Brakpan claim historic win

Brakpan Rugby Club is continuing to stake a claim as one of the best community rugby teams in South Africa, and the club’s form and success in recent weeks is nothing short of sublime.

Following on from their victory in the Valke Peregrine final last weekend, against Boksburg Rugby Club, and their subsequent qualification for the Cell C Community Cup 2014, “Panne” were eager to sink their teeth into the Varsity Cup champions, the University of Pretoria “Tukkies”, at the Bosman Stadium, on Saturday, July 20.

The first game of the cross-border Predator League Cup was always going to be a humdinger and the action on the pitch was ruthless and brutal.

The home team got the scoring underway early when the Panne spread the ball to the left wing from a rolling maul, to dot down an unconverted try in the corner and to take the score to 5-0.

Tuks slotted two penalties soon after, to take the lead for the first time in the match at 6-5.

The Pretoria team added to their lead with an unconverted try, courtesy of some good hands from the backline, to take the score to 11-5.

Brakpan began to use the rolling maul to their advantage and the blond number seven flanker, Wickus van der Berg, dotted down from the back of the maul to score a try, which was converted.

The score was now 12-11 to the boys from Brakpan.

Tuks kicked over another penalty to take the lead again, at 14-12.

As the halftime break approached, Brakpan initiated another rolling maul, that saw van der Berg again go over the line for a converted try.

The teams went into halftime at 19-14.

When the second half commenced, Tuks came out with a vengeance and dominated possession and territory for a long time.

A lot of the exchanges took place in the Brakpan half, but the Panne defence held firm.

The Brakpan players threw themselves into the tackles and their powerhouse defending soon paid off as Tukkies battled to get across the line.

When Brakpan finally got into the opposition’s half the maul was again the weapon of choice and van der Berg again rolled off the side to seal a fantastic hat trick and take the score to 26-14.

Tuks scored an unconverted try late on, but it was to be Brakpan’s moment as the team held on for a historic 26-19 victory.

Harry Nieuwenhuis, chairman of Brakpan Rugby Club, said: “This has been one of the club’s best games in history.

“We are continuing to show that there is a place for rugby on the East Rand and that Brakpan is its home.”

Nieuwenhuis thanked all of the supporters that attended the game and thanked the players for an excellent performance,

“This is definitely one of the best teams that this club has had and we are very proud of them,” he added.

Brakpan will have a bye this weekend and will be fit and ready for their next game against Roodepoort at Bosman Stadium on Saturday, August 3.