🏉 The Legacy of Paarl Interschools: More Than Just a Game!
- Charlene Marx
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
By Charlene Marx, your Paarl Property Expert
🏆 WIN a R1000 Jackson & Black Voucher! https://jacksonandblack.co.za/
To celebrate this iconic Paarl tradition, I'm giving away a R1000 dining voucher to Jackson & Black Grill & Pizzeria Paarl — the perfect spot to wrap up your Interschools weekend in style!
Here’s how to enter:
- Like the official competition post
- Comment your predicted final score (e.g. Boishaai 22 – Gimmies 19)
🎯 Closest prediction wins!
📅 Entries close at kickoff on Saturday, 2 August 2025.
🏅 Winner announced post-match. T&Cs apply.
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A Tradition That Unites a Town
Each winter, as the Cape Winelands settle into stillness, Paarl comes alive. The air thickens with anticipation. Flags fly high. Generations gather. Chanting echoes through school halls.
It can only mean one thing: the Paarl Interschools is here.
This isn't just a school rugby match — it's a cultural phenomenon. A rivalry between Paarl Boys' High (Boishaai) and Paarl Gimnasium (Gimmies) that goes beyond the field. It's a celebration of heritage, community, and pride. A rite of passage for locals — and a memory that stays with you for life.
📜 Over 100 Years of Tradition
The first official match between Boishaai and Gimmies was played in 1915 — over a century ago. Born during uncertain times, this clash quickly grew into a yearly highlight. It wasn't just about winning; it was about belonging. Interschools became the heartbeat of Paarl’s identity.
Now one of the oldest and most prestigious schoolboy rugby derbies in the world, Interschools holds meaning for generations. Ask any local and they’ll tell you where they sat during their first game, who played, or what the final score was.
It’s a legacy passed down — from grandparents to grandchildren, from alumni to current students. For many, Interschools is more than a match — it’s a lifelong story.
🏉 A Launchpad for Rugby Legends
Both schools have produced some of South Africa’s greatest rugby stars. Think Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger, Handré Pollard, and Japie Mulder — all products of the Boishaai-Gimmies system.
With national selectors often watching, the pressure is real. But so is the pride. Young players are not only representing their schools but their entire community. Whether or not they go pro, the values of Interschools — respect, resilience, teamwork — stay with them for life.
🎭 A Full Week of Celebration
Interschools isn’t just a match — it’s a week-long festival. From netball and hockey to drama and debate, the schedule highlights the all-round talents of both schools. Each event builds toward Saturday’s rugby showdown.
Paarl transforms into a sea of blue and maroon. Cafés play school anthems. Businesses display team colours. Streets buzz with excitement. Old friends reunite. Families line up for koeksisters and coffee. It’s a week of community magic, unmatched anywhere else in the country.
🤝 More Than Rugby — A Shared Identity
What makes Interschools truly special is its ability to unite people through tradition. Even in competition, there’s camaraderie. Neighbours may wear different colours, but they share the same pride in Paarl’s heritage.
It's the moment a grandfather watches his grandson take the field for his alma mater. It's old rivals shaking hands over a beer. It’s the understanding that this tradition — over 100 years strong — belongs to everyone in Paarl.
💬 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re watching from the stands or your screen, whether you bleed blue or maroon, Interschools is a reminder of everything that makes Paarl special: pride, tradition, unity, and heart.
Here's to another unforgettable year.
Here's to Interschools 2025.
And don’t forget — make your score prediction for a chance to win that R1000 Jackson & Black voucher!
#BoishaaiVsGimmies #PaarlInterschools #CommunitySpirit #CharleneMarxProperty #SupportLocal #LegacyInTheMaking
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