Late Boishaai charge a boost for Paarl derby

WRAP: Boishaai’s recent success bodes well for an especially challenging clash with local rivals Gimmies.

Paul Roos, Grey College, Paarl Gymnasium, and Affies have been a class apart in 2024.

While Gimmies have lost to Paul Roos and Grey, and Affies to Grey and Gimmies, these four teams have combined for a nearly flawless record against the ‘lower-ranked’ sides – with Grey’s shock defeat to Jeppe the solitary black mark.

Will any other side challenge the status quo before the season concludes?

Affies thrashed Pretoria Boys 48-5 this past weekend to finish their season as the reigning kings of the north.

Paul Roos will host Boland Landbou this week, while Grey College will travel to Oakdale.

Both top dogs should build some momentum ahead of their meeting in Stellenbosch on August 17.

The big question this week is whether Boishaai has what it takes to unsettle a powerful Gimmies outfit and claim bragging rights in the highly anticipated Paarl derby.

Gimmies will start as favourites. While they will regret the losses to Paul Roos and Grey – which were both sustained at home – they have claimed 12 wins over the course of the season, a record that includes a gritty 20-19 victory at Affies.

Few teams have been able to match their forwards. Once the pack has laid a platform, the dangerous backs have translated possession into points.

Gimmies have scored 40 or more points on five occasions this season. They beat Durbanville 45-20 on Saturday and will pose a serious threat to the Boishaai defence in the upcoming derby.

Boishaai hasn’t been at their best in 2024, and while the Paarl derby is massive in isolation, it also represents a final shot at a ‘top-four’ scalp.

Boishaai began the season with six consecutive wins. Thereafter, they sustained a shock 27-30 loss to Wynberg in Paarl and went on to lose more challenging fixtures against Paul Roos, Affies, and Grey College.

They’ve clawed their way back in recent weeks, beating Bishops, Rondebosch, and SACS, and securing a 12-3 win against Boland Landbou this past weekend.

As a result, they’ve built up some momentum and confidence ahead of the most important game of their season. This should serve them well, and at the very least ensure that the contest in Paarl lives up to the hype.

Gimmies will start as favourites, and yet the possibility of a Boishaai win – a big upset in the context of the season – should not be ruled out.