Preview – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs. Paarl Gimnasium
JOHANNESBURG, 07 May 2013: Paul Roos will play Paarl Gim’ in Stellenbosch at the Markotter Fields on Saturday 11 May, in a Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools that will be televised LIVE on SuperSport HD4 on Channel 214 from 12:00 -13:45. Delayed broadcast on SuperSport 1 at 20:45pm
Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools is a series of 12 matches, which feature the highest profile and most traditional interschool rugby rivalries, from South Africa’s top rugby schools, broadcast live on SuperSport from April to August.
Schoolboy rugby has served as one of the cornerstones of domestic rugby dating back more than a century, and true to its slogan “Honouring Heritage. Playing for the Future”, Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools is about History, Heritage and Tradition. The series, now in its second year, is expected to grow even stronger.
The Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools stories is further captured in 12 magazine shows which preview all the games and provide historical overviews of these traditional schools and highlight other academic, cultural and sporting achievements.
Notes and background – Historic overview of the upcoming teams
Paul Roos vs. Paarl Gimnasium
On Saturday 11th of May 2013 it will be two of the big guns in WP schools rugby who take each other on. Paarl Gim is currently rated as the top schoolboy team in South Africa after their convincing wins over Outeniqua and Waterkloof in the last couple of weekends. Paul Roos on the other hand is only now starting to hit their straps after a somewhat shaky start to their season. A good win over Maritzburg College and a tough game against highly rated Affies should be the catalyst that provides the spark for the rest of their season.
Midfield Matchup!
With centre Daniel Du Plessis back in action for the boys in maroon, their midfield looks more settled and together with Tristan Cramer they form a very effective pair. This will be needed as Paarl Gim’s Ryan Oosthuizen is currently the best looking centre at this level and is playing with huge confidence and ability. The matchup in midfield will thus be one of the key factors in determining the outcome of this game.
Battle up Front!
Paarl Gim have the definite edge over their rivals when it comes to the forwards. Man mountain JD Schickerling together with Jacques Vermeulen and Rikus Bothma are three WP Craven Week players that are currently causing havoc in opponents defensive structures. Paul Roos captain Christo vd Merwe and the rest of his forwards will have their work cut out to contain the huge Paarl Gim pack. If they can do this, the battle is half won. The Paarl Gim backs are getting excellent front foot ball from their forwards and can thus run hard at the oppositions creating more opportunities than most teams can only dream of. If Paul Roos can stem this flow of good ball, they might just be in with a small chance.
The rivalry runs deep between the two schools but so does the friendships. Over the years so many boys from the two schools represented WP in various age group teams that when they get to their matric year they have played just as often with each other than against each other.
An interesting fact is that two of the Paul Roos backline player’s fathers also represented WP in their heydays of the 80’s. Centre Daniel Du Plessis’s father is legendary Michael who is part of the famous Du Plessis clan and played flyhalf and centre for WP and SA. Flyhalf Aidyn Cupidos’s father is Wilfred, who also played centre for WP and SA Invitational teams.
The first recorded time old boys of the two schools played together for SA was as long ago as in 24 Nov 1906 when the Springboks played Ireland in Belfast. That day Steve Joubert was the first of many Gimmies to represent his country and his Bok captain was Paul Roos himself!
Paul Roos Gimnasium profile
On 29 January 1864 the Rev. J.H. Neethling of the Stellenbosch Dutch Reformed church writes to Dr. Langham Dale, Superintendent General of Education of the Cape:
“As a piece of news that will interest you, I may state that yesterday (28 January 1864) 30 inhabitants of this district have decided to erect a gymnasium or Latin School. They have guaranteed 465 pounds (R930) per annum, chosen a Board of Directors of five persons to carry out the resolutions with all possible speed and decided that as soon as possible a preparatory school or infant department shall be established.”
In 1879 the Gymnasium and College separate functionally. The College acquires the name “Stellenbosch College”. In 1885 the separation also becomes physical when the school and College move to new but separate premises between Andringa and Van Ryneveld Streets. The name Stellenbosch College changes to Victoria College in 1887 and this institution becomes the University of Stellenbosch in 1918.
In 1887, “The Young Men’s Home” or “Het Tehuis”, the first hostel for boys, opens its doors under the supervision of Mr J.D. Krige – later affectionately known as Oom Japie “Home”. The present school hall is named after him. He was vice-rector at the time of his retirement in 1948, and ever since a painting of him takes the place of honour next to the stage.
The school was renamed three times, Stellenbosch Boys High and Victoria College after the Queen. In 1940, it was renamed after Paul Roos, a former captain of the Springbokrugby union team. Roos was a former pupil and teacher at Paul Roos Gymnasium, and was the school’s rector from 1910 to 1940.
