Paul Roos vs SACS: The unsung heroes who could tilt the balance
The stage is set for a highly anticipated meeting between Paul Roos Gimnasium and South African College High School (SACS) this Friday in Stellenbosch.
The massive encounter will headline the week’s Hyundai Friday Nite Lights action. It’s scheduled for 19:15 at the iconic Maties AstroTurf.
The last meeting between the sides was at the Hibbert Shield, in Gqeberha, at the beginning of May. On that occasion, SACS came out on top, winning 6-5 on penalties after an enthralling clash ended deadlocked at 3-3.
There has been an intense build-up to Friday’s showdown, with both teams locked in and laser focused. Many regard their meeting as a battle between the two best teams in the country.
We take a look at some of the unsung heroes who will be out to make their marks on the big stage.
SACS
It’s no secret that SACS has several players with big-match temperament who can influence a game with one play or a moment of individual brilliance.
Players like Litha Kraai and Reece Theunis come to mind, but they can’t work their magic without the help of their teammates, who don’t grab as many headlines.
Zach Redfern is up there as one of the unsung heroes in the star-laden SACS side. Playing as a holding midfielder at times, Redfern’s composure on the ball and his ability to pick out his teammates with accurate passes creates ample opportunities for them.
He links up well with, among others, Mohlodi Maseko and Kraai, and defensively, he’s hard to beat.
Aiden Hughes, Matthew Lassen, and Cameron Cordeiro have been superb for coach Sam Holmes this season, bossing proceedings in midfield and at the back when needed, while skipper Jo le Roux needs no introduction. After a good rookie season in the first team in 2024, he has taken to the captaincy like a duck to water.
Le Roux exudes calm and composure with and without the ball. He makes great reads, distributes well, and always gets his team onto the front foot.
Paul Roos
After the exodus of many experienced players at the end of last season, Paul Roos was forced into a rebuilding phase.
Last year’s team had top individual talents, including Reuben Sendzul, Barend Geldenhuys, and Joshua Smit, who could change the tide of a game in the blink of an eye.
This season PRG’s focus has been about teamwork for coach Michael Baker and his troops. They’ve been in good form and helping them to succeed have been a number of players who’ve gone under the radar.
Starting at the back, Tylor Carter has been rock-solid for the Stellenbosch school, with the help of Danesh Titus and Logan Lackay.
Carter doesn’t get mentioned much, but that’s also a sign that he’s been doing his job consistently well. He’s a sound tackler and a good distributor from the back. He’ll come up against tough opposition from SACS, but he should hold his own.
The midfield battle will be interesting, and PRG will look to their vice-captain Seth Paterson and Ruben Gouws to produce the goods. More often than not, captain Christo Swanepoel grabs the headlines for being the “midfield maestro”, but Paterson and Gouws also pull the strings.
They are super energetic, gobbling up the ground as they traverse the turf, and they often put themselves in the right spaces to make a difference.
Up front, Charlie Boucher is another man who’ll be aiming to make his mark, and there’s no better fixture to do that in than against SACS.
Strong performances from the players mentioned above could determine which team snatches the bragging rights.
For a full, extensive preview of the clash between Paul Roos and SACS, click HERE.
