Boishaai shade Paarl Gim in yet another tight Paarl Interskole Classic

August 2025

It was a Paarl Interskole showdown that had it all—bone-crunching defence, moments of individual brilliance, and the kind of drama that only the Interskole, the biggest schoolboy rugby match in the world, can produce. Not even the handling errors and lineout blunders could detract from the spectacle. After a thrilling opening stanza, the second half built to a heart-stopping crescendo, with Boishaai holding their nerve to clinch a 35–33 victory in one of the most memorable schoolboy clashes of 2025.

Conditions at Faure Street were picture-perfect for what was effectively a cup final. Not only was it the last match of the season for both teams, but the number one school rugby ranking in South Africa for 2025 was also on the line. It was a contest charged with pride, history, and the burning desire to be crowned the best.

The opening half saw Boishaai edge ahead 14–13, but not before a fierce exchange of momentum. Boishaai came out firing, stamping their authority with dominant scrummaging and technically sharp lineout work. A scrum penalty followed by a lineout maul gave them an early opportunity, but a missed penalty for interference in the air kept Gim in the game.

Boishaai dominated the early ball and territory but couldn’t convert pressure into points. Their passes were rushed, and execution faltered. Gim managed to turn the tide with a penalty at the breakdown—only to squander the opportunity with a poor lineout.

Tristan Joubert, Boishaai’s outstanding outside centre and a player who came close to earning the man-of-the-match honours, nearly created the opener with an intercept. But his attempted offload didn’t go to hand. Moments later, Gim flyhalf Louis Koen was almost intercepted a second time, as Boishaai kept up the heat.

Then Gim struck. Fullback Dawid Badenhorst, electric throughout the first half, launched a searing kick return, linking again with the force of nature that is Quintin Potgieter. The No. 8 showed his awareness to offload to captain and outside centre Markus Muller, who was unmarked out wide. The prolific try-scoring Muller coasted in to score and calmly added the extras for a 7–0 lead after 17 minutes. Potgieter was immense all day, and while Muller’s impact in open play was contained, his kicking remained clinical.

Boishaai hit back with typical precision. From the restart, they built multiple phases with superb continuity, earning the right to go wide. After stretching the defence left, they came back right after a few phases, where Jeneal Davids dotted down following a flowing move. Inside centre Iwan Jordaan, also having a day to remember, converted to level the scores at 7–7.

Boishaai got some passes to stick and threaded a kick through that Gim were forced to flyhack into touch, creating an attacking lineout just five metres out. The Boishaai forwards smelled blood. Jordaan, lock Jayden Joubert, and tireless enforcer Gershom Pieters combined with low, hard carries showing off leg power. Pieters eventually bulldozed over. Jordaan added the extras—14–7 to Boishaai.

But Gim weren’t going away. A penalty for offside allowed Muller to narrow the deficit to 14–10, and with momentum beginning to shift, Badenhorst made another piercing break. However, Boishaai’s line speed continued to disrupt Gim’s rhythm.

Just before the break, Gim pulled off a vital turnover deep in their half. From their red zone, they went wide, and Badenhorst once again showed his class, firing a pinpoint cutout pass to right wing Johan Kleynhans. That surge earned a penalty for a tackle off the ball, and Muller stepped up once more, hammering over a long-range strike to cut the deficit to 14–13 at half-time.

A fierce, fast, and fiery first half left everything to play for. And what followed was unforgettable.

Gim came out of the blocks with intent, immediately winning a penalty for playing a man in the air. Muller coolly slotted it, and for the first time since their opening try, Gim led—16–14.

Gim flanker Hendre van der Westhuizen produced a moment of brilliance with a stunning long-range try, showcasing sharp footwork and intelligent line selection to weave through the Boishaai defence. The opportunity was created by Quintin Potgieter, who reacted quickly after a loose ball wasn’t gathered cleanly, pouncing to spark the counter-attack that set van der Westhuizen free. 23–14.

Boishaai attacked the line with real intent, earning a crucial penalty at the breakdown to set up a lineout deep in Gim territory. Their vastly improved set-piece work paid off as they executed a clever, creative move off the lineout to open space for Kobus Wilken, the lively flank who has emerged as a surprise package in the latter part of the season and completed his Cinderella story by winning the player of the match award. Wilken crashed over to finish a well-worked try, and Iwan Jordaan added the extras to edge Boishaai ahead at 23–21.

Straight from the kickoff, Gim were awarded a penalty for Boishaai playing a man in the air. Markus Muller made no mistake from the tee, calmly slotting the three points to extend Gim’s lead to 26–21.

A costly handling error from Boishaai’s prop gifted Gim another golden opportunity to transition and counter-attack. U17 blindside flanker Hendre van Zyl seized it, bursting through midfield and drawing the defence before feeding U17 lock Jean Dreyer for a magnificent try against the run of play. Muller’s conversion made it 33–21 after 52 minutes. They held this lead for over ten minutes.

Boishaai eventually found a classy reply. A midfield turnover gave them possession, and their execution was crisp. Accurate passing and confident phase play allowed replacement wing Cole Moultrie to finish off a silky backline move. Jordaan converted to make it 33–28 with just under 8 minutes to play.

Gim weren’t backing down. Wing Thomas Sanders flipped the field with a brilliant 50:22, but the chance went begging as handling let them down in the red zone.

Boishaai found one last burst of high-quality attacking play. Their forwards smashed into contact with intent, and the ball was shifted wide with purpose. As the Gim defence rushed up, Tristan Joubert showed his instincts, stepping inside to finish a crucial try that would earn him the “game-changing moment” award.

With nerves of steel, Iwan Jordaan calmly slotted the most important kick of his schoolboy career. Boishaai led 35–33 with just minutes remaining.

Gim, desperate, threw everything into one last attack. They surged forward—but Boishaai’s defence was impenetrable, holding their line with unflinching resolve to close out an unforgettable win.

Full-time: Boishaai 35 – 33 Gim

A match of epic proportions, dripping with tension, physicality, and heart. Two elite teams left everything on the park, but it was Boishaai who found the edge when it mattered most.

A true classic. A true derby. Paarl, take a bow.