The growth of rugby in Ikageng is boosted by Ikageng Rugby Development Club’s ever-improving senior team, which booked their place in the Neser League semi-finals for the first time in their history this year.
The senior team has only lost one game this season and beat Stilfontein, Westonaria, Hartbeesfontein and Klerksdorp on their way to a top of the table finish in Pool B.
Ikageng, led by the captain, Chumani Dalasile, and vice-captain, Siko Meke, will now face Lichtenburg Rugby Club in the semi-final at Olën Park on Saturday, 12 June. This is a massive achievement, considering the club started in 2006 when no rugby system whatsoever was in place in Ikageng.
The current coach and chairperson, Euboy Mampangashe, has put his heart and soul into growing rugby in Ikageng and giving youngsters the chance to pursue the sport competitively. After 15 years, his dedication is paying off with the senior team playing some exciting rugby.
The team relies on their speedy backline players to do most of the damage, while a strong forward pack likes to soften the opposition up for the kill. Mampangashe believes the recent success in the senior men’s team boils down to the first league encounter against Potch Dorp, where his side lost by 50–32.
“My team had a lot of chances to win the game, but we knocked balls on when we should have scored tries. We went back to the drawing board and refocused on our strengths. We have a motivated and committed group and we knew we could take on the other teams and beat them,” he said.
Mampangashe emphasised that Ikageng also tested themselves against top clubs from Johannesburg and Pretoria in pre-season friendlies ahead of the current Neser League. Their form boosted the motivation in the squad ahead of the current season. He hopes the club can attract sponsors, though, especially now that the team is playing well and producing players from both the men and women’s sides.
The Leopards Women’s team currently have eight players from Ikageng in the side. 
“We need sponsors to help the club as we do not have an original kit. It would be fantastic if the local municipality and community could support us to grow rugby in Ikageng. We are in need of things like warm up clothes, shirts, golf shirts when we attend the games, bags, jackets for winter and so forth.” We have different age groups from u.15 to u.19 and a senior men’s and women’s team. We focus on developing players through our feeder school, Botoka Technical High School, and other schools in the area. We also need more coaches at school level in Ikageng,” he emphasised.
Future sponsors and the community who would like to assist the club can contact Ikageng Rugby Development Club, chairperson, Euboy Mampangashe on 073 565 7468.
