Rugby news from KwaZulu-Natal:
Wednesday Club Column – 14 September:
The National Gold Cup Club Rugby competition started off in sensational style last Saturday with with the games taking place throughout the country whilst including clubs from Namibia and Zimbabwe in the mix. There can be no doubt that three clubs have set the early pace as possible finalists with fine performances in round one.
Defending champions Durbanville Belville who are in Pool C with local side Your Communications College Rovers got their 2016 campaign off to a resounding start with a 40-14 win over Border champions Old Selbornians at Boland Park in the Western Cape their victory only truly secured in the last 20 minutes. Old Selbornians were the only side to have beaten Durbanville-Belville in last year’s competition so they would have been somewhat disappointed with last Saturdays result.
From a local perspective SA Home Loans Durban Collegians were convincingly beaten 37-19 by Western Province champions False Bay in Constantia ending up outscoring the KZNRU representatives by seven tries to three. False Bay led 10-0 with 20 minutes on the clock and had a 15-7 advantage at the break. Collegians as always never laid down and finished with a flourish after False bay had put on the early pressure in the second half, but it was all too late with the Western Province club clearly also looking like one of the favourites to take gold.
The other side that looks like possible champions this year are the side that were coached by former Natal and Springbok fullback Hugh Reece-Edwards in 2014, Rustenberg Impala, who also got their campaign off on a solid footing with a convincing 46-19 victory over Northern Platinum Rhinos while the visitors from Namibia, Windhoek Wanderers, went down to Pirates 26-28 in the closest of two results of the weekend. The Zimbabwean outfit Old Georgians squeaked home 20-18 against White River in the other close encounter.
This Saturday Rovers play Worcester Villagers, who were beaten 39-29 by Welkom Rovers in the Cape last Saturday, on their home grounds KP 3 starting at 1pm while Durban Collegians meet White River at Growthpoint Kings Park with the kickoff scheduled for 12.30 pm.
Meanwhile the Fidelity DRSU Lions put in fine performance to win the Ebbo Bastard Trophy final on KP 2 after beating Northern KZN 58-17 with wing Man of the Match Bennie Mashabana crossing for four of the seven tries th others going to No 8 skipper Michael Uppink, wing Lloyd Jacobs and Peter Harmse with scrum half kicking the balance.
Some important rugby dates to diarise. First up on 22 September at 6 pm eye 2 eye with John Allan in the Locker Room with Gary Teichmann CEO of The Sharks and Gavin Vereges President of the SA Rugby Legends. To book a table at R2,000 a table contact Yvonne at 079-183 8711.
On 7 October Rugger Bugger Reunion with the Varsity Old Boys on the eve of the All Black test 7 October at the Berea Bowling Club corner Brand and Ferguson Roads at 5pm. RSVP email Leif Lundie at leifsl@mweb.co.za.
Hugh Bladen the voice of South African Rugby will be in conversation with All Black legend, Justin Marshall, Butch James and Mark Andrews on Saturday 8 October for a 12 noon luncheon at the Sea Cottage Room Greyville before the test. For R3,500 a table hear the brutal and harsh facts about South African rugby. Contact Ryan Hillary at 082-622 3848
Blades is back again on 11 November for one of the countries most popular gatherings on the sporting calender the EXPRO Toys for Joy Luncheon also starting 12 noon. Paul Laferty will be MC with Bladen in conversation with Springbok lock Bakkies Botha and joined by comedian, the incomparable Mel Miller. A fun afternoon for a good cause. To book a table of 10 at R3,750 contact Di Wiggett at 011-640 6540 an event not to be missed.
– Jos Robson
GOLD CUP NATIONAL CLUB RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
POOL A
Durbanville Belville 40 Old Selbornians 14
Worcester Villagers 29 Welkom Rovers 39
POOL B
Northern Platinum Rhinos 19 Rustenburg Impala 46
Pirates 28 Windhoek Wanderers 26
POOL C
False Bay 37 Durban Collegians 19
White River 18 Old Georgians 20
POOL D
PE Police 35 Bloemfontein Police 11
Sishen 17 Pretoria Police 44
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