Paul Roos vs SACS: The battle for schoolboy hockey supremacy
For many years, South African College High School (SACS) considered their hockey rivals to be the traditional southern suburbs’ schools, Wynberg Boys’ High, Bishops, and Rondebosch Boys’ High.
However, that has drastically changed over the past four years because of their newfound rivalry with Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG).
Now, don’t get me wrong, fixtures against the southern suburbs’ schools still get the respect they deserve, but the hype and buzz is through the roof when PRG comes to town or SACS travels to Stellenbosch.
This week will be no different when the two schoolboy hockey giants square off in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights game at the Maties AstroTurf, in Stellenbosch.
The massive match will be broadcast LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App, DSTV Channel 216, and the SABC Plus App. Pushback is at 19:45.
As part of our extensive coverage, SuperSport Schools Plus hockey writer Avuyile Sawula takes a look at five key talking points you should know about ahead of the crunch clash.
The coaches’ battle: Baker vs Holmes
Culture vs Tactics
One of the most interesting aspects of this match will be the battle between the coaches, Michael Baker (PRG) and Sam Holmes (SACS).
They have a different style of coaching, but both get the best out of their teams, week in and out.
In his first-ever interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Baker described himself as “a coach who believes in building culture”, while the calm and relaxed Holmes has been labelled a “mastermind tactician” by some of his players.
While the rivalry is between the schools, it’s important to note, as well, that we’re experiencing the teams to be a reflection of their coaches. Since arriving at PRG at the start of 2024, Baker has faced Holmes more than any other coach in the country.
To date, their teams have played against each other four times, and two of those were at the Hibbert Shield, while the other two took place in the Western Cape.
SACS has won two of the four meetings, with PRG claiming victory once, and the other ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw last year, in July. The last meeting between the sides was a nail-biter, won by SACS 5-4 on penalties after their semi-final clash at the Hibbert Shield, in May, ended 3-3.
Will it be the culture cultivated by Baker that will triumph, or will the SACS boys successfully put to work the tactics shared by Holmes?
Discipline will be crucial
The fewer cards, the better
When we previewed the Paul Roos vs. SACS clash last year in July, one of the things we mentioned was the importance of discipline from both teams.
It turned out that the discipline in that high-takes clash was awful, to say the least. Both sides were reckless in their tackles, they talked back to the umpires on numerous occasions, and, as a result, yellow and red cards were dished out.
PRG was forced to play the majority of the clash with a man down after Louan Van Zyl was given his marching orders early on. Reece Theunis and Litha Kraai, of SACS, were also shown cards. It was messy.
After the game, both coaches lamented the poor discipline that had cost their sides an opportunity to secure a win.
This year will be no different. The stakes will be high. There will be electricity in the air. Discipline will be one of the most important aspects of the game. Cool, calm and relaxed heads will be needed, especially with PRG’s home supporters sure to be make their presence known.
Physicality levels will, also, be high, which was evident in the Hibbert Shield semifinal. Both sides will need to be careful.
As a neutral, I would love to see a tightly contested clash where the treatment of umpires is of a high standard, especially after the South African Hockey Association (SAHA) released a memorandum about the problem of the mistreatment of officials.
It will be a heated clash. That’s for sure. But both coaching groups will need to preach the importance of discipline all week long. They surely have.
Players must step up
Time to prove a point
Instagram posts, WhatsApp stories, and motivational quotes will mean very little the minute the teams make contact with the AstroTurf on Friday night.
All that will matter for the players is showing up, balling out, and putting their best foot forward.
Big games are made for big players, and each side will need their leading stars to bring their A-game from the get-go.
For the home side, their defence will be key, and at the back, Tylor Carter will be tested, so he’ll need to exert his influence. Carter, along with Jeandre Van Zyl and Danesh Titus, has steered the PRG ship well this season, but SACS poses a different challenge to any other team Paul Roos has faced.
Another player who needs to step to the fore is Paul Roos skipper Christo Swanepoel. He’s played a massive role as the midfield maestro for his side, and he’ll be aiming to boss proceedings.
Up front, Matthew Cardoza, Caleb Cilliers, Callum van Oudtshoorn and the reliable Reuben Gouws will key the PRG attack.
For SACS, many are expecting, rightfully, Litha Kraai to lead their challenge. But Reece Theunis is a dangerous player who will also want to prove a point against a quality side. He has been deadly in front of goal this season and he’ll be keen to take the form he has shown against others into the showdown with PRG.
Mohlodi Maseko is another player who has sparkled for SACS. The little magician has enjoyed a great start to his first-team career, and he’ll want to keep up his playmaking against a well-drilled unit.
SACS has had to make a change at goalkeeper, with their first-choice, Ethan October, ruled out of the contest after sustaining an injury in their 9-1 win over Rondebosch Boys’ High.
With October sidelined, Lorenzo Virisimo took over in the goalbox in their 10-0 win over DF Malan last time out. Up against Paul Roos, he has an excellent opportunity to repay the trust shown in him by coach Holmes.
Set-piece accuracy will be key
“Shorty…..”
While fans at the ground would love to see a flurry of field goals, the reality is that set pieces will play a major role in the clash.
The modern game has evolved in a way that teams rely on set-piece opportunities to make the difference in tight contests.
Both PRG and SACS have, however, scored most of their goals this season from open play, but that doesn’t mean they don’t value short corners or spend hours trying to perfect drag flicks or cook up variations.
SACS has three flickers in Kraai, Theunis, and skipper Jo le Roux. All are tried and tested – and they’ll be ready to fire on Friday night.
PRG, meanwhile, is still trying to find its groove at PC time. They were blessed with Reuben Sendzul as their specialist flicker in 2024. This year, in his absence, they’ve taken on more variations.
Those variations have worked well, but they also have, in Reuben Gouws, someone who can score by going the direct drag flick route.
Is this the battle for top spot?
Jeppe might have something to say about that
For the past two seasons, Paul Roos and SACS have been at the centre of the rankings’ conversation, and rightfully so.
They have consistently played some amazing hockey and taken down many of the top teams from across the country. Their meetings have been nail-biters.
Are they among the best three teams in the country? According to statistics, yes, and by statistics I don’t mean the controversial rankings that spark debates in school corridors and staffrooms.
These sides have proven time and again that they deserve all the hype they receive, and that’s because of everything they’ve done on the turf.
Yes, the rankings will be a massive talking point this week, but they will mean little once the umpire’s whistle signals the start of play on Friday night.
This article is titled: “The Battle for Schoolboy Hockey Supremacy” because the team that wins this one will have the upper hand heading into their second meeting in term three.
There’s no place to hide ladies, and gentlemen. This will be a cracker so don’t miss it!
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
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.
