Paul Roos vs SACS: Everything you need to know ahead of the clash
Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and South African College High School (SACS) will reignite their rivalry when they square off in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash in Stellenbosch this week.
The meeting between the two of the giants of South African schoolboy hockey will be, arguably, the most anticipated match of the season.
It will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools, DStv Channel 216, and on the SABC Plus App.
It’s an encounter that’s gripped the imagination of hockey enthusiasts in the country. Many regard it as a clash of the top two sides.
With the build-up and excitement intensifying, SuperSport Schools Hockey scribe Avuyile Sawula looks at everything you need to know about the clash.
Venue and Time
Paul Roos and SACS meet twice annually, except when playing each other in tournaments.
This year’s first in-season clash will take place at the Maties AstroTurf, in Stellenbosch, on Friday, 30 May, and pushback is at 19:15.
How has each team fared ahead of the match?
Both sides have had interesting seasons so far and recorded impressive results while playing exciting brands of hockey.
The home side, PRG, has suffered just one loss, and it came against SACS after a shootout in the semi-finals of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, in Gqeberha, earlier this month.
Aside from that defeat, coach Michael Baker‘s troops have run rampant against their opponents, and their last outing resulted in a 2-0 win over Paarl Boys’ High.
As for SACS, they had an unorthodox start to the local season because they toured The Netherlands before taking on South African opposition.
After returning to South Africa, they picked up from where they left off in 2024, dominating every team in front of them up until the Hibbert Shield.
They breezed through their group stage opponents in Gqeberha but were tested by PRG in the semis, with that game finishing 3-3 after regulation time. SACS won the Hibbert Shield by outplaying Paarl Gimnasium 6-3 in the final.
Both teams are in red-hot form heading into this one.
Last 5 fixtures
Paul Roos
Paul Roos 2-0 Paarl Boys’ High – Derby
Paul Roos 6-2 Paarl Gimnasium – Derby
Paul Roos 2-1 Hoërskool Garsfontein – Hibbert Shield bronze medal match
Paul Roos (4) 3-3 (5) SACS – Hibbert Shield semifinal
Paul Roos (3) 1–1 (2) St Stithians College – Hibbert Shield quarterfinal
SACS
SACS 10-0 DF Malan – League
SACS 9-1 Rondebosch Boys’ High – League
SACS 4-1 Bishops – League
SACS 9-1 Stellenberg High School – League
SACS 6-3 Paarl Gimnasium – Hibbert Shield final
Last five meetings between Paul Roos and SACS
2025: SACS (5) 3-3 (4) Paul Roos
2024: Paul Roos 2-2 SACS
2024: SACS 6-2 Paul Roos
2024: Paul Roos (6) 3-3 (5) SACS
2023: SACS 8-1 Paul Roos
TEAMS
Please note: The Paul Roos team is subject to change. The SACS team, however, has been confirmed.
Paul Roos: Jeandre Cilliers, Jeandre Van Zyl, Danesh Titus, Tylor Carter, Seth Paterson, Reuben Gouws, Caleb Cilliers, Callum Van Oudtshoorn, Christo Swanepoel (c), Logan Lackay, Matthew Cardoza, Rico Esterhuyse, Christiaan Fouche, Charlie Boucher, Ruan Strauss, Luc Botha.
SACS: Lorenzo Virisimo, Jo le Roux (c), James Engelbrecht, Cameron Groves, Aiden Hughes, Matthew Lassen, Litha Kraai, Mohlodi Maseko, Zach Redfern, Adam Thompson, Daniel Graser, Cameron Cordeiro, Reece Theunis, Reegan Wille, Chavez Sanger.
