Affies triumphs in rain-soaked thriller to break Paul Roos hoodoo
As the heavens opened over Kimberley on Wednesday, the stage was dramatically set for a titanic clash of two powerful packs in the final match on day one of the 2025 Absa Wildeklawer tournament.
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Ultimately, it was Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) who emerged victorious, edging out Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) 20–18 in a nail-biting contest. It was their first win over the Stellenbosch powerhouse in three years.
Paul Roos made a late change to their starting XV, with hooker Altus Rabie cleared to play and leading the side in the No. 2 jersey.
His inclusion added even more intrigue to what was already a highly anticipated battle amongst the forwards.
As expected, Rabie made an immediate impact, lighting a spark that in eighthman Gert Kemp, who was pivotal with his ball carries, consistently gaining ground with powerful surges downfield.
But, for the Wit Bulle, it was their loose trio who proved the antidote to the Maroon Machine‘s relentless assault. As usual, openside flank Luan Potgieter was a crucial ball-winner at the breakdown, with his tireless work securing him turnovers to go along with a brace of tries, both of which he scored from dominant driving mauls.
Alongside him, blindside flank Elwin Jansen van Vuuren impressed with his powerful runs, while eighthman Stefan McDonald disrupted Paul Roos’s mauls repeatedly, causing headaches for the Maroon Machine.
In the end, though, it was Affies’ defence that made the difference, especially in the final 18 minutes after a lightning delay had halted proceedings. Holding firm under immense pressure, they clung to a narrow two-point lead after replacement hooker, Lehan Barnard dived over for PRG.
Flyhalf Ruben Groenewald also deserves special mention for the way he managed the game in torrential conditions. He added five crucial points with a well-taken penalty and a conversion that ultimately secured the slender winning margin.
SCORES
Affies 20 (20) – Tries: Luan Potgieter (2), Elwin Jansen van Vuuren. Conversion: Ruben Groenewald. Penalty: Groenewald. Paul Roos Gimnasium 18 (10) – Tries: Luke Kent, Lehan Barnard. Conversion: Matthew Seymore. Penalty: Seymore.
