Paarl Boys’ High vs Paul Roos Gymnasium. A big derby is on the cards when Paul Roos (Stellenbosch) and Paarl Boys’ High (Paarl) meet this Saturday, 27 May in Paarl in round 6 of the 2023 Premier Interschool matches. These two pillars of schoolboy rugby in the Western Cape have been neighbours, friends and rivals for 150 years. They met intermittently on the rugby field during the early years with Paul Roos playing mostly in the “Cape” leagues against the likes of SACS, while the boys from Paarl mostly competed in the “Country” leagues against schools from neighbouring towns. They however competed enough against each other in all sports that the boys knew each other well and many became friends. The old boys also played together in representative teams for provinces and South Africa over the years. Paarl Boys’ High vs Paul Roos Gymnasium is one of the great derby clashes between two schools that have dominated Western Province school’s rugby for many years. Together with Paarl Gimnasium (Gim) they have produced more than 75% of all Western Province Craven Week players since 1964!

This match is always a highlight of the season as both teams like to run the ball at every opportunity and no quarter inch is given. Paul Roos have only been on the winning side twice in their last ten outings, and they would love to repeat the drubbing they gave Paarl Boys in 2018 at Markotter to get some more wins under the belt. There is a new air of expectancy at the Markotter grounds as Paul Roos invested heavily in infrastructure and players and now boasts one of the most modern and advanced training facilities of any school in the country. With an excellent coaching structure also in place, they are the team to watch over the next few years. Traditionally, the derbies go the way of the home team by the smallest of margins. Exceptions to the rule were in the late 70’s and early 80’s when Paarl Boys’ High won ten in a row and in the late 80’s and early 90’s when Paul Roos won four on the trot.

Results since 2000

Paul Roos 2023 Season so Far:

Paul Roos has played nine games so far, losing to Monument and Paarl Gim only and getting some good wins over Grey PE, Bishops and Affies. They have opted to rest during the Easter Festivals and played fewer games than their counterparts from Paarl. This could stand them in good stead, as they will be a little fresher and perhaps more rested than previous years for the Battle at the Brug. Paarl Boys’ High 2023 Season so Far:

Contrary to their opponents, Paarl Boys’ High have already played 14 games, losing three and winning the rest. They had some close encounters and it has not been their easiest of seasons. They had to come back from deficits to win games and it shows their fighting spirit to never give up until the final whistle. On form they can run any team ragged with their backline, but their main test will come from the Paul Roos forwards and if they can secure their own line-out ball, they are in with a good chance to keep the winning streak going.

Rugby at Paul Roos

The words Paul Roos and rugby are synonymous as the great man was the originator of the now famous Springbok emblem and name for the South African national team. He is seen by many as the “father” of South African rugby and it is fitting that the school that carries his name is such a powerhouse in South African schools rugby. Paul Roos has to date produced the most South African players to represent their country on a rugby field with Juandre Kruger becoming their 50^th player when he played against England at Kings Park on June 9^th 2012. Their latest Springbok is scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies who became Springbok no 913 in 2019 and Paul Roos’ 54^th player to represent his country.

Willie le Roux, Schalk Brits, Steven Kitshoff, Damian Willemse and Jantjies were also part of the 2019 Springbok rugby squad that won the world cup in Japan in 2019.  The following players from Paul Roos represented South Africa on the rugby field.

Arthur Nicholas de Kock (1891), Jacob Stephanus (Japie) Louw (1891), James Alexander (Jim) McKendrick (1891), Robert (Bob) Shand, Paul Johannes de Waal (1896), Japie Krige (1896), Bob Loubser (1896), Pieter Albertus Ryno Otto (PO) Nel (1903), Paul Johannes Roos (1903), Koei Brink (1906), Henry John (Pinkie) Daneel (1906), Boy de Villiers (1906), Freddie Luyt (1910), Dick Luyt (1910), Koot Reynecke (1910), Gideon Daniël Roos (1910), Wakkie Krige (1912), John Douglas Luyt (1912), Tom van Vuuren (1912), Nic du Plessis (1921), Theuns Kruger (1921), Charlé Meyer (1921), Mannetjies Michau (1921), Phil Mostert (1921), Tokkie Scholtz (1921), Jackie Tindall(1921), Attie van Heerder (1921), PK Albertyn (1924), Nico Bosman (1924), Daunce Devine (1924), Kenny Starke (1924), George Murray Daneel (1928), Manus de Jongh (1928), AF du Toit (1928), PK Morkel (1928), Boet Prinsloo (1928), Ferdie Bergh (1931), George Lionell van Reenen (1937), Ballie Wahl (1949), Tjol Lategan (1949), Jannie Engelbrecht (1960), Gertjie Brynard (1965), Hempies du Toit (1980), Cabous van der Westhuizen (1994), Justin Swart (1996), Cobus Visagie (1999), Andries Bekker (2008), Schalk Brits (2008), Francois Hougaard (2009), Juandre Kruger (2012),Willie Le Roux (2013), Steven Kitshoff (2016), Damian Willemse (2018), Herschel Jantjies (2019).

Rugby at Paarl Boys’ High

Rugby is an integral part of the Paarl Boys’ way of life. It is important to win, but that should not be the primary objective. The primary objective at Paarl Boys’ High must be one of enjoyment, for both player and coach. Whereas they agree with the legendary Vince Lombardi when he said: ‘’Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing’’ they hold winning to be more than just points on the board. Winning relates to the values, commitment and the pursuit of the best of one’s abilities.

PBHS has produced 23 players that have represented South Africa since 1906. They have provided some of the legends and most famous Springbok rugby players ever to have played in the Green and Gold. Players like Oom “Boy” and Fanie Louw, Piet “Spiere” du Toit, Mannetjies Roux, Ryk van Schoor, Carel Du Plessis and Corné Krige. Their latest Springbok is lock Salmaan Moerat and the young number eight sensation Evan Roos, who were both capped in 2022.

Paarl Boys’ High Springboks:

1. Cocky Hahn (1910)
2. Dirkie de Villiers (1910)
3. Louis Louw (1912)
4. Theuns Kruger (1921)
5. Champion Myburgh (1924)
6. Jack Bester (1924)
7. Boy Louw (1928)
8. Manie Geere (1933)
9. Fanie Louw (1933)
10. Ben du Toit (1938)
11. Ryk van Schoor (1949)
12. Theuns Briers (1955)
13. Piet du Toit (1958)
14. Mannetjies Roux (1960)
15. Haas Schoeman (1963)
16. Carel du Plessis (1982)
17. Wium Basson (1997)
18. Corné Krige (1999)
19. Gürthro Steenkamp (2004)
20. Frans Malherbe (2013)
21. Thomas Joubert Du Toit (2018)
22. Salmaan Moerat (2022)
23. Evan Roos (2022)

They regularly provide players for the WP Craven Week team and have also produced numerous SA Schools players and captains. They currently hold the record for most SA Schools players in the same season when they provided eight players in 2016 in Gianni Lombard (Fullback), Manuel Rass (Centre) , Khanya Ncusane (8^th Man), Charl Serdyn (flank), Salmaan Moerat (Lock and SA Schools Captain), Reece Bezuidenhout (Prop), Adam Neethling (Prop) and Daniel Jooste (Hooker). The netball derby will be broadcast live on Thursday, 25 May from 15h55, and the rugby derby on Saturday, 27 May from 13h55 on SuperSport Schools (channel 216)