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Schoolboy rugby: ALL eyes on Paarl Gimnasium vs Paul Roos
South Africa’s top two schoolboy rugby teams will lock horns this weekend when Paarl Gimnasium host Paul Roos in what promises to be one of the biggest school rugby clashes of the 2026 season.
With both sides boasting identical records of 12 wins from 13 matches, Saturday’s encounter at the JA Kriel Field in Paarl could prove decisive in the race to establish the country’s leading first XV side. chickenroadslot.lat
READ | Updated SA schools rugby First XV rankings: Top 20
Dominated opponents
The two Western Cape giants have dominated opponents throughout the campaign, suffering just one defeat each.
Interestingly, both losses came at the hands of Stellenberg, who edged Paarl Gimnasium 20-19 earlier in the season before beating Paul Roos 20-10 in April.
Since then, neither side has tasted defeat.
Paul Roos head into the clash with impressive momentum after a commanding 68-3 victory over Bishops.
Their season has also featured notable wins over Affies, Garsfontein, Oakdale and Paarl Boys’ High.
The Stellenbosch outfit have combined attacking flair with defensive resilience, conceding 20 points or more in only three matches this year.
Stern examination
However, they will face a stern examination against a Paarl Gimnasium side that has been devastating on attack throughout the season.
The Gimmies have amassed an astonishing 645 points in 13 matches, averaging close to 50 points per game.
They have scored 40 points or more on 10 occasions and produced dominant victories against several traditional rugby powerhouses.
Among their standout performances were a 51-24 demolition of Affies in Pretoria, a 29-14 triumph over Grey College and last weekend’s emphatic 49-13 victory over Oakdale in Riversdale.
Excelled defensively
Like their rivals, Paarl Gimnasium have also excelled defensively, conceding 20 points or more only twice all season.
Recent history suggests little separates the two sides.
Paul Roos claimed a narrow 23-17 victory when the teams last met in Paarl in 2024, while Paarl Gimnasium responded with a 17-10 win in Stellenbosch last year.
With both teams in outstanding form and plenty at stake, Saturday’s clash has all the ingredients of a classic encounter between South Africa’s two premier rugby schools.
Kick-off is at 14:00 and the match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Worth noting, Paul Roos have produced the most Springboks (56) by any school in South Africa, with Paarl Gimnasium in joint fourth place with 32.
Don’t be surprised in a number of players from both sides go on to don the green and gold jersey.
WEEKEND SCHOOLBOY RUGBY FIXTURES
WESTERN CAPE
Boland Landbou vs Paarl Boys’ High
Paarl Gimnasium vs Paul Roos
Rondebosch vs Milnerton
Stellenberg vs Bishops
Wynberg vs Bellville
EASTERN CAPE
Port Rex vs Queens
Kingswood vs Westering
Hudson Park vs Dale
Selborne vs St Andrews
Graeme vs Stirling
Daniel Pienaar vs Pearson
KWAZULU-NATAL
Kearnsey vs Maritzburg College
Westville vs Michaelhouse
Hilton vs Northwood
NOORDVAAL
EG Jansen vs Middelburg
Noordheuwel vs Rustenburg
Monument vs Garsfontein
Pretoria Boys vs Jeppe
Northcliff vs St Albans
St John’s vs St Benedict’s
Tough Test in Osaka: Banyana Banyana Fall 5-0 to Clinical Japan
OSAKA – In a challenging start to their two-match tour of Asia, Sasol Banyana Banyana suffered a comprehensive 5-0 defeat against Nadeshiko Japan at the Yanmar Hanasaka Stadium on Saturday morning.
The encounter served as a harsh reality check for Dr. Desiree Ellis’s charges as they intensify their preparations for the upcoming 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Coming up against a technically gifted Japanese side, currently ranked fifth globally and the reigning AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions, the South African senior national team found themselves relentlessly pressed from the opening whistle.
Japan’s attacking fluidity yielded instant results. Kiko Seike broke the deadlock in the very first minute, capitalizing on a dangerous delivery into the box by Risa Shimizu that left the defence scrambling. Seike struck again in the 19th minute, doubling the hosts’ advantage as they completely dictated the tempo of the game.
