Author: mbloem

Hoërskool Outeniqua was fortunate to defeat the visitors, Stellenberg High, 14-8 on Saturday, in George. It was a game that could have gone either way.

The clash was intense, and it felt like a war where each set-piece was its own battle.

It took a while to get the scoreboard moving, but Stellies landed the first blow in the 26th minute, thanks to a pick and go from flank Ryan Jones. SA Schools A flyhalf, Ethan van Biljon, missed the difficult conversion.

The Kwaggas took the lead in the 33rd minute from a lineout on the opposition’s five-metre line. Captain and eighthman Henru Nell broke off the maul and muscled his way through the Jade Brigade‘s halfback pairing for a try, and flyhalf Virgil Pockpas added the extras.

On the stroke of half-time, Stellies won a penalty just 20 metres out from the uprights. Van Biljon split them neatly to give his side a slim 8-7 lead at the break.

In the second half, the teams picked up from where they had left off, but Outeniqua manufactured an all-important try in the 43rd minute, and it proved to be the winning effort.

From a tap and go on the Jade Brigade’s five-metre line, the Kwaggas hit it up for a phase. Then, scrumhalf Cee-Jay Arends flung out a long pass over the rushing defence. Hooker Keenan Myners gratefully pouched the pass and was through to score under the posts. Pockpas made the easy conversion.

In Somerset West, Parel Vallei (PV) gritted their way to a 24-21 win over Worcester Gimnasium with an excellent second half comeback. At the break, Worcester led 14-3.

PV must have been very frustrated after scoring only three points in the opening stanza, but those three points proved to be the difference at the end of the match.

In the second half, Parel Vallei upped the intensity and it paid dividends, with eighthman Brad Brown using his brute strength to cross for two tries.

His first came from a scrum in the 43rd minute, just 10 metres out from the opposition’s try line. After the ball had been fed to the backs, PV made some ground. Then, Brown got himself to the breakdown quickly, which created an opportunity for him to snipe over from the base of the ruck.

His second try, the match-winner, came from a tap and go in the 68th minute. From 10 metres out, and in front of posts once again, scrumhalf Michael Kent knew who he needed to feed. Brown took the pass and ploughed through the defensive line for five.

In addition to a first half penalty strike, flyhalf Stephan Niemann also did his part by landing all three conversions.

After building up an 11-point lead, Worcester Gim looked tired and lacked the creativity that they had shown in the first half when the game restarted. A passionate home crowd may, also, have been the key to Parel Vallei’s second half vigour and success.

Scorers

Outeniqua 14 (7) – Tries: Henru Nell, Keenan Myners. Conversions: Virgil Pockpas; Stellenberg 8 (8) – Tries: Ryan Jones. Penalties: Ethan van Biljon.

Parel Vallei 24 (3) – Tries: Brad Brown (2), Diaan du Toit. Conversions: Stephan Niemann (3), Penalty: Shudley Rhoda. Worcester Gimnasium 21 (14) – Tries: Amaan Adendorff, Lisa Luthuli, Leagon Brooks. Conversions: Lohenzel Tshabatau (3).

Other results

u19 – Outeniqua II 26 Stellenberg II 26; Parel Vallei II 22 Worcester II 24, Parel Vallei III 5 Worcester III 6.

u16 – Outeniqua A 12 Stellenberg A 20; Parel Vallei A 19 Worcester A 47, Parel Vallei B 8 Worcester B 24.

u15 – Outeniqua A 31 Stellenberg A 10; Parel Vallei A 7 Worcester A 25, Parel Vallei B 5 Worcester B 41.

u14 – Outeniqua A 27 Stellenberg A 14; Parel Vallei A 7 Worcester A 22, Parel Vallei B 14 Worcester B 19.

On Saturday, despite playing away in Parow, Milnerton was too much for Tygerberg and charged to a 47-12 victory.

Fullback Chadlin Sellidon led the way, scoring a try and landing six conversions, as Milnerton produced an excellent all-round team performance to record an emphatic win.

Sellidon scored his try in the 29th minute. It began with a superb run down the sideline and was finished after he sidestepped the nearest defender.

From the start, Milnerton took the game by the scruff of the neck and by halftime they had forged a 26-7 advantage.

Tygerberg struggled to build momentum and often had their set-piece moves suffocated by the visitors’ blitzing rush defence. Milnerton, meanwhile used their captain and big inside centre Morgan Lodewyk to cross the gain line from first phase ball, which set up the visitors for further go-forward ball.

