After a tough preseason for the clubs, the Ehlanzeni Premier Rugby League kicked off on Saturday, March 4.

The 2025 league consists of Barberton (BRC), Nelspruit (NRC), Rooikat (Lydenburg; RRC) and White River (WRRC) rugby clubs, and Malelane (MRC) that were promoted from the Mayor’s League last year.

MRC hosted NRC and were given a harsh introduction to Premier League rugby. NRC first team thrashed MRC firsts 87-0.

NRC won the second teams’ match 82-5.

RRC welcomed Barberton to Lydenburg. The first team of Barberton were made to work hard for a 28-17 victory over the home first team.

In the second teams’ clash, BRC won 19-15.

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On Saturday, March 12, NRC will host RRC, and WRRC will play MRC in White River.

The third teams’ Premier League will only be contested between Nelspruit, Barberton and White River, on the same dates that these clubs’ first and second teams clash.

The last 2025 Ehlanzeni Premier League matches will be played on June 14.

On June 21, the Mpumalanga semi-finals between the Highveld log leaders and the Ehlanzeni second-placed team, and the Ehlanzeni log leaders and the Highveld second-placed team, will be played.

The winners will clash in the Mpumalanga final on June 28.

• The Ehlanzeni Mayor’s League will commence on Saturday, April 26, and will be contested between Hazyview, the University of Mpumalanga, the Ratels (Ohrigstad), Ngodwana, Matsulu and KaMhlushwa.