Culture | Try, the beloved country

Rugby brings South Africa together—if only for 80 minutes

The sport reflects the country’s uneven progress and enduring dreams

PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 30: JC Mars of Paarl Boys during the Premier Interschools match between Paarl Boys High School and Paarl Gimnasium at Faure Street Stadium on July 30, 2022 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Sep 22nd 2022|PAARL AND ZWIDE

Perhaps it is the beer that has flowed since early morning, or the sugary food on sale at the kiosks, but as kick-off approaches in Paarl, the crowd is nearing a delirious crescendo. Every year the town in the South African winelands hosts what may be the biggest game of school rugby in the world. Along the main road, trees are wrapped in the blues and white of Paarl Boys’ High School or the green, gold and maroon of Paarl Gimnasium, local teams locked in a historic rivalry.

This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Try, the beloved country”