Tygerberg will need to take a look back on the game to figure out what changes they need to make for the challenge of Strand next Saturday.

In Durbanville, the hosts were on song, defeating Brackenfell 45-21.

Flanks Zay-Winn Januarie and Ethan Swartz were equally brilliant, crossing for two tries apiece.

Durbies was on the scoresheet first, thanks to a flying 50-metre run by Zayde Cloephas down the left wing.

Brackenfell fought back hard, though, dotting down twice, to take a narrow 14-7 half-time lead.

The second half was a different story altogether. Durbanville’s assault began when they scored in the first minute from a lineout maul, with captain Juan Smit finishing the 10-metre drive with a dive for five.

Brackenfell began losing the set-piece battle and had few answers for Durbanville’s rolling maul. Just five minutes after their first second half try, Durbies drew in the defence with a maul, then sent the ball out wide. After a couple of phases on the five-metre line, eighthman Adriaan Freemante, worked his way over the try-line to further bolster the hosts’ tally.

There was a consolation try for Brackenfell in the last five minutes of the contest, with an inside pass setting flyhalf Junior Louw free to touch down unscathed. Durbies, though, after a 38-point second half, won comfortably.

Next Saturday, Durbanville hosts HTS Belville, while Brackenfell visits SACS.

Scorers

Tygerberg 12 (7) – NA; Milnerton 47 (26) – Tries: Divine Ambrose, Chadlin Sellidon, Litha Tasana, Joshua Vomberg, Leo Webber, Morgan Lodewyk, Briint Davids. Conversions: Chadlin Sellidon (6).

Durbanville 45 (7) – Tries: Zay-Winn Januaury (2), Ethan Swart (2), Adrian Freemont, Juan Smit, Zander Cleophas. Conversions: Kael Albert’s (5); Brackenfell 21 (14) – Tries: Kamva Silva, Junior Louw, Migile Carelse. Conversions: Junior Louw (3).

Other results

u19 – Tygerberg II 36 Milnerton II 5, Tygerberg III 19 Milnerton III 12; Durbanville II 29 Brackenfell II 14, Durbanville III 67 Brackenfell III 0, Durbanville IV 29 Brackenfell IV 0.

u16 – Tygerberg A 19 Milnerton A 17, Tygerberg B 38 Milnerton B 5; Durbanville A 39 Brackenfell A 0, Durbanville D 0 Brackenfell B 26.

u15 – Tygerberg A 17 Milnerton A 17, Tygerberg B 7 Milnerton B 5, Tygerberg C 19 Milnerton C 10; Durbanville A 85 Brackenfell A 0, Durbanville C 45 Brackenfell B 0.

u14 – Tygerberg A 7 Milnerton A 7, Tygerberg B 29 Milnerton B 14; Durbanville A 43 Brackenfell A 0, Durbanville C 48 Brackenfell B 0, Durbanville D 47 Brackenfell C 0.

Paul Roos Gimnasium delivered one of their best games of the season on Saturday, defeating the travelling Rondebosch Boys’ High 48-12 on Doornbosch Field.

Wing Jordan Steenkamp, scored a fantastic hat-trick, slicing through the opposition like butter.

His fellow speedster, fullback Keenan Stoffels, also utilised his pace and fast feet to almost replicate his teammate’s performance, scoring a brace.

Rondebosch has the talent to compete with any side. However, on Saturday they lacked their usual team chemistry.

Getting the ball out wide was a key tactic for the Maroon Machine. Using wrap-around moves, they often created overlaps on either side of the rucks. After that, it was about using their quick hands to overwhelm the ‘Bosch defences.

Strand took on Swartland, meanwhile, and made good use of their home ground advantage to capture a thrilling 25-20 win.

Both sides scored memorable tries, but it was the boot of scrumhalf Jayden Steenkamp that proved to be the difference. He slotted two crucial penalties to seal the win.

Swartland led 20-10 at half-time, but it was a game of fine margins. Both sides attacked well, but one or two quick moves from the set-piece by Strand, and some slow ball at the breakdown from Swartland made a difference.

Strand’s goal-kicking won them the match. Photo: Haygan Orlam

The most exciting moment of the match came in the 43rd minute, when Strand closed the deficit from 10 points to just three. From a collapsed rolling maul, they swiftly moved the ball down the line. Then, outside centre Kealon Milton ran a hard line straight into a gap and he was over beneath the posts.

Swartland brought plenty to the game and produced some excellent rugby in the first half. Strand, though, had the answers in an evenly contested clash.

