Grey College vs Paul Roos - AWSUM Special Edition 2025

Voor v.l.n.r.: Dean “Ladina” van der Linde, Leo “Leoloop” Geldenhhuys, Tristan “T-Bone” Roodman.

Agter v.l.n.r.: Robert “Dumbell” Doubell, Christo “Seunn” Swanepoel, Lupho “Steezy” Makhohliso, Rijk “Rango” van Niekerk, Dawid “Duif” van Niekerk.

skole aan die woord

Die opwinding in Paul Roos-klaskamers en op die skoolgronde is tasbaar …

Die interskole bepaling tussen Paul Roos en Grey het ’n ryk geskiedenis wat sedert 1967 dateer en is ongetwyfeld ’n hoogtepunt op die Paul Roos Gimnasium-kalender. Die naweek is volgepak met 13 verskillende sportkodes en kultuuraktiwiteite, met ’n totaal van 81 Paul Roos-spanne wat meeding teen Grey Kollege!

A special word of thanks to all involved in organising this momentous occasion. The contribution of Grey staff and parents, the coaches and managers of both schools and the officials cannot be ignored.

“Sport has the power to change the world,” Mandela said. “It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

Hierdie woorde kan nie meer waar wees as tydens die Paul Roos vs Grey interskole naweek nie. Dit is aksiebelaai met emosies wat wipplank ry, maar bowenal is daar ’n gees van broederskap en buurmanskap waartydens lewenslange herinneringe gemaak word.

May the weekend exemplify Paul Roos’s motto ‘Semper Splendidior’ - always better, always more excellent. This is your time to be your best self, to be focused and motivated, standing together as a team and measuring achievements not only by a score on a scoreboard but by the level of sportmanship, pride, respect and gentlemanship displayed on and off the field.

Here’s to a great experience for all involved in particular as it traditionally marks the end of a season - what a high note to end it on.

welkom

Die dag is hier! Die dag waarna die hele jaar uitgesien word en oor gepraat word. Die dag waaroor Old Boys gesels en die media spekuleer. Grey Kollege en Oranje verwelkom Paul Roos en Bloemhof in Bloemfontein, in die hartjie van die Vrystaat.

Mag ons in geesdrif en respek mekaar aanspoor en aanmoedig, nie net as mededingers nie, maar as waardige verteenwoordigers van ons skole. Laat ons die waardes van uithouvermoë, deursigtigheid en samewerking uitdra en in hierdie gesamentlike tradisie laat weerspieël.

Laat die gejuig en geesdrif van ons ondersteuners die lug vul en ons atlete inspireer om hul beste te gee. Mag hierdie dag ‘n herinnering wees aan die krag van sport om ons te verenig en diepte te gee aan ons skoolgees.

Op hierdie terrein van kompetisie, laat ons onthou dat ons almal deel is van ‘n groter gemeenskap, en mag ons die vreugde vind in die deelname en die reis self. Ek hoop een en elk gryp die dag aan as ‘n geleentheid om die beste te wees wat ons kan wees, net om daarna nuwe vriendskappe te smee wat lewenslank sal duur. Mag interskole 2025 ‘n dag wees van sportmangees en ware kameraadskap.

Mag die beste span wen!

Jannie Geldenhuys

HOOFAFRIGTER VAN DIE

EERSTESPAN RUGBY: GREY KOLLEGE

Wat kan die skool en ouers hierdie Interskole van julle span verwag?

Almal wat betrokke gaan wees kan ’n dag van tradisievolle interskole verwag waar elke speler wat op die veld gaan, gaan speel tot die beste van sy vermoë, slaggereed om hulle deel in te skryf in die geskiedenisboeke van die geleentheid.

Hoe berei julle span in die week tot aanloop van Interskole voor? (physically and mentally)

Elke wedstryd geniet dieselfde prosesse wat ons volg om voor te berei vir die kragmeting. Alhoewel mens dit wil afmaak as nog ‘n wedstryd en dat ons alle spanne dieselfde hanteer, bly daar ‘n onderliggende motivering vir wanneer mens teen Paul Roos speel.

