Roodepoort Rugby Club (Poorte) has earned a spot in the prestigious Pirates Grand Challenge, the top rugby league in Gauteng, after a commendable performance against Diggers in the Promotion/ Relegation challenge.

The matches took place on Saturday, September 20, at Raiders Rugby Club.

The U19s pulled off a nail-biting 13–10 win with a late penalty, while the Sables (second team) saved their best for last, securing a convincing 26–19 victory.

The first team staged an incredible comeback, overcoming a 33–12 deficit with less than 15 minutes to play to win 37–33, scoring three unanswered tries.

According to Poorte’s rugby director Victor Volschenk, the team’s success can be attributed to the unwavering belief among coaches and players in each other and in their abilities, with a nod to “magic” as a unifying force behind their triumphs.

Despite tough battles, including a hard-fought 31–13 loss for the U21 team and a narrow defeat for the hastily assembled third team in the promotion game, the club’s spirit and resilience shone through in their impressive performances.

“This triumph means that next year we are back where we belong. It is the top league in Gauteng. This year was the first time that we did not play in that league. We’ll be playing varsities like North West, the University of Johannesburg and Wits, as well as the other top clubs like Pirates, Raiders, Alberton, Randfontein and Wanderers,” said Volschenk, beaming with pride.