Potent start gives Leopards great lift

PREMIER League Division newcomers Ncera Leopards’ coach Andrico van Wyk attributes their good start in their maiden season to the pre-season games and the hard work put in by his charges during every training session.

Leopards were coming out of a morale-boosting 7-3 win against Young Leopards last week at BCM Stadium.

Van Wyk’s charges continued with their winning ways in the Premier League Division when they beat Africans 20-8 at the same venue over the weekend.

The former East London Police Rugby Club coach said his new side has impressed him with the commitment they have displayed at practice, let alone during their league games.

“The boys are well conditioned. Those friendly games we played before the start of the season really helped, and their fitness levels are up to scratch.

“Now you can only see it now when they play.

“For instance, my best wing, Sive Badashe, scored two good tries probably five minutes apart,” said Van Wyk.

He admitted they had goose bumps when they were preparing for this game, but did everything possible to make sure they left no stones unturned.

“My boys are small athletes, but when they go onto the field they show character and they’re bighearted as well.

“They followed the game plan, and that makes me so proud to be able to win two games in a row in a new league.

“It was a nice game in the first half. We were leading 15-0 and then we came back, everything just got a bit out of hand in the second half when the opposition started shouting at the referee.

“But my guys stayed disciplined, and that’s what I admired most about them.”

Van Wyk said he was chuffed about their upcoming fixture as they were going away to the tough Ngculu Zebras.

“I’m excited because we are going away to Zebras. I think they’ve won two and drew one game.

“So it’s going to be a good game for us. So we can really see where we are in terms of improvements or otherwise.

“And this is going to be a good game and you’d remember that you are as good as your last game, so we have to bring it.

“My boys are proving a point because everyone wrote us off. No one thought we could make it here,” he said.

“Now we have two wins in a row, but we don’t take anything for granted.

“We take every game as it comes, and I haven’t seen players with such heart.”