Waar sou jy sê lê julle krag hierdie jaar?

Ons is vreeslik trots op ons aanslag om geleenthede te identifiseer om aan te val van enige plek op die veld en ek glo ons het al goeie geleenthede geskep die jaar vir dit.

Wie het die grootste invloed op jou as afrigter in jou lewe al gehad? Is daar iemand na wie jy opkyk?

Uit ‘n rugby oogpunt was ek baie gelukkig om nou saam met Wessel du Plessis, Andre Tredoux en Franco Smith te werk. Ek het vreeslik baie by hulle geleer in my lewe oor rugby en menswees in rugby. In die lewe was ek baie gelukkig om uit ‘n huisgesin te kom waar daar vreeslik baie ondersteuning en liefde was, wat sekerlik die grootste invloed op my menswees gehad het.

Watter boodskap dra jy aan jou span oor net voor hulle op die baan/veld hardloop?

Moet nooit vergeet hoe groot die voorreg is om te kan speel en onthou hoekom jy rugby speel. Geniet die spel en kom op ‘n manier van die veld af waar jy nie spyt is oor wat jy gedoen het nie.

GREY KOLLEGE SEKONDÊR EERSTE XV

PAUL ROOS GIMNASIUM EERSTE XV

Erhardt Muth

HOOFAFRIGTER VAN DIE EERSTESPAN RUGBY: PAUL ROOS

Wat kan die skool en ouers hierdie Interskole van julle span verwag?

Ons gaan ons beste doen om die skool en die wyer Paul Roos-gemeenskap trots te maak. Die span is vasbeslote om met toewyding, en trots die skool te verteenwoordig.

Hoe berei julle span in die week tot aanloop van Interskole voor?

Ons fokus daarop om proses-gedrewe te bly en nie te veel op uitkomste of resultate te konsentreer nie. Deur op die fundamentele aspekte te fokus – bou ons week vir week aan selfvertroue en konsekwentheid in ons spel.

Waar sou jy sê lê julle krag hierdie jaar?

Ons krag lê in die span se veerkragtigheid en hul vermoë om op te staan ná teleurstelling. Die groep het reeds ’n paar wedstryde hierdie jaar met die kleinste marge verloor, maar ondanks die teleurstelling het hulle positief gebly, karakter getoon en saamgestaan as ’n eenheid.

Wie het die grootste invloed op jou as afrigter in jou lewe al gehad? Is daar iemand na wie jy opkyk?

Jacques Hanekom het die grootste invloed op my as afrigter gehad. Hy het my geleer dat ons as opvoeders nie die luuksheid het om kinders “af te skryf” nie. Selfs wanneer leerders of spelers ons teleurstel, bly dit ons verantwoordelikheid om hulle op te help – al kos dit soms iets van onsself. Die mens en die span kom altyd eerste. Jy mag dalk ’n wedstryd verloor, maar jy mag nooit die kleedkamer verloor nie. Hierdie benadering het my siening van afrigting en opvoeding fundamenteel gevorm.

Watter boodskap dra jy aan jou span oor net voor hulle op die veld hardloop?

Ek sê vir hulle: “Wen die oomblik voor jou gesig.” ’n Wedstryd bestaan uit honderde van daardie oomblikke – en as elke speler gefokus bly om net die een spesifieke oomblik te wen waarin hy homself bevind, sal die telbord vir homself sorg. Dis nie die uitkoms waarop ons fokus nie, maar die proses – oomblik vir oomblik, taak vir taak, met volle toewyding aan mekaar en aan die span.

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Xander

Smit

Watter spesifieke sterkpunte glo jy dat hierdie jaar se span het wat julle van die opposisie sal onderskei?

