Paul Johannes “Polla” Roos (30 Oktober 1880 – 22 September 1948), was ‘n onderwyser & rugbyspeler wat die kaptein was van die 1906-1907 Suid-Afrikaanse Rugbyspan wat na die Verenigde Koninkryk getoer het. Roos was die een wat aan Britse joernaliste gesê het om hul span “De Springbokken” te noem, om te verhoed dat die pers hul eie bynaam vir die span uitdink.

As toegewyde Christen het Roos as uitstekende ambassadeur gedien vir die sport tydens die wedstryde, maar ook af van die veld af. Met die wonde van die Anglo-Boere Oorlog nog vars in die geheue van meeste van sy spanmaats, het hy gepoog om deur rugby versoening te bring. Na afloop van ‘n wedstryd teen Engeland wat 3-3 gelykop geëindig het, het hy gesê: “…hierdie toer sal by vêrre meer doen om die onstuimige waters van Suid-Afrika te kalmeer as jare se wetgewing”.

In 1910 word hy rektor van die Stellenbosch Seuns Hoër, ‘n posisie wat hy vir 30 jaar beklee. In 1941 word die skool se naam verander na “Paul Roos Gimnasium”, ter ere van die eerste Springbok rugbykaptein.

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Paul Johannes (“Polla”) Roos (30 October 1880 – 22 September 1948), was a teacher who captained the South African rugby team during their tour of the United Kingdom in 1906-1907. Roos was the one who told British reporters that their team name was “De Springbokken”, to prevent the press from making up their own name for the team.

A dedicated Christian, Roos served as an excellent ambassador of the game both on and off the field. With the wounds  of the Anglo-Boer War still healing, Roos attempted to use the game of rugby to bring reconciliation & instil national pride in the team. After the game against England that ended in a 3-3 draw, Roos proclaimed: “…this tour will do far more to calm the troubled waters of South African life than years of legislation”.

In 1910 he became rector of the then Stellenbosch Boys High School, a position he held for 30 years, where after the school changed its name to “Paul Roos Gimnasium” , in honour the first Springbok captain.