Clash of titans this weekend – PRG takes on Boishaai

PRG tackles Boishaai this weekend

eAll rugby roads will focus on Paarl this Saturday when Paul Roos hosts Paarl Boy’s High in their annual derby clash of titans.

A big derby is on the cards when PRG and Boishaai meet this Saturday, 27 May in Paarl in round 6 of the 2023 Premier Interschool matches. These two pillars of schoolboy rugby in the Western Cape have been neighbours, friends and rivals for 150 years. They met intermittently on the rugby field during the early years with Paul Roos playing mostly in the “Cape” leagues against the likes of SACS, while the boys from Paarl mostly competed in the “Country” leagues against schools from neighbouring towns. They however competed enough against each other in all sports that the boys knew each other well and many became friends. The old boys also played together in representative teams for provinces and South Africa over the years.

Boishaai vs PRG is one of the great derby clashes between two schools that have dominated Western Province school’s rugby for many years. Together with Paarl Gimnasium (Gim) they have produced more than 75% of all Western Province Craven Week players since 1964.

This match is always a highlight of the season as both teams like to run the ball at every opportunity and no quarter inch is given. Paul Roos have only been on the winning side twice in their last ten outings, and they would love to repeat the drubbing they gave Paarl Boys in 2018 at Markotter to get some more wins under the belt. There is a new air of expectancy at the Markotter grounds as Paul Roos invested heavily in infrastructure and players and now boasts one of the most modern and advanced training facilities of any school in the country. With an excellent coaching structure also in place, they are the team to watch over the next few years.

Traditionally, the derbies go the way of the home team by the smallest of margins. Exceptions to the rule were in the late 70’s and early 80’s when Paarl Boys’ High won ten in a row and in the late 80’s and early 90’s when Paul Roos won four on the trot.

Results since 2000

Paul Roos 2023 Season so Far:

Paul Roos has played nine games so far, losing to Monument and Paarl Gim only and getting some good wins over Grey PE, Bishops and Affies. They have opted to rest during the Easter Festivals and played fewer games than their counterparts from Paarl. This could stand them in good stead, as they will be a little fresher and perhaps more rested than previous years for the Battle at the Brug.

Paarl Boys’ High 2023 Season so Far:

Contrary to their opponents, Paarl Boys’ High have already played 14 games, losing three and winning the rest. They had some close encounters and it has not been their easiest of seasons. They had to come back from deficits to win games and it shows their fighting spirit to never give up until the final whistle. On form they can run any team ragged with their backline, but their main test will come from the Paul Roos forwards and if they can secure their own line-out ball, they are in with a good chance to keep the winning streak going.

Kick Off: 14h00

Hosting School: Paarl Boys’ High

Broadcast: SuperSport Schools Channel 216