A Big Boishaai performance joins Malan and Berg dominance - Weekend Wrap
A beautiful Saturday set the scene for a Western Cape double header while the Eastern Cape saw some scintillating rugby action
Queen’s College claims provincial bragging rights after defeating Grey High in a nail-biting 25-24 home win
In a massive matchday, the King Price Derby Series hosted three fascinating derby games. Paarl Boys’ hosting heavy rivals Paul Roos being the pick of the action while Wynberg played their first Southern Suburbs’ derby of the year, against Bishops. Also on the cards, Nico Malan and Marlow Landbou made their first appearance in the derby series. On top of this, Queen’s would play Grey High in a huge Eastern Cape fixture.
Beginning in Paarl, Paul Roos traveled to Boishaai to participate in one of their biggest derby games of the season. Roos were keen to build on the two previous games against their opposition, which saw the maroon machine win both 35-17 and 25-10, as well as a dramatic comeback last week versus Boland Landbou. Boys’ High on the other hand were targeting another big scalp after defeating Grey College and Affies earlier in the term. Safe to say a lot was riding on this game and an atmospheric game-day under the beautiful blue skies of the Boland region set the scene as the game got under way. Roos would roar into a 7 point lead after a fantastic break away from Gert Kemp would lead to try-time early in the clash and despite a couple penalties in quick time in reply from the hosts, a second would follow from Tiaan Basson to put Paul Roos firmly in the driving seat. Another Travis Phieffer conversion following Roos’ third after 28 minutes, saw the away side’s school traveling cohort double their noisy support while their beloved 1st XV made it 21-9 after a Mark Grindlay penalty minutes earlier for Boishaai. Despite this start, an almost instant try response minutes later followed by another 3 points for Grindlay would propel the home side into touching distance of their rivals at the break. 21-16 the scoreline read. The sides re-entered the arena with electric determination as both traded tries within the first 7 of the second half. With already ten plus points from the first 35, Grindlay would turn that momentum into a further 35 minutes of precise kicking from the tee. Two penalties and another conversion after Gavie Kok scored the home side’s third and final try, would see Grindlay end the game with a vital 21 point performance. Seeing his side send the home rafters into ecstasy, and prove another huge point for Paarl Boys’ run for first in the country’s schoolboy rankings. The end score, 36-26, saw Boishaai grab another huge result in their campaign.
Also in the Western Cape, Wynberg hosted Bishops under further clear skies in a Southern Suburb derby-day. And what a day it would be for the home crowd, as they saw their side crash over the try-line on six different occasions, comprehensively defeating the Bishops XV. With their first suburb derby of 2025, Wynberg would dispatch their opposition for the 4th time straight in the fixture and continue a very promising start to the season (having only lost three times so far). The achievement however, was no doubt helped by the heroics of a Morne Noble triple, progressing his flying start to 2025’s winter season. Alongside Wynberg’s dominance, Nico Malan would close out the derby-day in their home town of Humansdorp with a great win over Marlow Landbou. Backing up the words of Marlow’s coach, Derik Olivier, the home side indeed performed with “... pace and great commitment”. Olivier also outlined “…their play in tight phases is outstanding” ( SuperSport Schools Plus ), which could be seen again from Nico Malan as Olivier’s side went down. Like Berg, Malan would concede only one try while dotting down four of their own. 26-7 the end score, one which was set in the 48th minute of the tie. Malan would therefore cement their first appearance in the King Price Derby Series with a well earned win, furthering their season after a strong win against Glenwood previously in the ABSA Wildeklawer Festival.
While not a King Price Derby Series match-up, a further massive match occurred on Saturday. With Queen’s winning after a superb showing of a game against provincial rivals Grey High. 25-24, giving College bragging rights on their famed Rec Ground. Also on the go, Durbanville got redemption after previously going down to SACS the last time the sides met, this time winning away in Newlands 20-17. Affies laid waste for KES 65-19, St. Stithians defeated Northcliff at home 35-27, Rondebosch rampaged Boland Lanbou 57-26 and St. Andrews slapped Selborne 40-10. A look into next week’s action, sees Jeppe host Affies and Maritzburg play Kearnsey while Paul Roos tackle SACS. As always, all the action can be found via Supersport Schools’ media outlets.
