Paarl Boishaai is always part of the gossip before and during any schoolboy rugby season. This year will be no different with the return of Sean Erasmus as the head of rugby at this prestigious school which is credited as the major reason for the gossip.
With Erasmus expecting only the best from his staff as well as players, expect previous years' performances on and of the field to be irrelevant. The 1stXV of 2022 has a solid record losing at the u/15 level in 2019 with just 17-24 to the all-conquering Paarl Gim team that is expected to dominate 1stXV rugby in South Africa.
Can Erasmus' guidance void the 7 point deficit and become a number one contender on the rankings? A definite yes from Ruggas.co.za but even more so from the Boishaai "familia".
Boishaai is still busy filling some empty spots on their calendar with their opposition for the rugby day at Porterville still unsure. Unfortunately, if no early fixtures can be organised an uncooked Boishaai will travel to the Noord/Suid Festival.
Currently, Boishaai will start their season at the Noord/Suid Festival hosted at Affies against the two top contenders for the "Pretoria Cup" namely Menlopark and Garsfontein. Menlopark will come with their massive pack at Boishaai whereafter Garsfontein should run from anywhere, trying to run Boishaai off their feet.
Two weeks later the impressive Oakdale will travel from George with only one thing on their minds "Conquer the Paarl".
A week later they will play according to their programme three matches at the St Johns festival. Helpmekaar will test Boishaai on Saturday in the main game of day two while Hilton should also test the Bois from the Paarl.
Rondebosch, according to informed sources the "2022 Suburbs Champions" favourites, will be the first opposition from the Western Cape.
At the Wildeklawer the "pace" could be a little slower against Maritzburg College, however, Monnas awaits on the final day that will test Boishaai again to their limits.
Twelve days later Boishaai travel to Bloemfontein to play against a once again powerful Grey College 1stXV.
Thereafter, things should settle down a bit with Paul Roos, Bishops, Wynberg, Boland Landbou and SACS that follow in May and June.
After the July holidays and provincial tournaments, the battle of the Paarl at the Faure str Stadium will follow on 30 July 2022. This match, which according to all is the must-win match of the season. Sean Erasmus, who is still to lose an Interschool against Paarl Gim will make sure that he will be 150% prepared.
Boishaai ends their season against Outeniqua in George on 13 August 2022 in what could prove to be a very very difficult game to end off their season "unbeaten".
1stXV Provisional Fixtures ( Home team 1st)
12/03/2022 Porterville Rugby Day
25/03/2022 Menlopark vs Boishaai (Noord/Suid)
28/03/2022 Garsfontein vs Boishaai (Noord/Suid)
09/04/2022 Paarl Boishaai vs Oakdale
14/04/2022 Paarl Boishaai vs Lions Invitational (St John's Festival)
16/04/2022 Helpmekaar vs Paarl Boishaai (St Johns Festival)
18/04/2022 Hilton College vs Paarl Boishaai (St Johns Festival)
23/04/2022 Rondebosch vs Paarl Boishaai
30/04/2022 Paarl Boishaai vs Maritzburg College (Wildeklawer)
02/05/2022 Paarl Boishaai vs Monnas (Wildeklawer)
14/05/2022 Grey College vs Paarl Boishaai
21/05/2022 Paul Roos vs Paarl Boishaai
28/05/2022 Paarl Boishaai vs Bishops
04/06/2022 Paarl Boishaai vs Wynberg
11/06/2022 Boland Landbou vs Paarl Boishaai
23/07/2022 SACS vs Paarl Boishaai
30/07/2022 Paarl Boishaai vs Paarl Gim
12/08/2022 Outeniqua vs Paarl Boishaai
Other important dates:
25-30/03/2022 u/14A Outeniqua
25-30/03/2022 u/15A Boishaai
25-30/03/2022 u/16A Jean de Villiers Festival
18/06/2022 Coastal Rugby Day