Excitement is mounting for today’s commemorative football game to mark the anniversary of the world-famous 1879 battle of Rorke’s Drift.
The game, to be played at the Rorke’s Drift stadium today, will feature the Zulu Zebras and the Rorke’s Drift Redcoats. Teams will play in a strip carrying the names of the famous warriors and units from both sides that fought in the battle. This year an attractive winner’s trophy, featuring the head of a mountain reedbuck (donated by Nxala Ranch) mounted on Matumi wood and decorated with Tiger’s Eye stones is up for grabs.
Medals have been struck to be presented to all players. These and the trophy have been donated by Dundee Tourism. The game was first played last year, said organiser, Charles Aitkenhead of the Rorke’s Drift Hotel.
“The Zulu Zebras prevailed in 2015 but this year it could be a whole new ball game,” he added.
It was on this day, January 22 1879, that three Zulu Regiments crossed the Buffalo River from the Isandlwana battlefield and attacked the Mission Station at Rorke’s Drift. Some 150 soldiers defended the supply station against some 4 000 attacking Zulus, aided by the Martini-Henry rifle ‘with some guts behind it’.
Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded: seven to the 2nd Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, one to the Army Medical Department, one to the Royal Engineers, one to the Commissariat and Transport Department and one to the Natal Native Contingent.
The game will be followed by a braai and refreshments at the Museum from 6pm.
For details of the commemorative game contact Charles at tel/fax – 034 642 1760/1/2 or cell: 079 090 5252.