Paarl Gimnasium (Gim) travels to George on July 22 to face Outeniqua as the school rugby calendar gets underway after the school holidays.. The home team celebrates their 100th birthday this year and they have one unbelievable team to represent them for their centenary year. This group was very strong as juniors and hardly lost a match coming through Under 14, Under 15 and Under 16 age groups. The two sides have a very even record over the last 10 matches with Paarl Gimnasium having won five, four victories going to Outeniqua and a draw.
Results over Last 10 Encounters:
| Date | Outeniqua | Paarl Gim |
| 2011/07/23 | 16 | 11 |
| 2012/07/21 | 17 | 17 |
| 2012/09/01 | 30 | 22 |
| 2013/04/27 | 25 | 37 |
| 2013/08/31 | 10 | 16 |
| 2014/05/31 | 23 | 16 |
| 2016/08/20 | 42 | 59 |
| 2017/08/19 | 27 | 24 |
| 2018/07/21 | 0 | 57 |
| 2019/07/20 | 8 | 11 |
Outeniqua 2023 Season so Far:
| Date | Opp | For | Against |
| 2023/03/11 | Paarl Vallei | 59 | 6 |
| 2023/03/18 | Noordheuwel | 18 | 14 |
| 2023/04/01 | Menlopark | 71 | 11 |
| 2023/04/04 | Monument | 34 | 27 |
| 2023/04/15 | Grey College | 17 | 19 |
| 2023/04/22 | Durbanville | 36 | 0 |
| 2023/04/29 | EG Jansen | 19 | 7 |
| 2023/05/01 | Garsfontein | 8 | 19 |
| 2023/05/27 | Oakdale | 25 | 14 |
Outeniqua started their season well with four wins in a row until they encountered a very slick Grey College at home. In a very closely contested match, the boys from Bloemfontein just edged out the home team for a two-point win. At the Wildeklawer tournament they were not at their best and lost against a rampant Garsfontein to succumb to their second loss of the season. Their upcoming game against Paarl Gim could defy the success of their centenary year and get their season back on track with a good win.
Paarl Gimnasium 2023 Season so Far:
| Date | Opp | For | Against |
| 2023/03/18 | Potchefstroom Gimnasium | 83 | 3 |
| 2023/03/24 | Stellenberg | 24 | 23 |
| 2023/03/31 | Grey College | 12 | 33 |
| 2023/04/03 | KES | 49 | 19 |
| 2023/04/15 | Wynberg BHS | 33 | 11 |
| 2023/04/22 | Affies | 38 | 21 |
| 2023/04/29 | Helpmekaar | 25 | 14 |
| 2023/05/01 | Monument | 19 | 5 |
| 2023/05/06 | Paul Roos | 24 | 19 |
| 2023/05/13 | Boland Landbou | 36 | 18 |
| 2023/05/20 | SACS | 73 | 3 |
| 2023/06/03 | Bishops | 45 | 7 |
| 2023/06/10 | Oakdale | 36 | 12 |
Paarl Gim played 13 matches so far and after a close call against Stellenberg at the start of the season, they struggled to contain the mighty Grey College at the North-South festival. They have won everything since then, racking up 10 wins on a trot and are in good form. They did have to dig deep against Paul Roos away, but came up trumps at Markotter. A demolition of SACS and Bishops was followed up by a well fought win against Oakdale in Riversdale. They would want to continue their good form going into the big Interschools against Paarl Boy’ High in early August.
Rugby at Outeniqua
Outeniqua have a proud rugby tradition and are perennially found in the top 20 ranks of SA Schools, more often than not in the Top 10. To date they have produced six Springboks in Faan Conradie (1965) Johan Heunis (1981), Marco Wentzel (2002), Warrick Gelant (2017), Akker van der Merwe (2018) and their current and latest player, Manie Libbok who made his debut for the Springboks in November 2022. They also produced Scottish International and brother to Akker, Duhan van Der Merwe who also represented the British and Irish Lions on their tour to South Africa in 2021.
The school also hosts an annual Under 14 festival over the Easter Holidays which is highly regarded and the top tournament for the age group in the country. Schools like Paul Roos, Paarl Gim, Paarl Boys’ High, Waterkloof, Monnas, Affies, Grey College and Glenwood all send their youngsters to George during Easter to compete against the best.
Rugby at Gimnasium
Paarl Gim is without a doubt one of the Big Five rugby schools in South Africa. They have to date produced 25 Springboks of which 23 have been capped in Tests for South Africa.
Rugby started at the school in 1902 and in the early years no strict age-groups were defined and the schools operated as a rugby club, the staff frequently turned out in the colours of the school. The headmaster back then, FC Wahl also captained the school’s 1st XV.
In 2012, while still at school, their captain and pivot Handre Pollard represented South Africa at the Under 20 World Cup tournament with aplomb. Called up for the injured Johan Goosen, Pollard played a vital role in SA winning the final against New Zealand. He again represented the Junior Boks in 2013 and captained the side in 2014 thus becoming Paarl Gym’s 20th Springbok. Paarl Gym’s latest contribution to the Springbok family is Grant Williams, who was capped in 2022.
