Northerns advance to the Gold Cup
This is a massive achievement for Northerns rugby as they have never been selected to take part before.
Benoni Northerns rugby teams have been invited to compete in the Gold Cup’s Volcano League next year.
The first, second and u-21 teams are currently training together, each individual striving to be selected for the team that will compete in the Gold Cup.
First team head coach Herman de Beer said it is well deserved.
“This is one of our biggest accomplishments and we are all very excited.”
The Gold Cup is the premier rugby union club competition in South Africa for non-university teams and the Volcano League is one league below the Currie Cup.
“It’s the league for real men – it’s a very tough league we are heading into,” de Beer said.
Training began on November 5 and they will be practising every Tuesday and Thursday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Their last day of training for the year will be December 12.
“We know it’s early to start practising when the tournament is only next year, but the reason we are starting now is to be prepared,” said de Beer.
“Over December all our players lose out on their fitness and come back in the new year struggling.
“We are starting to practise now to avoid this, so the boys come back next year knowing what they are in for and prepared for the fitness required.”
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In 2012, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced the launch of the SARU Community Cup to replace the National Club Championships, after three seasons, during which the matches were played over the Easter weekend. It was re-branded as the Gold Cup and moved to a time slot later on in the year.
They are unsure of when the first game will take place and will release this information in due course.
The team that will play in the Gold Cup will be announced after the warm-up games.
