A titanic battle in the capital awaits us this weekend as Afrikaans Hoer Seunskool affectionately known as Affies prepare to host Paarl Gimnasium. The upcoming match between two powerhouses of South African schools’ rugby promises to be a spectacle for the ages. This showdown marks the sixth official Interschools meeting between these North and South giants, a rivalry steeped in history and passion.
Before this annual showdown became a fixture in 2017, we could only catch glimpses of these titans facing off sporadically at festivals. Since their inaugural clash in 1967, they’ve competed just 21 times over 57 years. The scoreboard tells a tale of fierce competition: Paarl Gimnasium boasts 12 victories, while Affies have claimed 7 wins, with two nail-biting draws thrown into the mix.
Now, the stage is set for another epic chapter as Paarl Gimnasium journeys to the formidable fortress of Affies in Pretoria. Both teams are hungry for glory, with Paarl Gimnasium aiming to maintain their undefeated streak in 2024. The anticipation is palpable as these rugby giants prepare to collide, with fans on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the thrills and drama that only a historic derby can deliver.
Scores through the years:
| Year | Affies | Paarl Gim |
| 1967 | 0 | 11 |
| 1972 | 0 | 19 |
| 1973 | 3 | 38 |
| 1976 | 10 | 3 |
| 1979 | 3 | 23 |
| 1999 | 19 | 11 |
| 2002 | 24 | 20 |
| 2005 | 18 | 38 |
| 2006 | 17 | 17 |
| 2007 | 13 | 8 |
| 2008 | 3 | 21 |
| 2009 | 16 | 22 |
| 2011 | 59 | 6 |
| 2012 | 27 | 20 |
| 2014 | 7 | 40 |
| 2015 | 22 | 22 |
| 2017 | 33 | 35 |
| 2018 | 21 | 41 |
| 2019 | 19 | 46 |
| 2022 | 29 | 26 |
| 2023 | 21 | 28 |
Affies 2024 Season:
Affies have played 5 matches thus far, only losing narrowly to a strong Paul Roos outfit. Affies have shown signs of a potentially promising season ahead. Their last win was a gutsy one against neighbours, Garsfontein.
| Date | Opp | For | Against |
| 2024/03/09 | Diamantveld | 33 | 10 |
| 2024/03/16 | Helpmekaar | 45 | 21 |
| 2024/03/23 | Paul Roos | 25 | 30 |
| 2024/03/26 | Stellenberg | 38 | 11 |
| 2024/04/06 | Garsfontein | 33 | 31 |
Paarl Gim 2024 Season:
Paarl Gim have played 4 matches so far having dispatched of good teams like Hoerskool Monument and Boland Landbou with relative ease along the way. They are still unbeaten and will be a very hard nut to crack in 2024.
| Date | Opp | For | Against |
| 2024/03/16 | Stellenberg | 29 | 5 |
| 2024/03/23 | Monument | 38 | 21 |
| 2024/03/26 | Pretoria Boys High | 66 | 10 |
| 2024/04/06 | Boland Landbou | 47 | 13 |
Get ready for a North vs South thriller in the Capital!
Catch all the action live on Saturday the 13th of April from 13:00pm on SuperSport Schools channel 216 (DSTV)
Sky Herald
The Confederation of African Rugby is the governing body of rugby union within Africa and currently has 37 members. It runs various rugby tournaments within Africa including the CAR Super 16 and the Africa Cup.
Widow Curio
Sport Trivia: In 2005, this South African made a record eleventh win at the Molokai World Surf Ski Championships, ten of which were consecutive wins. He has also won the South Africa Iron Man competition four times. Answer: Oscar Chalupsky – has also represented South Africa in the 1992 Olympics as captain and participant in the canoe team. He holds various South African and international titles.