Paul Roos and SACS all-square in a six-goal thriller
Entertaining, heart-stopping, and jaw-dropping are some of the descriptions that could be applied to the pulsating 3-3 draw between Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and South African College High School (SACS) in Stellenbosch on Wednesday night.
The clash at the Maties AstroTurf was touted to be a humdinger. It lived up to that expectation.
For the neutrals, it was a top-class hockey exhibition. For the supporters of both teams, it was an emotional rollercoaster ride, a nail-biting thriller.
Earlier this season, the sides met in the semi-finals of the Hibbert Shield, where they shared a 1-1 draw before SACS advanced to the title game after winning a penalty shootout.
Paul Roos was desperate to change the narrative against their rivals and pick up their first win against coach Sam Holmes‘s side since 2024.
Their form heading into the match was sublime. In their most recent outings, PRG had beaten high-flying Rondebosch Boys’ High 4-2, while SACS thumped Stellenberg High 5-0.
The game’s opening chukka was frenetic, but it was PRG who made a dream start. Inside the first three minutes, they won a short corner and turned to Luke van der Merwe, who slotted it just inside the post to open the scoring, much to the delight of the PRG supporters.
SACS came alive after conceding and pushed for an equaliser, but Jeandre Cilliers stood firm in PRG’s goal.
Eventually, the Cape Town boys’ efforts paid off early in the second chukka.
Captain Litha Kraai did well to evade Jeandre van Zyl and win a PC for his side. Kraai then took it upon himself and fired in a thunderbolt drag flick to level the scores.
Both sides had short corners ruled out towards the end of the second chukka, leaving the teams level at 1-1 at halftime.
The third chukka was dramatic. Only seconds in, Van der Merwe bagged his second goal, with a smart reverse-stick shot giving coach Michael Baker’s side the lead again.
SACS wasn’t intimidated. They kept coming, and a deflection goal by Jan Dijkstra brought the teams level once more.
PRG had a golden opportunity to take the lead again after winning a stroke, but Logan Lackay’s attempt didn’t bother Ethan October in the SACS goal.
Soon, though, Seth Paterson linked up with Louis Kriel, who sneaked one in against the run of play to put Paul Roos 3-2 up heading into the final chukka.
As expected, SACS came out firing in search of an equaliser. With 10 minutes remaining, Cameron Cordeiro latched onto a loose ball inside the circle, and his shot beat Cilliers to make it 3-3.
After a moment of consultation between the umpires, the goal was given.
Both sides pushed for a late winner, but their defenders remained resolute.
PRG came close to breaking the deadlock from another PC, but Ethan October denied the home side with some crucial saves.
In the heat of battle, and with five minutes remaining, a couple of cards were dished out to both teams for ill-discipline, but the score remained unchanged.
SACS faces another tough assignment on Friday, when they take on Parel Vallei. PRG hosts the unpredictable Paarl Boys’ High.
Results
U14A
Paul Roos 2-0 SACS
U16A
Paul Roos 2-0 SACS
U19A
Paul Roos 3-3 SACS
