Alex Wolves gear up early for 2026 Presidential League
After a year of standout achievements, Alex Wolves Rugby Club will return to training in January to prepare for the upcoming Presidential League and strengthen their senior squad.
As soon as the new year begins, Alex Wolves Rugby Club players will be back on the pitch as the team’s management aims to prepare them for the coming league.
Although the Presidential League is only in April, club manager Elias Mpengu said they intend to gather members of the club early in January to ensure they are better prepared.
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“It is better for us to start earlier. If we start earlier, when the league starts, it will be easier for us to play.” He said they are also looking forward to building and developing their senior squad.
“The seniors were not part of us this year because of numbers. By next year, because of our development, we are going to fill those numbers.”
He added that they also intend to compete in the senior grand challenge. “We field four teams — U19, U21, first and second teams. We want to prepare early to join that senior grand challenge.”
This year has been marked by multiple achievements for the club, with some players being selected to represent Alex in various provinces, including the Western Cape.
Mpengu said, looking into the new year, he hopes more players will be selected, especially since the club has seen major developments this year.
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“We will encourage them to come and make it, and they will. Previously, we sent 13 players to National Week — 10 U16s and three U18s — but now in 2025, we sent nine U16 and nine U18. There has been a lot of improvement.”
Coach Andile Kahla echoed the same sentiments, adding that he hopes the players will be motivated when they see those who have left for the Western Cape and realise what is possible.
“I would hope that all of these children, even the young ones, U11 and U13, would also learn from the older ones that if they work hard, they can make a career out of rugby.”
Kahla said if they put in the work, they will get the desired results.
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