Paul Roos Masterclass

Unbeaten Season Secured with Dominant Victory over Grey College 36-3 in a Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools derby at the Markotter Field in Stellenbosch

In a season-defining performance, Paul Roos showed why they are the best schoolboy rugby team in the country, dismantling Grey College 36-3 on the Markotter to seal their unbeaten season. In conditions that to many would not have allowed for free flowing rugby Paul Roos showed their adaptability and played with a clinical precision that left their opponents reeling.

Grey College struck first with a penalty by Hein Stockenstrom in the opening minutes, but that would be their only points of the match. Paul Roos quickly responded, establishing their dominance with a well-executed rolling maul in the 8th minute, allowing hooker Altus Rabie to cross the line for the opening try, expertly converted by Joshua Dampies.

Moments later, Rabie once again made his presence felt, this time with a crunching tackle that dislodged the ball from Grey College, Flyhalf, Alzeadon Felix. Samuel Badenhorst pounced, racing the length of the field to score under the posts, stretching Paul Roos’ lead to 14-3.

The Grey College defense struggled to cope with the relentless pressure, and on the half-hour mark, Dampies delivered a pinpoint skip pass to winger Matthew Kleyn, who finished in the corner. Although the conversion was missed, Paul Roos entered halftime with a commanding 19-3 lead.

The second half saw Paul Roos continue to pile on the pressure. Dampies coolly slotted a long-range penalty, making it 22-3, and a cynical offside by Grey College led to a penalty try, further compounding their woes. Reduced to 14 men, Grey College had no answer as Paul Roos continued to dominate.

With momentum firmly on their side, Paul Roos sealed the match—and their season—with a powerful drive by their towering 2-meter lock, Charl Holwill, who crashed over for his team’s final try. Dampies’ conversion brought the score to 36-3, ending the game in emphatic fashion.

As the final whistle blew, the Markotter erupted in celebration as supporters, scholars and Old Boys stormed the field. Paul Roos had not only beaten one of their fiercest rivals but had done so with a performance that will be remembered as one of the greatest in schoolboy rugby history. This was more than just a win—it was a statement, a crowning achievement for a team that has truly earned its place among the all-time greats. The Maroon Machine reign supreme as 2024 will forever be remembered as “their” year.

Sportsmans Warehouse Man of the Match: Paul Roos Lock – Charl Holwill

Scorers:

For Grey College:

• Pens: Hein Stockenstrom 1/1

For Paul Roos:

• Tries: Altus Rabie, Samual Badenhorst, Penalty Try, Matthew Kleyn, Charl Holwil
• Cons: Joshua Dampies 3/4
• Pens: Joshua Dampies 1/2

Teams:

• Grey Collge: 15 Hein Stockenstrom, 14 Pretorius Ekeji, 13 Tristian Maree, 12 Jean Rossouw, 11 Ruben Cilliers, 10 Alzeadon Felix, 9 Phillip McLaren, 8 Liam Santos, 7 Juliun Cosmo, 6 Xander Smit, 5 Renier Grobler, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Liam Van Wyk, 1 Dian Venter
• Paul Roos: 15 Keenan Stoffels, 14 Matthew Kleyn, 13 Ian Smith, 12 Samual Badenhorst, 11 Divan Lambrecht, 10 Joshua Dampies, 9 Liam De Silva, 8 Christian Kolbe, 7 Gert Kemp, 6 Malan Erasmus, 5 Charl Holwill, 4 Truspe Schoeman 3 Henry Du Plessis, 2 Altus Rabie, 1 Oliver Reid