Gold Cup kicks off in fine style with club matches in KZN and countrywide
THE National Gold Cup club rugby competition started off in sensational style last Saturday with with games taking place across the country, including clubs from Namibia and Zimbabwe. Three clubs have set the early pace as possible finalists with fine performances in round one.
Defending champions Durbanville Belville, who are in Pool C with local side Your Communications College Rovers, got their 2016 campaign off to a resounding start with a 40-14 win over Border champions, Old Selbornians, at Boland Park in the Western Cape, their victory only truly secured in the last 20 minutes.
Old Selbornians were the only side to have beaten Durbanville-Belville in last year’s competition, so they would have been somewhat disappointed by the result.
From a local perspective, SA Home Loans Durban Collegians were convincingly beaten 37-19 by Western Province champions False Bay in Constantia, eventually outscoring the KZN representatives by seven tries to three.
False Bay led 10-0 with 20 minutes on the clock and had a 15-7 advantage at the break. Collegians, as always, never lay down and finished with a flourish after False bay had put on the early pressure in the second half. But it was all too late with the Western Province club clearly also looking like one of the favourites to take gold.
The other side who look possible champions this year are those who were coached by former Natal and Springbok fullback Hugh Reece-Edwards in 2014, Rustenberg Impala. They got their campaign off on a solid footing with a convincing 46-19 victory over Northern Platinum Rhinos.
The visitors from Namibia, Windhoek Wanderers, went down to Pirates 26-28 in the closest of two close results.
The Zimbabwean outfit Old Georgians squeaked home 20-18 against White River.
This Saturday Rovers play Worcester Villagers, who were beaten 39-29 by Welkom Rovers in the Cape last Saturday, on their home ground, KP 3, starting at 1pm, while Durban Collegians meet White River at Growthpoint Kings Park with the kick-off scheduled for 12.30pm.
Meanwhile, the Fidelity DRSU Lions put in a fine performance to win the Ebbo Bastard Trophy final on KP 2, beating Northern KZN 58-17 with wing and Man of the Match Bennie Mashabana crossing for four of the seven tries. The others went to No 8 skipper Michael Uppink, wing Lloyd Jacobs and Peter Harmse, with the scrumhalf kicking the balance.
Some important rugby dates to diarise: On September 22 at 6pm, eye2eye with John Allan in the Locker Room, Gary Teichmann teh chief executive of the Sharks, and Gavin Vereges, president of SA Rugby Legends. To book at R2 000 a table, contact Yvonne, 079-183 8711.
On October 7: Rugger Bugger Reunion with the Varsity Old Boys on the eve of the All Black Testat Berea Bowling Club, corner of Brand and Ferguson Roads at 5pm. E-mail Leif Lundie at leifsl@mweb. co.za.
Hugh Bladen, “the voice of South African rugby”, will be in conversation with All Black legend Justin Marshall, Butch James and Mark Andrews on Saturday, October 8, for a lunch at noon at the Sea Cottage Room, Greyville, before the Test.
For R3 500 a table, hear the brutal and harsh facts about South African rugby. Contact Ryan Hillary at 082 622 3848.
Blades is back again on November 11 for one of the country’s most popular gatherings on the sporting calendar, the Expro Toys for Joy lunch, also at noon.
Paul Laferty will be MC, with Bladen in conversation with Springbok lock Bakkies Botha. They will be joined by hilarious comedian Mel Miller. It’s a fun afternoon for a good cause.
To book a table for 10 at R3 750, contact Di Wiggett at 011 640 6540.