Griqua winger returns to old stomping ground
WHILE this weekend’s final of the inaugural SuperSport Rugby Challenge will see the Tafel Lager Griquas take to the road, Sunday’s outing will be a homecoming of sorts for one of the Kimberley-based team’s 2017 recruits.
The field at Florida Park in Ravensmead, Cape Town, is familiar territory for 27-year-old Enver Brandt, who yesterday recalled many outings at his old stomping ground when he played for Tygerberg RFC last season.
At 3pm on Sunday, Griquas will take on an undefeated Western Province side as they look to become the first team to be crowned champions of the new competition.
Brandt, who plays on the wing, is confident that Griquas will cement their names in the history books in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.
Since moving to Kimberley, Brandt has been instrumental in Griquas’ run to the final, having scored four of the team’s 11 tries to help his side cruise home 73-41 in their quarter-final against Eastern Province two weeks ago.
It is expected that the 27-yearold will start on the bench this weekend, but his insight into what Griquas can expect at Florida Park will make him an asset on and off the field.
“The field is going to be very heavy under foot; and with rains expected on Saturday conditions are going to be all the more testing for the final of our competition,” Brandt said between training sessions yesterday. ON THE BALL: Tafel Lager Griquas winger Enver Brandt with ball in hand.
“It’s going to be difficult to play an expansive game and we will have to keep possession at all costs.”
The wingers insight also extends beyond weather and pitch conditions, as he added that rugby fanatics from the local community will be turning up in droves and are sure to make their presence known from long before the mid-afternoon kick-off.
The curtain-raiser for Sunday’s SuperSport Rugby Challenge decider will be the local derby between Brandt’s former club and arch-rivals Belhar RFC, with a spot in the Golden Cup Competition on the line.
“I’m sure that my friends and family will come to support me but the community of Ravensmead are extremely passionate about their rugby and show their support every weekend. With the derby on offer, along with our final, I’m positive that we are going to play in front of a really decent crowd.
“There was plenty of support when we played our semi-final against the Lions at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane on Sunday. One of the goals of this competition is to take rugby to the communities and our semi showed that the communities are interested in the game.
“Ravensmead is a huge rugby community and I’m sure they will show this on Sunday.”