Paarl Gimnasium edge Paarl Boys High in front of 25,000 fans

Twenty-five thousand spectators watched Paarl Gimnasium defeat Paarl Boys High 25-11 at Faure Street on Saturday, as the Gimmies claimed the 2026 Paarl schoolboy rugby bragging rights in a fiercely contested derby.

The result moved Paarl Gimnasium to the top of the rankings, as well as securing their place at the top of Paarl. The margin of victory suggested a comfortable afternoon, but the match remained in the balance until the closing stages, when Mickyle Booise scored the decisive try.

For a side accustomed to producing large totals, Paarl Gimnasium’s 25 points demonstrated the quality of Paarl Boys High’s defensive performance and the intensity of one of schoolboy rugby’s biggest rivalries.

Paarl Boys High made the stronger start and controlled much of the opening 20 minutes. Their fast, physical approach forced Paarl Gimnasium to defend deep, while Daniel Meissenheimer’s kicking placed Boishaai 6-0 ahead.

Paarl Gimnasium resisted the early pressure without losing their shape. They remained disciplined in defence and took advantage when opportunities emerged. Louis Koen contributed a penalty and a conversion, while Derik Cloete crossed for a try after a precise offload from Thomas Saunders.

Although Paarl Boys High had enjoyed more territory and dictated the early tempo, Paarl Gimnasium’s efficiency in attack allowed them to take the lead into half-time.

The Gimmies began the second half with greater authority. Cloete added his second try of the match, confirming his threat near the line and giving Paarl Gimnasium further momentum.

Saunders then produced the match’s most memorable individual effort. The Paarl Gimnasium player accelerated for a 50-metre run along the touchline, leaving defenders behind before finishing in the corner. His try moved the score to 20-6.

His speed repeatedly troubled Paarl Boys High. Whenever Saunders found space and reached full pace, the defence struggled to contain him.

A yellow card for repeated infringements later provided Boishaai with an opportunity to revive the contest. From a quick tap, Jeneal Davids absorbed a tackle, attracted further defenders and released the ball to Aleit Stander, who powered over the line. The score reduced the deficit to 20-11.

With four minutes still to play, Paarl Boys High remained within reach. Another try would have put them firmly back in contention, and the atmosphere inside the packed ground reflected the uncertainty of the closing moments.

Paarl Gimnasium responded by managing the final stages effectively. Dewaal Viviers delivered the crucial offload to Mickyle Booise, who finished in the corner to settle the match at 25-11 and trigger celebrations among the Gimmies supporters.

The victory also represented a response to Paarl Gimnasium’s defeat in last year’s fixture. They carried that disappointment into Saturday’s meeting and produced a determined performance against opponents who defended with considerable resilience.

Paarl Boys High can take encouragement from their dominance during the first half, their ability to score while reduced to 14 players and their refusal to surrender before the final whistle. Restricting a high-scoring Paarl Gimnasium team to 25 points was a significant achievement.

Ultimately, the decisive moments came from Cloete, Saunders and Booise, whose finishing and individual quality separated the sides.

The match was the latest major talking point in schoolboy rugby, following reports of a mass brawl at an EG Jansen school rugby game, where spectators were heard asking: “Ag no, guys! What’s happening here?!”

More schoolboy rugby coverage is available at School Sports Zone from Nova News, while The Rugby Factory also provides further rugby coverage.