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 |
@TWE (Comment #82)
Oh yes I understand what you mean now. This happens a lot.
Sponsor, SGB member, prominent old boy, coach, senior staff member.
@beet (Comment #70)
I have seen it at cricket clubs more, a parent spends time and effort and his son/daughter gets selected for both practical and quid pro quo reasons. But it is another issue in the grey zone of semi professional school rugby, where often the reason a company sponsors the school is because of a personal connection, ie old boy or kids are in the school. So, two kids can compete for a position in the u15 A team, they are very close in ability, so it is not that obvious the team will be weakened. The father of one has organised a large sponsorship for the rugby school program. Who gets selected?
@Bungee (Comment #80)
Jy slaan die spyker op die kop. Corne en ander afrigters gaan moet hard werk om dit reg te stel want dit is ‘n probleem reg deur al die ouderdomsgroepe.
@Snelvuur (Comment #79)
Die disipline probleem plaag al langer as Jurenzo se beserings
@JongMatie (Comment #77)
Om minder foute te maak, is ‘n manier van beter wees. Ons spanne speel deur die bank baie goeie rugby, maar dissipline en ongedwonge foute het meeste van die spanne gekos. 16As was 28-0 agter op ‘n punt, met meeste van HJS se punte wat van ongedwonge foute af kom. Die derdespan was voor met die bal met die tyd verby, toe speel een van ons voorspelers ‘n man van HJS van die bal af, HJS kry ‘n strafskop, maul en druk daarna om die game te wen. Dis nie genoeg om goeie rugby te speel teen klas spanne nie – jy moet klinies ook wees. Dís waar ons moet verbeter: ons kan net nie elke game teen ‘n groot span met 14 man helfte van die tyd speel nie en ons moet eenvoudig minder strafskoppe afstaan.
@JongMatie (Comment #77)
So if PRG played them again and won, that would make them better? PRG is a machine team and Bois High were just that much better and even on a rematch.
Ons is nederig in verloor as dit fair en square is.
Ek is nogsteeds nie seker of Boishaai se eerste span beter as Paul Roos is nie.
Paul Roos hul eie grootste vyand gewees.
Basiese unforced foute gemaak
@OUD ANKER (Comment #65)
Stem saam Snellas.Volhoubaarheid en /spanne. Hulle doen nie sleg nie. Elke dan en wan gaan hulle met n top 5 span kom. Darem nie 50 jaar nie. Se die volgende dekade gaan bepalend wees. Dit sal dan 20 jaar wees wat hulle saam die groot honne blaf. Hulle grootste bate is hulle bestuur(wat moet verander oor die volgende dekade) en hul ligging. Noordheuwel en Stellenberg wat ook die regte pad volg.
@OUD ANKER (Comment #65)
Dink nie ek stem saam met jou re Garsfontein nie…en geen disrespek teenoor hulle rugbyprogram en resultate van die laaste klompie jare nie, maar ons sal eers oor 50 jaar weet of dit wat hulle vandag vermag volhoubaar is. Eers dan kan jy praat van die Top 6. Ek praat uit ondervinding. Ek was in ‘n Hoërskool in PTA wat in die 70’s en vroeë 80’s met gemak saam met die groot honde gehardloop het. Hulle het selfs PRG gespeel en geklop in 1976/77. Sadly was die sukses nie volhoubaar nie en is hulle vandag absoluut nêrens as dit by rugby kom. Oor jare kan dinge skielik verander…kyk bv wat met Glenwood gebeur het. Die top 5 skole het ‘n baie ryke tradisie en rugby geskiedenis wat oor 100 plus jaar gebou is. Garsfontein is egter nog besig om te bou aan hulle legacy…
@Snelvuur (Comment #72)
Weird van die Garsfonteiners, hulle het die jaar n decent hokkiespan. Seker die enigste span wat Affies kon klop.
Just on the referee: I thought he was largely excellent. De Villiers lucky only to get yellow, but you don’t want to spoil a big game with a red card – similar to the yellow Boraine got against Affies last year. His maintenance of discipline generally was excellent.
The only thing I genuinely had a problem with, was that Truspe Schoeman got a blue card early in the game (sent for a concussion test), but PRG was not allowed to bring on a forward in his place. It’s not evident from the TV (I was at the field), but Winter (the replacement lock) immediately got his jersey on and ran to the touch judge to be subbed on in Truspe’s place, but was shown away. To me, it seemed that the touch judge understood Truspe to have been sent off with a yellow card and not for a HIA. PRG’s coaching staff should have dealt with that better.