Paarl Gim Springboks
| Bok No | Name |
| 94 | Japie le Roux |
| 103 | Pietie le Roux |
| 110 | Steve Joubert |
| 195 | Pierre de Villiers |
| 203 | JC van der Westhuizen |
| 301 | Jan Pickard |
| 340 | Hugo van Zyl |
| 398 | Wynand Mans |
| 535 | Schalk Burger snr |
| 552 | Kobus Burger |
| 585 | Kobus Wiese |
| 595 | Balie Swart |
| 625 | Mornay Visser |
| 652 | Pieter Rossouw |
| 690 | De Wet Barry |
| 693 | Louis Koen |
| 699 | Chris Rossouw |
| 711 | Marius Joubert |
| 735 | Jean de Villiers |
| 754 | Schalk Burger jnr |
| 810 | Ashley Johnson |
| 853 | Lourens Adriaanse |
| 857 | Handré Pollard |
| 891 | Louis Schreuder |
| 929 | Grant Williams |
Their biggest rival is Paarl Boys’ High situated in the Southern Paarl. Their annual Interschools have the unofficial title of “Biggest Interschools” in South Africa.
The rugby derby will be broadcast live on Saturday, 22 July from 13h05 on Variety 4.
| Schedule Date | Series Title | Episode Title | Start Time | End Time | Channel | Status |
| 22-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Rugby | Outeniqua vs Paarl Gimnasium | 13:05 | 15:10 | VR4 | Live |
| 22-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Rugby | Outeniqua vs Paarl Gimnasium | 20:00 | 21:30 | RUG / RUGA | Repeat |
| 22-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Rugby | Outeniqua vs Paarl Gimnasium | 20:45 | 22:45 | SCH | Repeat |
| 23-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Rugby | Outeniqua vs Paarl Gimnasium | 05:45 | 07:45 | SCH | Repeat |
| 23-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Rugby | Outeniqua vs Paarl Gimnasium | 07:30 | 09:00 | RUG / RUGA | Repeat |
| 23-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Rugby | Outeniqua vs Paarl Gimnasium | 16:00 | 18:00 | SCH | Repeat |
| 24-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Rugby | Outeniqua vs Paarl Gimnasium | 17:10 | 18:45 | RUG / RUGA | Repeat |
The Premier Interschool Magazine Show will broadcast from 19 July at 19.00 on SuperSport Schools (channel 216)
| Schedule Date | Series Title | Episode Title | Start Time | End Time | Channel | Status |
| 19-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Preview | Episode 7 | 19:00 | 19:15 | SCH | Premier |
| 20-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Preview | Episode 7 | 04:45 | 05:00 | SCH | Repeat |
| 20-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Preview | Episode 7 | 23:15 | 23:30 | VR2 | Repeat |
| 21-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Preview | Episode 7 | 07:35 | 07:50 | SCH | Repeat |
| 22-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Preview | Episode 7 | 03:45 | 04:00 | SCH | Repeat |
| 22-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Preview | Episode 7 | 06:15 | 06:30 | VR2 | Repeat |
| 22-Jul-2023 | Premier Interschools Preview | Episode 7 | 12:45 | 13:00 | VR4 | Repeat |
ENDS
Media release issued by Terras Communications on behalf of Premier Interschools.
For press assistance contact Lauren Terras on +27 82 785 2644 or e-mail lauren@terrascomms.com . For further information on Terras Communications visit www.terrascomms.com
FOR TOURNAMENT INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Robert Blair, Operations Manager Premier Interschools Pty Ltd.
Telephone: +27 (0)79 588 3703
Email: robbie@premierinterschools.co.za
About Premier Interschools
Premier Interschools is a series of 12 rugby & netball matches, which feature the highest profile and most traditional interschool rivalries from South Africa’s top rugby & netball schools, which are broadcast live on SuperSport from March to August.
School sport has served as one of the cornerstones of the South African sporting landscape dating back more than a century, and true to its slogan “Honouring Heritage. Playing for the Future”, Premier Interschools is about history, heritage and tradition. The series, now in its tenth year, is expected to grow even stronger.
Follow Interschools on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Premierinterschools
Twitter: @PremierSchools
Instagram: PremierInterschools
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqduHOxR2odBM7O-uyBGSg
Title Sponsor
Sportsmans Warehouse
HOME OF SCHOOL SPORT, THE TEAMSPORT SPECIALISTS. WIDEST RANGE, WORLDS BEST BRANDS, EXPERT ADVICE, EXPERT SERVICE.
Associate Sponsors
OUTsurance
Whether you’re looking for a personal or commercial insurance solution, OUTsurance has the customised cover that could save you money every month. Depending on the complexity of your needs, you could also enjoy ongoing personalised service from a dedicated OUTsurance Broker. Isn’t it about time you got something out?
OUTsurance is a licensed insurer and FSP. Ts and Cs apply.
Gilbert
Since the inception of Rugby in 1823, Gilbert has been making the finest rugby-balls in the world. Throughout the centuries, Gilbert has been trusted by the rugby family worldwide to produce quality products specifically designed to enhance the enjoyment of the game, for all that use them.
Whilst we remain the ball of choice for virtually every international team and tournament worldwide, our range of other products has evolved to cater for every requirement. Our new range for 2016 season includes rugby balls of the quality you have come to expect from us, some in radically new designs.
Gilbert South Africa is the trusted sponsor of all SA Rugby and SANZAAR tournaments, as well as the official Partner of the Springboks.
