The prestigious South African school whose alumni include billionaires, Springboks, and prime ministers

Paul Roos Gymnasium, a leading public dual-medium high school for boys in Stellenbosch, has produced many of South Africa’s top politicians, businessmen, and sportsmen.

Dubbed the Eton College of South Africa, its notable alumni include billionaire Johann Rupert, prime ministers J.B.M. Hertzog and D.F. Malan, and too many Springboks to mention.

Paul Roos Gymnasium’s history dates back to when the British Empire occupied the Cape for a second time after their victory in the Battle of Blaauwberg.

Many Dutch families, previously under Dutch or French rule, were not keen on the shift to English schools.

On 29 January 1864, Rev. J.H. Neethling of the Stellenbosch Dutch Reformed church wrote to Dr. Langham Dale, Superintendent General of Education of the Cape.

He said on 28 January 1864, 30 inhabitants of the Stellenbosch district decided to erect a gymnasium or Latin School. They have guaranteed 465 pounds per annum.

Stellenbosch Gymnasium opened its doors on 1 March 1866 with 88 students. Its initial building was in Dorp Street, Stellenbosch.

In 1879, the Gymnasium and College separated functionally, and in 1885, the school and College moved to new but separate premises between Andringa and Van Ryneveld Streets.

Stellenbosch College changed its name to Victoria College in 1887, and it became the University of Stellenbosch in 1918.

In 1910, ex-pupil, ex-teacher, ex-Springbok rugby captain, P.J. Roos, became rector. He captained the first South African rugby team to Britain in 1906.

Roos directed the school for thirty years. Education was his life, and rugby was his first love. He retired as rector in 1940.

The same year, the school’s name was officially changed to Paul Roos Gymnasium in his honour. Their famous fight song is “Old Boys of Paul Roos”.

In 1946, the school moved to its current location on the south bank of the Eerste River in Stellenbosch.

In 1951, the high and primary sections of the school were officially separated as Paul Roos Gymnasium and Paul Roos Primary.

Today, Paul Roos Gymnasium is a prestigious dual-medium school near the University of Stellenbosch. It shares many amenities, from sports to internet facilities.

In addition, some subjects are offered in conjunction with its two sister schools, Bloemhof and Rhenish.

It is one of only four schools in South Africa entitled to award a Rhodes Scholarship annually to an ex-pupil to study at the University of Oxford.

Considering its prestige and excellent educational standards, its fees of R63,000 per annum are considered highly reasonable.

Paul Roos Gymnasium sports

Paul Roos Gymnasium participates in numerous sports, including athletics, cricket, rugby, hockey, rugby sevens, tennis, squash, and swimming.

It also offers archery, chess, cross country, equestrian, e-sports, golf, hockey, mountain biking, soccer, table tennis, and water polo.

The school is closely associated with rugby, and Paul Roos Gymnasium has produced more Springboks than any other school in South Africa.

Five Springboks from the school participated in the 2019 Rugby World Cup: Schalk Brits, Willie le Roux, Steven Kitshoff, Herschel Jantjies, and Damian Willemse.

Other notable Paul Roos Gymnasium Springboks include Francois Hougaard, Cobus Visagie, Andries Bekker, Cabous van der Westhuizen, and Hempies du Toit.

Other former pupils include Scottish international rugby player Josh Strauss and Tiaan Pretorius, South African Sevens player and Olympic Bronze medalist.

Notable professional sportsmen outside of rugby include Olympic swimmer Heerden Hermann and professional golfers Justin Harding and Garrick Higgo.

South African Test cricket captain Peter van der Merwe and South African national outdoor hockey player Andrew Hobson are also former Paul Roos students.

Paul Roos Gymnasium notable alumni

Paul Roos Gymnasium produced many of South Africa’s top politicians, writers, businessmen, artists, and actors.

26 Paul Roos Gymnasium old boys received more honorary doctorates from Stellenbosch University than any other school.

Its former students include former prime ministers J.B.M. Hertzog, D.F. Malan, and the globally renowned Jan Smuts.

Dr Leon Schreiber, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, also attended Paul Roos Gymnasium.

Notable businessmen include billionaire Johann Rupert, Remgro CEO Jannie Durand, former FNB CEO Michael Jordaan, and Capitec co-founder Riaan Stassen.

Other notable businessmen who attended the school are Naspers co-founder Jannie Marais and former Mediclinic founder Edwin Hertzog.

The Stellenbosch school also produced many well-known artists, including Heinz Winckler, Koos Kombuis, Portchie, and Armand Aucamp.

It also produced top journalists and authors, like investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh, former Rapport editor Waldimar Pelser, and author Pieter du Toit.

Inside Paul Roos Gymnasium