The annual interschools derby pitting Paarl Gimnasium against Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Girls’ High is one of the biggest derbies on the schools’ hockey calendar.
The annual fixture, which divides loyalties in Paarl, almost always lives up to expectations, with competition beginning early in the week and continuing into the weekend.
This year, it’s Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Girls’ High who welcome their rivals to their home turf.
The girls’ 1st XI hockey match takes place on Friday at 18:40, while the boys are set to meet on Saturday morning at 10:30.
Both matches will be broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
In last year’s fixtures, Paarl Gim won the girls’ match 4-1, while Boishaai scored a dramatic 2-1 win.
A lot has changed since those matches, however, and all four teams have enjoyed good seasons while playing entertaining hockey.
SuperSport Schools News caught up with the coaches, Danelle van Zyl (Paarl Gim) and Marc Landman (Paarl Girls’ High), as well as Jacques Grobler (Paarl Gim boys) and Rowan McLachlan (Paarl Boys’ High), to get their thoughts on the forthcoming clashes.
GIRLS
Danelle van Zyl (Paarl Gimnasium)
Coach Danelle van Zyl believes keeping calm and composed will be the key for her side in their pursuit of glory on Friday night.
After an impressive season, the coach believes the interschools derby is a mental game and said her charges have prepared as best as they can.
“We had a few tough games where the score didn’t go our way, but we learned and improved from that and grew as a team together to be better each game,” she said.
“Our biggest preparation for interschools is the mental part of it. Playing in front of so many people can be challenging, so the game plan is to stay calm.”
Paarl Gim heads into the game on the back of a narrow 0-1 loss to Rhenish last week.
However, they’ve quickly put that result behind them, and coach Van Zyl outlined how they would need to play to get the better of Girls’ High.
“We have to play at a high intensity, move the ball, create space, and use the opportunities that we create.
“We have seven players in matric, who will play their last interschools match. For me, it is very special, as I also coached these girls when they were under-14. I look forward to seeing how they will finish off their last interschools match.”
The players turning out for a last time for Paarl Gim are Karli van Deventer, Hannah-Claire Lees, Marili Walters, Annabelle Smith, Carla Tranter, Ghita Husselman, and captain Anya Swanepoel.
Marc Landman (Paarl Girls High)
Paarl Girls’ High has shown tremendous improvement since coach Marc Landman took over early last year.
While some results haven’t gone their way, they’ve raised their level and have competed well against the Western Cape’s top teams.
The 2026 season has been all about developing the next generation, and he’s pleased with how they’ve gone about their business ahead of the Paarl Gim clash.
“The season has been going well,” Landman reckoned. “I’ve been feeling very proud of the development of the younger players, putting up their hands and giving it their all.
“Interschools is a very special moment for the matrics and an awesome chance to honour all the teams who have played before and the sisterhood among the players and in our school.”
The hosts are expecting a tough challenge from Paarl Gim, who have won the match the last two years.
“We are anticipating a very tough and competitive game, which will bring out the best in everyone, and it should be a great watch for the neutral.
“I would love to see the players having an awesome experience with their sisters while playing some great hockey,” Landman said.
Paarl Girls’ High bids farewell to Charlotte Louw (c), Nika Du Plessis, Lucy le Roux, and Janri Dixon after Friday’s match.
BOYS
Jacques Grobler (Paarl Gimnasium)
Coach Jacques Grobler wants his team to view the pressure that comes with the interschools derby as a privilege above all else.
Paarl Gim will aim to avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss, which was their first against Paarl Boys’ High in six years.
Instead of feeding into the pressure, the coach expects his guns to soak it all in and use it to their advantage.
“I think pressure is a privilege, and I believe that we will enjoy the pressure,” he said.
“We are a fantastic team, with unwavering support from parents, staff, and old boys, and this means that all we have left to do is go out and enjoy the moment.”
Paarl Gim contested the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament final last Sunday against Parel Vallei, going down 2-3 in a high-quality game.
While they were disappointed to fall at the final hurdle, coach Grobler said he was happy with how his team performed throughout the weekend.
“At the CTIHT, it was an opportunity for us to reunite after the three-to-four-week break and find one another again.
“We wanted to reinforce our behaviours and our values as a group. I think we did this well and played dynamic and elaborate hockey at times with beautiful cohesion between the group.”
Skipper Rikus de Kock will play his 101st game for Gim, while Johannes Nieuwoudt will earn his 100th cap in the big derby.
Ebert Sabbagha will reach 99 games for the school, while Gideon Cronje is the other matriculant who will play his final interschools match.
Rowan McLachlan (Paarl Boys’ High)
After winning last year’s derby 2-1, coach Rowan McLachlan wants his side to create their own history this year, not look back on the past.
The victory for Boishaai in 2025 was special. It came in the dying seconds, just when it seemed the match was going to end in a draw.
However, 12 months later, that’s all consigned to the history books in the Boishaai camp, and their focus is on doing the job this year.
“Last year was most certainly special. However, it’s a new year and a new team, and it’s the boys’ responsibility to create their own history this year,” the coach said.
“Paarl Gim will definitely be a tough game. They run hard, and they never stop running.
“I’m expecting a really high-intensity match from them, which will definitely make the derby an exciting one to come and watch.”
Like their rivals, Boishaai was in action at the CTIHT a week ago. After a stuttering start, they finished in fifth place.
“I feel like we had a slow start at the CTIHT, although we played really well and dominated our first two games,” coach McLachlan said.
“We just struggled to find the back of the net. However, after some reflection, we managed to turn things around and score 20 goals in our last three games, which included the league fixture against Durbanville, so I believe the preparation has been good.”
While winning the derby is the main focus for Paarl Boys’ High, McLachlan also wants his side to enjoy the moment, soak it all in, and be present.
