DHL Stormers school of Origin: Paarl Gim

Paarl Gimnasium is another top local rugby school that has produced many fine DHL Stormers over the years.

In Rounds 10 and 11 the Vodacom URC has invited teams, players and fans to celebrate the communities and people who helped launch the careers of hundreds of rugby players and coaches.

From #GrassrootsToGreatness the Vodacom URC will shine a spotlight on the identities of the clubs, schools and communities that do an incredible job of giving children the chance to first pick up a rugby ball and guide the lucky few good enough to reach the elite level.

While flyhalf Jurie Matthee is the only Paarl Gim Old Boy in the current DHL Stormers squad, the Co-Ed school has been a goldmine of talent for the DHL Stormers with the likes of Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, JD Schickerling and Pieter Rossouw all coming out of the school.

Rossouw is the current Director of Rugby at the school and continues to nurture the next generation of talent.

Of course, the ‘Gimmies’ have a big rivalry with Paarl Boys High, which culminates in the huge ‘Interskole’ game at Faure Street every year, with huge crowds flocking to watch one of the biggest schoolboy rugby derbies in the world.

The school has a long history and proud rugby tradition, with the yellow, green and maroon striped jersey synonymous with skill and passion for the game.