Gim back in the Saddle
After their defeat at the hands of Grey Bloem last week, Paarl Gim are back in charge, beating Paul Roos 42-15 on the Markötter Field in Stellenbosch.
In 2015, Paul Roos won the Sanix World Youth Rugby Tournament in Japan and then lost their first match back in South Africa – to Paarl Gim. History has repeated itself.
In 2015, the score was a close 23-21; this time it was big – bigger than the difference between the two teams, for much of the game was evenly matched in possession, territory and opportunities. The difference came in the use of opportunities, and here it was the ability of the Gim backs to seize chances. The whole of the Gim backline was outstanding with great skill on both wings. Right wing Curwin Gertse scored two tries, Stravino Jacobs one, and fullback Tiaan Swanepoel was out on the right wing when he scored the last of their five tries, all scored by backs.
The first try came after five minutes. Gim won a counterruck and the ball went from Bobby Alexander to outside centre Ethan James and on to right wing Gertse, then to flyhalf Jandré Burger ho gave to Gertse who scored under the posts. Burger converted. 7-0.
Back came Paul Roos. Left wing Tiaan Pretorius sped through a gap which took play to the Gim line and flyhalf Kade Wolhuter managed to get the ball down right in the left corner. From touch, Wolhuter, who could compete with the best kickers in the world, converted from touch, and it was 7-all.
After a long Gim break by scrumhalf Alexander, Paul Roos got into the Gim half where the visitors were penalised. From some 40 metres out and towards the left touchline, Wolhuter kicked a soaring goal, and Paul Roos led 10-7 after 27 minutes.
Three minutes later, Gim were back in the lead when inside centre Stephan du Toit took an offload from a lineout on the half-way line and beat three defenders as he raced over for a try at the posts. Gim led 14-10, and that was not enough.
About 12 metres inside his half after the kick-off and near the touchline on his right Gertse set off on a mazy run. He raced away, swerving past would-be tacklers and scored about 12 metres inside the left touchline. Gim led 19-0.
There was still time in the last three minutes of the half for Paul Roos to hit back. They won a turnover, Ronin Daniels broke and left wing, speedy Luke Burger, scored in the left corner.
There was just enough time for Jandré Burger to make the half-time score 22-15.
Paul Roos did not score in the second half, despite having much of the play, but Gim did, adding another 20 points, despite having a player in the sin bin early in the half.
First Jandré Burger goaled two penalties. He also put his side on the attack with a huge clearing kick and, when the ball reached Stravino Jacobs, his footwork and speed took him straight to the posts. 35-15, and it was looking comfortable for Gim.
They attacked from a lineout on their left and went wide right where fullback Tiaan Swanepoel raced in for a try which Jandré Burger converted.
Scorers
For Paarl Gim:
Tries: Curwin Gertse 2, Stephan du Toit, Stravino Jacobs, Tiaan Swanepoel
Cons: Jandré Burger 4
Pens: Jandré Burger 3
For Paul Roos:
Tries: Kade Wolhuter, Luke Burger
Con: Kade Wolhuter
Pen: Kade Wolhuter
Teams
Paul Roos: 15 Cade Croy, 14 Andrew Pegg, 13 Tiaan Pretorius, 12 Ronin Daniels, 11 Luke Burger, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Xander Botha, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Arno Heenop, 6 André Smit, 5 Dylan De Leeuw, 4 Daniel Swart, 3 Corné Weilbach, 2 Meiring Ebersohn, 1 Robert Rodgers
Replacements: 16 Jesse Linders, 17 Damian Swartz, 18 Joubert Grobelaar, 19 Andreas Wild, 20 Calvyn Louis, 21 Gerhard Cloete, 22 Christiaan van Blommenstein, 23 Matthew Luddit
Paarl Gim: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Curwin Gertse, 13 Ethan James, 12 Stephan du Toit, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Jandré Burger, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Juan Wilson, 7 Pierich Siebert, 6 Louw Nel, 5 Marco van Rhyn (captain), 4 Reynhardt Crous, 3 Jovan Bekker, 2 Liam Compion, 1 Gerhard van Niekerk
Replacements: 16 Delarey Nel, 17 Louwtjie Marais, 18 Danté Booyens, 19 Johan van Rhyn, 20 Eric Basson, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Johan Smal, 23 John du Toit
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Assistant referees: Khwezi Mqomboti, Zandré Herselman
Paul Roos vs Paarl Gim – Recent Results
2001: Paarl Gim won 11-0
2002: Paarl Gim won 28-12
2003: Draw 16-16
2004: Paarl Gim won 15-10
2005: Paul Roos won 23-13
2006: Paul Roos won 9-14
2007: Paarl Gim won 58-12
2008: Paarl Gim won 17-14
2009: Paul Roos won 47-36
2010: Paarl Gim won 30-27
2011: Paul Roos won 34-30
2012: Draw 5-5
2012: Paarl Gim won 28-8
2013: Paarl Gim won 24-15
2014: Paul Roos won 16-10
2015: Paarl Gim won 23-21
2016: Paarl Gim won 28-24
2017: Paarl Gim won 20-19
2018: Paul Roos won 32-13
2019: Paarl Gim won 42-15