Hierdie jaar het ons span uitstekende samewerking en ’n baie sterk verdediging. Ons hou by ons spelpatroon en ondersteun mekaar – selfs wanneer dinge moeilik raak.

Hoe voel dit om jou skool se eerstespan te lei en waarop sal jy as leier fokus?

Dit is ’n groot eer om my skool se eerstespan te lei. As kaptein fokus ek op die spangees, positiwiteit en om ’n voorbeeld te stel deur my werksetiek, ingesteldheid en gedrag – op én van die veld.

Watter tradisies of waardes maak jou skool se rugbykultuur uniek?

Ons rugbykultuur is gebou op respek, trots en harde werk. Elke keer as ons die skool se trui aantrek, doen ons dit met trots. Daar is ook ’n sterk gevoel van broederskap en lojaliteit onder ons spelers.

Watter doelwitte het julle as span vir die seisoen gestel?

Ons hoofdoel is om elke wedstryd met fokus en toewyding aan te pak en as ’n eenheid te speel. Ons wil verbeter op verlede jaar se prestasie en mik daarna om ’n topspan in ons liga te wees.

Watter wedstryde of toernooie sien julle die meeste na uit?

Die Interskole-wedstryd teen ons grootste teenstander, Paul Roos, is vir seker die een waarna ons die meeste uitsien. Dit is ’n hoogtepunt vir die hele skool en iets waarvoor ons die hele jaar werk.

Is daar ’n professionele rugbyspeler na wie jy opkyk, en hoekom?

Ja, my pa is ’n groot inspirasie vir my en my broer.

Hy help ons nie net met rugby nie, maar stel ook elke dag ’n voorbeeld van hoe om ’n goeie mens en seun te wees. As dit nie vir my pa was nie, sou ek nie vandag wees waar ek is nie.

Luke Kent

How challenging was pre-season training, and how has it prepared the team for the season ahead?

Pre-season was one of the toughest we’ve ever faced — both physically and mentally. The intensity pushed us to our limits, but it brought out the best in us. Our trip to World Schools played a massive role too. We trained hard, faced world-class teams, and spent every day living and playing together. That created something special — we weren’t just a team anymore, we became a family. As the season started, that bond gave us trust and unity. We hit the field connected, focused, and ready.

What specific strengths do you believe this year’s team has that will set you apart from the competition?

What sets us apart is the resilience we’ve built from all the setbacks we’ve had — from tough losses to injuries and decisions that didn’t go our way. Instead of breaking us, those moments made us hungry. Hungry to prove ourselves. Hungry to stand tall for everyone who backed us. That hunger is our greatest strength heading into Grey.

How does it feel to run onto the field representing your school as part of the first team?

Running onto the field for my final game as a Paul Roos first-team player is an emotion I’ll never forget. When my coach told me I’d be leading the team, I got goosebumps. It hit me how far we’ve come. This team has given me so much — and this last game is about giving everything back. Every minute I’m on that field, I’ll be thinking about bringing that win back to Stellenbosch.

What traditions or values make your school’s rugby culture unique?

At Paul Roos, it’s all about brotherhood. From earlymorning training sessions to the biggest match days, we’re a family. Whether you’re on the field or sidelined with injury, you’re part of this team. You feel that support in every tackle, every clap from the bench, every huddle. That unity, that pride in our jersey — it’s what makes Paul Roos rugby different.

What team goals, if any, have you set for the season?

At the start of the year, my goal was simple: to go unbeaten and enjoy the season with my teammates, making memories. But now, after everything we’ve been through, there’s just one goal that matters — beating Grey.

Whichupcoming fixture excites you the most, and why is it a key match for your team?

The Grey College clash in Bloemfontein has been on my mind all season. It’s the one.

Is there a professional rugby player you look up to? What aspects of their game or leadership inspire you?