Hallo Almal (insluitende die Garsfonteiners wat ontsteld is oor ons ook hokkie-uitslae deel),
Hier is die hele lot rugby-uitslae – ons is net so trots daarop. En baie trots om kragte te kon meet teen HJS gister – top span, top mense en top kompetisie. Op hierdie vlak van skolerugby is die margins só klein en die kontak so groot dat jy net jou hoed kan afhaal vir elke skoolkind wat hul beste gegee het gister. Baie geluk aan die hele HJS-gemeenskap, julle verdien die een uit en uit!
*PRG vs HJS Paarl 2025*
19A 26-36 HJS Paarl 19A
19B 6-12 HJS Paarl 19B
19C 17-20 HJS Paarl 19C
19D 26-14 HJS Paarl 19D
19E 14-32 HJS Paarl 19E
19F 7-27 HJS Paarl 19F
19G 20-18 HJS Paarl 19G
19H 31-13 HJS Paarl 19H
19I 8-3 HJS Paarl 19I
19J 19-18 HJS Paarl 19J
19K 24-12 HJS Paarl 19K
16A 31-38 HJS Paarl 16A
16B 24-18 HJS Paarl 16B
16C 40 -24 HJS Paarl 16C
16D 28-21 HJS Paarl 16D
16E 17-12 HJS Paarl 16E
16F 20-19 HJS Paarl 16F
15A 14-21 HJS Paarl 15A
15B 17-12 HJS Paarl 15B
15C 19-25 HJS Paarl 15C
15D 10-16 HJS Paarl 15D
15E 13-13 HJS Paarl 15E
15F 5-14 HJS Paarl 15F
14A 14-12 HJS Paarl 14A
14B 24-13 HJS Paarl 14B
14C 31-27 HJS Paarl 14C
14D 45 -0 HJS Paarl 14D
14E 33-10 HJS Paarl 14E
14F 31-12 HJS Paarl 14F
Played: 29
PRG Won: 19
HJS Won: 9
Drawn: 1
Average Score : 21-18
Points for: 583
Points against: 500
@beet (Comment #70)
Was also wondering about that..perhaps referring to the selection of key players that are not 100% fit because it is important to get a result in order to keep the sponsors happy…
@TWE (Comment #67)
Are you able to share more on this comment:
“On a different note, one has to wonder the impact that sponsorship has on team selections. Something that is unique to sport schools.”
@TWE (Comment #67)
Klink of JongMatie dan reg is oor die ref.
@Trots HJS (Tandem) (Comment #63)
Waars Kom Galpil Dan vandaan?
@POD (Comment #60)
I thought the Paul Roos lock was also very fortunate to stay on the field after the early clash that caused the poor newly promoted centre to leave the field. And for Paarl Boys as a squash school to lose only 2-0 in the hockey against a hockey school says a lot. On a different note, one has to wonder the impact that sponsorship has on team selections. Something that is unique to sport schools.
@Wonder (Comment #62)
Wil darem net daarop wys dat van die 29 Rugbywedstryde wat gespeel is het PRG darem 19 gewen en Boishaai 9 terwyl 1 gelykop was. Dus nie te bad vir ‘n hokkieskool nie?! Boishaai het egter die games wat saakmaak gewen…so baie geluk aan hulle! Volgende jaar probeer ons weer. Ek sien baie uit na die Paarl interskole oor 10 weke…
@Grizzly (Comment #58)
Ek stem nie saam dat Garsfontein bo hulle gewigsklas boks nie. Sonder disrespek teenoor ander skole, maar in my opinie is daar ‘n top 6 in SA skole rugby…Gim, Affies, Grey, Garsfontein, PRG, HJS in no particular order…so ek dink nie die Bere boks bo hulle gewigsklas nie.
@Wonder (Comment #62)
Click,kyk of hulle aas wil vat. Het nie Matie se nonsens vergeet wat hy my aan die begin seisoen gegee het nie.
@JongMatie (Comment #53)< Boishaaiers are taught the old school principles to be gracious in victory and defeat. When we had bloggers ( it never were old boys ) tarnishing our reputation we spoke up about it. You are not representative of the Paul Roos community I know.
I thought Boishaai was magnificent yesterday and extremely well coached. But the challenges never stop so Saturday it is another formidable team waiting in Stellenberg. Many games to go still until we play the game of all games against the school of the northern part of Paarl.
