Boishaai favoured against hungry Bishops
On Saturday, Paarl Boys’ High hosts Bishops, with kick-off in their clash at 13:00.
Boishaai rolled to a one-sided 73-6 win when they last met in Paarl, in May 2024. Bishops will be seeking redemption.
Boys’ High boasts an impressive five Western Province Craven Week players in their line-up. One of them, loosehead prop, Jordan Jooste, is a scrumming machine, who will put the visitors’ front row under immense pressure.
At times this season, it has appeared as if Boishaai supporters have cheered knock-ons, knowing that a scrum will follow.
Lock Juan van der Merwe is an acrobat at lineout time. He is a fantastic predator on the opposition’s throw-ins and a sure-handed receiver on Boys’ High lineout feeds. Facing a formidable and large lineout, Bishops could be in for a long day in that set piece.
The Cape Town school offers good chemistry between their players. Their backs often pull off exciting moves from quick ball at the breakdown, and their passing versatility could catch Boys’ High’s rush defence off guard.
Boishaai, though, will use their powerful forwards to dominate set pieces and the breakdown, which will limit Bishops’ attacking opportunities.
The home team is among the most physical sides in the country, and they work hard to wear down the opposition with strong carries on attack and relentless tackling on defence.
Their backs endeavour to shut down the opposing playmakers with suffocating line speed and dominant tackles on defence. On attack, Boys’ High boasts physicality, too, with strong centres, and speedy wingers.
Bishops will face two big challenges on Saturday – one for their forwards and one for their backs.
Their forwards will have to be as competitive as possible at the set pieces and breakdown. If Boishaai smell any weaknesses, they will exploit those, and it will be a long afternoon for the visitors.
Meanwhile, the Bishops’ backs will need to remain calm and confident. By running smart lines and utilising their finesse, they could manipulate the hosts and prise open gaps in the intimidating Boishaai defence.
Teams
Paarl Boys’ High vs Bishops Diocesan College, A-field, Paarl, 13:00
Paarl Boys’ High: 15 Mark Grindlay, 14 Jeneal Davids, 13 Tristan Joubert, 12 Iwan Jordaan, 11 Cole Moultrie, 10 Francois van der Merwe (Vice Captain), 9 Liam de Villiers, 8 Steph van der Merwe (Captain), 7 Kobus Wilken, 6 Wege van Zyl, 5 Jayden Joubert, 4 Gershom Pieters, 3 Cruz Davey, 2 Tommy Muller, 1 Jordan Jooste.
Bishops Diocesan College: (Most likely team) 15 Lulibo Nyawula, 14 Noah Edmunds, 13 Eljaron Geduld, 12 Boytjie Fyfer, 11 Ben Myburgh, 10 Rynard Gordon, 9 Max Marr, 8 Jack Venter, 7 Ethan Venter, 6 Connor Clark, 5 Dan Coetzee, 4 Alex Vintcent, 3 Chris Du Toit, 2 Daniel van den Heever (Captain), 1 Will Reid.
