Premier Interschools in Stellenbosch
Premier Interschools moves from Durban to Stellenbosch for the top match between the home side Paul Roos and their visitors form not far away, Paarl Boys' High, both schools ranked in the FNB Top 20.
This is the second time that each of these schools has played in a Premier Interschools match, an initiative started this year by Megapro.
In their first match Paul Roos lost 28-8 to Paarl Gim, the school ranked second in the country while in their first match Paarl Boys' High, currently ranked second, beat Grey College 28-18.
There is no doubt that this could be another great schools match and what a setting – amongst the mountains, oak trees and vineyards of Stellenbosch, the university town which has meant so much to South African rugby on a field named for Oubaas Markötter who more than anybody gave South African rugby its foundation, sending out missionaries from Stellenbosch to spread the rugby gospel and so changing the country.
Both of these schools have had a great impact on South Africa in many fields, including rugby. Paul Roos was founded in 1864, Paarl Boys' High in 1868. Both started playing rugby in the 19th century and are still leaders in the game in South Africa. When Juandré Kruger ran out onto Kings Park on Saturday to play for South Africa against England, he became the 50th Springbok to have been to Paul Roos. That is more Springboks than have attended any other school, and in his team was François Hougaard, also an Old Boy of Paul Roos.
There have been 19 boys who sat in the benches at Paarl Boys' High who went on to play for South Africa, including such legends as Boy and Fanie Louw, Ryk van Schoor of tackling fame, Piet du Toit of Herculean strength and Carel du Plessis, the Prince of wings.
Playing at flyhalf for Paarl Boys' High – his father's position at school – in Jean Luc du Plessis, son of Carel and nephew of Springboks Willie and Michael du Plessis.
Playing at scrumhalf for Paul Roos is SP Ferreira, grandson of the Patensie citrus farmer who is one of the best known rugby men in South Africa and the son of Freddie who had a great career as the Western Province scrumhalf at a time when Tests were few.
The Paul Roos fullback, Jason Worrall is the son of Bradley Worrall who in 1982 scored a famous intercept try in the Interschools which won the match for Boys' High when Gimmies were hot favourites to win.
The 2012 season:
Both teams are amongst the very best in South Africa. At present Boys' High is ranked 2nd, Paul Roos 8th.
Boys' High have lost just one of their 12 matches (against Affies), Paul Roos four out of 15.
Both sides play top opponents throughout South Africa. They have as yet few opponents in common.
Results against common opponents:
Boland Landbou: Paul Roos won 17-15, Paarl Boys' High 20-10
Rondebosch: Paul Roos won 22-10, Paarl Boys' High 24-3
Provincial representation:
Both schools are well represented in the two Western Province Under-18 sides – the Craven Week team and the Academy Week team.
Paul Roos: Jason Worrall, Dalen Goliath, Michal Hazner, Ramone Samuels, Chad Solomons, SP Ferreira (all Craven Week), Gerrie le Roux (Academy Week).
Paarl Boys' High: Pieter Schoonraad, Sébastien Ferreira, Liam Hendricks, Craig Corbett, Wesley Adonis, Burger van Niekerk (all Craven Week), Michael van Tonder, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Dewald Naudé (all Academy Week).
Recent results:
(Each match was won by the home team.)
2004: Boys' High won 22-7
2005: Boys' High won 16-11
2006: Boys' High won 10-6
2007: Boys' High won 26-8
2008: Boys' High won 42-29
2009: Boys' High won 16-11
2010: Paul Roos won 31-17
2011: Boys' High won 20-18
This year's Premier Interschools match will be a great occasion – not just the 1st XV match, but especially the 1st XV match. In all there will be 26 rugby matches between the two schools.
* The match will be broadcast live on SS1 with Gavin Cowley as the commentator.
The teams:
Paul Roos: 15 Jason Worrall, 14 Luhann de Kock, 13 Michal Hazner, 12 Marcus Geldenhuys, 11 Dalen Goliath, 10 Chris Smit, 9 SP Ferreira, 8 Ruan Rossouw, 7 Pieta Smith, 6 Ramone Samuels, 5 Jan Uys, 4 Leonard Duvenage, 3 Corné Stemmet, 2 Gerrie le Roux, 1 Petrus Senekal.
Replacements: 16 JP Botha, 17 Chad Solomon, 18 Albie Louw, 19 Ridge Armstrong, 20 Clint Strydom, 21 Pieter Rossouw, 22 Muller Brink.
Coaches: Thys Stoltz, Hanno Coetzee, Coenraad de Villiers
Paarl Boys' High: 15 Darian Hock, 14 Tiaan Mouton, 13 Dewald Naudé, 12 Henri Nimb, 11 Dante van der Merwe, 10 Jean Luc du Plessis (vice-captain), 9 Pieter Schoonraad, 8 Jeandré Brink, 7 Ryno van der Merwe, 6 Derek Taylor, 5 Sebastian Ferreira, 4 Burger van Niekerk, 3 Liam Hendricks, 2 Craig Corbett (captain), 1 Wesley Adonis.
Replacements: 16 Daniel du Plessis, 17 Brandon Beukman, 18 Lombard van Jaarsveld, 19 Ruan Nimb, 20 Hanno Kotze, 21 Fernando Kermis, 22 JP Versfeld.
Coaches: Elmo Wolfaardt, Pierre Ribbens, Gerrie Visser
Date: Saturday, 16 June (2012)
Kick-off: 14.30
Venue: Markötter Field, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch
Television broadcast: Live on Supersport One
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (Western Province Referees' Society)
Rugby programme:
Markötter Field
09.00: Under-14A
10.15: Under-15A
11.30: Under-16A
12.50: Second XV
14.30: First XV
Rivierveld
09.00: Under-16C
10.15: Under-16B
11.30: Under-16D
Meulsloot
09.00: Fifth XV
10.15: Fourth XV
11.30: Third XV
Oval (School)
09.00: Under-15B
10.15: Under-15D
11.30: Under-15C
Doornbosch
08.45: 10th XV
10.15: Ninth XV
11.30: Eighth XV
Volkskombuis
09.00: Seventh XV
10.15: Under-16E
11.30: Sixth XV
Eikestad A
08.45: Under-15E
10.15: Under-14C
11.30: Under-14B
Eikestad B
09.00: Under-14D
10.15: Under-14F
11.30: Under-14E
