Sporting highlights of 2016
Last year was a great one for local sport stars and institutions, with several very successful events being hosted in the Onderberg. We look back at some of the year's greatest sporting highlights.
Laerskool Malelane hosted the Panaroma inter-primary athletics in February and scooped up 12 of the 17 trophies. Despite the heat and a power outage, the school did a great job and visiting schools complemented them on a job well done.
Dozens of players hit the greens at the end of March for the popular Lalapalm Tournament, which was hosted for the 32nd time by the Malalane Golf Club. The four days of golfing was accompanied by great social events in the evening and culminated in a formal prize-giving ceremony.
The Selati Marathon drew a thousand runners to Malalane in May. Most of the participants did not belong to a formal club and the jovial atmosphere and water points helped keep the runners energised and hydrated. Runners can look forward to this year’s race on May 13 which promises to once again be a memorable experience.
In June, Driekoppies Mashaba United were crowned the 2016 Selati Cup champions following an action-packed tournament over several months. Mzinti Ladies triumphed in the women’s tournament. Stadiums were packed and the community supported the local players. Main sponsor RCL Foods was also happy with the results and said it was a great way to nurture and develop local talent.
Jooste Coetzee won his first national title of the year in June, when he was crowned champion of the SA UCI XCO Cup Series. He had to brave freezing temperatures in Bloemfontein and face a track with many gap jumps, rock gardens, uphills and descents. He won his second title at the UCI SA National Cross Country MTB Championship in Pietermaritzburg in July.
Veteran athlete Agatha-Lee du Plessis won four medals at the SA Masters Championships in June and will be competing in the World Championships in Korea in March.
The Impalas ended second in the Ehlanzeni Mayor’s League after a tough final in Barberton in July. The year showcased some great rugby from both the Komatipoort and Malelane rugby clubs. The latter will be celebrating their 50th birthday this year with several special events.
George Kusche, a former Laerskool Malelane athlete, ended in the top ten in his age group (u/17) during the World Championships in Poland in July.
In August, players from across the country competed in the Selati Bowls Tournament at the Malelane Bowls Club. The week-long tournament was hosted for the 32nd time and was booked solid, with teams clamouring to be a part of the fun.
The Horn Brothers crossed the finish line of the Nkomazi 450 in overall second place and were named winners of their class at the end of August. Rally drivers from across the country faced the tough route snaking through the Onderberg and dozens of spectators gathered around various points on the route to support them.
The year ended on a high note with the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in December, where Brandon Stone claimed the coveted trophy. The tournament saw golfers and spectators from across the country and even some big names from overseas visiting the Onderberg.