Definitely. Pieter-Steph du Toit is someone I really look up to. His journey — from nearly losing his leg to becoming World Rugby Player of the Year — speaks volumes about his character. The way he leads through his actions, especially in high-pressure moments like the 2023 World Cup Final, shows the heart he plays with. That’s the standard I aim for — to lead with grit, humility and relentless work.

Grey College - o.19B Rugbyspan “Cherries”

Paul Roos - o.19B Rugbyspan

Dalan Phillips

GREY COLLEGE FIRST TEAM HOCKEY COACH

What can the school and parents expect from your team this Interschools?

They can expect players who are fully committed—giving their best effort, playing with heart, discipline, and immense pride in representing Grey College.

How does your team prepare in the week leading up to a big game such as this weekend’s clash?

Preparation is both physical and mental. We focus on sharpening our structures and intensifying our physicality while making sure every player is clear on their role within the team. It’s all about precision and unity.

Where would you say your strengths lie this year?

Our strength lies in our ability to defend as a cohesive unit. We work hard to remain disciplined under pressure and pride ourselves on being difficult to break down.

Who has had the greatest influence on you as a coach?

Two individuals stand out: the late Mr Tony Godding, who played a big role during my playing days, and Mr Darryn Gallagher, who has inspired me in how I approach coaching and team culture.

What message do you convey to your team just before they run onto the field?

Enjoy every moment and make the most of it— have fun while giving it your all.

GREY COLLEGE SECONDARY FIRST TEAM HOCKEY

WE SPOKE TO GREY COLLEGE’S FIRST TEAM HOCKEY CAPTAIN, ANDREW KOUPIS

What are your team’s biggest strengths, and how do you plan to capitalise on them this season?

One of our biggest strengths is the strong sense of brotherhood within the team – most of us have been playing together for several years. This connection translates into trust and cohesion on the field. I also believe we have one of the strongest short corner units at school level, and we plan to use that to our advantage in tight games.

What does it mean to you to lead your school’s first hockey team?

Being chosen to captain the Grey College first team is a massive honour. It comes with the responsibility of upholding the values and traditions of our school.

Since Grade 8, I’ve looked up to the captains before me – it’s been a dream to wear the armband, and I hope I’m inspiring the younger players just like I was once inspired.

How would you describe your school’s hockey culture, and what makes it unique?

Grey has a proud hockey tradition rooted in discipline, respect, and humility. What sets us apart is the way we carry ourselves – for example, after scoring a goal, we don’t celebrate excessively. Instead, we acknowledge it with the traditional Grey-handshake. That small gesture reflects our values and respect for the game and our opponents.

What are your main goals as a team for this season?

As we enter Term 3 – the “business end” of our season – our main goal is to finish strong. We’re heading into a tough stretch of fixtures, and our focus is to give our best performances yet and end the season with pride.

Which fixture excites you most, and why is it significant?

Two fixtures stand out: Grey PE and Paul Roos. The Paul Roos game, in particular, is always a highlight. It marks the final time our Grade 12s will play in a Greyjersey – it’s an emotional moment and the closing chapter of our schoolboy hockey careers.

Which hockey player or sports figure do you look up to, and how has their career influenced your approach to the game?

While he’s a rugby player, I really look up to PieterSteph Du Toit. His work ethic is unmatched, and his humility on and off the field is something I deeply respect. He’s a great example of what it means to be a true sportsman, and that’s something I try to reflect in my own leadership and play.

Grey College - o.19B “CHILLIES”

PAUL ROOS GIMNASIUM

EERSTESPAN HOKKIE

CHRISTO SWANEPOEL, PAUL ROOS’S FIRST TEAM HOCKEY CAPTAIN SPOKE TO US ABOUT HIS TEAM

What aspects of fitness and strategy has the team focused on during pre-season training?

Pre-season was tough — long hours on the turf and weekends sacrificed for training. But looking back at the results and the season we’ve had, it was absolutely worth it. That hard work laid the foundation for everything we’ve achieved this year.

