Boishaai targets next big scalp

PREVIEW: Paarl Boys will head into the heavyweight clash with Paul Roos as favourites after beating other leading schools such as Grey College and Affies earlier in the season.

A year is a long time in the schoolboy game, and it’s fair to say that the tables have turned with regards to the form of South Africa’s top dogs.

In 2024, Paul Roos was unbeatable, whereas Boishaai struggled to compete against the other leading teams and suffered a shock defeat to Wynberg at Brugstraat.

Fast forward to the present, where Boishaai are neck and neck with Paarl Gym for top honours, after beating Grey College and Affies.

If Boishaai beat Paul Roos this weekend, they may edge ahead of their Paarl rivals in the @rugby365com rankings – and the interschools derby scheduled for August 2 could amount to a national final.

Last weekend, Grey College bounced back from the loss to Boishaai to beat Affies 42-37 in Bloem, while KES edged Noordheuwel 23-22 away.

Both results are important, albeit for very different reasons. Only two months ago, KES copped a 0-102 hiding at the hands of Gimmies at the North-South tournament in Stellenbosch.

Stellenberg recorded a historic win over Bishops this past weekend, which secured the team a rare Cape Town Southern Suburbs grand slam following their earlier wins over Rondebosch, SACS and Wynberg.

It will be interesting to see how the burgeoning side goes against Oakdale, who have been one of the best teams on show in South Africa this year.

Meanwhile, Queen’s College claimed their first win over St Andrews in Makhanda since 2008. They will have the chance to build some momentum when they host Grey High this weekend.

@Rugby365com takes a closer look at some of the bigger matches scheduled for this Saturday.

BOISHAAI V PAUL ROOS

Boishaai have won nine of their 10 matches this season, with their only loss coming against Oakdale in Riversdale.

More recently, they beat Grey College 25-10 before getting their revenge against Wynberg last weekend via a 32-26 win.

If Boishaai overcome Paul Roos this week, they could stretch their winning streak to six matches.

Paul Roos boasts a similar win record, with eight victories in 10 matches.

They’ve lost to Affies and Gimmies already, but are coming off a 40-36 win at Boland Landbou.

Victory this weekend could mark a turning point in their season, as they will face the likes of SACS, Stellenberg, Wynberg and Rondebosch thereafter, and could have the chance to build momentum before tougher games against Oakdale and Grey College (both away from home).

WESTVILLE V DHS

DHS boast an even better record than Boishaai, having won 11 out of 12 this year.

That run includes interprovincial victories against Selborne, Rustenburg, Monument and Durbanville, although they did lose 20-47 to Gimmies at the Kimberley festival.

Having tamed Kearsney 42-20, DHS could strengthen their grip on local opponents with another win over Westville this weekend.

That said, Westville are unbeaten this season, with their flawless record including wins against EG Jansen and Northwood.

If they win at home this weekend, they may crack on to become the kings of KZN for 2025.

QUEEN’S COLLEGE V GREY HIGH

Queen’s College is enjoying a relatively good season.

Their 9-1-2 record includes a 17-14 win against Pretoria Boys, and their only loss to Eastern Cape opposition came against Pearson at the Graeme College festival in March.

Grey High have been competitive if not dominant in 2025.

They’ve won four games to date and drawn with Michaelhouse at home. They went down 7-37 at Paul Roos in April, and 27-32 at Wynberg earlier this month.

SELECTED FIXTURES (MAY 24)

EG Jansen v Helpmekaar
Menlopark v Garsfontein
Noordheuwel v Monument
Affies v KES
Westville v DHS
Glenwood v Northwood
Queen’s College v Grey High
St Andrews v Selborne
Outeniqua v Framesby
Wynberg v Bishops
Rondebosch v Boland Landbou
SACS v Durbanville
Paarl Boys v Paul Roos
Stellenberg v Oakdale

RESULTS (MAY 17)

St Johns 6 Jeppe 31
Waterkloof 27 Menlopark 19
Noordheuwel 22 KES 23
Grey College 42 Affies 37
Hilton College 55 vs Glenwood 15
Northwood 43 Michaelhouse 29
DHS 42 Kearsney 24
Westville 22 Maritzburg College 21
St Andrews 17 Queen’s College 38
Selborne 15 Dale College 13
Bishops 13 Stellenberg 38
Boland Landbou 36 Paul Roos 40
Wynberg 26 Paarl Boys 32
SACS 17 Rondebosch 40

@rugby365com

* Picture credit: @Paarl_Boishaai