@Grizzly (Comment #59)
PRG is baie goeie hokkie skool, hulle kan met trots hulle uitslae deel.
@POD (Comment #60)
Stem heeltemal saam met jou…
@OomPB (Comment #48)
Dis n rooi kaart sonder dat n plaasvervanger later kan opkom. Roos het teen Grey High n rooi kaart vir n skop gekry. Maar mens moet nie staatmaak op n rooi kaart om te wen nie; as jy 12 punte op is en dan met 10 punte verloor het die beter span mos gewen, finish en klaar
@Snelvuur (Comment #40)
@OomPB (Comment #54)Dan aan al die PRG bloggers, ons stel nie belang in hokkie uitslae nie, wie kyk nog daai crap. Eks seker daars n hokkie blog iewers. Hoe meer julle verloor hoe meer word hokkie uitslae hier gepost.
@JongMatie (Comment #53)
In die begin v d seisoen het jy n ander deuntjie gesing . Iets soos weer nr 1 of iets. Die Bere het al heelwat wenne teen die groot 5 ona een teen julle, met Jurenzo. PRG en Garsies nie veronderstel om in een sin genoem te word nie, die Bere fight 4 weight classes bo hulle gewig.Ek hoop net ons speel volgende jaar en julle het al die beseerdes terug, lol.
@OomPB (Comment #56)
Soos met die bombsquad ….as dit binne die reels is ,is dit fine bad luck as jy nie kan aanpas nie
Het die bench vir die B span gespeel?
Daar was Mos n amperse boikot teen PRG oor dit?
@JongMatie (Comment #53)
Ouboet Boishaai se pak het julle plainweg gevreet die tweede helfte….soos hulle ook met Grey gedoen het, vat hom nou maar op die ken soos n groot seun…
@Grizzly (Comment #52)
In Paarl terme is dit daai laaste interskole game wat die sukses van die seisoen bepaal. Die res is net opwarming wedstryde.
Ons het Jordan Steenkamp bitter baie gemis, drieë vraat.
As jy skop na n speler is dit ROOI
Refs pateties
Travis baie stil, te vroeg teruggebring na besering
Seymore ook beseer
Garsfontein moet maar aanploeter en bly hoop vir n wen teen die werklike makro rugbyskole in SA
Ons het basies skoonskip in die hokkie gemaak.
Jong Matie waars jy? Jyt Baie stil geraak, hoekom? A tread vir BH VS PRG sonder 1 comment? Toe maar dis net die Oakdale Bulle en dan Grey, dan is die droom seisoen oor… 5 is nie bad nie. Miskien is die beseerdes terug, dan het julle kans maar ek twyfel. Al twee daai is weg op die berugste weg velde….Bel vir Jurenzo. Lol.
Die groter Boishaai gemeenskap is dankbaar vir die wen.
Moes diep delf.
Hoop die senter (reserwe) is ok, vroeg af met n besering.
Ons het basies 80% van die wedstryd met n 3 de keuse binnesenter gespeel.
In die Norries vs Monnas game het twee afrigters van Monnas aspris in die skop per se pad gesit. Hulle behoort permanent geskors te word. Op die einde van die dag is dit net n sport vir kinders.
Very entertaining game.
Paul Roos started well. I think they got up to 21-9 at one stage. Boishaai just had an extra gear when they needed it. Also seemed to get their kickoffs right to make life hard for PRG.
Ref was quite strict.
The Suzuki Game Changing moment seemed like it was when with the ref’s back turned, van Leeuwen interfered with de Villiers, resulting in him kicking the ball 15 backwards into touch. PRG got the lineout and capitalised.
Travis got charged down again.
Ek Ken nie die skool reels deesdae nie, die kommentators het dit genoem Dat as n speler skop na n teenstanders is dit n rooi kaart. Dit is ook irriterend as elke beweging eindig na n starfskop na albei spanne. Is die speler dan eenvoudig onnosel? Het dit nou so professioneel geraak Dat die laaitie nie et maar kan jol nie.
lekker dag op brug straat- elke game kon n ander wenner gehad het-hjs se dag nou- vogende jaar wie weet- prg miskien hulle eie grootste vyand in main game-
Looks like SE new system setup is paying off💪💪💪💪
@OomPB (Comment #44)
Yster span! Geluk
Geluk aan Boishaai. Het hul punte gevat en goeie dissipline gehad. PRG het hul beste wedstryde van die jaar gehad, maar te veel kaarte en laerskool foute.
Die drummer boys. Iemand moet hul leer in in gelid te stap.
