family. As the season started, that bond gave us trust and unity. We hit the field connected, focused, and ready.

What specific strengths do you believe this year’s team has that will set you apart from the competition? What sets us apart is the resilience we’ve built from all the setbacks we’ve had — from tough losses to injuries and decisions that didn’t go our way. Instead of breaking us, those moments made us hungry. Hungry to prove ourselves. Hungry to stand tall for everyone who backed us. That hunger is our greatest strength heading into Grey.

How does it feel to run onto the field representing your school as part of the first team? Running onto the field for my final game as a Paul Roos first-team player is an emotion I’ll never forget. When my coach told me I’d be leading the team, I got goosebumps. It hit me how far we’ve come. This team has given me so much — and this last game is about giving everything back. Every minute I’m on that field, I’ll be thinking about bringing that win back to Stellenbosch.

What traditions or values make your school’s rugby culture unique? At Paul Roos, it’s all about brotherhood. From early-morning training sessions to the biggest match days, we’re a family. Whether you’re on the field or sidelined with injury, you’re part of this team. You feel that support in every tackle, every clap from the bench, every huddle. That unity, that pride in our jersey — it’s what makes Paul Roos rugby different.

What team goals, if any, have you set for the season? At the start of the year, my goal was simple: to go unbeaten and enjoy the season with my teammates, making memories. But now, after everything we’ve been through, there’s just one goal that matters — beating Grey.

Whichupcoming fixture excites you the most, and why is it a key match for your team? The Grey College clash in Bloemfontein has been on my mind all season. It’s the one.

Is there a professional rugby player you look up to? What aspects of their game or leadership inspire you? Definitely. Pieter-Steph du Toit is someone I really look up to. His journey — from nearly losing his leg to becoming World Rugby Player of the Year — speaks volumes about his character. The way he leads through his actions, especially in high-pressure moments like the 2023 World Cup Final, shows the heart he plays with. That’s the standard I aim for — to lead with grit, humility and relentless work.

Luke Kent

Ons het ook met die afrigter van dié span, (Erhardt Muth) gesels:

 Wat kan die skool en ouers hierdie Interskole van julle span verwag? Ons gaan ons beste doen om die skool en die wyer Paul Roos-gemeenskap trots te maak. Die span is vasbeslote om met toewyding, en trots die skool te verteenwoordig.

 Hoe berei julle span in die week tot aanloop van Interskole voor? (physically and mentally) Ons fokus daarop om proses-gedrewe te bly en nie te veel op uitkomste of resultate te konsentreer nie. Deur op die fundamentele aspekte te fokus – bou ons week vir week aan selfvertroue en konsekwentheid in ons spel..

 Waar sou jy sê lê julle krag hierdie jaar? Ons krag lê in die span se veerkragtigheid en hul vermoë om op te staan ná teleurstelling. Die groep het reeds ’n paar wedstryde hierdie jaar met die kleinste marge verloor, maar ondanks die teleurstelling het hulle positief gebly, karakter getoon en saamgestaan as ’n eenheid.

 Wie het die grootste invloed op jou as afrigter in jou lewe al gehad? Is daar iemand na wie jy opkyk? Jacques Hanekom het die grootste invloed op my as afrigter gehad. Hy het my geleer dat ons as opvoeders nie die luuksheid het om kinders “af te skryf” nie. Selfs wanneer leerders of spelers ons teleurstel, bly dit ons verantwoordelikheid om hulle op te help – al kos dit soms iets van onsself. Die mens en die span kom altyd eerste. Jy mag dalk ’n wedstryd verloor, maar jy mag nooit die kleedkamer verloor nie. Hierdie benadering het my siening van afrigting en opvoeding fundamenteel gevorm.

 Watter boodskap dra jy aan jou span oor net voor hulle op die baan/veld hardloop? Ek sê vir hulle: “Wen die oomblik voor jou gesig.” ’n Wedstryd bestaan uit honderde van daardie oomblikke – en as elke speler gefokus bly om net die een spesifieke oomblik te wen waarin hy homself bevind, sal die telbord vir homself sorg. Dis nie die uitkoms waarop ons fokus nie, maar die proses – oomblik vir oomblik, taak vir taak, met volle toewyding aan mekaar en aan die span.