Paul Roos Gimnasium made a rugby statement at the famed Markotter Fields in the NMI Toyota Noord-Suid Schools Rugby Festival. Winners on the field, the school was even big victors off it for the magnificent hosting, writes Mark Keohane.
Schools rugby in South Africa is strong, but in the Western Cape it is particularly potent and the local teams, led by the hosts, were powerful over the four-day event, in which each team played two 1st XV and 2nd XV matches respectively.
Paul Roos, unbeaten in 2024, edged last Saturday night and they put the finishing touches to a brilliant Schools extravaganza in beating Noordheuwel 26-19 in the final match on Tuesday evening. A massive crowd ensured festivities would end on a high, while SuperSport Schools provided non-stop live coverage of every 1st XV match. Paul Roos, earlier in the festival, edged Garsfontein 34-32.
On Tuesday night, left wing Jordan Steenkamp scored three tries, while Zander Smit also got a hat trick for Grey College against Jeppe.
Traditional South African schools powerhouses Grey College, two from two, exacted revenge on Jeppe for a 2024 defeat, triumphing 64-31 and Paarl Gimnasium were imposing over the Festival, with a 102-0 demolition of KES and a 66-16 whipping of . Paarl Gim also fielded their second team and a Paarl Gim XV in a testament to their depth.
Paarl Gim 1st XV centre and captain Markus Muller was the standout back on display, getting hat tricks in both wins, and taking his season tally to 11 tries in four matches.
Paarl Boys High were also two from two in defeating northern foes Waterkloof 66-0 and Affies 25-17 in Monday’s marquee match, while Western Province’s southern suburbs duo of Rondebosch Boys High and SACS were also unbeaten in their two matches.
Durbanville High, with two impressive wins, continued to reward the investment in their rugby programme and Boland Landbou and Outeniqua were predictably good.
Oakdale, not surprisingly, were good.
The organisation of the event was world class, the rugby facilities are among the finest on the planet and the backdrop sits comfortably with most scenic mountain ranges.
The rugby talent on display, in the 1st and 2nd team matches, showcased South Africa’s natural breeding ground for producing outstanding rugby player, in every position, in so many schools, north or south.
CHECK OUT THYS LOMBAARD’S VISUALS FROM THE FESTIVAL
I enjoyed Monday’s afternoon/early evening matches and future Springboks will come from this festival and a host of players will make the transition into professional rugby. Don’t be surprised to see some even play international rugby for other countries if history is the barometer.
Everything you need to know about the Noord/Suid Schools Festival
North-South/Noord-Suid Festival results/fixtures
Friday/Saturday
SACS 31-12 Welkom Gim
Outeniqua 24-24 Menlopark
Boland Landbou 71-10 Dr EG Jansen
Durbanville 27-21 Monnas
HTS Drostdy 17-61 Affies
Paarl Boys’ High 66-0 Waterkloof
Paarl Gim 102-0 KES
Nico Malan 17-33 Helpmekaar
Stellenberg 52-7 Bethlehem Voortrekker
Oakdale 45-12 Nelspruit
Rondebosch 38-15 Jeppe
Grey College 24-22 Noordheuwel
Paul Roos 34-32 Garsfontein
Monday
Melkbosstrand 25-24 Mzwandile Mali XV
Outeniqua 50-24 Welkom Gim
HTS Drostdy 29-43 Menlopark
Durbanville 34-16 EG Jansen
Boland Landbou 46-37 Waterkloof
SACS 27-5 KES
Paarl Gim 66-16 Monument
Paarl Boys’ High 25-17 Affies
Tuesday
Brackenfell 38-12 Marais Viljoen
Nico Malan 15-15 Rustenburg
Worcester Gim 1st XV 26 – Paarl Gim XV 43
Duineveld 19-53 Voortrekker
Framesby 29-59 Diamantveld
Rondebosch 47-12 Nelspruit
Stellenberg 18-25 Garsfontein
Oakdale 40-21 Helpmekaar
Grey College 64-31 Jeppe
Paul Roos 26-19 Noordheuwel
*Grey High also enjoyed a successful hosting.
Grey High Festival results
Queen’s 13-13 St Stithians
Dale 0-24 Northwood
Pretoria Boys’ High 26-28 Kearsney
Graeme 17-27 Hilton
Kingswood 20-41 DHS
Selborne 12-46 Westville
Grey High 28-28 Michaelhouse
Westville 28-13 Dale
Selborne 5-35 DHS
Hudson Park 31-41 Kearsney
Pretoria Boys’ High 14-17 Queen’s
Kingswood 14-33 Northwood
Port Rex 17-19 St Stithians
Bishops 26-17 Michaelhouse
St Charles 26-13 Daniel Pienaar
Muir 26-12 Ithembelihle
Grey 20-17 Hilton
Src: keo.co.za
