Boland Landbou struggling with injuries up front
Boland Landbou pulled off a great escape a weekend before Easter, beating SACS 21–18 on the Memorial A Field – a game they arguably should have lost. The hosts dominated up front for large parts of the match, thanks in part to much-improved lineout work, and it took some late counter-attacking brilliance from BL to turn things around.
There was a clear reason for BL’s struggles up front: four of their key forwards are currently sidelined with injuries. Henry Rudder (prop) and Chad Meintjies (lock) should be ready for ABSA Wildeklawer, while big hooker Heinrich Bezuidenhout is on track for a June return to action. There is however no update on talented no.8 Kody Nell. Compounding matters is that back three players Aleit Stander and Gehano van Bo are doubtful for the trip to Kimberley. Definitely not good news for a small school like BL!
This coming weekend offers a break from top-flight action, with their 2nd/3rd XV set to face Bellville’s u19A side. That means Boland Landbou’s next big test will be against Framesby at the ABSA Wildeklawer Festival on 1 May. Just two days later, they face a massive clash against a high-flying Affies team.
Gim looking for better returns off the tee against Grey College
Paarl Gimnasium not only boast one of the best-known assistant coaches in the country in Helmut Lehmann, but they also have arguably the most recognisable kicking coach in schools rugby. Not many know his name – Louis Grundlingh – but somehow, he manages to appear in more broadcast shots than any other coach in his field.
That said, Gim’s goal-kicking woes have persisted in recent seasons, and once again proved costly in a thrilling 16-all draw against Affies. Despite outscoring their opponents two tries to one, they couldn’t convert crucial kicks to claim victory. Grundlingh must be feeling the extra pressure.
Next up? A daunting away trip to Grey College in Bloemfontein – a fixture that rarely disappoints. Like the Affies encounter, it could also be played in wet conditions. Grey are notoriously tough to beat at home, but if Gim are to stand a chance, they’ll need their kickers to find the mark.
Three of the last four encounters between the two giants have been absolute thrillers:
2021: Grey College 16 – 18 Paarl Gimnasium
2022: Grey College 17 – 22 Paarl Gimnasium
2023: Grey College 33 – 12 Paarl Gimnasium
2024: Grey College 29 – 27 Paarl Gimnasium
Boishaai edged in thriller and now set for tough Bosch test
Paarl Boys’ High were part of a cracking match against a fired-up Oakdale team in their last outing. Boishaai were on top in the first half and had a try disallowed for double movement – a decision that, had it gone their way, might have sealed the game early.
But Oakdale, also known as the Bulle, weren’t done. They rallied with some superb play to edge Boishaai 28–26 in a proper schools rugby classic.
There’s no time to rest though – Rondebosch away is next on the calendar, on the famous Tinkie Heyns Field. Bosch are a skilled, smart and dangerous side, still smarting from a shock 17–20 defeat to KES at the latter’s Easter Festival.
The last four Interschools meetings between Boishaai and Rondebosch have been close battles:
2021: Rondebosch 20 – 30 HJS Paarl BH
2022: Rondebosch 22 – 19 HJS Paarl BH
2023: Rondebosch 7 – 12 HJS Paarl BH
2024: Rondebosch 28 – 36 HJS Paarl BH
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.