Scorers

Paul Roos 48 (29) – Tries: Jordan Steenkamp (3), Keenan Stoffels (2), Altus Rabe, Ian Smith, Caleb Koeberg. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (4); Rondebosch 12 (0) – Tries: Damian Spence, Finn Watermeyer. Conversions: Sebastian Boshoff.

Strand 25 (10) – Tries: Kealon Milton, Ashton Mitchell, Rohan Bezuidenhout. Conversions: Jayden Steenkamp (2). Penalties: Jayden Steenkamp (2); Swartland 20 (20) – Tries: Eben van Wyk, Dimitrios Boutsikaris. Conversions: de Wet van Aswagen (2). Penalties: de Wet van Aswagen (2).

Other results

u19 – Paul Roos II 22 Rondebosch II 7, Paul Roos III 41 Rondebosch III 7, Paul Roos IV 50 Rondebosch IV 0, Paul Roos V 31 Rondebosch V 0; Strand II 24 Swartland II 7, Strand III 32 Swartland III 17.

u16 – Paul Roos A 26 Rondebosch A 19, Paul Roos B 32 Rondebosch B 19, Paul Roos C 28 Rondebosch C 0; Strand A 30 Swartland A 24, Strand B 33 Swartland B 32.

u15 – Paul Roos A 15 Rondebosch A 19, Paul Roos B 42 Rondebosch B 0, Paul Roos C 62 Rondebosch 7; Strand A 5 Swartland A 0, Strand B 26 Swartland B 0, Strand C 78 Swartland C 0.

u14 – Paul Roos A 61 Rondebosch A 3, Paul Roos B 63 Rondebosch B 0, Paul Roos C 73 Rondebosch C 5, Paul Roos D 109 Rondebosch D 0; Strand A 19 Swartland A 14, Strand B 24 Swartland B 7, Strand C 17 Swartland C 19.

Paarl Gimnasium extended their unbeaten run to 18 games on Saturday, defeating the visiting Wynberg Boys’ High 68-22 in a dominant display on the J.A. Kriel Field.

SA Schools‘ captain, Markus Muller, delivered another outstanding performance, with two tries and seven conversions.

His teammates, Ethan Barker, at inside centre, and Johan Kleynhans, on the wing, also secured braces for themselves in a game defined by precision and speed.

From the first try, it became clear that Saturday’s showdown was going to be a memorable encounter. Only 75 seconds into the game, the visitors worked their way down to the hosts’ five-metre line and it was game on.

From there, SA Schools scrumhalf, Morné Noble, delivered a crisp service, with long passes out wide to forward pods before he picked out Albert Lourens on the wing. The speedster jumped quickly to catch the ball, then dived over the try-line even quicker to snatch a lead for the Cape Town school only 90 seconds into the match. Western Province Schools flyhalf, Achmat Behardien, missed the narrow-angled conversion.

Stung by going behind so quickly, Gimmies struck back with a vengeance, leaving Wynberg staggered after scoring six tries to go into the halftime break with a commanding 40-8 lead.

The match – and is has been a feature of most of Paarl Gim’s games this season – featured a sensational start to the second half from the hosts. Playing phase after phase at blitz speed, they had the Wynberg defensive line struggling to keep its shape.

SA Schools’ eighthman, Quinton Potgieter, pierced the ragged line with a trademark charge onto the ball. SA Schools A scrumhalf, Mickyle Booise, laid on a short flat pass, which Potgieter juggled in one hand, before running into space and bowling through the opposition defenders to score next to the posts.

There were no secret ideas or subtle nuisances in the move. Gimmies simply overwhelmed their opposition with their cohesive speed and brute athleticism.

Wynberg did not lay down but continued fighting until the end and were rewarded with two tries in the second half.

With long passes from the base of a ruck inside the Gim 22, they were able to get the ball to the edge and Lourens was over for a second try. A clever back of the hand pass from Noble to Western Province Schools’ prop, Luqobo Makwedini, also enabled the big man to crash over from close range.

Paarl Gim produced some moments of individual brilliance, including when flyhalf Louis Koen grubbered the ball through from 20 metres out. That decision caught the Wynberg defence flatfooted, without any cover, and Barker chased and gathered to easily dot down for a second time in the game.

Kleynhans also snagged a brilliant intercept and turned on the jets to outstrip the chasing defenders and score his second under the uprights from 50 metres out.

