Community Cup here we come
Brakpan Rugby Club are the 2013 Valke Peregrine Champions and have qualified for the Cell C community cup.
There were scenes of sheer excitement at Bosman Stadium on Saturday, July 13, when Brakpan Rugby Club’s first XV met Boksburg Rugby Club in the final of the Valke Peregrine League.
The match had extra emphasis, as the winners would represent the Valke in the Cell C Community Cup, next year.
A large crowd of both Brakpan and Boksburg rugby fans gathered at the stadium to support their hometown heroes.
It was always going to be a tough encounter for the less fancied Boksburg, who would have to pull off something really special to beat the third best open community club in South Africa.
This was proven when Brakpan opened the scoring early, with a converted try, and added to their tally soon after with an unconverted try, courtesy of a powerful rolling maul.
The score remained at 12-0 for some time in the first half, before Boksburg hit back with a try and two penalties, to take the lead.
Brakpan found it in themselves to score a converted try in the corner and, a few moments before the whistle touched the referee’s lips, Boksburg slotted another penalty, taking the teams into the break at 19-16, in favour of Brakpan.
A penalty soon after and another unconverted try stretched the score to 27-16.
The visitors added another three points, but it was Brakpan who began to run away with the game and turn up the heat.
Another unconverted try from the hosts took the score to 32-19 before Boksburg added another seven points.
Three more tries from Brakpan, including an intercepted try at the end, ensured a 49-26 victory and a place in the 2014 Cell C Community Cup.
Brakpan’s number seven and Namibian international, Jacques Nieuwenhuis, took the Man of the Match award.
It was also a momentous day for Brakpan’s u-21 team, who joined their first side in the Community Cup for 2014, by defeating Boksburg 29-23 in a hotly contested affair.
Harry Nieuwenhuis, chairman of Brakpan Rugby Club, said: “I want to thank all of our supporters for attending the match.
“We had great support and we want to double-up the support for this weekend, when we play Tukkies at home.
“Brakpan versus Tukkies, the Varsity Cup 2013 champions, will be the highlight of the club’s performance since its inception.
“This game has been long overdue and it will be our honour to host the Varsity Cup Champs in Brakpan.”
The u-19 team will kick off on the B Field at 2.45pm; the u-21 team will kick off on the A Field at 1.15pm; the second team will kick off on the A Field at 2.30pm; the third team will kick off at 2.30pm on the B Field and the first team match will begin at 4pm, on the A Field.
