Can Oakdale complete Paarl double?

PREVIEW: Two long unbeaten streaks will be on the line when Paarl Gym host a rampant Oakdale side this weekend.

The Paarl giants strengthened their places at the top of unofficial rankings this past week, following Gimmies’ 93-12 victory over Drostdy and Boishaai’s statement 36-26 win against Paul Roos.

Both will head into the next round of fixtures as favourites, even though their next opponents (Oakdale and Stellenberg respectively) have racked up some impressive results to date.

An upset in either game will send shockwaves throughout the schoolboy rugby community.

Elsewhere, the Noordvaal Cup will continue to gather momentum – and Helpmekaar may fancy and upset at Monument.

Down in the Eastern Cape, Queen’s College will look to extend their terrific winning run in 2025 – 10 in 13 games – when they tackle Hudson Park.

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

JEPPE v AFFIES

Jeppe have produced a mixed bag this season, beating Pretoria Boys, KES, Selborne, Maritzburg and Northwood, but losing to some of the form teams, such as Oakdale and Grey College.

Their forwards will face a stern test this weekend when Affies make the trip down to Joburg.

Affies have only lost two of their 12 matches this season, and are coming off a resounding 65-19 win against KES.

Their losses came against Boishaai and Grey College, while they managed to draw against Gimmies away from home.

If they click from the outset this Saturday, they may well put Jeppe to the sword.

DHS v HILTON

DHS’ dominance of the KwaZulu-Natal rugby scene came to an end last week, after they recorded a 28-33 loss to Westville.

DHS finished 2024 at the top of the provincial pile, and proceeded to win their first 10 fixtures in 2025.

They were eventually beaten 47-20 by Gimmies at the Wildeklawer festival, and more recently by Westville. The latter side is unbeaten this season, after 10 matches.

Hilton may feel the backlash this weekend when they head down to Durban.

That said, they have every reason to feel confident, having won eight out of 10 games this year.

Most recently, Hilton handed Glenwood a 55-15 hiding at the Sharks Rugby Day.

PAARL GYM v OAKDALE

Gimmies are unbeaten after 10 matches this season, counting the likes of Grey College, DHS, and Paul Roos among their eight victims.

Their overall record includes draws against Rondebosch and Affies.

One would expect them to prevail in Paarl this weekend, and to strengthen their bid for a top-place finish to the season.

After hosting Oakdale, Gimmies will play Bishops, SACS, Boland Landbou and Wynberg, who may struggle to live with their physicality and intensity.

The last game of the campaign against Boishaai on 2 August may well double as a national final.

That said, they would be foolish to take Oakdale lightly.

Oakdale have won seven, drawn one, and lost two this season.

They were competitive in the defeats to Grey College – ultimately losing 10-25 – and Rondebosch – losing 7-10.

More, of course, should be read into who they have beaten in recent months.

The 28-26 win against Boishaai at home in April certainly served as a statement.

More recently, they have put 40 points past strong Durbanville and Stellenberg teams.

While they will start as underdogs this Saturday, they should give Gimmies a run for their money.

And if they prevail at the JA Kriel field, they will become the first team to complete ‘the Paarl double’ in 2025.

SELECTED FIXTURES (31 MAY)

Pretoria Boys v Michaelhouse
Jeppe v Affies
EG Jansen v Noordheuwel
Garsfontein v Nelspruit
Monument v Helpmekaar
Grey College v Selborne
DHS v Hilton
Maritzburg v Kearsney
Westville v Glenwood
Grey High v St Andrews
Hudson Park v Queens
Stellenberg v Paarl Boys
Paarl Gym v Oakdale
Paul Roos v SACS

RESULTS (24 MAY)

EG Jansen 15-35 Helpmekaar
Menlopark 27-40 Garsfontein
Noordheuwel 43-27 Monument
Affies 65-19 KES
Westville 33-28 DHS
Glenwood 16-30 Northwood
Queen’s College 25-24 Grey High
St Andrews 40-10 Selborne
Wynberg 34-5 Bishops
Rondebosch 57-26 Boland Landbou
SACS 17-20 Durbanville
Paarl Boys 36-26 Paul Roos
Paarl Gym 93-12 Drostdy
Stellenberg 17-47 Oakdale