It was, however, the team effort from the home side that demonstrated the wide gap between two talented sides. Smart support lines met elegant, one-handed offloads, and quick distribution from the breakdown cracked the Wynberg defensive code, just as Paarl Gimnasium has done to all opposition this season.

Next Saturday, Gimmies hosts Paarl Boys’ High in the Paarl Derby. Boishaai have lost only once this season – a narrow 26-28 setback against an excellent Oakdale Landbou side. They would love nothing more than ending their neighbours unbeaten streak, but it would take some doing.

Scorers

Paarl Gim 66 (28): Tries – Markus Muller (2), Johan Kleynhans (2), Ethan Barker (2), Quinton Potgieter, Adriaan van der Lingen, Hendré van der Westhuizen, Divan Pieters. Conversions: Markus Muller (7), Louis Koen (2); Wynberg 22 (8): Tries – Albert Lourens (2), Luqobo Makwedini. Conversions – Achmat Behardien, Laeeq Davids. Penalty – Achmat Behardien.

Other Results

u19 – Paarl Gim II 33 Wynberg II 0, Paarl Gim III 31 Wynberg III 5, Paarl Gim IV 59 Wynberg IV 10, Paarl Gim VI 20 Wynberg V 17, Paarl Gim VII 7 Wynberg VI 22.

u16 – Paarl Gim A 27 Wynberg A 14, Paarl Gim B 67 Wynberg B 7, Paarl Gim D 26 Wynberg C 19, Paarl Gim E 36 Wynberg D 24.

u15 – Paarl Gim A 26 Wynberg A 7, Paarl Gim B 36 Wynberg B 28, Paarl Gim C 24 Wynberg C 0, Paarl Gim D 41 Wynberg D 5, Paarl Gim E 55 Wynberg E 5.

u14 – Paarl Gim A 29 Wynberg A 21, Paarl Gim B 42 Wynberg B 0, Paarl Gim C 40 Wynberg C 6, Paarl Gim D 54 Wynberg D 0, Paarl Gim F 87 Wynberg E 0.

In preparation for next week’s massive derby against Paarl Gimnasium, Paarl Boys’ High hosted SACS at the Buco Brug Street Stadium and set the table for the showdown with a comfortable 51-8 win over the Cape Town school.

Kaleb Holmes, on the wing, scored a deserved hat-trick, finishing superbly, while fullback Mark Grindlay also added to the brilliant Boishaai backline play by bagging a wonderful brace.

It was SACS, though, who took an early lead with an eighth-minute penalty from outside centre Mikey Skeeles, who slotted from nearly 40 metres out.

In an evenly contested first half, both sides went over in the corners. SACS eighthman, Thando Sithole, benefited from quick distribution to make the dive for five, while Boishaai responded shortly after that through right wing, Cole Moultrie, who powered his way over.

At half-time, the home side owned a slim 10-8 advantage. It was a different story in the second stanza.

Boys’ High’s physicality wore down the visitors and they ran in 41 unanswered points, thanks to their domination of the set pieces and the breakdown.

Grindlay opened the second half barrage, sniping from the base of a ruck for a 25-metre run through the middle of the field, which ended with him scoring under the posts.

From there, the Boishaai backs ran riot, finding space galore on their home field.

While SACS should feel rightly proud of their first-half performance, they’ll know they need to maintain that intensity throughout their games. They didn’t on Saturday, and they were made to pay.

Paarl Boys’ High is often characterised by their physical forwards, who came to the party, but eight of their nine tries were scored by the backs, who profited from the quality ball they received. The win showed how well-rounded the Boishaai team is, and how a side can evolve over time.

Next Saturday, the eyes of rugby lovers around South Africa and beyond its bounds will be locked on Paarl when Boys’ High takes on Paarl Gimnasium in a mouthwatering final fixture of the season.

Scorers

Paarl Boys’ High 51 (10) – Tries: Caleb Holmes (3), Mark Grindlay (2), Francois van der Merwe, Gershom Pieters, Cole Moultrie, Josh le Roux. Conversions: Van der Merwe (3). SACS 8 (8) – Try: Thando Sithole. Penalty: Mikey Skeeles.

Other Results

u19 – Paarl Boys II 37, SACS II 5.

u16 – Boishaai 35, SACS 36.

u15 – Boishaai 27, SACS 13.

u14 – Boishaai 21, SACS 5.

Hoërskool Durbanville hosts Brackenfell in a northern suburbs’ derby at 12:30 on Saturday. With sunny weather expected, the school should be packed with eager spectators from the surrounding area.

The last time the sides met, Durbanville claimed a 31-21 win.

