Paarl Gim fends off the Jade Brigade in a titanic clash
Paarl Gimnasium were able to endure and fend off an incredible chase by the Jade Brigade when the two teams faced each other on Friday.
Last year’s match, which Paarl won 12-6, was considered an excellent, closely fought game, but it was outshone entirely by the class of 2023, as Gimmies added another win to their unbeaten streak, beating Stellenberg by a single point, 24-23.
Captain and star flyhalf, Kyle Smith, got the home team on the front foot immediately with a deep, hanging kickoff, putting the visitors under pressure from the word go.
Smith represented WP last year at age level, and showcased his skill in this game again, masterfully directing the Paarl attack, stepping past defenders at will and being rock solid in defense.
Gimmies were able to drive their hooker, Jannie Grobbelaar, over for a try within the first minute, setting the tone for what was to become an immensely physical game from both sides. There will be some very sore bodies today.
The early try only seemed to galvanize the Stellenberg boys though, as they matched Gimmies’ intensity at the kickoff.
Paarl were able to absorb the pressure, as handling errors by Stellenberg broke their momentum and turned over their attacking possession.
The handling errors might very well be a testament to how big some of the tackles were on either side, but Stellenberg will have a look at this aspect, they cost themselves a number of opportunities throughout the game.
David Kotze, the Gimmie scrumhalf, was probably the player of the day, standing out among some exceptional players. The lively scrummy darted around a ruck near the Stellenberg goal line to score the first of his three tries.
His second came after flanker, Louw du Toit, broke the defensive line at pace, giving out to the loosehead prop, Xander Mynhardt, who stepped away from defenders like he was born to be a backline player before giving the ball to Kotze, who seemed to always be near, to dive over the line.
Ruben Thompson, the Stellies centre, managed to keep his team in the game in the first half with three brilliantly taken penalties. He knocked over his third in the final moments of the half, from 40 meters out, off the upright and over to reduce the deficit to 17-9 at halftime.
Whatever coach Divan Batt said to his big tighthead, Herman Lubbe, during the break worked a treat. Lubbe and his pack dominated the scrums in the second half, allowing the visitors to take the game to Paarl and work on building a comeback.
Not before Kotze could complete his hat trick though. Centre Enzo Labuschagne who played wing last year, broke away down the touchline on a counterattack, passing the ball to his scrumhalf at just the right moment, allowing him to score unhindered.
With the score at 24-9 with 15 minutes to go, Stellenberg doubled down on attack, they were dominant in the scrum, and the Stellenberg loose forwards were quick to get over the ball in the rucks.
The sustained pressure paid off, a Gimmies flanker Adraun Kotze received a yellow card for repeated infringements in defence, and when Stellenberg had the opportunity to scrum their no. 8, Marco Ferreira, had to stay in the backline to keep the numbers even in the pack.
They won the ball off their opponents’ scrum and Clyde Frieslaar (scrumhalf) swung the ball to Ferreira, who gave it to Thompson. The centre could then get the ball out to the extra man, the replacement centre, Stefan Visser, who did exceptionally well to finish off the try.
The match continued without ever losing its intensity. Even when Gim received the ball deep in their half, after regulation time was up, there was never any doubt that the boys were going to play to the very end.
Knowing that they could not lose the game anymore, Gim started an attack from their own danger zone but lost the ball. Luc Cilliers, the Stellenberg winger, could kick the loose ball through and dive on it over the line to bring Stellenberg to within three points with only the conversion to go.
Thompson, who had a brilliant day with the boot, added the extras, but it wasn’t enough to snatch the victory.
It was an exhilarating game of rugby, and both teams will be proud of their performance.
This was the perfect preparation for both teams as they get ready to compete in the annual North/South Tournament at Affies next weekend.
Link to the game on Supersport Schools – Paarl Gim vs Stellenberg
Scorers:
Paarl Gimnasium 24 (17) – Tries: David Kotze (3), Jannie Grobbelaar. Conversions: Kyle Smith (2). Stellenberg 23 (9) – Tries: Luc Cilliers, Stefan Visser. Conversions: Ruben Thompson (2). Penalties: Ruben Thompson (3).
Other results:
u16: Paarl Gimnasium 43, Stellenberg 0.
u15: Paarl Gimnasium 34, Stellenberg 10.
u14: Stellenberg 32, Paarl Gimnasium 17.
