Although CCC Brakpan Rugby Club has had a difficult last few weeks, one always had the feeling that when the forwards get it together someone would get hiding.
The unlucky recipients of that beating became neighbours Benoni on Saturday. Brakpan took the short trip to thrash their opponents 43-10.
The team from Bosman Stadium dominated with their forwards which allowed them to unleash their dangerous backline to run at Benoni.
Danny Keyser, Nico Erasmus and Jonathan Harding put on stellar performances in the forward pack. This allowed flyhalf Franco Booysens and wing Mondi Mnisi to play well in the backline.
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Erasmus, Booysens (twice), Mnisi, Deon Vos (twice) and Stephan de Klerk all scored tries for Brakpan’s first team.
Andrew van Wyk kicked over three conversions, while Hugo Claasen got one conversion.
“The panne had a successful outing versus Benoni. We hope that this new energy and commitment will take our teams forward in the second round of the Peregrine League that starts this week at Bosman Stadium against North-West University (NWU).
“We have a series of games at home and with that in mind we will double up on all our efforts to reach the semi-finals in August,” said Brakpan’s chairperson Harry Nieuwenhuis.
Qualifying for the semi-finals would be a huge achievement if they can pull it off, given how they have struggled in recent matches. This victory, however, will give them a sense of belief that they can pull it off.
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It was not just the first team that had a good day against Benoni. The second team, which is fondly known as the ‘Lilywhites’ won 36-0.
Brakpan’s U21 side beat Benoni 66-8. They will be hoping to carry this momentum into this Saturday as they chase the play-off spot.
“We can turn the season around and we are looking forward to the second round starting this weekend,” said Nieuwenhuis.
The rugby on Saturday kicks off at 13:00 with the U21 side. That is followed by a match between the Valke and the Griffons. The second team match will be playing at 17:00 and Brakpan’s first-team takes on NWU at 18:30.
