Boys' High march on Stellenbosch
Despondent King Henry was not talking about Paarl Boys' High as they prepare to do battle with Paul Roos in a Premier Interschools Match on the Markötter Field. But it makes a valid point. Booishaai wear the crown and now they are everybody's target and for two weeks in a row they play top opponents in a match broadcast to the whole rugby country.
Paul Roos know about their 33 successive victories and about their top ranking amongst South African schools. That serves to make Paul Roos all the more determined and they will certainly put in a great effort.
They have some brilliant backs, including Joshua Vermeulen and Damian Willemse who played for SA Schools last year. Then there is the promising tall centre, Lyle Hendricks. They have a tough pack but it will be interesting to see if they can counter the strength and determination of the Paarl loose trio and their SA Schools lock Salmaan Moerat who captains the side.
They are two great sides with proud traditions. It certainly is a match worth watching, as was last week's match in Paarl when Grey Bloem came to play.
Season So Far
Paarl Boys' High have played 11 matches and won them all, including victories over five teams ranked in the FNB Top 20. Their closest score was 29-27 against Outeniqua.
Paul Roos have also played 11, winning eight and losing three. They have played against six Top 20 teams, losing to three of them.
Result against Common Opponents
Affies: Paul Roos lost 24-17; Paarl Boys' High won 29-25
Noteworthy Players
These are players who will be playing on Saturday who achieved well in the past.
SA Schools, 2015
Paul Roos: Joshua Vermeulen, Damian Willemse
Paarl Boys' High: Manuel Rass, Salmaan Moerat
South African Schools A
Paarl Boys' High: Khanya Ncusane
Craven Week, 2015
The players of both schools are eligible to play for Western Province teams.
Paul Roos: Joshua Vermeulen, Damian Willemse
Paarl Boys' High: Manuel Rass, Salmaan Moerat, Khanya Ncusane
Academy Week, 2015
Paarl Boys’ High: Charl Serdyn, Rayhaan Lombard (2014)
Grant Khomo, 2015
Paul Roos: Gerado Jaars
Paarl Boys' High: Takir Abrahams, Wilhelm Barnard, Vian Fourie, Francke Horn, MJ Strauss, Gianni Lombaard (2014)
All of the above is on paper, where the match will not be played. And on the field so much can happen to surpise.
1st XVs
Paul Roos: 15 Joshua Vermeulen, 14 David-Lee Moses, 13 Aydon Topley, 12 Lyle Hendricks, 11 Colia Louis, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Tiaan Coetzee, 8 Bruce Coetzee, 7 Johan Joubert, 6 Hanré du Toit, 5 Jesse Johnson, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Tristan Leitch, 2 Daneel Steinman, 1 Cameron Dawson
Replacements: 16 Juan-Marc Fryer, 17 Alexander Mbete, 18 Pieter Nel, 19 Philip van Dyk, 20 Hans Koetsier, 21 Gerado Jaars, 22 Marais Cloete, 23 Dylan de Villiers
Paarl Boys' High: 15 Gianni Lombaard, 14 Urgene Johannes, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Hanri van Heerden, 11 Takir Abrahams, 10 Rayhaan Lombard, 9 Michael Visser, 8 Khanya Ncusane, 7 Francke Horn, 6 Charl Serdyn, 5 Ewie Loubser, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Adam Neethling, 2 Daniel Jooste, 1 Reece Bezuidenhout,
Replacements: 16 Wilhelm Barnard, 17 MJ Strauss, 18 Armandt Conradie, 19 Vian Fourie, 20 Eric Myburgh, 21 Tiaan du Plessis, 22 Luca Ferreira, 23 Riaan Barnard
Coaches: Sean Erasmus, Elmo Wolfaardt
Date: Saturday, 28 May 2016
1st XV kick-off: 14.00
Television broadcast: Channel 210
Venue: Markotter Stadium, Stellenbosch
Expected weather conditions: Clear with a high of 23°C, dropping to 14°C – a wonderful Cape day for rugby.
Rugby Programme
Markotter Field
Main
08.45: 4th XV
10.00: Under-16A
11.15: 3rd XV
12.30: 2nd XV
14.00: 1st XV
Meulsloot
08.00: 7th XV
09.10: 10th XV
10.20: 8th XV
11.30: 6th XV
12.40: 5th XV
Rivierveld
08.00: 9th XV
09.10: Under-16E
10.20: Under-16D
11.30: Under-16C
12.40: Under-16B
Volkskombuis
08.00: Under-15D
09.10: Under-15C
10.20: Under-15B
11.30: Under-15A
12.40: Under-15E
Doornbosch
08.00: Under-14E
09.10: Under-14A
10.20: Under-14C
11.30: Under-14B
12.40: Under-14D
