If the opening games of the 2024 Western Province club rugby season are anything to go by, we’re in for an action-packed, high-scoring and entertaining few months.
Super League A teams Helderberg Rugby Club and St George’s RFC showcased riveting running play, despite both teams being on the losing side in their season openers.
Berge hosted the formidable Hamiltons RFC at Charles Morkel Stadium, where the South Easter bossed proceedings. Hammies dominated the first half, aided by the very strong wind, and ran in six tries chalking up 43 points after 34 minutes.
Six minutes before the break Berge captain and lock forward Shane Kennedy stormed over the try-line for Berge’s first points. Flyhalf Darren Hendricks added the extras (7-43).
Hooker Liam Compion scored an unconverted try in the corner just before the half-time whistle for the half-time score to stand at 12-43.
The second half proved to be a repeat of the first, but with Berge as the aggressor. Tries by Quiwen Bauman, Quinn Visser and a second try by Kennedy, were all converted by Hendricks to significantly reduce the deficit. Finally centre Visser broke strongly to feed flyhalf Hendricks for Berge’s sixth try, again converted by the try-scorer, for a final score of 40-43 in Hammies’ favour.
Berge’s next league match will be played in Constantia against False Bay on Saturday 27 April.
In a thrilling clash between two rugby powerhouses, St George’s faced off against Tygerberg in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Despite a valiant effort, St George’s fell short, with Tygerberg emerging victorious with a final score of 18-13.
Ismail Stofberg, displaying a performance reminiscent of a true rugby warrior, emerged as a standout player for the Lulu Boys. His resilience and determination thwarted Tygerberg’s advances, halting their momentum and shifting the tide of the game.
Despite the loss, St George’s demonstrated depth and versatility, and the match served as an eye-opener, revealing areas for improvement while showcasing their undeniable potential.
Although they fell short on the scoreboard, their tenacity and skill were evident throughout the game, leaving fans eager for their next outing, which will be played against UCT at Gustrouw Sports Ground on 27 April.
In Super League B, All Saints RFC delivered a spectacular comeback to emerge victorious over Langa with a final score of 32-28.
Langa dominated the first half with their forwards in open play, forcing All Saints to defend for most of the stanza.
Langa scored four early tries to jump to a 22-0 lead. Late in the first half All Saints scored through debutant winger Ruben Petersen. Flyhalf Dylan Scholtz converted from the corner.
Saints shifted momentum in the second half with outside centre Aiden January scoring a runaway try from his own half. Seniors Rhoden November, Jeraldo Jacobs, Jason Latief and Wade Sinclair came on from the bench and applied pressure to create two more tries through Leodine Latief and Nathan Lewis.
Langa led 28-24 with only minutes to go. In the last play, centre November crashed over for the win, with Scholtz converting to secure the win. All Saints will be away to Bellville this weekend.
Meanwhile, Strand Rugby Club struggled in its Super League C fixture against Kraaifontein as they failed to put any points on the scoreboard, going down by 27–0.
“It was not a good day at all for us,” said Strand RFC team manager Lesley Grootboom. “We struggled with scrums and forward-play, and also battled with the strong wind. We just couldn’t find momentum. But it was the first game, and we are not going to read too much into it. What’s important now is that we regroup and play our hearts out for our fans in the next game.”
This Saturday (20 April), Strand will play away to Belhar.
Meanwhile Macassar RFC also edged Young People’s RFC by 22-16.
Strand United, who were promoted to Super League C at the end of last season, will begin their 2024 campaign at Abattoir Sports Ground against Atlantis RFC on Saturday 4 May.
In the Northern League, Sir Lowrians dominated in a derby against Gordon’s Bay Pioneers, winning 30-7.
GBP first scored a converted try, which seemed to spur on Sir Lowrians who responded with a penalty by Cellan Arendse and converted try by Nathan Williams minutes later.
Sir Low started the second half where they left off, when Malcolm van Wyk crossed the try-line.
Tries by Ayanda Makhundayi and another by Williams resulted in a dominant victory by Sir Lowrians, who will face Windmeul RFC in Paarl this weekend. GBP will face Blakes RFC in Cloetesville.
Raithby Universals will start their Northern League campaign with a match against Delft RFC this weekend.
