Gardens carry region’s hopes at Gold Cup
● Uitenhage team primed for tough club competition
Eastern Province’s hopes will be carried by Uitenhage team Multisure Gardens when the sixth edition of the Gold Cup rugby competition kicks off on March 9.
Gardens have been included in Pool B, along with Secunda (Pumas), College Rovers (Sharks) and East Rand United (wildcard, Falcons).
The fixtures have been confirmed, with eight eagerly awaited matches on the opening programme.
As part of wider changes to South African rugby’s competition landscape, this year’s event, restricted to non-university clubs, will revert to the preseason time slot, which was a feature of the first three editions from 2013 to 2015.
A leaner 16-team, six-week format is expected to place a greater emphasis on strength versus strength.
With defending champions DirectAxis False Bay having failed to qualify after a semifinal loss to Durbanville-Bellville in the 2018 Western Province Super League, the 2019 Gold Cup will see new champions crowned.
KZN champions College Rovers, finalists in 2013 and 2017, will start the tournament as one of the favourites, while the presence of 2014 and 2016 Cup winners Newrak Rustenburg Impala (Leopards), 2015 champions Durbanville-Bellville (WP) and 2014 runners-up RotoTank Roodepoort (Golden Lions) will ensure arguably the strongest field yet assembled.
“Club rugby is a national treasure and it’s a testament to everyone involved, from dedicated administrators and players to diehard fans and loyal sponsors, that it remains vibrant and relevant despite ongoing challenges,” SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said.
“Nowhere on the planet does amateur rugby attract the crowds that it does in South Africa, especially in the Western and Eastern Cape.”
The Eastern Cape Super 12 has some mouth-watering encounters on its programme on Saturday.
Park will be travelling to Star of Hope in what could be the match of the weekend. The home side have won both their games so far.
Park had a bye in the first week, but had a good win against Buffaloes last weekend.
PE SAPS and Old Selbornians will want to bounce back from defeats last time out.
EL Police are away to Berlin Tigers, while Kruisfontein host Despatch in Humansdorp.
The Mayoral Cup semifinals rained out last Saturday will be played on Sunday in Despatch.