Brakpan want a place among giants

“We want to put Brakpan back on the map."

January 17, 2020

Cyril Lehong 2 minutes read

Brakpan Rugby Club's new coach Reggie Muller seen during his playing days. Muller used to be the club’s captain.

If you want to see how big the appetite for rugby is in Brakpan you simply need to be at the Bosman Stadium on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Brakpan Rugby Club has just started training for the 2020 season, which kicks off at the end of February.

The club is confident that it can go back to being among the country’s top clubs after spending a couple of years in the rebuilding phase.

New coach Reggie Muller, who captained the first team last season, believes Brakpan has what it takes to be among the top sides.

“We want to put Brakpan back on the map. We want to be one of the top three sides in the country again,” he said.

“That’s the goal for the next two years.”

Muller is excited about his new role and is grateful to the club.

“So far it’s been great,” he said.

“It’s been an honour to be part of Brakpan, and the management and the players have made it a really easy transition, so I’ve been enjoying it a lot.”

Although Muller has played alongside most of the players, he believes that the squad will take to him as a coach.

“Look, the friendships will always be there, but there is a fine line. You have to keep it professional,” he says.

“The calls that will be made will be fully professional.”

Brakpan Rugby Club’s first warm-up ahead of a training session.

Muller is familiar with Bosman Stadium as he has spent a large part of his career there, first with the Valke and then over the last three years with Brakpan.

So what will it take for Brakpan to become one of the top clubs in the country again?

“Players, sponsors working together and having a combined goal from juniors right through to the first team,” he said.

With the club’s centenary year coming up in 2021, Muller believes that this season is important as they would like to build towards making sure that they are, once again, a giant of South African club rugby.

“We’ve got a strong squad and next year we want to already have our foot in the door,” said the new coach.

When asked which teams will pose the biggest threat, Muller spoke like a man who knows the club rugby scene well.

“In our region and league definitely Springs and Vereeniging. Nationally I think Naka Bulle, Tuks, Rovers in Durban and Hamiltons in Cape Town are the strong sides in the country at the moment.”