The pressure continued to mount on the 2022 African champions, and in the 29th minute, Momoko Tanikawa produced a moment of individual brilliance. The midfielder fired a superb strike from distance to give Japan a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the break.
Returning for the second half, Banyana Banyana attempted to stabilize their defensive organization, but Japan remained ruthless in the final third. Aoba Fujino added a fourth goal shortly after the restart in the 49th minute, and subsequently completed her brace in the 60th minute to seal the 5-0 victory.
Despite entering the fixture with the momentum of consecutive victories over Algeria in April, South Africa struggled to launch meaningful transitions or disrupt Japan’s possession-based rhythm. The heavy defeat underscores the demanding margins of error when facing elite global opposition, a critical learning experience for a squad with aspirations of defending their continental title and securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With the second friendly scheduled for Tuesday, 9 June, at the J-Green Sakai facility, the technical team will need to regroup swiftly. Identifying adjustments in defensive solidity and midfield retention will be paramount as they seek a more resilient performance to close out the tour.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
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Belgique – Tunisie : ultime test avant la Coupe du Monde 2026
La Belgique et la Tunisie s’affrontent ce samedi à 14h00 GMT au King Baudouin Stadium de Bruxelles pour leur ultime match de préparation avant la Coupe du monde 2026.
D’un côté, des Diables Rouges en pleine confiance sous les ordres de Rudi Garcia. De l’autre, des Aigles de Carthage encore en quête de repères avec Sabri Lamouchi.
La Belgique sur une série impressionnante
Les Diables Rouges montent clairement en puissance depuis plusieurs mois sous la direction de Rudi Garcia. La Belgique reste sur une série de 12 matchs sans défaite. Il y a quelques jours, la sélection belge a encore renforcé sa confiance en s’imposant sur la pelouse de la Croatie (0-2).
Avec cette dynamique positive, la Belgique part logiquement favorite dans cette rencontre. Le King Baudouin Stadium s’annonce bouillant pour pousser une équipe qui souhaite conclure sa préparation sur une note parfaite.
La Tunisie en quête de repères
Éliminée dès les huitièmes de finale de la dernière CAN avec une seule victoire en quatre matchs, la Tunisie a lancé un nouveau cycle avec l’arrivée de Sabri Lamouchi sur le banc.
Les débuts du technicien franco-tunisien ont été encourageants avec une victoire face à Haïti (0-1) et un match nul contre le Canada (0-0). Cependant, les Aigles de Carthage ont montré davantage de difficultés au moment d’entamer leur préparation pour la Coupe du monde 2026. Lundi dernier, la Tunisie s’est inclinée face à l’Autriche (1-0), malgré une longue supériorité numérique.
Un duel aux objectifs opposés
La mission s’annonce délicate pour la Tunisie face à l’un des outsiders du prochain Mondial. Pour la Belgique, cette rencontre représente l’occasion de confirmer sa montée en puissance et d’affiner ses automatismes avant le début de la compétition.
Pour la Tunisie, l’objectif sera surtout de gagner en solidité et de trouver des solutions offensives face à un adversaire de très haut niveau. À quelques jours de la Coupe du monde 2026, chaque détail comptera pour les deux sélections.
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Belgique – Tunisie : Les compos officielles
À quelques jours du coup d’envoi de la Coupe du Monde 2026, la Belgique et la Tunisie se retrouvent pour un dernier test de préparation. Les Diables Rouges veulent confirmer leur statut de favori, tandis que les Aigles de Carthage cherchent à se jauger face à une grande nation européenne avant le Mondial.
Voici les compos officielles
Belgique : Courtois, Meunier, Ngoy, Mechele, Castagne, Onana, Tielemans, De Bruyne, Trossard, Doku, De Ketelaere
Tunisie : Chamakh – Ben Hamida, Talbi, Rekik, Arous – Skhiri (c.), Mahmoud – Ayari, Achouri, Gharbi – Mastouri.
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