2020: An unforgettable year

RUGBY

EG Jansen rugby coach left impressed following school clinic
Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen director of rugby Rudi Dames was left an impressed man when rugby boys from all corners of Ekurhuleni showcased some promise and potential at the school on November 28. This follows after the school hosted a rugby clinic for boys u-10, 11, 12 and 13 for all those who are interested in honing their rugby skills.
It’s official, no local rugby to come
There will be no rugby action for what’s remaining of 2020, according to both amateur rugby clubs which represent the city of Boksburg in Valke rugby, East Rand United (ERU) and the Makopano Boksburg Rugby Club (BRC).
Stassen apologises to his supporters

Former Stade Francais player Hendre Stassen, from Boksburg, broke his silence almost a year later since news broke late 2019 that the lock forward had been shown the door by the French rugby club after failing two drug tests. The 22-year-old was provisionally banned by Stade in early July 2019 after testing positive following a Top 14 match in May 2019. Weeks had subsequently gone by before it was revealed that his B sample also tested positive for a banned substance, leading to the termination of his contract with the French club.
The Advertiser speaks to Kaylee, EG Jansen’s own rugby star
The Advertiser met up with Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen rugby star Kaylee van Staden to find out more about her rugby journey. She was one of the finalists for 2020 Sports Women of the Year at this year’s Ekurhuleni Sports Awards. Van Staden (18) was picked from 206 nominees and made it as one of the three finalists.
Owls’ Scheepers relocates to England
Makopano Boksburg Rugby Club stalwart Sean Scheepers has left the club and has immigrated to the United Kingdom with his family. Scheepers, who was born and bred in Boksburg, explained to the Advertiser that the move was brought about by his wife receiving an opportunity to work in England, and they never looked back.

BASKETBALL
Kobe Bryant
NBA great Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash on January 26 in Calabasas.

SWIMMING
Kian produces a stroke of class at SA Short Course

In-form Boksburg Aquatic Saints member Kian Keylock produced a swimming gem during the 200m breaststroke to finish second behind Team South Africa swimmer Ayrton Sweeney during the South African National Short Course gala in Pietermaritzburg between October 24 and 27. The CBC Boksburg learner, who turned 15 in June, swam in a total of seven events, including the 100, 200 and 400m individual medley, the 200m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke. He set personal best times in all of his races. He was the youngest in all of his races.
Local swimming club shines at SA Short Course
Boksburg Aquatic Saints Swimming and Lifesaving Club was well represented during the recently held South African Short Course gala in Pietermaritzburg from October 24 to 27.In addition to Saints star Kian Keylock winning two medals and setting a whopping seven personal best times, the local club was also represented by the trio of Jaiden Staines, Divan Pretorius and Aiden Bornman, who all showed hunger for competition with a few personal best swims of their own.
Boksburg Aquatic Saint completes Robben Island swim
Boksburg Aquatic Saints swimmer Shane Ramsey recently completed the challenging Robben Island swim in Cape Town. The swimmer completed the near 8km swim in just over two hours.

ATHLETICS
CGA approves Qhubeka Athletic Club
Central Gauteng Athletics has approved the existence of Qhubeka Athletic Club, the brainchild of former Boksburg Athletic Club chairperson Benzi Tenza with Maria Gumede and Hulikani Nyathi.
Athletics makes a return at City Stadium
Central Gauteng Athletics hosted the first track and field event since lockdown started at the Boksburg City Stadium on a scorching November 14. The meeting was organised by the local athletics controlling body to help athletes regain their sharpness and to assist athletes in the country’s Olympic squad to prepare.
Cancelling historic Comrades Marathon was a ‘long, arduous decision to make’
The hands of the organisers of the world’s most famous race, the Comrades Marathon, have been forced with the news that the 2020 Comrades Marathon has been cancelled due to the pandemic. On May 14, Athletics South Africa president Aleck Skhosana confirmed the news following a reached agreement with the Comrades Marathon Association and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics.
It’s been a good athletics year – Strydom
Boksburg Athletic Club’s road running captain Wynand Strydom has expressed gratitude in what has been a great year for him on the athletics front.
Strydom was named as the club’s Male Road Runner of the Year, Men’s Marathon Runner 2020 and Men’s Veteran Road Runner 2020 during the club’s AGM held at the Boksburg City Stadium in late October.

BODYBUILDING
JJ wins bodybuilding world cup
Impala Park bodybuilder Jannie Jacobus Brits was crowned champion of his classic bodybuilding category during the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation World Cup held at Vodaworld in Midrand on December 5. The competition, which usually includes international athletes, only saw local participants this year due to the pandemic.

