It is that time of the year when one of South Africa’s biggest school’s rivalry resumes as Paarl Gymnasium and Paarl Boys’ High take each other on at Faure street on Saturday.
Paarl is divided into the two camps for a whole week, as a rivalry that has existed for more than 100 years culminates in the main rugby match between the two schools at the Faure Street Stadium at 16:00 on the Saturday.
The intensity of this derby is reflected in the average winning margin of only five points in over a 100 games. There are no easy Interschools games.
😁The big one has arrived, @PaarlInterskole !
🏐 @gimnasiumpaarl vs @paarlgirlshigh
➡️Friday 4 August ⌚️4:15pm
📺LIVE on @ss_schools (216) @SuperSportTV
🏉@gimnasiumpaarl vs @Paarl_Boishaai
➡️Saturday 5 August ⌚️4pm
📺LIVE on @ss_schools (216) @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/frBLBUPwqD— Premier Interschools (@PremierSchools) August 1, 2023
Paarl Boys’ had a busy season so far playing 18 games, winning 13 and losing five. They won last year’s derby 26-24, but have lost against Durbanville and Oakdale this year.
Paarl Gym are having a stellar season again having played 15 games, won 13, with one loss and one draw. They have shown why they are currently rated number two in the country behind Grey College, the only team they have lost against.
Other fixtures this weekend include the Pretoria derby between Affies and Pretoria Boys’ High and a couple of big games in the Eastern Cape as Dale College take on Selborne, while Graeme College are up against Queen’s College.
Selected fixtures (Saturday, 5 August):
Paarl Gymnasium vs Paarl Boys’ High
Paul Roos vs Boland Landbou
Affies vs Pretoria Boys’ High
EG Jansen vs Noordheuwel
Garsfontein vs Nelspruit
Jeppe vs Durban High
Maritzburg College vs KES
Menlopark vs Monument
Grey College vs Oakdale
Dale College vs Selborne
Grey High vs Muir
Graeme College vs Queen’s
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix