In a season that will go down as one of the most remarkable in South African schoolboy rugby history, Paul Roos Gimnasium’s 1st XV completed a flawless campaign, capping it off with a commanding victory over Grey College.
With the 36-3 win, the Stellenbosch-based powerhouse secured an unbeaten 15-0 record, reaffirming their status as the premier rugby school in the country for 2024.
The writing was on the wall in March when Paul Roos edged a strong Affies side 30-25. That performance set the tone for what would become a campaign defined by resilience, tactical precision, and unyielding physicality.
A month later, they faced another stern test against a formidable Paarl Boys’ High (Boishaai) outfit. Once again, Paul Roos rose to the occasion, delivering a clinical 25-10 win that left no doubt about their championship credentials.
By the time they beat Gimmies 23-17, the conversation in schoolboy rugby circles was already shifting. The focus was on the looming showdown between Paul Roos and Grey College on 17 August—a match that many believed would determine the unofficial national champions.
Both teams arrived at the Markotter Stadium unbeaten, with Grey College carrying their own impressive momentum, having won 10 straight matches after a narrow early-season loss to Jeppe. Their campaign included impressive victories at Affies and Gimmies, and they had consistently scored 20 or more points in 12 of their 13 games.
However, on the day, Paul Roos delivered a performance for the ages. In front of a packed and passionate home crowd, they overwhelmed Grey College with a level of intensity and execution that belied the tight nature of previous encounters. From the opening whistle, Paul Roos dominated the set-pieces, using their scrum and maul to devastating effect. Their defence was equally impressive, not just in terms of shutting down Grey’s attack but in generating opportunities for counter-attacks that kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Centre Sam Badenhorst epitomised this approach with a 70-metre dash after a turnover, leaving Grey’s defence in his wake to score a memorable try. It was moments like these that highlighted the gulf in class on the day, as Grey, usually so disciplined, struggled to contain the relentless onslaught.
Despite missing a few key players who were on national duty with the South Africa U18 team, Paul Roos managed the wet conditions superbly, sticking to their game plan and maintaining pressure on Grey from start to finish.
In the end, the margin of victory was as stunning as the result itself, confirming Paul Roos as the undisputed top schoolboy rugby team of 2024. The magnitude of their achievement cannot be overstated, with comparisons already being drawn to the legendary Paul Roos team of 1991, which featured future Springboks Cobus Visagie and Justin Swart.
This Paul Roos side has now etched its name alongside the greats, and with several players poised to make their mark at higher levels of the game, this might just be the beginning of an even greater legacy.
As the dust settles on the 2024 season, one thing is clear: Paul Roos Gimnasium stands alone at the summit of South African schoolboy rugby, their unbeaten record a testament to their skill, determination, and unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Paul Roos scores against Grey College in 2024:
19A 36-3 Grey College 19A
19B 19-29 Grey College 19B
19C 18-10 Grey College 19C
19D 11-7 Grey College 19D
19E 14-15 Grey College 19E
19F 29-24 Grey College 19F
19G 6-3 Grey College 19G
19H 15-10 Grey College 19H
19I 31-15 Grey College 19I
19J 20-7 Grey College 19J
19K 29-12 Grey College 19K
16A 22-13 Grey College 16A
16B 5-0 Grey College 16B
16C 10-0 Grey College 16C
16D 42 -10 Grey College 16D
16E 66-0 Grey College 16E
15A 13-10 Grey College 15A
15B 18- 12 Grey College 15B
15C 22-15 Grey College 15C
15D 10-5 Grey College 15D
15E 26-24 Grey College 15E
14A 29-17 Grey College 14A
14B 15-15 Grey College 14B
14C 7-22 Grey College 14C
14D 25-10 Grey College 14D
14E 14 7 Grey College 14E
14F 38-12 Grey College 14F
14G 15-14 Grey College 14G
Points for: 605
Points against: 321
Average Score: 22- 11
Played 28
Paul Roos Won 24
Grey College Won 3
Drawn 1
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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