Boishaai primed to storm Paul Roos fortress
PREVIEW: Paarl Boys travel to Paul Roos this weekend with their sights set on another big scalp, while Stellenberg will be desperate to bounce back when they host Rondebosch.
Boishaai’s recent win against Stellenberg has altered the South African schoolboy rugby picture, and the race for the No.1 ranking is wide open.
While Boishaai have some catching up to do, the likes of Garsfontein, Paarl Gim, and Paul Roos are starting to hit their stride.
Stellenberg, of course, may well recover in the coming weeks to strengthen their claim for top spot.
Rugby365 looks ahead to some of the big match-ups scheduled for Saturday.
PAUL ROOS V PAARL BOYS
Sean Erasmus’ charges delivered a tactical masterclass against No.1-ranked Stellenberg last week, eventually winning 29-7 at Brug Street.
That said, a relatively young combination has struggled for consistency over the course of the 2026 season, winning six, losing three and drawing one.
It’s interesting to note that Boishaai’s losses have come against leading teams such as Garsfontein, Affies and Grey College, while they drew with Oakdale at home.
The recent win against Stellenberg could well be viewed as a statement, and it begs the question: Have Boishaai turned the corner?
The next clash in Stellenbosch should provide an answer.
Paul Roos and Boishaai are among South Africa’s best rugby schools – with the former finishing unbeaten in 2024 and the latter claiming the No.1 ranking in 2025.
Both have been less consistent in subsequent seasons, although Paul Roos have found some form in recent months.
Corne Uys’s side has won 10 from 11 matches this year, with their only loss coming at Stellenberg.
The Maroon Machine has been especially dominant at the Markotter Stadium, winning their three matches by 17 points or more.
They were especially impressive in the 45-28 win against Affies in March, with flyhalf Travis Pfeiffer putting on a show.
Boishaai will need to be at their best if they are going to push Paul Roos close – and the cool goal-kicking of No.10 Daniel Meisenheimer may well be a factor.
STELLENBERG V RONDEBOSCH
Stellenberg produced their worst performance of the season at Brug Street last Saturday.
Having won 11 of their previous 12 matches – and having pushed Garsfontein close in that 20-21 loss at the North-South tournament at Affies – they were completely outplayed by a more physical and accurate Boishaai outfit.
Stellenberg’s relentless schedule has been a big talking point, and the back-to-back away fixtures against Oakdale and Boishaai were always going to provide the players with the ultimate test.
They should bounce back this weekend, when they return to their fortress in Bellville to host a Rondebosch side that has blown hot and cold in 2026.
Bosch have won six and lost five – and are coming off a particularly heavy 17-41 defeat to Paul Roos at home.
HELPMEKAAR V MONUMENT
Garsfontein currently sit at the top of the Noordvaal Cup standings, having claimed 14 out of a possible 15 points from their three fixtures.
Monument have played one match fewer, and could strengthen their bid for top spot with another big win against Helpmekaar this Saturday.
Helpies were marked as a team to watch after a strong 2025 season, but have failed to produce the same quality of performances in 2026.
Their overall win record is 50 percent, while they have made a shaky start to the Noordvaal Cup, losing two of their first three matches.
Helpies managed to beat EG Jansen 36-24 at home last week and will take some momentum into the big clash against Monument.
Monnas have recovered from a poor start to the season, which saw them lose three of their first four games – two of those to Grey College and Paul Roos.
Since then, Jannie du Plessis’ charges have won eight games in a row – a run that includes victories against Durban High School and, more recently, Jeppe.
They will be aiming for a win at Helpmekaar this weekend before they play their next two matches against Menlopark and Garsfontein in Krugersdorp.
Continues below…
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH
Garsfontein are also in contention for the No.1 ranking, having won eight of their 10 matches this season – with Stellenberg, Boishaai and Affies among their victims.
Garsies will look to see off Menlopark this Saturday, and should continue to build towards the key Noordvaal Cup clash against Monnas on June 6.
Affies have bounced back since that loss to Garsfontein – beating Outeniqua, Boishaai, Jeppe and Grey College – and will be heavy favourites against KES, who are coming off a 0-40 defeat to Westville.
Northwood were one of the strongest teams in KwaZulu-Natal last season, but have won five and lost five in 2026 – losing 24-27 to Maritzburg College at home last week.
It will be interesting to see how Northwood go against Jeppe this Saturday, as the Joburg side has struggled against most of the top teams but has claimed the scalps of Garsfontein, Diamantveld, Westville and Boland Landbou.
Elsewhere, Durbanville may fancy their chances at home against Bishops, who have lost their last five games.
Parel Vallei made an impression when they beat Framesby and Hudson Park at the Grey High Festival in Gqeberha earlier this season, and may believe that victory is possible against a SACS side that has won five and lost six – especially in a clash that will be staged in Somerset West.
Paarl Gim will also bear watching when they travel to Wynberg.
Pieter Rossouw’s side has some bigger clashes against Oakdale and Paul Roos to come, but should be desperate to boost their current winning streak, which currently sits at 10 matches, and remain in the race for the No.1 ranking.
SELECTED FIXTURES MAY 23
NOORDVAAL
Noordheuewel v EG Jansen
Garsfontein v Menlopark
Helpmekaar v Monument
Waterkloof v Middelburg
KES v Affies
Pretoria Boys v St Johns
CENTRAL
Jim Fouche v Diamantveld
Bethlehem Voortrekker v Witteberg
Welkom Gim v Goudveld
Trio v Hentie Cilliers
Upington v Duineveld
EASTERN CAPE
Port Rex v Selborne
Queens v Hudson Park
Framesby v Outeniqua
Marlow v Nico Malan
St Andrews v Grey High
KWAZULU-NATAL
Northwood v Jeppe
Glenwood v Westville
Clifton v St Davids
WESTERN CAPE
Durbanville v Bishops
Boland Landbou v Milnerton
Wynberg v Paarl Gim
Paul Roos v Paarl Boys
SACS v Parel Vallei
Stellenberg v Rondebosch
Image credits: Poppie Terblanche/ Hoër Jongenskool Paarl Boys’ High School
