The Hoër Jongenskool Paarl (HJS) started their 2020 campaign on a positive note with a hard-fought 17–10 victory over a very tough opponent in Monument High School at the Southern Business School (SBS) Bulfees in Porterville earlier this year.

The score was locked in at 10–10 with two minutes of play remaining when replacement forward Etienne van Rooyen scored the winning try for Boishaai. Flyhalf Compion von Ludwig was successful with the conversion.

The turn of events in the final minutes of the game denied Monument victory yet again after the Krugersdorp side also narrowly lost out last year following a last-minute Boishaai try.

Monnas scored in the third minute of the game to lead 7–0. Fullback Luan van der Walt gathered a well-placed chip kick to go over in the corner, and this left Boishaai playing catch-up from the start.

The young HJS team, however, kept their cool remarkably well against their more experienced opponents.

Monnas was disappointed at not turning a few scoring opportunities into points, especially in the second half, but then Boishaai also lost two crucial line-outs close to the Monnas try line.

It was a great start for the Boishaai team but, sadly, government regulations to try and curb the spread of the Coronavirus mean they won’t be able to capitalise and create some momentum from their early-season victory.

Their Ireland tour has been cancelled – they were due to leave for Ireland on Wednesday, 18 March – and the Wildeklawer and St Johns tournaments were also cancelled.

Another loss to Boishaai means they’re still winless against the respected Paarl school, but Monnas can hold their heads high after putting on a great performance which had spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the game in Porterville.

An indicator of the stellar Monnas performance is that their flanker, Rynard Mouton was selected as the Southern Business School Man of the Match.

Southern Business School principal, Chris Vorster, was a keen spectator at the Bulfees. “I would like to thank Porterville High School for the privilege of being part of the Bulfees. It’s such a great family weekend and represents a beautiful showcase for rugby, and school sports in general,” he said.