On 19 August 2006, Paul Roos recorded a famous 16-11 win against Grey College in Bloemfontein. For a total of 2458 days thereafter the Grey College home ground became an impenetrable fortress as they built up what must surely be one of the longest unbeaten home streaks in modern era school rugby history. On 11 May 2013, Affies travelled down from Pretoria to Bloemfontein and ended that incredible run with a 37-31 victory.
Now two weeks on the Grey 1st XV is ready to start a new chapter in their rich rugby history and judging by the quality of players coming through their junior ranks, the possibility of setting up yet another lengthy unbeaten home record exists.
The first challenge up won’t be an easy one. Their match day rivals are Paarl Boys High, last year’s number one team and one of only three school teams to have beaten Grey in 2012. Before 2012 Grey had not lost a game since 2009.
A few weeks ago Paarl Boys High looked like they were there for the taking. They experienced a dip in form. At first the response to a defeat at the hands of Glenwood seemed like an overreaction with several players being replaced in the starting line-up. The results thereafter have however been incredible. In the next game Boishaai demolished highly rated Wynberg 55-27 at Brug Street and a week later they swept Oakdale aside by 38-10 in Riversdale where many good teams have struggled in the past.
Boishaai will arrive in Bloem in form and confident. Grey College is going to have to produce the goods if they want to return to winning ways on home soil.
@BOG: Ja ek weet hulle het saam met Grey oorsee gaan toer, maar ek verbeel my hy was nog in daai stadium in die SA 0/19 squad…Dis final span was nog nie bekend vir die 0/19 WC nie, maar hy het goeie kans gestaan en was nog betrokke by die groter squad. Of hy toe eindelik dit gemaak het kan ek ook nie onthou nie, maar at least was hy baie close!..Baie goeie aanvallende fullback ook gewees en was dodelik op die teenaanval!
@BoishaaiPa: Ek praat onder korreksie, maar ek dink nie hy het SA skole krieket gespeel nie. Grey se Eerste krieketspan het egter oorsee getoer en hy en die skrumskakel (Nicol ?) het die opsie uitgeoefen om te gaan toer. Ironies het beide na skool hulle toegespits op rugby eerder as krieket. Marais het in die VS aangebly en ek het sy naam by die Onder ouderdom spanne gesien, soms heelagter en soms senter. Nicol, sover ek weet is na die Sharks akademie en van daar na die Luiperds akademie. Nie seker of hulle loopbane in rugby sal he nie. Soos hulle se- een se dood is die ander se brood. Daardie jaar was Luiters reserwe maar in Nicol se afwesigheid, toe word hy sommer vir SA skole gekies?
@BoishaaiPa: Nardus van der Walt. Was a member of the Affies U/19 relay team that broke the SA U/19 100m relay record. Contracted at the Bulls. Was member of Tuks varsity cup team this year. Mostly used as no 7.
@Woltrui: I remember that No 8 of yours as well..Did he not go to the Sharks?…Pierre Spies type player…
@BOG: Dis hy daai Bog..Ek het nog met die mannetjie se Pa so lekker staan en gesels by die Old Boys tent die Saterdag daar by Brugstraat. Dis hy wat my toe nog vertel het dat Niel nie CW proewe gaan speel nie oor die krieket!..
@BoishaaiPa: Niel Marais
Ye GCB usually has great backlines
@BoishaaiPa: Jip BHP. That was a backline. Remember Grey beating a strong Affies side in Pretoria 23-6. Jan Serfontein turning the match on its head by handing of our No 8 and scoring a great try.
@Predator: Then you havnt been watching schoolboy rugby for very long..in 2010 Grey had at one time up to 6 SA Schools players in their backline against Boishaai…9. Kevin Luiters, 10 Johan Goosen, 11. Jan Serfontein, 12. Paul Jordaan, 13. William Small-Smith and 14. Ruwellen Isbell….The fullback (his name escapes me now) was good enough to play SA Schools as well, but he opted not to play CW and played for Cricket for SA Schools!…Those six either played in 2010 or 2011 SA Schools…That is a backline!