What are your team’s biggest strengths?

We were a very young team this year, but we never let that be an excuse. What truly sets us apart is our work ethic — I believe we’re one of the hardest-working teams in the country. That commitment and hunger to improve made the biggest difference on the field.

What does it mean to you to lead your school’s hockey first team? It’s an incredible honour. Every time I put on the jersey or step onto the field, there’s a deep sense of pride — knowing I represent not just this team, but the legacy of all the players who came before us, and the example we set for those who will follow.

How would you describe your school’s hockey culture, and what makes it unique?

Our hockey culture is built around a strong development programme led by Mr. Baker. The way he structures things allows us to build not only a high-performance team environment but also strong

relationships across age groups. That culture of unity, growth and mutual respect is what makes Paul Roos hockey so special.

What are your main goals as a team for this season?

One of our biggest goals was consistency — to show up every week, regardless of the ups and downs. We committed to giving our best, even on the tough days.

And I believe we achieved that. The dedication never faded — we kept pushing, kept arriving, and never backed down.

Michael Baker

PAUL ROOS FIRST TEAM HOCKEY COACH

What can the school and parents expect from your team during the Interschools?

I’d hope for a performance that truly represents them. We play with heart, intensity, and respect. A PRG hockey side brings an exciting brand of play—and so does Grey. Both teams are strong, so spectators can expect a thrilling game that could go right down to the wire.

How do you prepare your team in the week leading up to Interschools—physically and mentally?

This is the biggest game of the year for us, so we’ll have a dedicated training camp. We face Northwood on the Saturday and Parel Vallei on the Tuesday leading into the match. The beauty of Interschools is that motivation takes care of itself— so we’ll focus on the finer details and tailor our prep specifically for Grey.

Where do your strengths lie this year?

Our biggest strength is the balance within the team. Every player knows their role and puts the team first. It’s also our attention to detail and the amount of hard work we’ve put in throughout the year—those are the things that will shine through during Interschools.

Who has had the biggest influence on your coaching career? Is there someone you look up to?

Honestly, almost everyone. I believe you can learn something from anyone. But if I had to name a few—someone like José Mourinho made coaching look cool. He showed how much influence a coach can have on both games and players. Rassie Erasmus is doing the same now—both have inspired me to coach with purpose and creativity.

What message do you give to your team just before they run onto the field?

Simply: Have fun. Walk onto the field, look around, and take it all in. You’ll probably never play in front of a crowd this big again in hockey—so embrace it. Make your family and your school proud. Let tonight’s performance reflect all the sacrifices you’ve made for your team and your school.

Which upcoming fixture excites you most, and why is it significant?

The interschools match against Grey College is the one we’re most excited for. There’s tradition, rivalry, and a packed crowd — everything that makes schoolboy sport unforgettable. Playing them in Bloem is always a big challenge, but after the season we’ve had, we’re ready to finish strong.

Debatting Team

Sechaba Moeti (gr12), Zaheed Henney (gr12), Thomas Schoeman (gr12).

Muurbalspan

to right: IJ van der Merwe,

Bergfietsspan

L du Toit, C Mitton, B van Rooyen, FJ Steynberg, J Mosterd, B Oelofse, MJ Badenhorst, JA O’Reilly.

Sokkerspan

Seated L-R L-R : K.Kale; A.Mlaba; P.Malokase (Coach); B.Van Wyk (Principal); K.Ntseki (Captain); M.Hlatshwayo (Director of Soccer); S.Moodie (Gk Coach); B.Malokase; T.Nyedimane. Middle row L-R : S.Matayi; M.Kimani; X.Thinda; L.Mcilongo; T.Mothibi; L.Mbalula; K.Moloi; S.Phetlhu. Back row L-R : O.Mogopodi; S.Makau; N.Leeuw; H.Mahlangu; S.Hlazo; O.Mokolobate; B.Jika; K.Tsenoli.

Muurbalspan