Parel Vallei braced for season finale against Pearson
The Parel Vallei (PV) first boys’ side will be aiming to end their season on a high when they host Pearson High in their annual interschools derby on Friday night.
The clash, set to take place in Somerset West, will kick off at 19:00 and will be streamed LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App.
For many years, the showdown between the sides has been a massive event on each school’s calendar. It’s a full derby, with the action stretching from the AstroTurf to the netball courts, rugby fields, and onto cultural events, and chess.
Friday night, however, will belong to hockey, and both teams will be highly motivated to give a solid account of themselves in their final match of the season.
It has been a season of solid progress for PV, who caused some shocks in the Western Cape. Led by coach Michael van Rensburg, they punched above their weight, recorded some big results, and included themselves in the conversation of “top schools” around the country.
In his assessment of the team, Van Rensburg told SuperSport Schools Plus: “The season has been successful by all accounts. We only lost one home game, and it was against South African College High School (SACS).
“We have made some good strides over the last five years from where we were as a programme, going forward and doing well.
“There were one or two results that didn’t go our way, but that’s also what happens in youth sport, and it depends on the day.”
In their most recent outing, coach Van Rensburg’s boys drew 2-2 with Wynberg Boys’ High.
They also competed in the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament and finished inside the top 10.
While those results are cause for optimism, Van Rensburg understands that Pearson will pose different challenges.
“Pearson is always a big one,” he said. “It’s a full school derby, the last one of the year, and the pavilion will be packed.
“Nothing changes for us, maybe one or two small adaptations, but we are 28 games into the season. We don’t want to change much. We just want to be better.
“We want to put ourselves in the best possible position again to make sure that we grab the win. The nice thing, as well, is that 12 of the 16 guys that will be playing on Friday night will be returning in 2026.
“So, we look forward to Friday night. It’s always nice to play at home, and we are trusting our preparation and making sure we are ready.”
Pearson, meanwhile, heads to the Western Cape after a topsy-turvy season.
Under the guidance of coach Karl Lavender, the boys in green and white made a rough start, but they have found some good form in recent weeks.
Those solid performances, which, most recently, included a 2-0 victory over Graeme College, in Makhanda, will give them some much-needed confidence ahead of the big clash.
Lavender said his side’s preparations for the derby have been smooth, although not ideal.
“Our training prep has been good, but a lack of competitive matches this term is a concern,” he explained.
“Hopefully, the boys will be well rested from this and manage to match the tempo quickly.”
Looking back on Pearson’s season, Lavender said he’s been impressed by his team’s gritty character when the chips have been down.
“We have been resilient,” he said. “We’ve lost several matches by one goal to big-name schools this year and have managed to bounce back after heartbreak. If this group goes a goal down, I back them to come back.”
Victory in the Parel Vallei derby would be a big boost and finishing a season on a high note is never a bad thing. “The boys just have to go out and enjoy it. For some, it’s their last game for the school in front of 4000 spectators,” Lavender said.
“They must enjoy the moment and leave no regrets behind as they get to play with their brothers one last time.”
Other matches taking place in the Western Cape
While an all-action encounter is expected in Somerset West, there are several other games taking place within the province, most notably two southern suburbs’ derbies.
SACS faces Rondebosch Boys’ High while Bishops Diocesan College plays host to Wynberg Boys’ High at the Woodlands AstroTurf.
Stellenberg is set for a tight battle with Durbanville in their interschools clash, while DF Malan will lock horns with Bellville High.
Worcester Gimnasium will be in action against Hermanus, and, in George, Outeniqua takes on HTS Drostdy while York High School faces Oudtshoorn.
