Stellenbosch hosted a 19:30 kickoff on Friday evening, with Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) welcoming Hoërskool Durbanville for the first time in 30 years. That’s as far as PRG’s welcome extended, though, as they overpowered Durbies 64-19.
Gerrit Bekker, at blindside flank, and hooker Chris Meyburgh scored two tries each for the Maroon Machine. Both also made big contributions on defence and deserved to get onto the scoresheet.
Durbies struggled to keep up with the pace Ou Polla’s Boys set. By halftime, they were 0-31 down, and needed to change their approach. After the interval, they responded with quicker line speed on defence, which limited the hosts’ opportunities to finish out wide.
Durbanville’s efforts were rewarded with two tries from their powerful left wing, Kyle Doyle. He and utility back Farrel-Leigh Dido were the two opposition players able to outmuscle and outpace the Paul Roos defence, which is how they scored their tries.
The Maroon Machine dominated the set-piece battle, however, and that meant they enjoyed a surfeit of possession as a result.
In the second half, they also outscored Durbanville five tries to three, sealing a comfortable victory by 45 points.
Scorers
Paul Roos Gimnasium 64 (31) – Tries: Gerrit Bekker (2), Chris Meyburgh (2), Kyle Snyers, Sian van Heerden, Cadynn Samuels, Stef de Villiers, Jaedon Powell, Damian de Lange. Conversions: Daniel Whitehead (6), Kyle Snyers. Hoërskool Durbanville 19 (0) – Tries: Kyle Doyle (2), Farrel-Leigh Dido. Conversions: Wihan Roux (2).
Results
U19 – Paul Roos I 64 Durbanville I 19, Paul Roos II 31 Durbanville II 17, Paul Roos III 41 Durbanville III 7, Paul Roos IV 67 Durbanville IV 0, Paul Roos VI 68 Durbanville V 3, Paul Roos VII 55 Durbanville VI 0.
U16 – Paul Roos A 31 Durbanville A 6, Paul Roos B 43 Durbanville B 0, Paul Roos D 35 Durbanville C 14, Paul Roos E 29 Durbanville D 12.
U15 – Paul Roos A 36 Durbanville A 0, Paul Roos B 73 Durbanville B 0, Paul Roos D 26 Durbanville C 12, Paul Roos E 22 Durbanville D 0.
U14 – Paul Roos A 29 Durbanville A 19, Paul Roos B 29 Durbanville B 3, Paul Roos D 38 Durbanville C 0, Paul Roos E 47 Durbanville D 12, Paul Roos F 7 Durbanville E 7.
