Alexandra Wolves Rugby Club’s U21 side was crowned champions on September 12 after defeating Union Knights Rugby Club 30-10 in the Senior Grand Challenge final, just one year after having no presence in the league whatsoever.

The Wolves made their intentions clear from the outset, establishing a 13-point lead before Union Knights were able to cross the try line. For a period, the match appeared set to become one-sided.

That momentum did not hold. A lapse in discipline led to a series of unforced errors at critical moments. In one costly moment, Alexandra Wolves declined a straightforward three-point penalty opportunity, well within kicking range, in favour of a quick tap, and subsequently lost possession.

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Coach Jack Moloi was direct in his assessment of the decision. “Why, when you get a quick ball, don’t you go with someone else, so that when you get tackled and fall, you may pass the ball?” he said.

The final score at the interval did not fully reflect the balance of play. Alexandra Wolves’ defence held firm for extended periods, and Union Knights were unable to breach the Wolves’ 22-metre line across several phases in the first half. Territory and possession favoured the Wolves considerably, yet the 13-0 half-time margin remained narrower than the run of play suggested. Moloi acknowledged as much, noting that two converted tries and a penalty could still have altered the outcome.

Whatever adjustments were made at the interval proved effective. Alexandra Wolves returned with renewed intent, adding 17 points to secure a 30-10 victory.

Head coach Andile Kahla noted that the significance of the result extended beyond the scoreline. Several members of this U21 squad had been on the losing side of a final in the same competition two years earlier, and this result settled that outstanding matter. “They still had that score to settle. So, they showed maturity, and they showed that that loss grew them,” Kahla said. “They showed leadership. Even during training, they would correct each other on the field.”

Alex Wolves U19s rout Harlequins 70-12 to complete unbeaten season
Alexandra Wolves Rugby Club’s U19 side closed out an unbeaten season on September 13, defeating Harlequins Rugby Club 70-12 to claim the Senior Grand Challenge title in Ridgeway.

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The victory arrived on the same day the club’s U21 side secured its own title, giving Alexandra Wolves a title double in a season that began with the club having no presence in the league at all.

Kahla said the U19 group had not lost a single match throughout the campaign. “Ever since we started playing, our U19s do not have a loss,” Kahla said. “Our U21s only lost their first game, then after that we have been winning every game with bonus points.”

Assistant coach Menzi Mbatha attributed the result to years of sustained development rather than a single strong season. “I am very happy and excited,” Mbatha said. “These boys are coming from a long-term project that has been built by all the coaches in Alexandra. They have been working with them to ensure they take the cup.”

Despite the scale of the win, coach Tebogo Mofokeng said the group had not been immune to moments of doubt during the campaign. “It was obvious from the onset that they were likely going to win this season, but doubts crept in at some points,” he said. “We were positive because from the start, we had been performing well, making sure that we left a mark in every game that we played.”

Mofokeng said the significance of the title extended beyond rugby. Representing Alexandra, an area he believes is often defined by negative perceptions, gave the squad an added sense of purpose throughout the season. “We had to prove a point that there is more than just the bad in Alexandra,” he said.

Mofokeng said the club’s ambitions reach further than competitive success. “We are just starting; we have a bigger goal, and we know where we want to go,” he said. “We don’t want to see these boys ending up nowhere; we want to see them make something of themselves.”

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