@Predator: With regard to that backline, saw them against Boland last year and a few times this year. Really potent, but I rate the Affies backs from what I’ve seen as well. Would have been a great match, although I think your Achilles has been your front row. There lack of mobility and the lack of confidence in the line out cost you the game. You can’t play Gim with 13 players in open play and no go-forward from line out balls off the top (middle and back). Just an unbiased opinion, but still one of the most exciting teams to watch in a long time.
@Ploegskaar: Haven’t thought of that ,,…….brilliant idea. International exposure for the boys, more opportunity to even get signed for oversees clubs. This can only get better.
@Predator: Maybe as. a curtain raiser for any of the in-bound tour tests, or 4-nations championship. Supersport will the foot the bill.
What we should actually try and organize is that P Gimmies and Grey play each other on the Kwagga festival as well. This will settle everything that we all wonder about the rankings for 2013. It will be a glorious day for school boy rugby in SA,…..all that talent in one place,.. awesome man ,…awesome!!!!!!
@Ploegskaar: Why would it be a PG / Affies affair if they use the cost as the excuse to play Kwaggas,..or could it then mean that they see Kwaggas as the stronger team to beat. When the Kwagga backline gets going it is almost impossible to stop,..one of the best I’ve seen in one school for years,..even two SA schools players.
@PaarlBok: Hoe gouer hulle daardie laptop by jou konfiskeer in die ICU, hoe beter. Hoe gebruik jy dit met n “straight jacket” aan” Kry jy skokbehandeling vir die vervolgingswaan waaraan jy lei?
@Ploegskaar: Nie sover ek weet nie.
@PaarlBok: Miskien ‘n Gim/Affies in die pyplyn, as ek die sosiale media reg verstaan?
@Predator: unfortunately you wont see Gim bump heads with Grey. We\ll have to wait another 6 years for it to happen thanks to Bog=Grey Bloem.
@BOG: You spot on there its more about the educational system than anything else, i know quite a few QC old boys who have send there kids to GCB and none were bought in anyway it was about percieved fears of what is happening and the collaspe of the boarding set up at Queens, if they can get that right alot of kids would go back there.
@Predator: Taking it further, I certainly would hope to see Kwaggas and others perform consistently over a few years. I firmly believe that rugby(and other sport), in time is going to be concentrated in a few schools around the country. And this, as I see it, will be more the consequence of collapsing educational standards, rather than school players specifically being attracted by bursaries and for other reasons. Of course this is extremely sad, but I think, unavoidable.
@BOG: And think you had all your JJS boys as well
@BOG: Queens could have played with 10 men that year and still won
@Predator: Believe me, that I dont make that offer lightly, but if I knew that it would ensure a victory for Grey, I would do it. What Im afraid of though, is that the players may think that I have reached an age where that part of my anatomy has become redundant and not take the matter as serious as I do.@Queenian: Why do I get the impression here that you asked a question to which you knew the answer? But be careful of history. Some folks here, hate it.@Kingcharles: I shall reciprocate, with the exception of July.@GreenBlooded: I believe that most schools in Bloem are flooded with applications from Durban, especially from GW.@QC86: Just keep in mind that in 1983, Grey agreed to play with their bootlaces tied together and one arm behind their backs
@Ludz: jee thats a hiding
remember it like it was yesterday
@rugbyfan: that school Queen’s hey, it’s just so awesome
@Queenian: I will get that info for you dont have it on hand.
As far as i know GCB longest winning streak was when they lost 10-12 to Queens in 1972 in Bloem and the next loss in Bloem was in 1983 also to Queens 7-29
@BOG: No ways a Durban boy would leave the beach behind to go to Fichardpark. Or a CT boy for that matter. Will have to go with Pretoria then.
@BOG: How many times have GCB lost in Bloem in the last 30 years and to who?
