Roodepoort Rugby Club ready to tackle 2026 Pirates Challenge season
Fresh from a narrow escape last season, the club is turning the page as preparations for the 2026 Pirates Grand Challenge get underway.
Roodepoort Rugby Club has officially begun preparations for the 2026 season as they set their sights on a stronger campaign in the Pirates Grand Challenge. The club has returned to training early, with players showing commitment and focus as they begin pre-season work.
Training sessions are currently being held at Hoërskool Florida, where a good turnout has been recorded since the start of the programme. The early start reflects the club’s determination to improve fitness levels, team cohesion, and overall performance ahead of what is expected to be a competitive league season.
Club chairperson Juan Cornelius welcomed the positive energy around the team, saying the early preparations are crucial. He noted that starting training now allows the team to address key areas such as conditioning, discipline, and structure, all of which are vital for success in the Pirates Grand Challenge.
The previous season proved to be a challenging one for the club. The team managed to survive relegation after a dramatic and decisive 37–33 victory against Diggers in their final must-win match. That result secured their place in the league and demonstrated the resilience and fighting spirit within the squad.
“The team welcomed many new faces this season, but I’m happy to see that at least 80 percent of players from last season are still with us,” he said.
Despite the difficulties faced last season, the club gained valuable experience and believes those lessons will play a key role moving forward. The narrow escape from relegation has added motivation within the camp as the team aims to improve its league standing in 2026.
“Our goal this year is to be in the top five in the league; it won’t be easy because we compete against teams with a great technical advantage,” he added.
With preparations well underway, the club is optimistic about the road ahead. Supported by strong leadership, dedicated players, and continued community backing, the club hopes the upcoming season will mark a new chapter of growth and stability.
