Stellenberg’s shock win over Paarl Gim on the opening weekend of the schools rugby season was the culmination of a 20-year journey.
Stellenberg edged Gimmies – South Africa’s No 1-ranked rugby school last year – 20-19 in a dramatic contest in Bellville.
But for head coach Divan Batt, the result was no overnight success.
“It’s been coming for 20 years. Over the past 15 years we’ve planned to get the rugby at Stellenberg to a place where we can compete with schools like Paarl Gim,” he said on the Rugby Factory podcast.
Last week’s win was Stellenberg’s first over Paarl Gim in almost three decades.
“As a coaching staff, it’s something we’ve worked hard for,” said Batt. “The expectation now is that we do it again and again. It’s a good start, but it’s history.”
Head of sport Andras Molnar highlighted the challenge of competing for local players.
“We know the talent pool that sits in the primary schools in our area,” he said. “Often the strongest kids will drive past Stellenberg to go to the Paarl schools.
“We had a laugh on Saturday morning about how it’s a home game for Paarl Gim, with all the learners from the northern suburbs.”
SCHOOLS WRAP: Stellenberg stun Paarl Gim
Stellenberg have steadily been putting the building blocks in place – even when not competing in the premier division of local schools rugby.
“We still played all the English schools, we played a season opener against Paarl Gim, we played Boland Landbou, we played in the same tournaments where we played against Affies,” Molnar explained.
“So our boys have been exposed to these teams for the past eight or nine years. Maybe for the public it’s something different, but what I think you are seeing is the belief is more there to start beating these teams.”
Stellenberg’s victory signals a broader shift in SA schools rugby, where traditional powerhouses are increasingly being challenged.
This week, Affies travels down to Stellenbosch to face Paul Roos. Affies head of rugby Ruan Jacobs believes such fixtures are essential.
“It’s a great opportunity to test our programme against one of the schools that go as deep as we do,” he said.
“There are no easy games anymore. As programmes get better, that’s how you see if you’re at the level or not.”
Other notable fixtures this weekend include Paarl Boys’ vs Outeniqua, Durbanville vs Paarl Gim, Hilton vs DHS, Grey College vs Monument and Noordheuwel vs Garsfontein.
The post Stellenberg breakthrough 20 years in the making appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Stellenberg’s shock win over Paarl Gim on the opening weekend of the schools rugby season was the culmination of a 20-year journey.
The post Stellenberg breakthrough 20 years in the making appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