GOLF
Jarvis gets Alfred Dunhill Championship nod
South Africa’s leading golfing amateur, Casey Jarvis, will be rubbing shoulders with the cream of the Sunshine Tour and European Tour after the GolfRSA national squad member received an invitation to tee it up in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek. The R29-million event was played from November 26 to 29, a week before the 17-year-old Boksburg golfer led the amateur challenge in the South African Open Championship at Sun City.
Bezuidenhout and Jarvis bank big wins in 2020 SA Open
Casey Jarvis and Christiaan Bezuidenhout scored a clean sweep for Ekurhuleni in the South African Open Championship at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City on December 5. Bezuidenhout added his name to the greats of South African golf with a five-shot victory and Jarvis lifted the Freddie Tait Cup as the leading amateur.
Liam makes big leap in rankings
Woodlands International College learner and golfer Liam van Deventer cracked the top 20 in the Golf South Africa open amateur men’s rankings.

BOXING
Tommy Gun, Volbrecht reunite

One of Gauteng’s most successful boxing duos, Tommy Oosthuizen and Harold Volbrecht, have reunited, as the boxer continues to work his way back to the boxing ring following a string of serious misdemeanours. Oosthuizen, fresh from a nine-month prison stay as from late last year, confirmed the news to the Advertiser, adding that former boxer-turned-lawyer Lovemore Ndou, who played an imperative part in the pugilist being finally out of prison, will be his agent when Oosthuizen’s career officially takes off again.
Incarcerated Tommy Gun receives good news
Former multiple world champion boxer-turned-lawyer Lovemore Ndou emerged as a messiah to fellow pugilist Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen, who was been behind bars for approximately nine months now. Ndou, who is now based in Australia, hired a lawyer to defend Oosthuizen, who has since been out of jail. Oosthuizen was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years under strict conditions, after being found guilty on six charges in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on November 24. The former multiple IBO champion will be under house arrest for the duration of his sentence, which comes with strict conditions, including drug and alcohol testing, after pleading guilty to and being found guilty of two charges of common assault, two charges of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and two charges of crimen injuria.
Truter, Volbrecht part ways on sour note
Junior middleweight boxer Tristan Truter has taken his talents from the Hammer Gym in Boksburg to the Hot Box Gym in Johannesburg to join respected trainer Colin Nathan. The move, which saw Truter’s young brother Cayden follow suit, arrived just hours following Tristan’s loss during Golden Gloves Promotions’ first event of the year against Roarke Knapp at Emperors Palace in October.

SOCCER
Inter wins Windmill Park soccer tournament

Geluksdal outfit Inter Milan were crowned champions of the highly contested Geluksdal-dominated Willas United six-a-side soccer tournament in Windmill Park on November 28. Inter defeated Geluksdal neighbours Mnandi Football Club 1-0 to take top honours, which were accompanied by R3 200 prize money and trophy.
Diego Maradona

Shockwaves were sent around the globe when the Argentinian football icon died on November 25.
Anele Nconca
The former Bafana Bafana star died following a tragic car accident in KwaZulu-Natal on November 23.

CRICKET
Grant Thompson

Van Dyk Park Momentum Multiply Titans new captain Grant Thomson was named the Titans Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Season, as well as the Players Player of the Year
Olivier named Boksburg Cricket Club Junior Player of the Year
Boksburg Cricket Club u-12 batsman Juvandre Olivier was named the club’s Junior Player of the Year

MMA
Oosthuizen buries Time Square nightmare
Beyers Park striker Billy Oosthuizen returned to winning ways when he defeated Aly Kalambay via unanimous decision in their featherweight clash during EFC 84 at Time Square in Pretoria. The result saw Oosthuizen improve his record to 4-3-0, while Kalambay was made to wait longer for his first ‘W’ as he fell to 0-3-0.

BASEBALL
Cree included in SA baseball squad to the US

South African baseball player Kieran Cree was included in the national side, who looked to qualify for the 2021 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Tucson, Arizona, USA. The qualifiers, however, were cancelled due to Covid-19.

CYCLING
Another Dis-Chem Ride for Sight win for the Day brothers
Dusty Day emerged as the winner of the 2020 Dis-Chem Ride for Sight as he led an elite group and held on to cross the line in 2:34:14 at the Boksburg City Stadium on February 16. Day’s brother, Tyler, won the event in 2015, making the pair the only brothers to have both won this event.

CHESS
Young chess star crowned African champion

Boksburg North chess master Michael Simpson concluded a dominant showing during the African Youth Chess Championships in Namibia last month by being crowned the undisputed African u-12 open chess champion.