Paarl Boys High School

Paarl Boys’ High School, known in Afrikaans as Hoër Jongenskool Paarl (also known as Boishaai , Paarl Boys’, built in 1868, BHS or HJS) is one of the oldest schools in South Africa. The school is situated at the heart of Paarl, a town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The first headmaster of the school was Rev. George Jeffreys, after him followed James Rettie, Mr J Inglis and the esteemed Mr T. Engela followed by Mr L Knoetze. As of 2007 the headmaster of the school is Mr Derek Swart.

Early history
The first building to house the school was a granary on Zeederbergplein, the owner of which was Mr. D. Beyers (a close friend to the first headmaster, Rev. Jeffreys). The first years of the school were unstable ones, with the school increasing in size every year, larger facilities were required frequently. The grounds on which the school stands today were originally formed part of the farm Berlyn owned by Mr. P.J Malherbe.

A certain mr. Molls purchased the farm and donated the land to the school. In 1901 PJ du Pré Le Roux became headmaster. Du Pré Le Roux was the first headmaster to establish the school as a prestigious institution and remained at the reins for over two decades. Mr. Le Roux also saw the construction of the boarding hostels of Monte Bello (1901), Bellevue (1904), Villieria (1907), Berlyn (1908) and Imhoff (1923). The hostels of Berlyn and Villieria were dismantled and were replaced by another hostel, namely Werda.

Sport
Each year the school takes part in one of the biggest interschools in South Africa against its archrival, Paarl Gimnasium High School. The main event (the u/19A rugby match) attracts over 20 000 spectators to the Faure Street Stadium. The school has produced many Springboks, from legends like Boy Louw, Mannetjies Roux and “Prince of Wings” Carel du Plessis, to more recent players like Corne Krige (former Springbok Captain), Gurthro Steenkamp and Frans Malherbe.

Other sports that are also included in interschools are: field hockey, cricket, swimming, squash, tennis, chess, golf and even debating. Golfing professional, David Frost, also matriculated at Paarl Boys’ and continues to make a contribution to golf at the school. Paarl Boys’ High School is currently ranked as the top rugby school in South Africa. Students of the 2 schools have traditional nicknames; the Boishaaiers are known as ‘galpille’ and the Gimmies as ‘bloedworse’.