A historic victory and dominant displays - Weekend Wrap
A review of the very best rugby drama and quality that gripped the school boy rugby scene this past weekend
The Paarl traveling faithful watched on as their school overcame the seemingly impossible task of beating Grey College in Bloem
Photo credits: https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/schools-wrap-gimmies-conquer-grey-bloem
Saturday saw four quality clashes representing the King Price Derby Series. A season-long event that is proving a fresh wind for school boy rugby across all nine provinces. This most recent showing saw Grey College host Paarl Gimnasium, Queen’s College take on Selborne, Affies play Garsfontein and finally Pretoria Boys’ High tackle the task of Maritzburg College. As always, all the action was showcased on Supersport Schools’ platforms.
To open things off, Paarl Gimnasium’s performance for the ages against Grey College. Two of the country’s top three sides took the field in Bloemfontein, the city of Roses, ready to take center stage for ‘country’s best’. As for who would grab the headlines and the stage, it was to be the traveling warriors. Putting their name in the history books. Not only were they the first side to win at Grey since 2017, but their main 5 teams went unbeaten on the day except for their 2nds who narrowly lost by three points. After a frenetic first half, with penalties and mistakes flowing freely, both sides took advantage scoring 24 points a piece. However, the first half already showed the sheer spirit of Paarl Gimnasium. Not only the constant sound from their traveling fans, but from the team itself. Down 21-12 against a side unbeaten on their home turf for 8 years, to rally as they did late in the first half and dominante further in the second half was truly insane. The day’s catalysts for the final result came from MVP Mighael Turner, the man from Namibia, and the Paarl captain Markus Muller. Both came out flaring in the 2nd 35. Turner’s lock display powering the Gimnasium engine along with the magnificent Muller who won turnovers, assisted a try and scored a brace all in the 70 minutes. 19 unanswered points from Paarl followed after the break in play, giving them a 43 point grand total. Grey would score a slight consolation try at the death to create a final scoreline of 43-31 to Paarl. A true team display from the Paarl school and one of the finest victories in their 167 year history. Proving for all why they are one of, if not currently, the best school boy rugby school in South Africa and the world.
Around the same time, three destructive displays took place. On an Eastern Cape derby day, Queen’s College hosted Selborne. Like in Bloem, a tight first half was blown open, this time by the home side. Braces from Mveli Mqulo and Ncutu Kepe saw College hit 40 against their rivals. Selborne in the end going down 40-22. Up north, three Pretoria-based sides took to the arena. In the capital derby, Affies took on Garsfontein, and ‘take on’ they sure did. The team’s blindside flanker, Elwin Jansen van Vuuren, with a dominant performance scoring twice as Affies ended up making easy work of Garsfontein. End score, 41-25. In the final, King Price Derby Series match-up from the 26th, Pretoria Boys hosted Maritzburg College. With a powerful pack display propelling the away side to victory in the end. Captain and eighth man, Vasi Vyambwera ran rampant in Pretoria. Scoring twice and constantly making rampaging runs against the Pretoria side’s defense. Joined by Amahle Hadebe’s two, Maritzburg would end up winning the clash 45-28. Joining Queen’s and Affies in destructive victories over the weekend.
As ever, the country was also treated to other fascinating matches throughout Saturday’s action. DHS and Kearnsey sneaked narrowly past Northwood and Glenwood respectively in KZN and all but Wynberg lost from the southern suburbs cohort comprehensively (SACS to Stellenburg, Bishops to Paul Roos and Bosch to Paarl Boys High). Wynberg themselves grabbed a dramatic victory against Durbanville 37-31 while KES were made to fight for a tight 17-14 win over Parktown.
That closes April off in style, with May sure to build on the foundation set. However, no games are scheduled for May’s first weekend, as schools take a rare ‘mid-term break’ due to the numerous public holidays. The action will return though the following week, with Grey College taking on Affies as the stand-out fixture.