@beet (Comment #41)
Sad.
@Snelvuur (Comment #22)
I have to go back over the last few years to confirm but I think WP know their winning formula for CW within the set quota targets. White players are on a 8-3 split forwards to backs. This has shut the door on many good scrumhalves over the years. With Markus-Thriller practically confirmed and Jayden Brits probably being the first choice 9 on the SAS radar, it leaves just one place open, which surely has to go to a flyhalf???
u16A: HJS 38-31 PRG
Decent fightback from PRG after being 28-0 down. Just left too much to do.
@beet (Comment #38)
Guessing Van der Merwe.
@Snelvuur (Comment #23)
No Iwan Jordan. So Davids or vd Merwe to kick at goal?
o15As: HJS 21-14 PRG
Game of three thirds. HJS 15-0 up. Then 15-14. Then 18-14 and another penalty for HJS in the last minute.
@Snelvuur (Comment #35)
Great…hulle het karakter gewys! Bly hulle kon dit deurtrek nadat hulle vir die grootste deel van game agter was.
14As: PRG 14-12 HJS
@Snelvuur (Comment #32)
Jammer snella, nie so diep gelees.
Soek sommer bietjie skoor 😜
@Snelvuur (Comment #32)
Dankie vir dit. Jy voeg baie waarde toe. Long may it continue.
@Kantman (Comment #31)
Daar is dan rugbytellings? Ek deel alles sodra ek dit kry en kans kry om dit te tik (dit vat ook tyd!).
Is dit nie ‘ n rugby blog hierdie nie?
Hopelik is rugby tellings ook so vinnig op.
@Maroon machine supporter (Comment #29)
Haven’t watch the hockey but still a clean sweep. Good to see Boishaai have so many hockey teams.
@TWE (Comment #25)
They were coasting. Had plenty of opportunity to score but failed to do so while Boishaai never looked like scoring/didn’t even get close.
RESULTS SO FAR (WHERE AVAILABLE)
Squash: 11-4
Hockey:
HJS u16D vs PRG u16E: 1-8
HJS u16C vs PRG u16D: 0-5
u14B: 0-5
u14A: 1-3
u14C: 0-8
u19D: 1-5
u16A: 0-3
u14D: 1-5
u16B: 0-11
u19C: 0-3
u19B: 1-2
u19A: 0-2
Rugby:
u15F: 14-5
u19K: 12-24
u14F: 12-31
u19J: 18-19
Good start to the weekend for PRG!
Paul Roos starting XV:
1. Hickman
2. Rabe
3. Van Vuuren
4. Van Leeuwen
5. Schoeman
6. Van Wyk
7. Kent
8. Kemp
9. Nel
10. Pheiffer
11. Lampbrecht
12. Smith
13. Kleyn
14. Basson
15. Stoffels
@TWE (Comment #25)
Why not?
It was. Another solid, comfortable victory.
I assume it was not Paul Roos 1st team hockey that played Paarl Boys 1st this evening?
@Snelvuur (Comment #22)
Cox u19 this year
HJS se begin XV:
1. Jooste
2. Muller
3. Van der Merwe
4. Pieters
5. Joubert
6. Van Zyl
7. Van der Merwe
8. Kok
9. De Villiers
10. Van der Merwe
11. Holmes
12. Nel
13. Joubert
14. Davids
15. Grindlay
@Bungee (Comment #21)
Ja, I reckon Jayden Brits will be the starting 9. The second-choice 9 is a toss-up and I reckon it’s unlikely that another white 9 will be picked, so De Villiers will probably start for the XV-side. Lots of good coloured 9s though: Booise from Gim is good, Cox from Bellville is also good. At 10 there’s basically 4 contenders in my view: Pheiffer, Van Biljon, Sellidon and Van der Merwe (with Behardien from Wynberg another buiteperd). I reckon they’ll go with at least one of Pheiffer or Van Biljon, if not both. If they don’t go with both, I reckon Sellidon gets in. If Steenkamp’s fit, he plays 11. 12 is a toss-up with no really standout candidate: Barker (Gim), Jordaan (HJS) and Davids (Rondebosch) are all in the mix. I reckon Basson is a buiteperd here – I know PRG plays him on the wing, but WP likes him at 12. Muller 13. Probably one of the Ocks twins at 14. Probably Lackay from SACS at 15.