They also won comfortably in 2023, triumphing 45-10 in a season in which they also took down Paarl Boys’ High.

It’s been a tougher season two years on for Durbanville, but Brackenfell would do well to get one over Durbies.

Durbanville will look to exploit space out wide, hoping to evade the often-narrow defensive line of Brackenfell, who are capable of cunning intercepts. Both sides have elusive wings with plenty of gas to burn.

Of course, whether they get the ball to distribute depends on the forwards. Brackenfell have been quick to the breakdown this season, and they will be focused on spoiling the hosts’ attacking moves.

In Parow, Tygerberg hosts Milnerton at 12:30 on Saturday. Neither side has put together the strongest of seasons, but they’ll look to take their frustrations out on each other in this first bout of the third term.

Tygerberg, with Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Marvin Orie among their alumni, enjoy playing physical rugby. Their forwards will be intent on dominating up front in the set pieces and at the breakdowns.

Milnerton, the alma mater of Bok centre Damian de Allende, plays a similar game themselves and also likes to give the ball air.

It’s going to be a physical battle. It’s true, too, that it is more tiring to defend than to attack, so both teams will need to cherish the clean possession they win. Accurate tactical kicking will be key.

Ball possession and set piece supremacy will go a long way towards deciding the result.

Teams:

Tygerberg: N/A

Milnerton: 15 Chadwin Sellidon, 14 Leo Weber, 13 Sebastien Stroobants, 12 Morgan Lodewyk, 11 Litha Tasana, 10 Zaide Vigeland, 9 Andrew Kansley, 8 Jeremy Armstrong, 7 Joshua Vomberg, 6 Keagan Africa, 5 Kgaugelo Mokgobu, 4 Xavier Womarans, 3 Dane van der Merwe, 2 Divine Ambrose, 1 Chadley Davids.

Durbanville: 15 Cole Carls, 14 Kyle Doyle, 13 Michael Shaw, 12 Tiaan Kearns, 11 Zayde Cloephas, 10 Kyle Albertus, 9 Lorenzo Brogneri, 8 Adriaan Freemantle, 7 Ethan Swartz, 6 Zay-Winn Januarie, 5 Anroux Barnard, 4 Ruan Vosloo, 3 Ruan van Wyk, 2 Juan Smit, 1 Eli Pedro.

Brackenfell: 15 Zane van Schalkwyk, 14 Deros Manya, 13 Luhle Ngqentsu, 12 Yibonge Malote, 11 Migile Carelse, 10 Junior Louw, 9 Jean Oosthuizen, 8 Wade Fortuin, 7 Kamva Simama, 6 Seth Braaf, 5 Zander van Zyl, 4 Jeandre Limby, 3 Liam Hine, 2 Ethan Carr, 1 Siraaj Cook.

Paul Roos Gimnasium hosts Rondebosch Boys’ High on Main Field at 13:00 on Saturday. With hooker and SA Schools star Altus Rabé coming back into their side, the Maroon Machine is ready to take on the competitive Southern Suburbs challengers.

Although, it’s not just the usual starting lineup for Ou Polla’s Boys, with flank Caleb Koeberg making his 1st XV debut. The young talent is an exciting player to watch and has signed a contract with the Bulls.

Rondebosch won’t mind going up against such star firepower, since they have some of their own. Western Province representatives, like Caleb Bell on the wing, provide serious threats to the home defence, never mind clever and elusive centres like Matthew Galpin and David Kadima.
They are, however, without their captain, SA Schools’ flank Josh Neill.

In 2023, Paul Roos scored a comfortable 24-7 victory and last year’s all-conquering Maroon Machine won 38-17, but ‘Bosch has been a very competitive outfit over the past two seasons. While the Stellenbosch hosts are the favoured in Saturday’s fixture, they won’t be taking the Cape Town visitors lightly.

Strand find themselves up against a familiar foe when they host Swartland at 12:10 on Saturday.

Both sides are well rested after the holidays and should be at their best for one of the most important fixtures of their respective seasons.

With seven wins, a draw, and only three losses, Strand owns a more impressive record than Swartland, whose season’s record stands at four wins and six defeats.

They also, for example, beat Hermanus 31-20, while Swartland fell to a 0-17 loss against the same opposition. Then again, Swartland beat Charlie Hofmeyr 18-10 and Strand drew 19-19 against the same side.

The point is the outcome is unpredictable, and anything could happen on the day. A well-rested and passionate Swartland side will not be taken lightly by Strand.