Rugbyfan: Maybe you know.
Grey Bloem have no peers in RSA school rugby history,both the 1st XV and depth.Paarl Boys High not the team they were last year,Grey to win by 10, GO GREY
@BOG: Bog I enjoy Shoolboy rugby just as much as all of the other bloggers , but will not offer my genitals or parts there-of that might or might not be usefull for me in future. The facts as I see it in 2013, are that there is nothing to choose between the top 4 positions at present. It is however a fact that only Gimmies and Affies are unbeaten thus far,…..but Affies must still play Outeniqua later in the year and I think Grey and Gimmies must also bump heads still. The schoolboy rugby is alive and very healthy and should produce a brilliant SA schools side this year. I’m a Kwagga supporter because my son attends there, and are absolutely amazed how the quality of their rugby has improved. We are a very small union and more than 95% of the kids are from our area which says something for the quality and skill that are present in the Garden Route ( SWD ), and then I’m sure we still miss some talented kids in the system as well. I would like to see more balance or more schools competing in the Premier league, because this will present more space and opportunity for more boys to show their skill and be noticed by the senior unions for contracts. We must rather all pool our resources, money, knowledge, support and passion to expand the footprint of the Premier league, this will lift this sport to the next level.
@BOG: Grey should win most the games on Saturday look for the Cherrie to win by 30
@Woltrui: @Tjoppa: Ek hoor julle skeidsregters wissel tussen blaas vir julle en dans op Moftus vir die Bulls. Die blasers by Grey word internasionale skeidsregters. Enige gevolgtrekking hieruit deur julle?@PaarlBok: Boks, hoe meer jy praat, hoe minder sin maak jy- werklik.@GreenBlooded: From what I read, a Grey player broke his arm/elbow after an illegal tackle. Not sure if it was the No 8, Arndt or the wing. And an U14 player of the opposition was red carded for kicking. The perpetrator must have just arrived from Dbn, Pretoria or CT.
@GreenBlooded: Bog was at the match.
Jrrrrrr – wat gaan daar aan in die Vrystaat? Reading reports of the Grey / Fichardtpark match being abandoned due to bad sportsmanship – ambulances on the field – yadda yadda. I though you Freestaters knew how to behave?
@BOG: Verduidelik jy eerder die een stok wingerd, een swaeltjie somer uitlating wat jy gemaak het. Jou probleem is dat jou kop te groot is vir die hoeveelheid ertjie pitte wat daarin is.
@Maroon: Ek probeer al tot vervelens daardie boodskap aan Boks oordra. Miskien sal daardie 2- en-n-half lyne van jou deurdring by hom. Ons hoop maar.
@ Tjoppa: Vele skole het seker op die huidige oomblik ‘n beter tuisrekord! Die vreugde van een van die massa te wees.
@BuiteBreek: Na Saterdag day Zero -3?
Day Zero! Almal moet seker onder begin!
@BoishaaiPa: stem saam. Ons kry min die geleentheid waar al 28 spanne kan speel. Meestal moet die g-j spanne teen kleiner skole se A en B spanne speel.
Boishaai sal ook vir Grey toets deur al die spanne..Daar sal wel hier en daar n weghol oorwinning vir Grey wees, maar dit is ter verstane want HJS het nie altyd 28 spanne wat speel nie, so daar is heelwat “sosiale” spanne laag af wat vir die genot en plesier van die sport saamgaan. Wys maar net dat die seuns wat nie altyd speel nie graag die geleentheid wil he om teen Grey te speel en glo my , hulle oefen hard hierdie week!….Gewoonlik stoot ons so 22/23 spanne in die veld o/14 tot o/16 A-E en dan 0/19 A-H. Teen Grey en Paul Roos kom daar F spanne by in die ouderdomsgroepe en druk ons nog die Impis en Jokers ook op o/19 vlak in sodat almal speelkans kan kry…
Al wat my effens bekommer is dat van die 1ste span seuns nog moet WP proewe teen Boland speel more…ek hou nie baie daarvan in die week voor mens Grey moet speel nie!