@Kantman (Comment #20)
I don’t know about this. Jayden Brits, Markus Muller and Jordan Steenkamp will all 3 easily walk into any team of the season so far
@Trots HJS (Tandem) (Comment #3)
I smell a few surprise picks for WP Craven Week teams. Forwards strong – backline not convincing yet
Klipharde wedstryd – maar ek dink PRG gaan verras en die wedstryd wen. HJS se diepte gaan getoets word.
Of nie
@Snelvuur (Comment #1)
I think #4 here is the biggest issue for PRG this year. We have been blessed with brilliant schoolboy 9s the past while and now without that, our backline/attack in general is struggling. Here’s hoping that someone will raise their hand now and step-up.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #16)
That will most definitely help…but may still not be enough as we saw in the game between PRG vs Landbou.
@Maroon machine supporter (Comment #14)
…or simply ‘the bounce of the ball’
Boishaai met so 13plus.
@Snelvuur (Comment #13)
Ek hoor jou…ek wou aanvanklik gesê het ‘n “ligte wonderwerk”. Hoop van harte jou gevoel is reg!
@Maroon machine supporter (Comment #9)
Ek dink ook “wonderwerk” is gans te sterke woord. Daar is wel sekere key battles wat PRG gaan moet wen waar hulle nie op papier gunstelinge is nie, maar dis so sterk soos ek dit sou stel.
@Trots HJS (Tandem) (Comment #11)
Dink nie PRG gaan saam met daai Bioshaai pak kan leef nie ,soos Grey sal hulle in die mix wees die eerste helfte maar die Boishaai pak sal beheer oor neem na die eerste helfte
@Maroon machine supporter (Comment #9)
Jy weet mos dit is bog dat julle ‘n wonderwerk benodig. Dit is totaal ‘n 50-50 game en dit gaan droog en warm wees so die gesprekke rondom nat veld nie nodig. Dit is 2 talentvolle spanne met great coaching en trotse ondersteuners. Sal ‘n wonderlike dag wees en ons is bevoorreg om 2 sulke puik seuns skole so naby mekaar kan hê. Op die veld gaan die skote klap en na die tyd gaan die seuns vriende bly. Boishaai wil wen , en so ook PRG. Ons sal net weet laat Saterdag. @Smallies (Comment #7)
Stem saam. Tragies.
@Maroon machine supporter (Comment #9)
Jy weet mos dit is bog dat julle ‘n wonderwerk benodig. Dit is totaal ‘n 50-50 game en dit gaan droog en warm wees so die gesprekke rondom nat veld nie nodig. Dit is 2 talentvolle spanne met great coaching en trotse ondersteuners. Sal ‘n wonderlike dag wees en ons is bevoorreg om 2 sulke puik seuns skole so naby mekaar kan hê. Op die veld gaan die skote klap en na die tyd gaan die seuns vriende bly. Boishaai wil wen , en so ook PRG. Ons sal net weet laat Saterdag.
@Snelvuur (Comment #1)
PRG benodig dus ‘n wonderwerk…kan maar net bly hoop tot Saterdag middag.
@beet (Comment #6)
Truspe is one of my favourite rugby players to watch. I think he would be a great signing for any union because he just gives you such a bulk of involvements as a result of his MASSIVE engine. If you can refine his skillset and improve him technically, he could be a mighty fine player.
I guess my assessment of PRG in the wet is based, at least in part, on the fact that they’ve lost both of their games in the rain this year. I’d put my money on it that they would have beaten Affies on a dry field (Gim might have been a completely different story though). If it is dry, I’d like to see PRG’s pack play some ultra-mobile rugby – Hickman, Rabe, Truspe and Kemp all really get across the park well. Barnard is probably my most improved player of the year: excellent at hooker (probably his long-term position) in Rabe’s absence, deputised at 6 when Le Roux was briefly off against Landbou and then slotted in at tighthead. Two breakdown steals from him led directly to PRG’s last two tries vs Landbou. It’s unlikely that he starts against HJS, but he’s another ultra-mobile option.
I think PRG probably loses the “grunt” battle against HJS, but their pack may be able to outrun HJS’, especially if Travis can control the game territorially.
I like Smith at centre, I just think it’s all a bit slow with him and Kleyn there. If we had the luxury of having a nippy 13 outside one of them, it would have been really useful.
@Snelvuur (Comment #4)
Julle weet dat die unies nie regtig die wellfare van die kinders op die hart dra nie ne…hulle het nie n saak met skoolwerk en al daai dinge nie ….dis omdat CW lankal nie meer die celebration of school boy rugby is wat dit was nie.
@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.