Former Nelspruit Rugby Club captain, Gary Visagie, was chosen as the man of the match after Conad Reggio’s Campionato Eccelenza (Championship of Excellence) victory over Fiamme Oro last Saturday.

This was Conad Reggio’s first league win this season, after three defeats in their first three matches. Campionato Ecceleza is the top flight of professional club rugby in Italy and is competed between 10 teams.

Visagie played a vital role in the 16-15 victory. He was outstanding on defence and superb in the line-outs.

Visagie said that he has been made to feel welcome at the club

“We train very hard and work towards success with a great group of guys and coaches. I was honoured to be the man of the match. There is a good team and club spirit,” he said on Wednesday.

The former Hoërskool Nelspruit pupil arrived in the city of Reggio Emilia, 36 kilometres south-east of Parma, in northern Italy, in the middle of September.

He played his first match for the club, a pre-season friendly against Calvisano, within days of arriving. Reggio lost 33-10.

His official debut was the club’s second Campionato Eccelenza match of the season, away to Mogliano. Reggio lost 29-27. He then donned the Reggio’s colours to face Fiamme Oro, in a cup competition match, which his team also lost 15-7.

Saturday’s match was again against Fiamme Oro at home, this time in the Campionato Ecceleza. Conad Reggio won by a single point and the media attending the game voted Visagie man of the match.

Coach Roberto Manghi said yesterday,  ” I am happy that Gary in a short time has been able to settle in and get into the spirit of the team. He is a good player with a lot of ability, and he is a good ball carrier. He is becoming a leader in the scrum “.

Visagie’s team are seventh on the log with five points.