@Tjoppa: Tjop dit was in 2011. 4 van Affies se vaste 5 wat die dag gespeel het is ondertussen vir SA gekies. Albei slotte nou in in die SA O/20 span. Luan De Bruin stut van O/20 span. Pierre was in 2011 lid van SA skole span en in 2012 die SA skole span kaptein. Telling 16-11 in Bloem se guns. Dit na ons alle fasette oorheers het.
Good news boys…
Supersport 6 on Saturday
12:55 – 14:30 Rugby Premier Interschools Rugby Grey Bloem v Paarl Boys High
@Woltrui: 2010 die jaar wat Affies ook bedonner is deur daai onnie? As ek reg onthou was die veld te nat totdat die veelbekroonde onnie beskikbaar was om die wedstryd te hanteer. Sjoe wat ‘n toeval.
@Maroon: Dis Grey my maat, die tendens wys dit uit, na elke verloor vat hulle 7 jaar om weer teen ons te wil speel. Nog 6 jaar om te wag vir die volgende keer.
Paarlbok, ek vermoed dat julle die feit dat julle so min teen Grey College speel, by julle self moet soek en nie Grey nie. Mens kan mos nie aandring op ‘n wedstryd in die jare wat slegs vir jou pas nie?
@BOG: Jou kop is seker te groot om te verstaan, teen wie het julle verloor na 950 onoorwonne dae in 2012?
Kyk na die prentjies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KgSEAH7nm0
of lees die prentjies:
http://schoolstribune.com/paarl-gym-halts-grey-college-win-streak-p410-1.htm
No ways GCB will lose this one and agree by far the best rugby school nobody comes close.
@PaarlBok: ?????????? Vra iemand om jou te help sodat ek ten minste kan probeer om te verstaan.
@BOG: Ons het laasjaar daai jaar gehad toe ons julle drie jaar se groot koppe gebreek het. Nou le daar weer ‘n 7 jaar wag voor.
@Ploegskaar: Jy is lekker beskeie, die Plaasmense.
Landbou is die volgende groot toets.
@Woltrui: Vreemd dat mens voortdurend van hierdie “rekord” in Bloemfontein hoor. Jy sal sekerlik kan bevestig dat Grey se rekord in beide Pretoria en Stellenbosch nie veel verskil van hulle rekord in Bloem nie. Waaraan skryf jy dit toe? En die feit dat die skeidsregter na jy verwys, nou internasionaal blaas,prikkel nie moontlik die grysstof tussen die velle langs jou kop nie? Waar is julle refs? En kyk maar hoe gedissiplineerde speler is Kitshoff nie vandag nie? Anders as jy, het hy iets daaruit geleer. En raai wat? Strafskoppe is deel vd spel en die gevolg van onwettige spel.@QC86: It maybe old and shrivelled, but not smelly. Its taken care of every day!@PaarlBok: En die Boks met sy gebruiklike “one liner” Blykbaar verkeer jy onder die indruk dat een swaeltjie n somer maak of om na jou vlak af te wentel en dit vir jou verstaanbaar ?? te maak- een wingerdstok gaan nie lei tot n rekord oesjaar nie
@Ploegskaar: Ek kan nie belowe dat ek daar gaan wees nie. Op hierdie stadium is ek eintlik ook meer geïnteresseerd in die O/16s (om verstaanbare redes)! As daai voormalige W.P-man se seun die GK-span haal is dit ‘n klug !!
Indien ek wel gaan, sal ek jou laat weet. Ek moet dalk by Gideon hoor of hy gaan
@PaarlBok: Hel, oom is alweer kwaai vanoggend! Julle manne reg vir ‘Bosch hierdie naweek? Dink hulle sal julle grootste Weskaap toets wees hierdie seisoen, naas Boishaai.
