Paarl showdown to shape race for top spot

PREVIEW: Paarl Gim will meet Paul Roos in one of the biggest clashes of the season, while Monument tackle Garsfontein in a key Noordvaal Cup fixture this weekend.

Several provinces have already announced their teams for the U18 Craven Week, and the buzz around that competition should continue to build in the coming weeks.

The 2026 edition of the tournament will be staged at Grey High in Gqeberha between 6 and 11 July.

That said, there is still a lot of schoolboy rugby to be played over the next three weeks – and a few of the results may alter the national rankings as well as the pecking order within the respective provinces.

At this stage, Paarl Gim, Paul Roos, Stellenberg and Garsfontein are the front-runners for the No.1 ranking.

Gimmies and Paul Roos boast identical win-records – 12 from 13 games – Stellenberg have won 12 from 14, and Garsies have won 10 from 12.

The winner of the next clash between Gimmies and Paul Roos may edge ahead of the other leading contenders – providing there isn’t a draw at the JA Kriel field in Paarl this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Garsfontein will strengthen their bid for the No.1 ranking and increase their chances of a first-place finish in the Noordvaal Cup league phase if they beat a much-improved Monument side.

In other news, the fixture between Helpmekaar and KES has been cancelled, with the former school citing a demanding schedule and resultant player-welfare concerns.

Rugby365 looks ahead to some of the big match-ups scheduled for Saturday.

The preview continues below…

PAARL GIM V PAUL ROOS

Stellenberg edged Gimmies 20-19 at the start of the season, before beating Paul Roos 20-10 on 11 April.

No other team has managed to beat these teams in 2026, and as the records suggests, very few have got close.

Paul Roos have claimed the big scalps of Affies, Garsfontein, Oakdale and Boishaai.

Over the course of their 13-game schedule, they have won eight games by 10 points or more.

Their most recent performance – a 68-3 hammering of Bishops – may well be viewed as an attacking statement.

That said, their defence has conceded 20 or more points on just three occasions – against Affies, Stellenberg and Boishaai.

How will that defence hold up against Gimmies, who have played with physicality as well as tempo over the past few months?

Gimmies have racked up 645 points over the course of 13 games, averaging nearly 50 per match.

It’s worth noting that Gimmies have scored 40 or more points in 10 matches this season.

They’ve claimed some big scalps and have won those marquee matches by massive margins.

Gimmies thrashed Affies 51-24 in Pretoria before securing a 29-14 win over Grey College at home.

Last Saturday, they went to Riversdale and handed Oakdale a 49-13 hiding.

Like Paul Roos, they have struck an excellent balance between attack and defence throughout the year, as their defensive stats suggest.

Gimmies have conceded 20 or more points on just two occasions this season.

The last time these teams met in Paarl in 2024, an all-conquering Paul Roos side edged the contest 23-17.

Gimmies prevailed in Stellenbosch last year, winning 17-10.

Saturday’s meeting should witness another tight contest – and given the stakes, it may well be a classic.

MONUMENT V GARSFONTEIN

Garsfontein sit at the top of the Noordvaal Cup standings – and are four points ahead of second-placed Monument.

Monnas have a game in a hand, though, and a win against Garsies in Krugersdorp this Saturday will strengthen their own chances of topping the table.

After losing three of their first four matches, Jannie du Plessis’ charges have hit back to win 10 in a row.

That run includes victories against Westlake (from New Zealand), DHS, Jeppe and Helpmekaar.

More recently, they put Menlopark to the sword and emerged with an 82-24 win.

Monnas will have the benefit of playing the next game at home, but it’s fair to say that the battle against Garsfontein will require a significant step up in intensity and accuracy.

Garsies have bossed the Noordvaal Cup in recent years, winning three titles in a row.

This season, they have flexed their muscles on the national stage, claiming significant wins against Stellenberg, Boishaai and Affies.

If they beat Monument this Saturday, they may well go on to claim victories against Middelburg and EG Jansen, and head into the Noordvaal Cup play-offs as the top-seeded team.

And if they go on to win the tournament for a fourth-consecutive year, they may well finish the season with a win record in excess of 85%.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH

Hilton will look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season when they host Northwood this Saturday. Northwood could make a statement, of course, if they become the first team to win at Hilton this year.

Bishops will have little time to recover following a heavy loss to Paul Roos, and may be hard-pressed to be live with another leading side in Stellenberg this weekend.

Boishaai fired late to overcome SACS last week, and will view this Saturday’s match at Boland Landbou as a must-win.

Fresh off their 66-21 hammering of St John’s, Jeppe will fancy their chances against Pretoria Boys, who conceded 53 points at Michaelhouse last week.

Down in the Eastern Cape, Dale College’s eight-game winning streak will be on the line when they travel to Hudson Park.

SELECTED FIXTURES – JUNE 6

NOORDVAAL
EG Jansen v Middelburg
Noordheuwel v Rustenburg
Monument v Garsfontein
Pretoria Boys v Jeppe
Helpmekaar v KES (cancelled)
Northcliff v St Albans
St John’s v St Benedict’s

EASTERN CAPE
Port Rex v Queens
Kingswood v Westering
Hudson Park v Dale
Selborne v St Andrews
Graeme v Stirling
Daniel Pienaar v Pearson

KWAZULU-NATAL
Kearnsey v Maritzburg College
Westville v Michaelhouse
Hilton v Northwood

WESTERN CAPE
Boland Landbou v Paarl Boys
Paarl Gim v Paul Roos
Rondebosch v Milnerton
Stellenberg v Bishops
Wynberg v Bellville

Photo credit: Paarl Gim Facebook