Strand are most dangerous from their set-pieces, from which their backs wait to unleash an arsenal of moves.

The visitors are usually good starters, and an early lead might give them the confidence required to suffocate the creative Strand attack. If they can find cohesion in their scrums and lineouts, they will keep the scoreboard tight.

Teams:

Paul Roos Gimnasium: 15 Keenan Stoffels, 14 Divan Lamprecht, 13 Tiaan Basson, 12 Ian Smith, 11 Jordan Steenkamp, 10 Travis Pheiffer, 9 Jan-Jan Nel, 8 Gert Kemp, 7 Luke Kent, 6 Caleb Koeberg, 5 Manus van Leeuwen, 4 Trupse Schoeman, 3 Lehan Barnard, 2 Altus Rabe, 1 Zak Hickman.

Rondebosch: 15 Shellvon Mabooi, 14 Caleb Jeneker, 13 David Kadima, 12 Matthew Galpin, 11 Caleb Bell, 10 Sebastian Boshoff, 9 James Kirsten, 8 Alutha Wesi, 7 Connor Arbuthnot, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Danil-Nicolas Oosthuizen, 3 Damian Spence, 2 Ismaeel Conrad, 1 Bulele Mbala.

Strand: 15 Ashton Mitchell, 14 Marquin Smith, 13 Kealan Milton, 12 Lyle Julies, 11 Kyle Steyn, 10 Justin Phillips, 9 Jaydan Steenkamp, 8 Rohan Bezuidenhout, 7 Chrismar Prinsloo, 6 Schalk Beukes, 5 Keagan Coetzee, 4 Joshua Lourens, 3 Timothy van den Bergh, 2 Ruben Paanakker, 1 Christopher Els.

Swartland: 15 Aurello van Wyk, 14 Enrico Louw, 13 Justin Vermeulen, 12 Daniel Walters, 11 Zaidell Paulus, 10 De Wet van Aswegen, 9 Dimitrios Boutsikaris, 8 Wessel Neethling, 7 Jayron Lottering, 6 James Joubert, 5 Martin Neethling, 4 Christian Cupido, 3 Melchoir Botha, 2 Eben van Wyk, 1 Lamin Bah.

Paarl Gimnasium have won all 13 of their games this season, taking their unbeaten tally to 17 matches in a row. On Saturday, they host Wynberg Boys’ High.

Paul Roos Gimnasium was the last side to beat Paarl Gim, coming out on top in a 23-17 thriller on 18 May 2025. On this Friday, that was 433 days ago.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 12:30 on the J.A. Kriel Field.

Paarl Gim has been on a fearsome roll this season and they’ve had no trouble racking up points. They ended last term on a high note when they thumped Boland Landbou 80-29 away from home.

Wynberg Boys’ High has also been in good form. They came ever so close to taking down Paul Roos, almost earning the title of “giant slayers” on 14 June, when they narrowly lost 17-21 at home. They’ll be aiming to claim that title on Saturday, but they face an immense challenge.

In last year’s edition of this fixture, Paarl Gim walked away with a 45-20 victory. This year, Wynberg has the fire power to make it a much tighter affair. Having side that, though, Paarl Gim is loaded with try-scoring threats.

After a standout performance for Western Province at the FNB Craven Week, where he was named the SA Schools’ captain, Markus Muller returns to skipper Gim. Wynberg will have to keep their eyes on him if they want to keep the scoring low, but few have managed to slow the free-scoring centre down.

Also, Paarl Gim is not a one-man show. Flyhalf Louis Koen always has an ace up his sleeve when it comes to playmaking. Wing Thomas Saunders has some serious pace at his disposal, and he knows how to use it. He often wraps around from the blindside and cuts clean through the opposition defence to collect five points. And Gim boasts dynamic, skilful forwards.

Wynberg features an outstanding 9-10-12 combination, in SA Schools’ scrumhalf Morné Noble, Achmat Behardien and Yaqeen Ahmed. All three of them displayed their attacking prowess at the Craven Week.

Noble distributes the ball with speed and scores plenty of tries with his sniping runs. Behardien provides a plethora of options in attack, with precise passing and kicking. Ahmed aids his flyhalf in playmaking and with his sound goal-kicking.

In the forward department, Gimmies have SA Schools A eighthman Quintin Potgieter to lead them in the gruelling set-piece and breakdown battles.

The home side also displays a number of moves from their lineout; from the rolling maul to the long overthrow for the backs to run onto. Inside the opposition 22, they boast a high conversion rate for all of them and often include the dynamic Markus Muller as the ball carrier at the back of the rolling maul.