@BuffelsCM: Ongelukkig nie, het afsprake wat ek nie kan skuif nie
Soek eintlik net ‘n bron van betroubare terugvoer 
@Ploegskaar: Hi daar: ek wil baie graag gaan kyk – daar is net ‘n afspraak wat ek verskuif moet kry. Gaan jy deur ?
@Affies: Jy bedoel seker hulle WAS die beste rugby skool, nie meer nie. Definitief “the most overated” op die oomblik. Hoop Boihaai trap hulle saterdag.
@Woltrui: Jammer, verwys na die 2010 wedstryd tussen Paul Roos en Grey Bloem.
@BOG: hey bog i am trying to eat my avo toast is it necessary to have to read about your smelly voorvel,sies man
Werklik jammer dat daar ‘n skaduwee hang oor die tuis rekord van Grey Bloem. Die meeste SBR ondersteuners neem dus die tuis rekord met ‘n knippie sout. Een voorbeeld waarna ek spesifiek verwys is die 2009?? wedstryd tussen Grey en Paul Roos (Kitshoff en Goossen het ondermeer die 2 spanne verteenwoordig) waar Paul Roos vir Grey Bloem verwoes het. Grey Bloem het egter die wedstryd “gewen” weens ‘n aantal obskure beslissings. Ek verstaan egter Grey is besig met daadwerklike pogings om die reputasie te verander en Grey onderwysers word ook nie meer toegelaat om 1 ste span wedstryde te blaas nie
Grey College by 10. All the best to our brothers in Bloem.
Sterkte aan Boishaai! Hou die Paarl se naam hoog.
@BuffelsCM: Gaan jy more die proewe op Wellington kyk? Indien wel, sal ons tyd maak om te bespreek.
Forgive me Beet. Just having some early morning fun.
@Maroon: The blog mentions the 2009 defeat as being their last one before they lost 3 in 2012.
This is the famous 1000 days that Andre T always speaks about.
Bog, jy moet jou pilletjies vroëer soggens drink hoor. Hoë bloedruk is ‘n bliksem.
@Bog…….
Relax. Wat die skrywer (Affies) bedoel op die dag het ons, AHS 10 van die 28 wedstryde gewen.
Kan verstaan jy raak ook bekommerd oor die algehele prentjie andersins.
Maar nietemin jul bly die beste rugby skool in SA.
@Affies: Baie mooi woorde Affies en daar is beslis wedersydse respek vir die :totale pakket” wat Affies bied. Jammer, net een regstelling. Affies staan nou op 5 wenne.@Maroon: How can you forget with a printed T-shirt to commemmorate the occasion?
@Maroon: Hi Maroon, yes I agree but I think Beet was only speaking about victories at home
Great school. Grey did however lose 9-3 to Paul Roos in 2009 at Markotter, Beet.
Grey College, steeds die Beste rugby skool in die land, ek dink regtig waar julle almal flous julleself net omdat Grey ‘n paar wedstryde verloor het, Grey oortuigende wenners en steeds ‘n groot Mag, ek dink dis tjol dat Grey so laag is op enige “rankings”, ander skole het beter geraak ja, maar Grey steeds klas van sy eie, ak meen, Affies wat sekerlik die sterkste teenstand kan bied by al die ander spanne het maar 10 uit 28 gewen, GREY KLAS VAN SY EIE, VIVA LA GREY
@BOG: Boishaai by 4
In the past, whenever I was willing to put my foreskin on the line and up for a bet on this encounter, it has assured victory for Grey. And this, despite BHP s eagerness and excitement to sharpen his whole range of knives in anticipation of performing the ritual in the unlikely event of a Boishaai victory. Thankfully, I gave it a miss last year. But since the last time that I stuck my neck(or is it my head) out, I have aged 2 years and passed the stage in life where I may enjoy the benefits of this “procedure”. So, given the record so far, I need to think very seriously before putting my head on the block.