Boishaai Steam Ahead

It is, of course, a source of motivation but it can also be a heavy burden for the current team to bear, but bear it they did on Saturday, when, 6-9 down at half-time, they came back to win 21-9.

They certainly are a team with character.

The first half of this Premier Interschools clash between two of South Africa's top rugby schools,  belonged to Paul Roos and, but for the character they have, Boishaai could have lost the match just there, but their defence was strong and kept the visitors to Brug Street away from their goal-line. But, as against Grey Bloem, that first half was also part of the wearing down process that Boishaai does so well.

The scoring in the first half was three penalties to two, which early in the second half became three penalties each when Abner van Reenen goaled his third at the start of the second half. Then Boishaai went on the offensive and took control of the game.

The match changed on two tries by the Boishaai scrumhalf, Eric Myburgh.

First, he chased a Van Reenen kick downfield from in his own half. The bounce of ball was kind to the chasing Myburgh and he scored.

Boishaai mauled, Myburgh broke and scored, and that was enough to win.

There was still time to play but the Paarl pack kept the Stellenboschers in check.

It was Paarl Boys' High's third successive victory over Paul Roos.

Scorers

For Paarl Boys' High:

Tries: Eric Myburgh 2

Con: Abner van Reenen

Pens: Abner van Reenen 3

For Paul Roos:

Pens: Colia Louis 3

Teams

Paarl Boys' High: 15 Thaakir Abrahams, 14 Stuart Tait, 13 Divan Enslin, 12 Le Roux Malan, 11 Luka Ferreira, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Eric Myburgh, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Evan Roos, 6 Vian Fourie, 5 Cornell Kotzé, 4 Adrian Alberts, 3 Joshua du Preez, 2 Wilhelm Barnard, 1 MJ Strauss

Paul Roos: 15 Colia Louis, 14 Regan van der Westhuizen, 13 Brendan Venter, 12 Rufus Dercksen (captain), 11 Rémy Engelbrecht, 10 Juan Mostert , 9 Antonie Kock, 8 Matthew Cordy, 7 Philip van Dyk, 6 Johan Bouwer, 5 Breyten Maritz, 4 Mink Scharink, 3 Hanru Jacobs, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Alexander Mbete

Replacements: 16 Willem van der Hever, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Tristan Leitch, 19 Ryno Niemand, 20 Michael Koning, 21 Gerado Jaars, 22 Marais Cloete, 23 WJ Smith

Referee: Sinethemba Mrulwa (Western Proviunce Referees' Society)