Over the past weekend, Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) hosted SACS High School in Newlands, Cape Town at its annual Winter’s Day celebrations in what was characterised as a muddy affair.
These two prestigious boys’ schools, which have been in existence for more than 150 years, serve as feeders for their respective local universities, SACS for UCT (University of Cape Town) and PRG for SU (Stellenbosch University). The schools have fostered a close bond and mutual respect over the years, engaging particularly in healthy competition.
On Friday 2 and Saturday 3 June SACS travelled to Stellenbosch to continue the tradition. The first day featured a range of sports events, including hockey, debating, chess, surf, cross country, golf, and tennis, where teams from both schools battled it out. The day concluded with the traditional Winter’s Dinner, a social event where the student councils of PRG and SACS came together to socialise and strengthen their bond.
On Saturday, the final hockey matches were held at the Maties Astro, while supporters gathered at the Markötter Sports Complex for an exhilarating day of rugby, despite the stormy weather. The weekend concluded with the annual handing over of the Winter’s Day Friendship Shield and a delightful lunch at the Markötter Suite.
In hockey, the teams from both schools displayed their skills and determination. SACS emerged victorious in most of the matches, with PRG winning seven matches, drawing two, and losing six. The final results showcased a competitive spirit and close contests between the schools, with a total of 37 goals scored by PRG and 27 goals against them. The average score throughout the matches was 2,4 goals for PRG and 1,8 goals for SACS.
The golf competition took place at the picturesque De Zalze Golf Estate. PRG’s first and second teams dominated their matches against SACS, securing victories with a score of 4-0 for both teams. The golfers demonstrated their skill and precision on the course, showcasing their dedication to the sport.
Tennis also proved to be a captivating event, with PRG’s first tennis team, comprising three u-19 and three u-15 players, facing off against SACS’s first team. After a tough match, PRG emerged as the winners with a final score of 8-1. The team members – Pieter Kotze, Divan Prinsloo, Xander Pienaar, Hanno Bouwer, Simeon Roothman, and Sebastian Oosthuizen – displayed their talent and teamwork, contributing to their well-deserved victory.
In cross country, the juniors from PRG secured a narrow victory, defeating SACS with a score of 19-18. However, the seniors from PRG faced tough competition from SACS and ultimately lost with a score of 15-21. Both teams displayed resilience and determination throughout the races.
Surfing competitions took place at Muizenberg. The results saw SACS’s A team claim first place, followed by PRG’s A team in second place. SACS’s B team secured the third spot, with PRG’s B team finishing in fourth place. The surfers showcased their skills and rode the waves with grace and style.
The chess team from PRG put on an impressive performance, defeating SACS with a score of 3.5 – 2.5. The chess players showcased their strategic thinking and tactical abilities to secure their victory.
In debating, both PRG’s junior and senior teams emerged victorious against SACS. Casper Wepener was the best speaker for the junior team, while the seniors had a tie between Cornel Kotze and Reuben de Wit as the best speakers. The debaters exhibited eloquence and persuasive skills, captivating the audience with their arguments.
The rugby matches were filled with excitement and dominance from PRG. In all 16 matches played, PRG emerged as the winners, showcasing their strength and skill on the field. The average score throughout the matches was an impressive 43-3 in favour of PRG, highlighting their exceptional performance. PRG’s first team clinched the victory 26-7.