Wynberg has a bulldozer in Western Province prop, Luqobo Makwedini. He’ll be aiming to plough over the opposition goal-line if he’s within five metres of it, and he poses a serious test for the Gimmies’ scrum.

Captain and Western Province lock, Jaythen Orange, will test the lethal Gimmies lineout.

Whilst Paarl Gimnasium is the favourite, getting the better of Wynberg is no gimme.

TEAMS

Paarl Gimnasium vs Wynberg Boys’ High at 12:30 in Paarl

Paarl Gim: 15 Dawid Badenhorst, 14 Johan Kleymans, 13 Markus Muller (Captain), 12 Ethan Barker, 11 Thomas Saunders, 10 Louis Koen, 9 Mickyle Booise, 8 Quintin Potgieter, 7 Hendrè van Zyl, 6 Hendrè van der Westhuizen, 5 Jean Dreyer, 4 Bernhardt Schulze, 3 Adriaan van der Lingen, 2 Charles Whitehead, 1 Pieta Cilliers.

Wynberg (likely): 15 Daniel Oud, 14 Chad Campbell, 13 Kunene Gadu, 12 Yaqeen Ahmed, 11 Albert Lourens, 10 Achmat Behardien, 9 Morné Noble, 8 Alvin Machinja, 7 Tjeripo Karuhamba, 6 Alex Barret, 5 James Orwin, 4 Jaythen Orange (Captain), 3 Luqobo Makwedini, 2 Noah Gila, 1 Luke Miller.

Paarl Boys’ High has produced a strong season, suffering only one defeat in their 13 games, a narrow 26-28 setback at Oakdale Landbou in April. They’ll be heavily favoured to see off SACS on Saturday in a King Price Derby Series clash.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the Cape Town school, but they’ve put up some strong performances against Boishaai in the recent past, including a hard-fought 12-20 loss at home last year.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 12:45 at the Buco Brug Street Stadium.

Paarl Boys’ High boasts a powerhouse pack, led by SA Schools’ prop Jordan Jooste, who specialises in dismantling opposition scrums, while also making a bone-crunching impact with his carries.

SACS captain and flanker Siphe Mbungendlu is no stranger to physicality himself. His side will look to him for inspiration in the set-piece and breakdown battles.

Physicality, though, is one of Boishaai’s calling cards, but they’re not one-dimensional. Their backs offer an additional strength in their speed of play, and inside centre Iwan Jordaan, doesn’t only collect points from the kicking tee. He creates tries with the ball in hand.

The SACS backs will have to be highly alert and present good line speed on defence. If they give the Boishaai backs even a sniff of space, they will be punished for it.

The SACS backline has not gelled as well as they usually do this season. However, they have had their moments and stunned opposition defences with their creativity

Fullback Quewinn Lackay and outside centre Mikey Skeeles are two of their key players and often find ways to break through the opposition’s defensive lines. Paarl Boys’ High, though, poses a hardy challenge with their rush defence.

The home side will fancy their chances of adding another win to an impressive record. Whatever happens, though, a fierce battle and entertaining rugby should light up this age-old Western Cape rivalry.

TEAMS

Paarl Boys’ High vs SACS at 12:45 in Paarl

Paarl Boys’ High (likely): 15 Mark Grindlay, 14 Jeneal Davids, 13 Tristan Joubert, 12 Iwan Jordaan, 11 Cole Moultrie, 10 Francois van der Merwe, 9 Liam de Villiers, 8 Steph van der Merwe (captain), 7 Kobus Wilken, 6 Wege van Zyl, 5 Jayden Joubert, 4 Gershom Pieters, 3 Cruz Davey, 2 Tommy Muller, 1 Jordan Jooste.

SACS: 15 Quewinn Lackay, 14 Josh Gorgens, 13 Mikey Skeeles, 12 Daniel Grant, 11 Imtiaz Abrahams, 10 Robert Boyes, 9 Matt Forbes, 8 Thando Sithole, 7 Harrison Bell, 6 Siphe Mbungendlu (captain), 5 Cameron Hirst, 4 Reuben De Klerk, 3 Qiraan Hermans, 2 Sango Zangqa, 1 Qawe Sawuka.

Oakdale Landbou’s First XV has shown itself to be a force in South African schoolboy rugby this season, and they’ll be heavily favoured when they host HTS Drostdy on Saturday in Riversdal.

