Springs Rugby Club’s U15 team was crowned Valke League champions on September 19 following the final at Bosman Stadium in Brakpan.

The U16 team came second, the U12 finished fourth, the U11 finished third, and the U9 team was crowned champions in its division.

The U15 coach, Lappies Labuschagne, told the Springs Advertiser that the club’s teams had an amazing season, with two teams going undefeated and showing what a powerhouse the club will be in the coming years.

He described their first game as not only a friendly home match, but also a chance to kick off with a bang, with various young players exposing hidden talents.

“A major factor was the commitment to training, with specialised sessions being offered that the boys had never done before,” said Labuschagne.

Labuschagne shared some of the challenges the team faced, including many players struggling with transport and even boots.

He explained that as a coach he had to pick up five players for every session at their homes and drop them afterwards.

He credited Rekkie Botha and Vernon Wentzel, who also helped transport the boys on training and game days.

The coach said that because the boys came from different schools and did not know each other, they had one thing in common: they had never won a final.

Labuschagne said the club’s management support has been helpful, as this is his first year with Springs Rugby’s junior teams.

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“I said to myself that if I had to combine the boys I had worked with at school level with the boys we played against, we would be unbeatable.

“As the season progressed, our crowds started growing in support, and the community coming out at the final played a big factor in our win.”

The coach expressed gratitude for working with assistant coach Shaun Semenya and shared that experienced coaches love to give back to someone willing to learn, adding that raw talent was rewarded based on worth rather than connections.

“Out of this team, nine boys have been selected for provincial rugby for the upcoming school holiday, with eight being first-timers, and I wish them all the best,” said Labuschagne.

Labuschagne hopes the team goes out and does it again next year, as they tasted victory and believe they can do it again.