Two Worcester rugby players flew the town’s flag high the past two weeks in the Carling Currie Cup tournament.
Gershwin Wehr and Chriswill September jogged out for the Griffons and Pumas teams respectively, both teams ending the season on a high note.
For Wehr’s Griffons side – who won the first division and was promoted to the Premier Currie Cup division – the win is attributed to the hard work the team put in this season.
“The guys worked extremely hard and are so deserving of the promotion,” says Wehr.
The Worcester local played for both the Young Hamiltons and Worcester Villagers teams before signing a three- year contract with the Griffons.
Wehr is no stranger to the high performance set-up as he represented the Boland u-20 side.
In his tenure at Worcester Villagers he also played the Gold Cup and received a call-up to the senior Boland team, but had to choose between them and the Griffons.
“I obviously chose the Griffons and that is how my journey with semi-professional rugby started.”
Being goal orientated at professional level is inevitable and Wehr set his sights on a few targets which had to be reached.
“I told myself that I want to play semi-professional rugby for about three years before moving on to something better.”
Now, he hopes for doors to open for him following a successful season which also marked the end of his contract with the Griffons.
“I am so grateful to all of my coaches for all the hard work they invested in me.
“From here, I can only go upwards and I am looking forward to new opportunities.”
For September, the past weekend’s Currie Cup final against the Griquas was more than just a team celebration, it affirmed his favourite Bible verse in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 6 verses 30 to 33.
Contrary to what it may have seemed like last Saturday 25 June in Kimberley, the start of the season was not as rosey for September.
“I did not play the first five games of the season and to me, it felt like the team did not believe in my abilities,” September related.
Videos of September taking off his rugby jersey and lifting the cup in a white T-shirt with the writing: “Jesus is King” made the rounds after the Pumas were crowned as champions.
Through it all he trained hard and maintained a positive attitude and gracefully awaited his turn to take to the field.
Ironically, September had been playing for the Griquas before heading over to the Pumas.
“I was with the Griquas during lockdown and we did not play any games and when the Pumas offered me a contract, I went over with the biggest reason being security as they offered me a two-year contract.”
His passion for the sport stems from his younger years as he spent most of his Saturdays watching Worcester Villagers, the team his father was affiliated to.
His big game temperament stems from his rugby days at HTS Drostdy.
“In my matric year, we played a tournament in Potchefstroom, thereafter I received a full scholarship to study at the North West University.”
In 2014, September made his debut in the Vodacom Cup when he jogged out for the Leopards.
“I learnt a lot at the Leopards and I think we can say that it is there that my rugby career actually took off.”
Speaking further about the past weekend’s final he shares that it was also extremely special to have his family in the stands.
“It was a historic moment for the team as the Pumas have never lifted the trophy before and it was amazing to be part of the winning team.”
What are the plans for the future?
“I will still be with the team until next year June and from there I am hoping to move to bigger unions that play in the United Rugby Champions league.”