With Oakdale players making up a large part of the South Western Districts (SWD) squad, the team made it through to the unofficial FNB Craven Week final against the perennial winners Western Province. To get there, South Western Districts scored a stunning 35-34 victory over Free State and comfortably outplayed the Golden Lions, winning 54-22.

The Farmers are especially strong on their home ground, De Eike. Their results at home include handing Paarl Boys’ High their only loss of the season. Kick-off is at 13:00 on Saturday.

On paper, HTS Drostdy has not been at their best this season, with only six wins from 13 matches, while Oakdale has eight wins from 12 outings. Both have played tough schedules, but The Farmers have fared far better. The Worcester locals are in for a tough challenge.

When the sides met last year, Oakdale won 25-12, but they’re a far tougher proposition in 2025.

Drostdy, though, has always been a side to which the adage “anything can happen on the day” has applied. They play with a passionate tenacity, which was on show in a narrow 20-26 defeat to Paul Roos Gimnasium.

The hosts will have to be on their toes for a game that Drostdy will want to play at pace. The visitors, though, will have to figure out a way to deal with The Farmers’ big forward pack, which play with militant-like cohesion. Their loose forwards could build a small mountain of rugby balls with all the steals they’ve made this season. Their set-piece play has been equally impressive.

Knowing this, Drostdy will lean on their counterattacking play, trusting their quick hands to find ways through the airtight home defence. It’s going to be a tough challenge for the visitors.

Meanwhile in Paarl, Boland Landbou takes on Diocesan College at 12:45 on Perdeberg A Field.

They will look to their SA Schools scrumhalf, Jayden Brits, to open up the Bishops’ defences.

When they met last year, Boland Landbou powered their way to an emphatic 52-10 win. This year, Bishops is a much-improved side, which plays to the final whistle. That was on display against a very strong Paarl Boys’ High side in June, when Bishops scored the last 12 points of the contest in a hard-fought 12-33 defeat.

The Cape Town side also tends to grow into their games. Landbou on the other side, tend to start better than they finish. With strong leadership from their captain and hooker Daniel van den Heever, Bishops will be confident that they can put Boland under pressure in the latter stages of the match.

Bishops are known for their creative attack, scoring out wide with quick hands and in the middle of the field through running clever lines. The Landbou defence has conceded a lot of points this season, although they’ve also scored plenty themselves, too.

Saturday’s showdown has the potential to be a high-scoring showdown.

The teams: 

Oakdale Landbou vs HTS Drostdy at 13:00 in Riversdal

Oakdale Landbou: 15 Mark-Hein Fourie, 14 Myburgh Eksteen, 13 Anrich Scheffer, 12 Christian Vorster, 11 Lee-Winn Pretorius, 10 CT Vosloo, 9 Jandrian Goosen, 8 Jacobus de Villiers, 7 Liam Lightley, 6 Jannes Snyman (captain), 5 Rico Ferreira, 4 Diaan Augustyn, 3 Francois le Roux, 2 Adrian Smit, 1 Kai Pratt.

HTS Drostdy: 15 Pirlo Baron, 14 Adrian Vergotine, 13 Abdul Fisher, 12 Jacques de Klerk, 11 Darren Makheza, 10 Jano van Deventer, 9 Caleb Cornett, 8 Wynand Fabricius, 7 Arnu Nieuwoudt, 6 Wernu Ramsauer (captain), 5 Eugene Walker, 4 Carlos dos Santos, 3 Sandro Smit, 2 JP Lotriet, 1 Stefan le Roux.

Boland Landbou vs Diocesan College at 12:45 in Paarl

Boland Landbou: 15 Gethano van Bo, 14 Kobus Jordaan, 13 Aleit Stander, 12 Blake de Kock, 11 Jadon Ocks, 10 Pieter Bergh (captain), 9 Jayden Brits, 8 Jacques Visagie, 7 Kody Nell, 6 Juan Visagie, 5 Jeandré le Roux, 4 Stephan Griesel, 3 Derico Messina, 2 Wikus Coetzee, 1 Diwan Grobbelaar.

Diocesan College: 15 Rynard Gordon, 14 Ben Myburgh, 13 Cole Robyntjies, 12 Boytjie Fyfer, 11 Ben Koenig, 10 Eljaron Geduld, 9 Max Marr, 8 Jack Venter, 7 Joshua Macdonald, 6 Ethan Venter, 5 Rieko Kidha, 4 Dan Coetzee, 3 Chris du Toit, 2 Daniel van den Heever (captain), 1 Will Reid.