The Rhodes Scholarship was instituted in 1903, and Paul Roos is one of four schools in South Africa that may award a Rhodes Scholarship every year to an ex-pupil to study at the University of Oxford.
Rugby at Paul Roos
The words Paul Roos and Rugby are synonymous as the great man was the originator of the now famous Springbok emblem and name for the South African national team. He is seen by many as the “father” of South African rugby and it is fitting that the school that carries his name is such a powerhouse in South African schools rugby.
Paul Roos has to date produced the most South African players to represent their country on a rugbyfield with Juandre Kruger becoming their 50th player when he played against England at Kingspark on June 9th 2012.
The following players from Paul Roos represented South Africa on the rugbyfield.
Arthur Nicholas de Kock (1891), Jacob Stephanus (Japie) Louw (1891), James Alexander (Jim) McKendrick (1891), Robert (Bob) Shand, Paul Johannes de Waal (1896), Japie Krige (1896), Bob Loubser (1896), Pieter Albertus Ryno Otto (PO) Nel (1903), Paul Johannes Roos (1903), Koei Brink (1906), Henry John (Pinkie) Daneel (1906), Boy de Villiers (1906), Freddie Luyt (1910), Dick Luyt (1910), Koot Reynecke (1910), Gideon Daniël Roos (1910), Wakkie Krige (1912), John Douglas Luyt (1912), Tom van Vuuren (1912), Nic du Plessis (1921), Theuns Kruger (1921), Charlé Meyer (1921), Mannetjies Michau (1921), Phil Mostert (1921), Tokkie Scholtz (1921), Jackie Tindall(1921), Attie van Heerder (1921), PK Albertyn (1924), Nico Bosman (1924), Daunce Devine (1924), Kenny Starke (1924), George Murray Daneel (1928), Manus de Jongh (1928), AF du Toit (1928), PK Morkel (1928), Boet Prinsloo (1928), Ferdie Bergh (1931), George Lionell van Reenen (1937), Ballie Wahl (1949), Tjol Lategan (1949), Jannie Engelbrecht (1960), Gertjie Brynard (1965), Hempies du Toit (1980), Cabous van der Westhuizen (1994), Justin Swart (1996), Cobus Visagie (1999), Andries Bekker (2008), Schalk Brits (2008), Francois Hougaard (2009), Juandre Kruger (2012)
With the current crop of excellent youngsters coming through the ranks, one can be assured that Paul Roos will keep on producing rugby players that will go on to represent their country one day.
Paarl Gimnasium Profile
Paarl Gimnasium is a school in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa. Rev. van Lingen founded the school in the centre of town in 1858. The primary school section of Gimnasium was founded in 1858 as a Dutch Christian school for boys, with the High School being founded much later. In the mid 30’s the school’s language of education shifted to Afrikaans. After the high school section was completed the school allowed the first female student to enroll in 1964.
The original old building of Paarl Gimnasium
Rugby at Gim
Paarl Gim is without doubt one of the Big Five of rugby schools in South Africa. They have to date produced 28 Springboks of which 18 have been capped in tests for South Africa. The current incumbent Springbok captain Jean De Villiers is an old Gimmie.
Gimnasiums 18 Test Springboks
Player | DebutYear |
| Steve Joubert | 1906 |
| Pierie de Villiers | 1928 |
| JC van der Westhuizen | 1928 |
| Jan Pickard | 1953 |
| Hugo van Zyl | 1958 |
| Wynand Mans | 1965 |
| Schalk Burger Snr | 1984 |
| Kobus Burger | 1989 |
| Kobus Wiese | 1993 |
| Balie Swart | 1993 |
| Mornay Visser | 1995 |
| Pieter Rossouw | 1997 |
| De Wet Barry | 2000 |
| Louis Koen | 2000 |
| Marius Joubert | 2001 |
| Jean de Villiers | 2002 |
| Schalk Burger | 2003 |
| Ashley Johnson | 2011 |
They have also produced 144 Cravenweek players and 33 SA Schools players.
Their biggest rivals is Paarl Boys High situated in the Southern Paarl. Their annual Interschools have the unofficial title of “Biggest Interschools” in South Africa.
In 2012, while still at school, their captain and pivot Handre Pollard represented South Africa at the u/20 World Cup tournament with aplomb. Called up for the injured Johan Goosen, Pollard played a vital role in SA winning the final against New Zealand. The young man is currently plying his trade with the Blue Bulls.
Handre Pollard in the colours of Gim.
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