Paul Roos will travel to Paarl Boys’ High’s Brugstraat Field for the final heavyweight text match fixture of the term. It’s one of the great traditional rivalries, but in recent years, the games haven’t exactly gone down to the wire. The last time this clash was decided by a single score was way back in 2014. Usually, one side ends up dominating. The question is: who will it be in 2025?
If push comes to shove, Boishaai seem the safer bet to win by 10 or more, especially if the weather plays along. They’ve looked sharp and dangerous in dry conditions. But somehow, this one doesn’t feel like it’s going to follow the usual script.
Paul Roos aren’t necessarily the first team you’d associate with flair rugby. One gets the sense they’d prefer a tighter contest with fewer scoring opportunities, rather than a free-flowing affair. That’s backed up by the numbers too—six of their nine matches this season have been decided by a single score. They’ve been in the trenches often, and that battle-hardening could serve them well in a tight encounter.
That said, they showed in their recent win over Boland Landbou that they can turn it on when needed. They’ve got more than enough firepower to keep the scoreboard ticking—and quickly too. The Maroons have quality in abundance, but we haven’t seen that one big, breakout performance from them yet this season.
Boishaai, on the other hand, are completely at ease playing high-tempo rugby. They boast a strong set piece, are ruthless at the breakdown, and dominate the collisions. Their convincing win against Grey College a fortnight ago also evidenced the tactical thought processes and execution that can play a big part in recording a ‘W’ in a big game. Boishaai are averaging 46 points per game—second only to their neighbours up the road—among all tier-one first teams in South Africa in 2025. That’s nearly 15 points per game more than Paul Roos.
Interestingly, both teams are coming off narrow wins last weekend. Paul Roos might feel they got a bit of refereeing karma after a few questionable calls went against them in their clash with Paarl Gim. In the dying moments at the Boland Landbou Plaas, they were awarded a penalty try from the final rolling maul to clinch a 40–36 win. Plenty of Landbou supporters would argue that it should’ve been ruled as “held up over the line” and “game over”.
Meanwhile, at Wynberg, Boishaai were made to work for it. They were pushed all the way by a spirited and in-form Southern Suburbs side and had to rely on a big-match temperament try at the death to edge it 32–26.
A top clash awaits—and the stands will be packed.
Record since 2013:
| DATE | VENUE | ||||
| 20 Jul 2013 | HJS Paarl BH | 21 | 20 | Paul Roos | HJS Paarl BH |
| 07 Jun 2014 | HJS Paarl BH | 13 | 17 | Paul Roos | Paul Roos |
| 20 Jun 2015 | HJS Paarl BH | 29 | 10 | Paul Roos | HJS Paarl BH |
| 28 May 2016 | HJS Paarl BH | 28 | 03 | Paul Roos | Paul Roos |
| 27 May 2017 | HJS Paarl BH | 21 | 09 | Paul Roos | HJS Paarl BH |
| 19 May 2018 | HJS Paarl BH | 08 | 44 | Paul Roos | Paul Roos |
| 25 May 2019 | HJS Paarl BH | 29 | 16 | Paul Roos | HJS Paarl BH |
| 21 May 2022 | HJS Paarl BH | 35 | 15 | Paul Roos | Paul Roos |
| 27 May 2023 | HJS Paarl BH | 17 | 35 | Paul Roos | HJS Paarl BH |
| 20 Apr 2024 | HJS Paarl BH | 10 | 25 | Paul Roos | Paul Roos |
@Snelvuur (Comment #1)
Thanks Snelvuur.
I’m surprised that you would say a quicker field and game might suit Paul Roos. I would have thought it would be the oppose. That a wet field would suit PRG’ game better. With Truspe back they have also added a bit of engine room depth to compete with the anticipated HJS rolling subs. But on a dry field the likes of Jooste, J Joubert, Pieters and S vd Merwe seem more like to add something to the loose vs Gert Kemp who excels in those situations.
I think Ian Smith is playing better rugby now. With Steenkamp out, in the backs, the individual battles of 9 to 15, Boishaai players come out on top in each prematch assessment except maybe at 15. In the wet there is a bit less to choose between them than in the dry.
I think everyone knows Travis is a talent and then some plus he’s still u17, but he’s still looking to play that match where he announces that he has truly arrived on the big stage.
@Snelvuur (Comment #1)
Zak Hickman would be in my underrated player team of the year.
If he was a KZN player, he would walk into the Craven Week team
@Trots HJS (Tandem) (Comment #3)
Thanks, man! Ja, these WP trials are actually farcical. Imagine the Boks asking players to come play trials on a Wednesday between two URC games. If the position at a professional level is that this would not be in the interest of player welfare, why on earth are we subjecting school kids to this? Not to mention that these kids still need to balance academics and whatever else they’re interested in on top of this.
@Snelvuur (Comment #1)
Hi Snelvuur I have to say I really rate your rugby views and your analysis is solid. Tomorrow is another of the ridiculous WP school trials. Let’s hope everyone can get through this healthy. I am genuinely not making early on excuses but we have several injury concerns so do not need a longer list.
I am sure it will be a huge game.
Boishaai met 15.
I don’t think it’s impossible that PRG gets a result here, but I feel like a few things needs to go right for then in order to do so:
1. They have to be able to deal with HJS’ double front row threat – Hickman and Van Vuuren have been solid at scrumtime for PRG, while Rabe’s return has enabled Barnard to move back to tighthead, but, on paper, PRG certainly does not have as much firepower in the front row as HJS. On this point, a quicker field and game might suit PRG better.
2. PRG’s centres need to stand up – Smith and Kleyn have been steady, but not electric, while Basson also hasn’t looked at his best at centre so far. Against Landbou, PRG’s centres had a pretty difficult time on attack and also missed one or two tackles. Against HJS, they’ll definitely be tested on defence, but their bigger challenge will be to get PRG’s backline ticking again. Without the injured Steenkamp, PRG’s backline looked rather toothless against Landbou, so they’ll need to sharpen up.
3. The loosies need to come to the party – I feel this is a part of the game PRG can target: Kemp is an unbelievable player, Kent has been consistent and Van Wyk’s been energetic. Van Wyk went off early against Landbou. In his absence, Le Roux will have to step up – I really rate him very highly, but he made some errors in the game against Landbou that PRG can’t afford against HJS.
4. Finally, the halfbacks… – De Villiers, the form 9 in the WP, and Van der Merwe have been really good for HJS. Pheiffer is unquestionably PRG’s best 10, but he hasn’t been immune from the odd gaffe, and had a rare poor game against Landbou. His pedigree needs to shine against HJS. I’m not sure PRG knows who its best 9 is: Da Silva is the incumbent, but I’ve been really impressed with Powell who replaced him in the second half against Landbou. Whoever plays 9, however, they’ll have their hands full against De Villiers.