Bishops out into wet Paarl

It's not easy for the boys of gentle suburbs to play with the rugged boys of the farmlands, and Bishops will certainly not have an easy trip into the country - far easier in comfortable cars than in the days of oxwagons and infrequent trains but still demanding on the field of play where Paarl Boys' High are the most determined of opponents.

Bishops first played Paarl in 1903 when club and school were not well defined. Since 1929 they have played more frequently. Bishops won that first encounter 35-0, still their biggest win over the taught young men of Paarl.

Paarl Boys' High have had a busy season - an Easter Tournament in Johannesburg, the Sanix Youth Tournament in Japan and then matches all over the show.

In South Africa Paarl Boys' High have played 14 matches, winning 11, drawing with Noord-Kaap and losing to Grey Bloem (15-10) and Paul Roos (17-13).

Bishops have also played 14 matches. They won 10 and lost to Glenwood, Paarl Gim, Wynberg and Michaelhouse.

On the FNB Top 20, Paarl Boys' High are ranked 8th, Bishops just off the Top 20.

All of that suggests that Paarl Boys' High are favourites, but ....

There is a but.

The two teams met at Newlands in March on Schools Day - 20 minutes each way and no kicks at goal but Bishops were full value for their 10-0 victory. But that was in March, in the Southern Suburbs, on a wide field. The change could be remarkable.

The field may be narrower but Bishops still have the power to mesmerise with their skill, sleight of hand, surprising running lines. But now, after several years of playing Bishops, Paarl Boys' High will be well alerted to what could happen.

This match takes place just before Interschools. Every Paarl Boys' High boy will be pulling out all the stops to be chosen for that great occasion.

Results against Common Opponents

They have both played against Boland Landbou, Rondebosch and Wynberg.

Boland Landbou: Bishops won 29-25; Paarl Boys' High won 18-14

Rondebosch: Bishops won 52-14; Paarl Boys' High won 25-10

Wynberg: Bishops lost 20-19; Paarl Boys' High won 24-22

There  is not an obvious difference.

Representative players.

Both schools' boys are eligible for Western Province's school teams.

Academy Week

Bishops: André Manuel, Sam Mitchell

Paarl Boys' High: Derrick Marais, Rayhann Lombaard

Of these wing André Manuel will not be playing as he broke an arm at the academy Week.

Craven Week

Bishops: Gerard Pieterse, Justin Heunis, Jez McIntrye, Saud Abrahams, Mervano da Silva, JP Smith

Paarl Boys' High: Ruben de Villiers, Wikus Groenewald, Charl-Francois du Toit

Of these, flyhalf Jez McIntyre is out injured and fullback Gerard Pieterse is doubtful.

SA Trials

Bishops: Saud Abrahams

Paarl Boys' High: Ruben de Villiers

They have been chosen for trials up in Kempton Park and so will not be playing in this match.

Teams

Paarl Boys' High: 15 Rayhaan Lombaard, 14 Tyreeq Cassiem- February, 13 Curtley Grain, 12 Heinrich Moller, 11 Wian Gouws, 10 Stefan Gouws, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Phillip Coetzee, 7 Christo Mostert, 6 Andreas van Wyk, 5 Dean Schwartz, 4 Wian Botha (captain), 3 Derrick Marais, 2 Carel van Zyl, 1 Quintin Vorster

Coach: Sean Erasmus

Bishops: 15 Gerard Pieterse (captain), 14 Keenan Jacobs, 13 Jesse Wilensky, 12 Justin Heunis, 11 Devon Bruiners, 10 Cornel Smit, 9 Justin Rowe-Roberts, 8 Mervano da Silva, 7 Max Linley, 6 Nic Bester, 5 Tim Kuhn, 4 Sam Mitchell, 3 Jean-Pierre Smith, 2 Keanan Alexander, 1 William Day

Replacements: 16 Patrick Mitchell, 17 Matt Jordan, 18 Jarryd Lurie, 19 Luciano da Graca, 20 Michael Inskip, 21 Luke Leach, 22 Tristan Leyds, 23 Jonathan Sheefeni

Coaches: André Jacobs, Mike Bayly

Date: 26 July 2014

1st XV kick-off: 12.30

Venue: Brug Street Stadium, Paarl

Expected weather conditions: 70% chance of rain with a high of 13°C and a low of 9°C - a miserable day.

Referee: Quinton Immelman (Western Province Referees' Society)

Rugby Programme

Afield

09.00: Under-14A

10.00: 3rd XV

11.10: 2nd XV

12.30: 1st XV

B Field

08.00: 4th XV

09.10: 5th XV

10.20: Under-14B

C Field

08.00: Under-16D

09.10: Under-16C

10.20: Under-16B

11.30: Under-16A

D Field

08.00: Under-14C

09.00: Under-14D

10.00: Under-14E

E Field

08.00: Under-15B

09.00: Under-15A

10.00: Under-15C

11.00: Under-15D