Boland Landbou in search of a win on the J.A. Kriel Field

Boland Landbou has not tasted victory against Paarl Gimnasium on the J.A. Kriel Field since 2006, if the Gimmies have their way on Saturday, that record will remain intact.
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Paarl Gim has emerged as one of the front-runners for the number-one spot in South African schools’ rugby this season after convincing performances in the pre-season and during the Easter break.
They dusted off Monument 38-21 at the NMI Toyota North-South Tournament in Pretoria, before making a loud statement against Pretoria Boys’ High, outmuscling them 75-10.
Boland Landbou have also made an exciting start to their season, most recently scoring 59 unanswered points against Hans Moore. But they showed some cracks in their armour when they slipped up against Hilton College, losing 14-17 at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival.
When these two met on the farm last year, Paarl Gim doubled up Boland for a 36-18 triumph.
Fullback Freek de Kock played on the wing in that match and was one of six Gimmies to cross the home team’s try line as they stamped their authority on their local rivals.
Boland Landbou’s star flyhalf Retagen van Rooi also played in that match and will look forward to an opportunity to strike back at Gim this weekend.
It will take a special performance to cause the hosts to stumble, though. With players like young Markus Muller, who has been grabbing attention since he burst on the scene at last year’s Grant Khomo Week, in their midst, the Paarl outfit looks like an unstoppable force at present.
The challengers pride themselves on being something akin to an immovable object, and with a pack that is able to compete with most in the country, captain Hans Verster and co will be looking forward to digging in their heels and trading blow-for-blow with Gim when they run out on Saturday.
Paarl Gimnasium vs Boland Landbou at 12:00
Paarl Gimnasium: 15 Freek de Kock, 14 Immanuel Prinsloo, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Kobus Blanckenberg, 11 Markus Moolman, 10 Chandler Green, 9 Melt Viljoen, 8 Nicolas Nel, 7 Quintin Potgieter, 6 Jan Koegelenberg, 5 Marinus Daling, 4 Stiaan de Goede, 3 Ely Williams, 2 Dawie Stemmet, 1 Jean-Jacques du Preez.
Boland Landbou: 15 Lyle Lewis, 14 Wehan Lume, 13 Danté Christians, 12 Juan Swart, 11 Enslin Claasen, 10 Retagen van Rooi, 9 Jayden Brits, 8 Alco Bindemann, 7 Karst Smits, 6 Hans Verster, 5 Ruan Viviers, 4 Kodi Nel, 3 Derico Mesina, 2 Thiaan van Zyl, 1 Henry Rudder.