Paarl Gimnasium director of rugby Pieter Rossouw has likened preparations for Saturday’s interschools clash against Paarl Boys’ to that of a World Cup.

The biggest schools rugby match on the planet will see 25,000 fans pack Faure Street Stadium as two of South Africa’s best teams collide.

Gimmies have won all 16 of their matches this year and are ranked No 1 in the country, while Boishaai have won 15 of 16, their only loss coming against Oakdale in April.

“For many of the boys, this is the biggest game of their rugby career. It’s something they’ve been dreaming about for a long time,” Rossouw said at a pre-match press conference, as quoted by Netwerk24.

“I think you can compare it to the journey of a World Cup tournament, where guys prepare for four years to play in that final. Similarly, boys come into school in Grade 8 and dream of playing for the 1st XV in that particular [interschools] game.”

Although Gimmies are undefeated in 2025, the 1st XV matriculants won’t have forgotten their 29-16 defeat to Boishaai at U16 level in 2023.

“This particular year group is an exceptionally strong year group in many schools,” Rossouw added.

The former Springbok wing says his side’s tough schedule has prepared them for the derby.

“We’ve played against very strong teams in front of a lot of people this year and those games help teach the kids to handle pressure and perform well.”

Meanwhile, Paarl Boys’ coach Sean Erasmus believes Saturday’s showdown will be a showcase of future talent.

“Among the 30 boys who will play, I believe there could very well be three or four future Springboks,” he said.

Erasmus added that Boishaai had learned from last year’s 30-8 defeat to Gimmies.

“We conceded 30 points in the interschools last year and afterwards we talked to each other about how it was an important lesson and what we could take from it.

“It’s nice to see how the boys who are now in matric have grown as people.”

– Saturday’s interschools clash will kick off at 4pm and be broadcast live on SuperSport channel 216.

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