Tshuma Stingers defend their title at the final against Kagiso Sting Rugby Club
MIDRAND – Tshuma Stingers beat Kagiso Sting Rugby Club 21–19 to hold onto the Senior Grand Challenge trophy.
The Tshuma Stingers successfully defended their Golden Lions Senior Grand Challenge title, with a win in this year’s final against Kagiso Sting Rugby Club.
The Stingers sacrificed their home ground advantage to play at a central venue, UJ West Sport, and it allowed young stars from Johannesburg’s rugby clubs to watch the final on 18 August.
That atmosphere was electric. Kagiso was on a high after knocking out Southern Knights in the semis and their players were burning with the fortitude to put up a worthy fight in the final.
However, their determination could not deny the defending champions from taking the lead before the half-time whistle, with Divine Kawadza crossing the whitewash for the opening try.
Lwando Yiliwe wasted no time in finding the uprights to convert the try for the extra two points.
The Stingers forward pack was the more physical, dominating the scrums and winning the majority of line-outs.
The Stingers coach contingent called for far greater composure in the second half.
The result was a great display of quality offloads in contact from impact player Rofhiwa Mundalamo and number two player Vuyo Bacela who added to the scoreboard after breaching the opposition’s defence to score under the posts.
The unyielding Stingers continued to deploy their well-drilled tactics to break the gain line and proceeded to win the game 21–19.
The Stingers were crowned champions of the Senior Grand Challenge for the 2018 rugby season amid the cheering crowds and the popping of champagne bottles.
Stingers head coach Lofty Tyebileyo congratulated his players for their perfect display of character.
“You can achieve anything that you aim for in life,” he said. “I am very excited for the next season and can’t wait to do it again.”
Ndumiso Tshuma founder and CEO of the club thanked the coaching staff and congratulated his winning team for their remarkable success throughout the season.
“Our team from management to coaches to players, right through, are incredible,” he said. “We made a promise to defend the cup and we delivered on that promise.”
Tshuma concluded, “You can definitely take our word when we say we will come with even greater determination in 2019.”
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