Paarl divided as Boishaai and Girls’ High tackle Paarl Gim
The interschools clash between Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys’ High, as well as Paarl Girls’ High, is one of the biggest derbies on the schools’ hockey calendar.
The annual fixture, which divides loyalties in Paarl, almost always lives up to expectations, with festivities beginning early in the week and continuing right up until matchday, with the excitement and anticipation amping up day by day.
This year, it’s Paarl Gimnasium who will welcome their rivals to their home turf.
The girls’ match takes place on Friday at 18:00, while the boys are set to meet on Saturday at 10:30.
Both matches will be LIVE on SuperSport Schools and DStv Channel 216.
In last year’s fixtures, it was Paarl Gim who reigned supreme in both matches.
The girls scored a 4-0 win in a hotly contested affair, thanks to goals by Karea de Ridder (2), Tanya Pieterse, and Isabella Nel. The boys, led by coach Jacques Grobler, edged out their opponents 2-1, with LD Nel and this season’s captain, Juan Swanepoel, scoring in that encounter.
A lot has changed since those matches, however, and all four teams have enjoyed accomplished seasons, scored impressive wins, and have pressed on from their strong showings in 2024.
For all four captains – Gim’s Juan Swanepoel and Joné de Winnaar, Lucia Marcus, of Girls’ High, and Boishaai’s AJ Mostert – it will be their last matches for their schools.
SuperSport Schools Hockey caught up with all four captains to get their thoughts on what is arguably the biggest interschools match in the world.
Lucia Marcus – Paarl Girls’ High
Marcus is one of the most experienced players on her team and has previously featured in four interschools matches against Paarl Gim, all of which have been tough and closely contested.
This year, she has led Girls’ High admirably, helping her team to some notable victories, thanks also to the help of her leadership group and vice-captain, Lisa Craven.
Marcus and her side now look forward to their biggest game of the year.
“Our team is very excited and hyped for the interschools game ahead,” she said. “We are looking forward to a high-intensity match and can’t wait to give it our all.
“It’s a bittersweet moment for the matrics, as we know this is our last interschools, but we are ready to make our school proud.”
The skipper also understands the threat Paarl Gim poses. “We know that playing against Paarl Gim is never easy,” she said. “They are a highly ranked team with such incredible players, and you always have to be at your best when you play them.
“We know that we will have to bring our all on Friday evening and keep fighting till the last whistle blows. I truly believe that if we stick to our basics and execute our game plan well, we are able to take on any team.
“An interschools game is always so unpredictable, and the team that wants it the most that night will win.”
The match will also be coach Marc Landman‘s first interschools derby since he took over as first team coach earlier this year.
Joné de Winnaar – Paarl Gimnasium
Joné de Winnaar has stepped up tremendously in 2025.
After taking over the captaincy from Tanya Pieterse, she has led her side to some remarkable victories while playing some scintillating hockey.
In the Western Cape, they have suffered only one defeat, and that was a 0-1 loss to Rhenish Girls’ High a week ago.
De Winnaar says Gim has learnt a lot from that game and she and her team are ready to step up at interschools.
“We’re feeling very motivated,” she reckoned. “Last week’s result gave us a lot to learn from, but we are now excited for interschools and ready to leave it all on the field.
“Interschools is one of the most special fixtures on our calendar. It’s more than just a game. It’s about legacy and the incredible support we get from our school.
“What I love most is the way it brings everyone together and the way you can play for your badge, and there’s nothing like hearing your school behind you.”
One of the most important points of focus for De Winnaar and her side will be to not let the occasion get the better of them. Staying composed and executing their plans is what could propel them to victory, she said.
“It’s an emotional one for us matrics, and we want to finish with no regrets,” she added.
“To get the win, we’ll need to stay composed under pressure, stick to our structures, and trust each other.
“Interschools against Girls’ High is always a different game on the day, but we believe in our preparation. It’s going to come down to the team that wants it more.”
