Rugby rendezvous at Bosman
Reunions took place for all players who have represented the Valke/ Eastern Transvaal over the decades, as well as former and current Benoni, Brakpan, Springs and Nigel players and referees.
A monumental rugby event took place at the Bosman Stadium on Saturday, May 20, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Valke Rugby Union (former Eastern Transvaal Rugby Union).
The old union was initially founded by the clubs of Benoni, Brakpan, Springs and Nigel, in 1947.
Reunions took place for all players who have represented the Valke/ Eastern Transvaal over the decades, as well as former and current Benoni, Brakpan, Springs and Nigel players and referees.
An exciting SuperSport Rugby Challenge clash between the Valke and the Pumas was played at the Bosman Stadium and the match itself did not disappoint.
A drawn 41-41 result was indicative of the tense battle that played out on the Brakpan field.
Referee Marius van der Westhuizen brandished three yellow cards in the match, two to the home side and one to the Pumas; but it was the boot of Kobus Marais that ultimately cost the visitors the victory, as their fly half missed three kickable shots at goal.
The Pumas, who trailed by 17 points at the half-time break, had the opportunity to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat as Carel Greeff charged over the try line with three minutes left to play to level the scores but replacement fly half Sias Ebersohn failed to convert as both sides walked away with three log points apiece.
The other big clash of the day saw a club rivalry play out between Brakpan Rugby Club and old rivals Springs.
The match ended with Brakpan on the wrong side of a 23-17 score line, their second defeat in three matches in the Valke Rugby Union’s elite club rugby competition, the Peregrine League, and their first defeat at the “House of Pain” since 2014 against the same opposition.
They now find themselves in fourth place on the Peregrine League table and will have to reclaim some of the form from last year that took them to league victory and which secured qualification to the South African Rugby Union’s Gold Cup.
In other results the club’s Lilywhites (the second XV) were too good for Springs, winning 45-3 – while the u-21 side were also victorious against Springs.
They won their encounter 29-17.
The teams will host North West University (NWU) Vaal at the Bosman Stadium on Saturday, May 27.
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