Komga and Fort Beaufort make big statements
It is too early to go over the top about marvels Komga United and Fort Beaufort United.
All we can say for now is that they have emerged from their first test with flying colours.
They made winning starts to the new season, brushing aside any signs of stage fright in their debuts in the Super and Premier leagues respectively.
The biggest story of the weekend was how Komga United would fare on the big stage, whether their credentials would be enhanced or was the joyful, yet difficult Premier League ride going to continue?
Or would they fall by the wayside?
“Marikana”, as the team is affectionately known, quickly put their supporters at ease with a commanding and mature 3318 routing of Ncera Leopards.
It was the perfect statement – we are here to compete; underestimate us at your peril.
Double Border champions EL Police sent shivers down the backs of competitors with a demolition job against Berlin Tigers.
It was a devastating display of attacking rugby in which the poor, out-of-sorts Tigers were bullied to an 85-7 defeat.
Tigers had no answers for the Bobbies onslaught.
This was business as usual for the champions. Their march to the treble is in quick-step.
Old Selbornians bagged all the bragging rights after an astonishing 31-12 victory over Buffaloes in the East London derby.
Old Boys stamped their authority early on and are eager to return where they belong, at the top of Border rugby.
This was not the kind of start that Buffs was hoping for, especially after last season’s near-misses.
FB United might not have had a perfect start, but it was good enough to settle the nerves in their 27-23 home win over Africans.
The rookies must quickly come to terms with the intensity and physicality of the Premier League. The first game is out of the way, and now they can express themselves with freedom and impose their skillset as they are an extremely competitive side.
It is not the start Africans wanted, as they are already under pressure to catch-up with the title contenders for promotion to the Super League.
Black Eagles made a statement of solid intent, shooting up to the top of the Premier League table with a hard-fought 29-24 away win over Cambridge.
The Tsholomnqa side is hellbent on returning to the good old days, instead of lingering near the relegation zone as happened in the last season.
Cambridge have again started the new season on the wrong foot and will need to act drastically to avoid a relegation dogfight, as has been the case in the last three seasons.
Bussy Boys brushed aside Ngculu Zebras with a 16-5 scoreline, while United Brothers were too strong for WSU Eagles, beating them 22-18.
Ocean Sweepers won 29-27 in a 9-try thriller against Winter Rose.
It was the battle of the former Super League teams and buoyed by home ground advantage at Zikwaba Rugby Field in Nxarhuni, Sweepers took all five points on offer. For their efforts, Winter Rose walked away with two bonus points.
Ntlaza Lions made a good start in their first Premier League match, winning 17-0 away at Wallabies.
Lions are determined to claw their way back to the Super League, as they have done before.
Matches tomorrow: Super League
Swallows vs Berlin Tigers, Buffaloes vs Ncera Leopards, Fort Hare Blues vs Young Leopards, Komga United vs EL Police, Moonlight vs Old Selbornians.
Premier League
Africans vs Bussy Boys, Black Eagles vs Ntlaza Lions, Cambridge vs FB United, Ngculu Zebras vs Ocean Sweepers, WSU Eagles vs Wallabies, Winter Rose vs United Brothers.