Rugby remembers golden era
At a recent golf day at Reading Country Club, a trip down memory lane was experienced when some of the “who’s who” in Golden Lions rugby in the seventies and eighties got together.
ALBERTON – It was like going back in history more than thirty years ago when remembering those rugby greats’ golden moments on the rugby field in the golden days of Transvaal rugby.
The five under discussion were Hempas Rademeyer and Boela van der Merwe (played for Transvaal, the predecessor of the Lions), Giel Senekal (Transvaal Rooibokke) and the one and only Barend Kok (Alberton rugby great and player for Goudstad).
Van der Merwe, the nippy white-haired scrumhalf from RAU, became one of the first four senior Transvaal players from RAU in 1976 and represented the province during eight seasons from 1976 to 1983.
Rugby fans will also remember Rademeyer, their big hero at fullback from 1982 to 1988, like yesterday.
This Goudstad kicker is the joint holder of the record for most games for Transvaal in 1987 (24).
Hempas is also the holder of the joint record of most Lion Cup finals by a Transvaal player.
He scored 124 points in 86 matches for Transvaal.
Other Alberton players who featured in the top rankings are Willie Steyn, now co-coach at Bracken High rugby, on 178, first Alberton Springbok the late Johan Steenekamp on 182, and Corrie Pypers on 160.
Senekal from Albemarle is still remembered as one of the best forwards ever in the Alberton jersey and was a big stalwart for the Rooibokke.
Today, Kok is known as a golfer with his own golf course on his property nestled in the breathtaking surroundings of the Kliprivier mountain range.
Kok is also still being remembered as one of Alberton rugby’s best three quarters and try scorers of all times.
Who will ever forget the sight of him in full flight to the try line?
It was unforgettable moments in the golden days of Transvaal rugby to be remembered in the combined company of these rugby greats.
