After their defeat to Boksburg away from home the weekend prior, Brakpan Rugby Club’s first XV bounced back in dramatic fashion against tough opponents in the form of Vereeniging.
The “Panne” outfit, last year’s Valke Peregrine League champions, played their first match of the league campaign at Bosman Stadium on Saturday, May 13 and will be relieved to have got one over last year’s runners-up.
A penalty kick at the death ensured a 15-13 victory for Brakpan.
“With all the changes of staff at the club and the unexpected loss last week everyone obviously expected the team to lose again,” said club chairman Harry Nieuwenhuis.
“I am proud of the local boys and their passion and dedication to right the wrong from last week.
“With the exception of Theo Becker, Theo Mynhardt, Arra Jordaan, Gido Horn and Sweef Potgieter, this is pretty much a new team and the youngsters that played Lilywhites [second team] and u-21 rugby last year were brilliant.
“Centre Ryno Smith, lock Dalton Botha, wing Juan Botha, wing Danie Hatting, prop Henrico van Eck and hooker Sybrand van der Merwe all proved that the club did the right thing to give them the opportunity.
“Given the circumstances, this was a terrific victory over a Vereeniging outfit that included the likes of Ricky Menezes and Shaun Botes, who were part of our Gold Cup team last year.
Panne will be hoping to continue the winning momentum against rivals Springs at the Valke Rugby Union’s 70th anniversary celebration and reunion at Bosman Stadium tomorrow (Saturday, May 20).
Kick-off is at 3pm.
• In other results, the club’s Lilywhites lost 18-17 while the u-21 XV lost 45-25 to the Valke Academy side playing for Vereeniging.
