CCC Brakpan Rugby Club are confident going into this weekend’s season opener against North-West University (NWU) at the Bosman Stadium, despite losing to Pretoria in an away pre-season match on Saturday.
Brakpan’s first side lost 23-14 against a Pretoria team said to be one of the best in the Bulls League.
“It’s a young side playing against a top side from the Bulls and being able to run back at them,” said club chairperson Harry Nieuwenhuis.
“They are still learning but they played some brilliant rugby on Saturday. So I’m happy with that. I’m happy with them.
“ We didn’t have too many friendlies but comparing how we started against Wolverines and how we ended on Saturday it’s a huge difference. I think the coaches and the team are getting together quite nicely. They are ready to go.”
Brakpan has a few players who have come up from the U21 team, which played in the Valke Peregrine League final last season. The head coach, Darlton Botha, also led the U21 side in 2022.
“We did give away something like 18 penalties (against Pretoria). So you can’t win a game if you give away 18 penalties,” said Nieuwenhuis.
“I think we made stupid mistakes. There are a few things they must get used to especially playing with the bigger boys now. They don’t play youngsters anymore.
“These are guys who are 30, and 35 years old. Most of the teams we’ll be playing against will have lots of experience. But they played well. I’m positive about what lies ahead.”
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The chairperson believes his club is ready for the season that lies ahead.
“We are ready. We got a chance to see Springs in Pretoria. I know it’s their time now, that’s the circle of rugby.
They are a very structured and well-coached side so they are going to be the benchmark I think,” he said.
“I think we are ready. I don’t want to think too much about the other clubs. We absolutely must make it to the final which will likely be Springs again. It’s always Brakpan and Springs. I think Vereeniging is not too far away as well but we have our work cut out this year.”
Nieuwenhuis does feel that the amount of work Botha and his technical team have put in will carry them through the 2023 season.
“We started in October and we’ve been working very hard. The process had to be done,” he said.
He also pointed out that he is excited about the new look U21 side and the second team.
So what about this weekend’s opponents NWU?
“Look NWU were the other big team in terms of the U21 side. Most of their guys and our guys formed the Valke U21 Currie Cup side that ended up in the final.
“So they going to be a young squad as well, so I think it’s the two groups joining senior rugby so I think that battle be interesting,” said Nieuwenhuis.
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“They always have a strong side. We’ll have to see what happens on Saturday. The students always play running rugby and they always fit so it’s not going to be easy.”
The matches on Saturday will be played on the B-field at Bosman Stadium.
“From the next home game we should be able to use the A-field again,” said the chairperson.
The U21 match starts at 13:15, followed by the second team game at 14:30 and then the main clash at 16:00.
