Paul Roos snaps Rondebosch hoodoo, SACS and Bishops win big
Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) showed class and composure to seal a hard-fought 4-2 victory against an in-form Rondebosch Boys’ High side in Cape Town on Friday night.
The boys from Stellenbosch were on fire in the opening half and put ‘Bosch under immense pressure in front of a packed crowd at the Bosch AstroTurf.
The win was PRG’s first against Rondebosch under coach Michael Baker after they went down 0-1 in 2024 and drew 3-3 last year.
It was, undeniably, the match of the weekend in the Western Cape, with plenty on the line for both sides.
Bosch was eager to maintain their unbeaten run, while PRG wanted a stiff test from a quality opponent before facing South African College High School (SACS) on Wednesday.
Both were confident heading into the clash. PRG had picked up two massive wins a week ago, overrunning Somerset College 10-0 and Durbanville 8-1, while Rondebosch held SACS to a 3-3 draw.
On Friday, Paul Roos rushed into a 2-0 lead, but the hosts fought back, levelling matters at 2-2. The visitors, however, remained in control, and two more goals in the second half sealed the win.
Luke van der Merwe, who’s regularly found the back of the net this season, scored a brace, while captain Seth Paterson and Caleb Cilliers were also on target.
“Rondebosch is always a tough fixture; Migs (Miguel Edwards) and his team know what they are doing,” PRG head coach Michael Baker told SuperSport Schools News.
“We have been on the wrong side for a few years now, especially on their turf. So, it was great to be on the right side for once.
“When they fought back, our character was tested, but it was good to see the boys respond well.”
Coach Baker and his side will face arguably their biggest challenge thus far this season when they host SACS on Wednesday night in Stellenbosch.
The rivals faced each other in the semifinals of the Hibbert Shield, where SACS won in a penalty shootout after the teams finished regulation time level at 1-1.
“It won’t get easier because SACS are always good, and we will get a whole bunch of new questions to answer,” Baker said.
“However, we love hard games, and I have not watched an unentertaining SACS vs PRG game. So, it should be a great game for the neutrals.”
While PRG downed ‘Bosch, SACS continued their dominance in the league with a 5-0 win over Stellenberg High.
Coach Sam Holmes‘s charges picked up where they left off a week ago against Durbanville and played some free-flowing hockey.
Mohlodi Maseko struck twice, while other goal-scoring contributions came from Daniel de Wet, Jan Dijkstra, and skipper Litha Kraai.
Bishops, after beating Wynberg Boys’ High last week, added another victory to their record.
They travelled to face Paarl Gimnasium and, after a tightly contested affair, they came away with a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Harry Morgan and Troy Stockdale.
In other matches, Parel Vallei downed Somerset College 5-2 and Wynberg edged out Grey High 1-0. Reddam House Constantia held Pearson High to a 1-1 draw in Gqeberha.
RESULTS
Paul Roos 4-2 Rondebosch
SACS 5-0 Stellenberg
Bishops 2-1 Paarl Gimnasium
Parel Vallei 5-2 Somerset College
Wynberg 1-0 Grey High
Reddam House Constantia 1-1 Pearson High
