Paarl Gymnasium’s first rugby team is gathering steam in 2026. The Gimmies secured an emphatic 51–24 victory over the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria in their King Price Derby Series clash on Saturday.

The visitors’ fullback, Thomas Saunders, scored a hat-trick of tries in the victory. His first try, in the 17th minute, which opened Gimmies’ account, was also named the Suzuki Game Changer Moment of the match.

The team from Paarl led 22–12 at the break. It was a tightly contested match up to the 25th minute when Affies’ inside centre, Juan Ferreira, received a yellow card after attempting to intercept a pass near the tryline.

• Referee Ansius Vermeulen also awarded a penalty try, which gave Gimmies back the lead at 14–7. The Wit Bulle responded immediately from the kick-off, thanks to a try by winger Dandré Brink
• Paarl Gimnasium’s scrumhalf, Mickyle Booise, was on top of his game once again, and it was his try from a blindside break off a scrum that gave his side a 22–12 lead at the break.
• Booise represented the SA Schools A-side last year and will be looking to upgrade this cap to a full SA Schools selection later this year.

It was a blitzkrieg of four tries in the first 15 minutes of the second half that gave Gimmies a commanding 44–12 lead by the 50th minute.

Saunders only needed four minutes in the second half to complete his hat-trick, while Ethan Barker (inside centre) and Dirk Hugo (flanker) also crossed the whitewash.

Captain Barker was named King of the Match for his performance. He will, however, agree that the foundation for this victory was laid up front, with an exceptional performance by flanker Corné Niemandt, supported by Hugo, eighthman Hendré van Zyl, and the lock pairing of Bernardt Schulze and Jean Dreyer.

Affies fought back late in the game, with outside centre Estian Marx scoring a brace of tries.

This was not Paarl Gimnasium’s biggest victory over Affies, as their 38–3 win in 1973, with a margin of 35 points, remains the record. The 40–7 victory in 2014 was also bigger.

It was only the fifth time in history that the Wit Bulle have conceded 50 points.

Scorers:

Paarl Gimnasium 51 (22) – Tries: Thomas Saunders (3), Mickyle Booise, Ethan Barker, Dirk Hugo, Malan Mostert, Penalty Try. Conversions: Louis Koen (3). Penalty: Koen. Affies 24 (12) – Tries: Estian Marx (2), Fourie Roberts, Dandré Brink. Conversions: Reuben Venter (2).

Source: Hannes Nienaber (school of rugby)

Photo credit: Google