Paul Roos one victory away from securing their place in folklore

Paul Roos Gimnasium‘s First XV is standing on the edge of glory this Saturday as they take on Grey College of Bloemfontein in their final encounter of the season in the Markotter Stadium in Stellenbosch. The match kicks-off at 15:00.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com) or DStv Channel 216. The clash is also a part of the Premier Interschools calendar.

The Maroon Machine boasts an undefeated record so far this season. A victory over Grey College will mean that the Jolla Bolla after the match might be the sweetest since 1991. The side from 1991 was the last first team of Paul Roos to secure an unbeaten season.

One of Paul Roos’ key players flanker Gert Kemp’s father Bles Kemp was part of the unbeaten 1991 side. This team included players like Justin Swart (fullback), Cobus Visagie (prop), Johan van Wyk (hooker), Jurian Prins (centre), Thian Muller (captain and flanker) and Morné Vermeulen (flyhalf).

The side from 2018 came close to finishing their season unbeaten but fell a couple of points short in their final match against Grey College (26-28) in Bloemfontein. The team of 2018 included players like Kade Wolhuter (flyhalf), Robbie Rodgers (prop), Tiaan Pretorius (wing), Brendan Venter (centre) and JJ Kotze (hooker).

Back to 2024, the hosts will have to play without their influential captain, Riley Norton. To rub even more potential salt into Paul Roos’ wounds is the fact that Norton was named Man of the Match for his performance in South Africa u18’s victory of 38-26 over Ireland on Friday. Norton’s leadership on the field will be missed. The double SA Schools sportsman is probably worth more than three players for his school’s side.

The big test for Grey College during the match will be in the midfield with Thristan Maree and debutant Jean Rossouw having to keep big Samuel Badenhorst at bay. Badenhorst is on song and he showed his class on Monday during the SA u18A’s clash against Georgia. Maree at outside centre had a couple of starts this season for Grey, but it will be Rossouw’s first which will be a true baptism by fire.

Both Grey’s centres Pieter van der Merwe and Ethan Adams are representing South Africa during the u18 International Series.

Badenhorst and loosehead prop, Oliver Reid‘s, presence will without a doubt boost this host’s morale. It is however Grey College that is favoured most by the returning of the South Africa u18A’s to their schools with captain and hooker, Liam van Wyk, flyhalf and Craven Week Player of the Tournament Alzeadon Felix, and scrumhalf, Philip McLaren, returning for one final outing.

The teams: 

Paul Roos Gimnasium: 15 Keenan Stoffels, 14 Matthew Kleyn, 13 Ian Smith, 12 Samuel Badenhorst, 11 Divan Lambrecht, 10 Joshua Dampies, 9 Liam de Silva, 8 Christian Kolbe, 7 Gert Kemp, 6 Malan Erasmus, 5 Charl Horwill, 4 Truspe Schoeman, 3 Henry du Plessis, 2 Altus Rabe, 1 Oliver Reid.

Grey College: 15 Heinz Stockenström, 14 Pretorius Ekeji, 13 Thristan Maree, 12 Jean Rossouw, 11 Ruben Cilliers, 10 Alzeadon Felix, 9 Philip McLaren, 8 Liam Santos, 7 Juliun Cosmo, 6 Xander Smit, 5 Renier Grobler, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Liam van Wyk (captain), 1 Dian Venter.

Kick-Off: 15:00

Previous Meetings: 

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Hannes Nienaber

Hannes Nienaber covered schools' rugby in South Africa for Volksblad, Beeld, and Rapport for 11 years. He also created the biggest school rugby website in South Africa - School of Rugby - back in 2007. It eventually morphed into Supersport Schools Plus. He still occasionally milks cows.

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