“Revenge is sweet” is a famous old cliché that rang extremely true for Brakpan Rugby Club’s first XV at the Bosman Stadium on Saturday, July 16.
The “Panne”, fresh off escaping from Springs with a two-point win last week, achieved vengeance for a humiliating 54-23 loss (their only loss of the season) to Vereeniging back in April in the Valke Peregrine League.
Captain Francois “Bones” Robbertse and his men ensured they finished top of the pile in the league with a 50-10 humbling of their opponents on Saturday.
The fact that Springs fell 26-28 against East Rand United was music to the ears of the men in the green jerseys as it meant they would go an unassailable eight points clear at the pinnacle of the log with one match to go in the Top Six league stage.
It also means that Brakpan will play this Friday night’s opposition, Boksburg Rugby Club, in the semi-final at a date still to be announced.
On Saturday, it was a display of sheer ruthlessness from Brakpan.
The name “Theo” was a prominent one in the match with wile veteran Theo Becker (37) proving to be a thorn in the Vereeniging side with two tries while Theo Mynhardt also bagged one of the seven Brakpan tries on the day.
Robbertse and Dwayne Morrison controlled the line-outs with relative ease while Ian Oosthuizen, Pierre Foord and Jason Arundle were immense in the scrum.
Specialist fetcher Wikus van der Berg was a nightmare in the loose and was too hot to handle as he frustrated Vereeniging with aplomb on the ground while new number 15 Hagen Mumba’s tactical kicking from the back was also excellent.
Winger Leon “Sweef” Potgieter again showcased his keen eye for tries with a brace of his own.
Tries were scored by Potgieter (two), Becker (two), Mynhardt, Tinus Ueckermann and van der Berg. Gido Horn slotted six conversions and a penalty.
Coach Regardt Botha and the team will get the chance to size up their semi-final opponents Boksburg ahead of the semi-final with the last league match to be played at Bosman Stadium tomorrow night (July 22).
The Lilywhites (second XV) will get proceedings underway at 6.30pm on the A-field while the club’s u-21s will battle it out at the same time on the B-field.
The first team clash will commence at 8pm.
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