Giants continue to fall as Wynberg slay Boishaai
SCHOOLS WRAP: Wynberg recorded a monumental win in Paarl while Gimmies survived their first big test in another dramatic round of schoolboy rugby.
In our weekend preview, we suggested that another big upset was on the cards, given what had transpired in preceding weeks.
Last month, Jeppe stunned the South African rugby community when they claimed a historic victory over Grey College. On April 6, Milnerton fought back from a 30-point deficit to beat a more fancied Rondebosch side in the southern suburbs.
David has taken on Goliath this season, and on several occasions, brought the giant to earth. This past Saturday, Wynberg overcame the odds when they travelled to the Buco Brug Street Stadium in Paarl and recorded a 30-27 victory.
Joe de Costa led Wynberg to their first win against Boishaai since 1988. As the website School of Rugby pointed out in the aftermath, Joe’s father Aden was part of the last Wynberg side that beat Boishaai 36 years ago.
It’s a significant achievement in the context of Wynberg’s present season, and given the strength of this Boishaai unit.
With this result, Wynberg have extended their winning run, while Boishaai have conceded their first defeat of the 2024 season.
According to the latest schoolboy rankings on Ruggas.co,za, Wynberg have moved up to 11th place. Wynberg will look to build on the recent result and move into the top 10 over the next few weeks. Boishaai will be desperate to bounce back in the next round.
Grey College certainly made a statement in the wake of a shock loss to Jeppe.
This past Saturday, the boys from Bloem scored 14 tries in a 90-3 rout of Outeniqua – who are still among the top teams in the country. The powerfully built outside centre Ethan Adams scored a hat-trick, while three other players bagged a brace apiece.
Grey have work to do if they’re going to finish the season at the top of the schoolboy pyramid. Paarl Gym side are full value for their No.1 ranking – although they were pushed close by a strong Affies side this past Saturday.
The game at Affies was reportedly watched by more than 8000 spectators. The “north versus south” derby lived up to the hype, with Affies bossing the forward contest, and the Gimmies’ backs translating precious few opportunities into points.
Wing Immanual Prinsloo dotted down twice for the visitors. Ultimately it was a late penalty by fullback Freek de Kock that earned Gimmies a 20-19 win.
Prior to this match, the Paarl juggernaut had won all of their matches by 17 points or more. Affies, who are still ranked in the top five, can take heart from this performance.
In Boksburg, Waterkloof beat EG Jansen 45-38 to end the latter side’s eight-game winning streak. The match between Parktown and KES was less competitive – with the visitors romping to a 80-0 win – although KES wing Jarrell Mbuyi certainly made an impression with his five-try haul.
Down in the Cape, Bishops felt the wrath of Boland Landbou – who had lost 13-47 to Paarl Gym the previous week. The hosts scored eight tries in their 52-10 victory.
Rondebosch failed to atone for a recent loss to Milnerton, as they went down 17-38 to Paul Roos in Stellenbosch.
Following the weekend’s results, Paul Roos have edged ahead of Boishaai in the schoolboy rankings, and are among the top three schools in the country.
These rankings might change, however, after Gimmies host Grey College and Paul Roos tackle Boishaai at the Markötter fields in the most explosive round to date.
