The Big Game – Paarl Gimnasium vs. Paarl Boys’ High

It’s the BIG Paarl annual schools rugby game – Gim vs Boishaai.

Paarl Boys’ High will play Paarl Gimnasium at Faure Street Stadium on Saturday, 6 August at 16h00. This is the Big One – the biggest schoolboy match in the world. Old Boys and supporters come from afar to witness one of the toughest games a schoolboy can hope to be involved in. History shows it is always a close game between these two rivals with the average winning margin over a century of action being a meager five points.

To date, 99 matches have been played, with Paarl Gimnasium winning 49, Boys High winning 39 and 11 matches ending in a draw.

Paarl Boys’ High can count 18 Springboks amongst its Old Boys : Boy de Villiers, Hudie Hahn, Louis Louw, Theuns Kruger, Johnny Bester, Champion Myburgh, Boy Louw and his brother Fanie, Manie Geere, Ben du Toit, Ryk van Schoor, Theuns Briers, Piet du Toit, the legendary Mannetjies Roux, Haas Schoeman, Carel du Plessis (who coached the Springboks in 1997), Wium Basson, Corné Krige (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp and Frans Malherbe.  In addition two Springboks have also taught at the school – Dawie Ackermann and Chum Ochse.

The following Old Boys of Paarl Gim have played for South Africa: Boy de Villiers, Steve Joubert, Pietie le Roux, Japie le Roux, Gerald Thompson (who was killed during World War I), Attie van Heerden (who also represented South Africa at the Olympic Games), JC van der Westhuizen, Pierre de Villiers, Manus de Jongh, PK Morkel, Jan Pickard, Hugo van Zyl, Wynand Mans (who later became a top referee), Schalk Burger, Kobus Burger, Kobus Wiese, Balie Swart, Mornay Visser, Pieter and Chris Rossouw, De Wet Barry, Marius Joubert,  Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger Jnr, Ashley Johnson, Lourens Adriaanse and Handré Pollard.

The 2016 season

Paarl Boys’ High will be keen to defend their title and have had a stellar season so far. They have won all their matches, including their other big annual clash against Grey College. If these boys keep on with the run they are having they will certainly not make things easy for Gimnasium.

Paarl Boys had twelve WP representatives at Craven Week this year. Reece Bezuidenhout, Manny Rass, Khanye Ncusane, Gianni Lombard, Thaakir Abrahams, Urgene Johannes, Francke Horn, Vian Fourie, Adam Neethling, Salmaan Moerat, Charl Serdyn and Daniel Jooste all wore the famous white and blue hooped jerseys in Durban in July. 

Head coach of the U19 team, Sean Erasmus, had the following to say: “As always it is a privilege to be part of such an amazing part of Paarl history. It will be a tough game between two great rivals and I think everyone is excited and looking forward to it! We have always been blessed as a team and school and it has been a great season based on how the boys have matured as a family and become not only better players but also amazing young men! We are very proud of that and I am grateful to every member of the management team for time invested in the boys, on and off the field! We look forward to seeing everyone in Blue on the day!”

To see the Boys’ High starting line-up for the big match, click here.

Gimnasium also has an excellent season behind them, with only one loss thus far. After a tight match against Paul Roos Gimnasium earlier in the year they have gone from strength to strength.

Nine players from Paarl Gimnasium represented Western Province at Craven Week 2016. Andre Booysen, Daniel Wessels, Sehan du Toit, Raymond Nel, Muller Uys, Zak Burger, Theo Boshoff, Muller du Plessis and Wian van Zyl represented the provincial team in the 2016 tournament.

Rugby organiser for Paarl Girmnasium, Etienne van den Brink said “Ons is baie opgewonde en sien uit na die hele week!”

To see Paarl Gimnasium’s starting line-up for the big match, click here.

For more information on Western Province’s 2016 Craven Week click here

To see which Paarl players made it into the SA Schools team click here.

View the 2015 Paarl Interschools photo gallery here.

See the programme here.

Some Interschools meals specials offered by supporting local restaurants …

De Kelder Restaurant has 2 great Interschools specials running for both school teams and supporters. Get 10% off your restaurant bill if you wear your favourite team’s colours or school team members pay only R55 for a burger, sauce and soda! See more here.

Eat@Simonsvlei Restaurant is a great spot for a pre-match lunch. With a great meal special comprising the pie of the day and a glass of wine of your choice for only R95 you can’t go wrong! Bring the kiddies along to play in the large, enclosed kid’s play area while you enjoy the build-up to the match.

@41 Main Restaurant will have a Weekend Deli Dog Special – Bokwurst sausage on a roll with your choice of toppings. Take a look at the options here.

Juno Bistro and Bakery will be open till 11pm from Thursday to Saturday. They will have a marquee tent with DJ’s, craft beer, pizzas, burgers and platters. Read more here.