AJ Mostert – Paarl Boys’ High
AJ Mostert has been the backbone of Boishaai this season.
The centre-back has led from the front, defended well, distributed like a general, and has always got his troops up for big encounters.
Last week, he led his team to a bronze medal at the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament. This week, it’s all about throwing everything they have at Paarl Gim.
“We are ready, a bit nervous, but we’re also excited,” the skipper said. “It’s going to be a big one. It’s going to be tough as well because both sides are very strong this year.
“I think we just need to stick to our processes and stay together as a team. We need to trust each other, and everyone must do their job.
“If we let the occasion get to us, we will be lost come Saturday morning, especially with all the people around and the questions we get. So, we are remaining calm and treating this like a normal game.”
It will be a momentous day for Mostert, who will earn his 100th cap when he walks out against Gim on Saturday.
Juan Swanepoel – Paarl Gimnasium
Juan Swanepoel has tasted victory in an interschools match before, and he’ll be set on tasting it again in 2025.
The explosive Paarl Gim skipper has been at the centre of his team’s successes this season, leading with his actions rather than words.
He’s also relied on other experienced heads, including John Coetzee, Martin Ferreira, Stefan Wiehahn, and Philip Barnard.
In their last outing, Gim held off Wynberg Boys’ High, scoring a 3-2 win. Swanepoel said the mood in the team is positive ahead of taking on their great rivals.
“We are feeling really good. The win against Wynberg reminded us of what we’re capable of doing.
“We have to go into the interschools game with the mindset that we want to win and play our game.”
Swanepoel netted in last year’s interschools clash. On Saturday, he’s intent on scoring more goals and leaving it all out on the field.
“Interschools is massive. It’s more than just a match. It’s history, our pride, and we play for every player that’s worn the jersey before us,” he said.
“It’s the one fixture we dream about and think about the whole year. It’s our last dance as matrics, so we will leave everything out there.”
TEAMS
GIRLS
Paarl Gimnasium: Joné de Winnaar (c), Karli van Deventer, Jessica Gresse, Karea de Ridder, Minke Botha, Isabella Nel, Imke Koegelenberg, Izelle Fourie, Anya Swanepoel, Alanda Rademeyer, Micha Bakkes, Lua van Wyk, Marili Walters, Annabelle Smith, Hannah-Claire Lees.
Coach: Danelle van Zyl
Assistant coach: Scott Hendricks
Manager: Tanya van der Spuy
Paarl Girls’ High: Lucia Marcus (c), Leonora Van Zyl, Charlotte Louw, Janri Dixon, Halle Williams, Margit Naude, Cassie Fairbairn, Jessi Baxter, Mila Warnich, Nika Pretorius, Lucy Le Roux, Nika Du Plessis, Anne Nell, Lisa Craven (vc)
Coach: Marc Landman
Manager: Anri Keevy
BOYS
Paarl Gimnasium: Juan Swanepoel (c), John Coetzee, Johannes Nieuwoudt, Reinhardt Honiball, Rikus de Kock, Ryan Van der Merwe, Philip Barnard, Stefan Wiehahn, Ebert Sabbagha, Philip du Preez, Josh Smit, Mikal Janse van Rensburg, Eben Thiart, Martin Ferreira, Gideon Cronje.
Coach: Jacques Grobler
Manager: Surindi Lombaard
Paarl Boys’ High: AJ Mostert (c), AJ Fourie, Alex Lategan, Ben Haarhoff, Daniel Willemse, Gideon du Toit, Jamie Kock, Joel Martini, Laubscher van Loggerenberg, Luan Bornman, Luka King, Martin de Bruyn, Mijan Heroldt, Nicholas Swanepoel, Tiaan Liebenberg, Ullrich Drotchie.
Coach: Rowan Mclachlan
Assistant coach: Nicholas Neethling
Manager: Madre Mostert
