Make or break Saturday for Brakpan

Pool C of the 2014 Cell C Community Cup has turned into somewhat of a slugfest between three teams: Brakpan, Centurion and Roses United, and, with only two places on offer for the knockout stage in George, all eyes will be firmly fixed on this pool.

The status quo of Pool C at the moment is a fascinating one.

Unbeaten Roses hold a one-point lead over their rivals and are in pole position to qualify for George, where SARU’s national championship for non-university clubs reaches its climax over the Easter long weekend, from April 17 to 21.

Roses will, however, need to beat bottom-placed BB Truck Noordelikes, on Saturday, to not only be assured of their place, but also to finish top.

The equation for skipper Francois “Bones” Robbertse and his Brakpan team, however, is simple: lose against Centurion on Saturday and they’re out of the Community Cup.

In order to stay in the hunt, the “Panne” needed to secure victory against BB Truck Noordelikes at Bosman Stadium on Saturday, March 29, and this is what they did, albeit with eight changes to the team from the victory over Kaufela Boksburg, in the recent East Rand derby.

According to club chairman Harry Nieuwenhuis, the team needed to test the depth of the squad against Noordelikes and, because of these wholesale changes, a great deal of momentum was lost and the standard of rugby was not as good as it needs to be, despite the team picking up an important bonus point win.

A hat trick of tries from flanker Wickus van den Berg and two tries from the fleet-footed fullback Tommy Damba secured a 35-22 victory, but the result was not as commanding as the score line may suggest.

With 10 minutes remaining in the match, the “Panne” were leading by just three points, at 25-22, until a try from Damba and a kick from Gido Horn’s boot saved the day.

“At least we now know what all the players in the squad have to offer and we will definitely field a full strength team against Centurion, on Saturday,” Nieuwenhuis said.

“If we do not win this game we will not qualify for George, and that in itself is unthinkable.

“This is like a knockout game for the guys and it is going to be a serious challenge, but we believe the side is good enough to handle the pressure and book our spot in George over the Easter weekend.”

Last year’s bronze medallists, Brakpan will need to play out of their socks in Saturday’s do-or-die encounter.

The club’s u-21 and second teams will also travel to Centurion, for the curtain-raisers to the big match.

n Meanwhile, Brakpan Rugby Club’s other first team, the Lilywhites, have booked their spot in the final of the Assupol Super Club Series, against the Pukke Libbies, at 3pm on Saturday, at Loftus, in Pretoria.