Keep checking back for more Interschools specials coming soon!

Weekend Weather

Know how to dress for the weekend. Keep an eye on ShowMe’s weather page for updated weather, by the hour, every hour here.

Results through the years:

1915: Paarl Boys’ High won 10-0

1916: Paarl Gimnasium won 7-5

1917: Paarl Gimnasium won 3-0

1918: Paarl Gimnasium won 3-0

1919: Paarl Gimnasium won 9-0

1920: Paarl Gimnasium won 20-0

1921: Draw 6-6

1922: Draw 3-3

1923: Paarl Boys’ High won 3-0

1924: Paarl Boys’ High won 13-5

1925: Paarl Boys’ High won 7-3

1926: Paarl Boys’ High won 6-5

1927: Paarl Gimnasium won 5-3

1928: No match

1929: Draw 3-3

1930: Paarl Boys’ High won 5-3

1931: Paarl Gimnasium won 6-0

1932: Paarl Gimnasium won 7-3

1933: Paarl Boys’ High won 3-0

1934: Paarl Boys’ High won 5-4

1935: Draw 0-0

1936: Paarl Gimnasium won 11-6

1937: Paarl Gimnasium won 5-3

1938: Paarl Gimnasium won 5-3

1939: Paarl Gimnasium won 9-8

1940: Draw 3-3

1941: Paarl Gymnasium won 6-0

1942: Draw 0-0

1943: Paarl Gimnasium won 9-6

1944: Paarl Boys’ High won 6-0

1945: Paarl Boys’ High won 14-6

1946: Draw 3-3

1947: Paarl Boys’ High won 8-3

1948: Draw 3-3

1949: Paarl Gimnasiumwon 9-3

1950: Paarl Boys’ High won 6-3

1951: Paarl Boys’ High won 6-0

1952: Paarl Boys’ High won 11-0

1953: Paarl Boys’ High won 6-5

1956: Paarl Gimnasiumwon 6-3

1957: Paarl Gimnasium won 5-3

1958: Paarl Gimnasium won 11-0

1959: Paarl Boys’ High won 11-3

1960: Paarl Gimnasium won 9-3

1961: Paarl Boys’ High won 6-0

1962: Paarl Boys’ High won 6-0

1963: Paarl Boys’ High won 8-0

1964: Paarl Gimnasium won 9-8

1965: Paarl Gimnasium won 11-0

1966: Paarl Gimnasium won 8-0

1967: Paarl Gimnasium won 8-6

1968: Paarl Gimnasium won 3-0

1969: Paarl Boys’ High won 8-5

1970: Paarl Gimnasiumwon 19-8

1971: Paarl Boys’ High won 11-6

1972: Paarl Boys’ High won 6-3

1973: Paarl Boys’ High won 19-6

1974: Paarl Gimnasiumwon 9-3

1975: Paarl Boys’ High won 3-0

1976: Paarl Gimnasium won 8-6

1977: Paarl Boys’ High won 15-6

1978: Paarl Gimnasium won 13-10

1979: Paarl Gimnasium won 12-6

1980: Paarl Gimnasium won 9-3

1981: Paarl Gimnasium won 12-0

1982: Paarl Boys’ High won 16-15

1983: Paarl Gimnasium won 15-6

1984 Paarl Gimnasium won 10-4

1985: Paarl Boys’ High won 16-6

1986: Draw 0-0

1987: Paarl Boys’ High won 15-7

1988: Draw 6-6

1989: Paarl Gimnasium won 15-4

1990: Paarl Boys’ High won 10-6

1991: Paarl Boys’ High won 8-4

1992: Paarl Gimnasiumwon 20-15

1993: Paarl Boys’ High won 19-17

1994: Paarl Boys’ High won 11-6

1995: Paarl Boys’ High won 17-3

1996: Paarl Gimnasium won 18-16

1997: Paarl Gimnasium won 13-10

1998: Paarl Boys’ High won 16-5

1999: Paarl Gimnasium won 13-6

2000: Paarl Boys’ High won 15-7

2001: Paarl Gimnasium won 13-6

2002: Paarl Gimnasiumwon 15-0

2003: Paarl Boys’ High won 25-6

2004: Paarl Gimnasium won 13-3

2005: Paarl Gimnasium won 22-10

2006: Paarl Gimnasium won 23-17

2007: Paarl Gimnasium won 10-0

2008: Paarl Gimnasium won 35-8

2009: Paarl Boys’ High won 24-12

2010: Draw 19-19

2011: Paarl Gimnasium won 22-19

2012: Paarl Gimnasium won 16-9

2013: Paarl Gimnasium won 37-26

2014: Paarl Gimnasium won 16 – 15

2015: Paarl Boys’ High won 16 – 10

Take a look at some pictures of last year’s Interschools here.

Come and show your support this year and remember, there is no fence sitting. The question is clear – Is your blood blue or green?