Paul Roos is Big in Japan
Paul Roos Gimnasium became the fourth South African school to be crowned champions of the annual Sanix Youth International tournament in Japan when they convincingly defeated Australia’s Brisbane Boys’ College 35-3 in the final earlier today.
The team from Stellenbosch cruised through the tournament as they booked in their place in the final with a easy 63-0 victory over Truro College of Engeland in the semi-final. It is fitting for the team from the Eikestad to be crowned champions of the tournament in the year of their 150th celebrations. Paul Roos was South Africa’s first representative at the inaugural tournament in 2000. In that year they were beaten by Kings School of Australia in the final.
Brisbane Boys’ College secured their place in the final by beating Scots College of New Zealand by 34-8 in their semi-final. New Zealand sides usually dominate the tournament as they have bagged nine of the 16 titles on offer thus far.
Grey College became the first South African champions in 2001 when they defeated St. Peter’s College of New Zealand by 41-3 in the final. The side from Bloemfontein was captained by scrumhalf, Rohan Myburgh, and his vice-captain was the lock, Francois van der Merwe, who later played for Western Province.
Boland Landbou was crowned champions the following year when they came out on top 32-10 against Sendai Ikue from Japan in the final. The Japanese club side defeated them by 23-0 in their pool game earlier in the competition.
Glenwood was crowned champions in 2008 when they also had no problems in defeating Tarbes High School of France by 39-0 in the final. Paarl Boys’ High (2014) and Monument (2006) also made it to the final when they attended, but fell over the last hurdle. Monnas lost 34-20 against Christchurch Boys’ High, while Boishaai finished second against Hamilton Boys’ High (15-11) in last year’s final.
Paul Roos Gimnasium’s results and scorers in Japan:
Pool Matches:
Paul Roos Gimnasium 45 – Tries: Nico Leonard, Kristoff Baard, Malan Basson, Lazlo Pscorn, Troy Payne. Conversions: Baard (5). Higashi Fukuoka (Japan) 13.
Paul Roos Gimnasium 78 – Tries: Stefan Burger, Roelf Burger, Sebastian Uys, Kevin Singleton, Jacques Hanekom, Paul Burger, Robert Tubb. Conversions: Hein Steenkamp (10). Penalty: Steenkamp. Ryutsu Keizai University High School (Japan) 0.
Paul Roos Gimnasium 57 – Tries: Nico Leonard (3), Kristoff Baard, Kevin Singelton, De Wet Castelyn, Sebastian Uys, Troy Payne. Conversions: Baard (5), Hein Steenkamp. Penalty: Baard. Enisei-STM (Russia) 0.
Quarter-final
Paul Roos Gimnasium 38 – Tries: Troy Payne (2), Nico Leonard (2), Damian Willemse, Roelf Burger. Conversions: Kristoff Baard (4). Gose Industrial High (Japan) 0.
