Historic Overview – Paarl Gimnasium vs Paul Roos Gymnasium

Saturday, 7 May sees all roads lead to Paarl when two of the giants in SA schoolboy rugby faces off at the Kriel field of Paarl Gimnasium (Gim) when neighbours Paul Roos comes to visit. This could be a happy return for the maroon machine to Paarl as they have won their last encounter away against Paarl Gim in 2018 and not having been able to play in 2020, it was their last visit to the famous Kriel Oval. This is a rare feat indeed as the Paarl team doesn’t lose often and at home is almost impossible to defeat. The rumour around the winelands is that Gimnasium might have one of their best teams in years and will be very difficult to contain. Paul Roos though, will always be up for the challenge and will lay their bodies on the line for a win.

Paul Roos 2022 Season

Paul Roos started off on a rocky road for the 2022 season losing both their opening games to Affies and Helpmekaar at the North South tournament. They regained some momentum when they beat Grey PE away and then seemed to kick into gear during the St Johns Easter festival. They seem to be finding their rhythm and right combinations and should be up for the game against the Gimmies.

Paarl Gimnasium 2022 Season

Paarl Gim started strong with only one hiccup against Affies and are running on all cylinders after defeating Grey College at Wildeklawer this past weekend.

Results through the Years

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 Kingspark on June 9^th, 2012. Their latest Springbok is scrumhalf Herschel who became Springbok no 913 in 2019 and Paul Roos’s 54^th player to represent his country.

Willie le Roux, Schalk Britz, Steven Kitshoff, Damian Willemse and Herschel Jantjies was 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 Gimnasium

Paarl Gim is without doubt one of the Big Five rugby schools in South Africa. They have to date produced 23 Springboks of which 21 have been capped in tests for South Africa. Rugby started at the school in 1902 and the early years no strict age-groups were defined, and the schools operated as a rugby club, the staff frequently turned out in the colours of the school. The headmaster back then, FC Wahl also captained the school’s 1st XV!.

In 2012, while still at school, their captain and pivot Handre Pollard represented South Africa at the u/20 World Cup tournament with aplomb. Called up for the injured Johan Goosen, Pollard played a vital role in SA winning the final against New Zealand. He again represented SA U/20 in 2013 and captained the side in 2014 also became Paarl Gym’s 20th Springbok. The latest Gimmie to don the famous springbok colours is scrumhalf Louis Schreuder who was capped during the end of year tour in 2017.

Paarl Gim Springboks

Their biggest rivals is Paarl Boys High situated in the Southern Paarl. Their annual Interschools have the unofficial title of “Biggest Interschools” in South Africa. The game will be broadcast live on Saturday, 7 May from 13h55 on SuperSport Variety 3 Premier Interschools will also be broadcasting the Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof vs Paarl Gimnasium netball fixture. See scheduled times below.