During my far from illustrious schoolboy rugby career, I remember many Saturday mornings spent travelling to and from Paarl, with an on-field clobbering sandwiched in between.

Yup, there’s nothing quite like a good hiding on the icy backfields of a Paarl school in the early hours, all whilst running around barefoot and trying to avoid being tackled on the hardened cricket pitch area.

Still, that hasn’t stopped some of the country’s most promising young players from heading to the region and, as schoolboy rugby in South Africa has continued its commodification, with games now broadcast around Africa and sponsors hopping on board, the demand for those young players has heated up.

According to a report on SchoolboyRugby, that has led to outright poaching, and both SACS and Wynberg are fuming. Here’s a screenshot from that story:

Whilst unverified at present, one comment on that story alleges that SACS and Wynberg will no longer compete in sporting activities against Paarl Boys’:

We’ve reached out for more info on this, and will update accordingly, but Paarl Boy’s have released an official statement, which has been covered on Sport24:

“Paarl Boys’ High would like to set the record straight,” the statement read.

“As we also often lose talent to neighbouring and competing schools, we do understand the emotion behind this. However, we prefer not to complain when this happens.

“As Paarl Boys’ High worked very hard over the years to establish high discipline, academic, sports and creative art standards we do understand if learners and their parents might consider us an option – sometimes a delayed option – for their studies.

“We have already approached the principals of Wynberg and SACS to clarify any misunderstandings or misperceptions.”

In other words, sorry for you.

At the end of the day (said in a Naas Botha accent), these youngsters are free to go to school where they choose, although nicking them from rival schools is always going to cause tension.

If the likes of SACS and Wynberg don’t travel to Paarl this year, at least some youngsters will be spared that kaalvoet drubbing.

[sources:schoolboyrugby&sport24]