I was one of the 3 000 spectators who attended a fantastic rugby match in Macassar between the home side and Sir Lowrians.

Both teams play in Premier League B (which is effectively the 4th league in WP) and for a match in this league to attract a crowd of 3 000 says a lot how popular rugby is the Western Cape.

The match itself produced rugby of a high quality and a number of players displayed their rugby skills.

Springbok and ex-Lions player Earle Rose was ‘n star in the Sir Lowrians team and he still has a lot of rugby in him.

But the Man of the Match was the Macassar centre, Andy de Bruyn. He scored two vital tries and kept Sir Lowrians on the retreat with his attacking abilities.

I also want to congratulate the referee Edwin George. He played his part to make this rugby match a real treat.

To each and everyone involved in this rugby match – thanks for your contribution, support and enthusiasm. You are the reason why I can say with pride – RUGBY IS KING IN THE CAPE!

WE DON’T NEED YOU IN RUGBY

The past week-end reports came in about spectators who verbally abused the referee (during and after the match) with racist remarks.

To this group of people I want to state the following in no uncertain terms:

we (the WP Rugby Unions) condemn those remarks;

it is these kind of behaviour (by a small minority) who cause a lot of strife and problems for the WP Union;

we don’t need this type of spectators at rugby matches in the Western Province and you are not welcome to visit anyone of our grounds and stadiums within the borders of the WP Union;

the processes are underway at the Union to deal with the offenders and they will be banned from rugby..

CLUB RUGBY

Last week-end was a very important round in Super League A.

With their convincing victory over Hamiltons Durbanville/Bellville are still firmly on their way to claim the honours of the First Round Competition.

The Durbies team still has to play against Belhar and Tygerberg and if they can collect full point in both of them, they will catch the Maties for the race of First Round Honours.

At this stage it looks certain that Durbanville/Bellville will represent the WP Union at this year’s National Club Champs (SA Rugby Union decided last year (in their wisdom??) that university teams will not be allowed anymore to play in the National Club Champs).

Maties ended the First Round Competition on a high note by beating the Ikeys convincingly – collecting maximum league points.

The victory of False Bay over Belhar was a very important one for the team from Constantia. False Bay is one of the teams at the bottom of the log and every victory will move them into the right direction of the log.

The clash between Villager and Tygerberg ended in a draw. Both teams are struggling to earn league points this season and they will need to improve very rapidly to stay in the top league in WP.

Two Super League A matches will take place this week-end. SK Walmers play at home against Belhar, whilst Tygerberg will clash against False Bay.

SUPER LEAGUE B

The big surprise the week-end was the victory of Collegians over the log-leaders Helderberg. Collegians sneaked home by a point in this very tough battle.

Collegians showed in this match that they are a very solid team at home, while the lack of accuracy goal kicking cost Helderberg probably the match.

NNK stayed unbeaten with a convincing victory over Brackenfell, whilst the other unbeaten team, Bellville had the beating of Goodwood.

Hands & Heart kept improving with a solid victory over Pniel/Villagers whilst Primrose notched up a victory over Kuils River.

Two Super League B matches will take place this week-end. Primrose will tackle Goodwood, whilst Collegians will play against Pniel/Villagers.

CRAVEN TEAMS – QUALITY IS THE BENCH MARK

The WP School Teams were announced recently for the National Junior Tournaments that will take place during the June/July holidays.

Firstly – my congratulations to each and every member of the various teams. I am sure that you will wear the Province jersey with pride and that you will give a 100% effort for your team on the field.

It is a pity that some people moan that too many of the team members come for certain schools.

The Youth Department of the WP Rugby Union has a system in place that gives the opportunity to hundreds of school boys to take part in the trials system.

At the end of the extensive trial matches the best teams were selected and that is the way it should be.

The policy in the WP Union should always be to select the best players. That is one of the key foundations for a union to keep going forward.

STORMERS

It was a tough one against the Sharks and this week-end it will be even tougher at Loftus against the Bulls.

To win matches against tough teams you need to surprise them.

I sincerely hope that the Stormers will surprise the Bulls with a couple of new tactical decisions on the field. To win important matches you need to do the basics 100%; convert every scoring opportunity and keep your opponents guessing on defence.

All of the best to all the members of the Stormers team.

JUNIOR WORLD CUP

The best young rugby players in the world will be in action during the World Junior Event to be held in the Western Cape. Herewith the programme of the first rounds:

Pool A
04 Jun, 14:45 Wales – Fiji Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
04 Jun, 16:45 New Zealand – Samoa Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
08 Jun, 14:45 Fiji – Samoa University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
08 Jun, 16:45 New Zealand – Wales Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
12 Jun, 16:45 Wales – Samoa University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
12 Jun, 18:45 New Zealand – Fiji University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town

Pool B
04 Jun, 16:45 England – Italy University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
04 Jun, 18:45 South Africa – Ireland Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
08 Jun, 18:45 South Africa – Italy University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
08 Jun, 18:45 England – Ireland Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
12 Jun, 14:45 Ireland – Italy Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
12 Jun, 18:45 South Africa – England Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch

Pool C
04 Jun, 14:45 Australia – Scotland University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
04 Jun, 18:45 France – Argentina University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
08 Jun, 14:45 Australia – Argentina Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
08 Jun, 16:45 France – Scotland University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
12 Jun, 14:45 Argentina – Scotland University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town
12 Jun, 16:45 France – Australia Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch