Germiston lies in the heart of Rand Goldfields and was founded in 1886, after the local discovery of gold.
It officially became a town in 1903 and a city in 1950.
In 1889, Simmer and Jack Rugby Club was established, and soon after that, in 1907 the Germiston Rugby Club was founded.
And this is where years of famous rivalry between the ‘miners’ and the ‘townies’ began.
As years went by Germiston grew, but the mines got smaller, forcing people to leave to look for work opportunities elsewhere.
“This forced the two clubs to amalgamate in 1967 to try and save their legacies.
“This is how the Germiston Simmer Rugby Club was born,” explained Germiston Simmer Rugby Club chairperson René Audier.
“The club has a proud tradition and history and has also produced numerous provincial players, as well as a Springbok or two.”
ALSO READ: Simmer crowned Senior Grand Challenge champions
As the club heads into the 2020 season, they are pleased to announce the support of a new sponsor.
“After many ups and downs, from being relegated to the lowest league to winning the Senior Grand Challenge 2016 and the Bailey Cup in 2017, as well as the Golden Lions Rugby Union Sevens, we are immensely proud to announce that Phakisa Holdings will be joining the Simmer family as the headline sponsor for the 2020 season and hopefully for many years to come,” said Audier.
“We are extremely excited for what lies ahead and know that the club will only grow from strength to strength.”
The new year will not only see a new sponsor for the club, but a support system, as well as numerous changes to the coaching staff and management of the club.
“We look forward to working hand in hand with each other throughout the season,” said Audier.
The new management structure for the club is:
• Louis Britz and Audier will act as the club’s joint chairpersons.
• Renier Bracey will be the club’s vice-chairperson.
• Ettienne Audier will be the club’s treasurer.
• Jeanri Britz will be the club secretary.
• Ryan Dennis will be the club’s manager.
Other club members include Stephanus Scheepers, Rautie Rautenbach, Gideon Voges, JP Loots, Charl Wright and Suné Roslee.
ALSO READ: Simmer score 13 tries in away match
The club’s coaching staff for 2020 are:
• Jean Diemieniet, Eben Barnard and Monde Petela will coach the club’s first team.
• Stephan Nel, Johan Dreyer, Piet van der Merwe and Paul Neveling will coach the club’s u-21 and u-19 teams.
The coaches for the club’s second and third team are yet to be confirmed.
“We look forward to welcoming players from across Ekurhuleni, of all races and backgrounds, with the aim of further promoting and diversifying rugby,” said Audier.
“We also aim to uplift the community wherever possible.”
The club thanked Phakisa Holdings for their sponsorship, as well as the guidance and advice in making this venture a success.
“Thank you to Johan and Werner Pretorius, who are both Simmer old boys, for your willingness, vision, passion and generosity for the game of rugby,” said Audier.
“Together we will definitely be breaking the 44-year drought in the Pirates Grand Challenge and soon we will be holding the trophy in our hands.
“The last time the club won the Pirates Grand Challenge was in 1976.”
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.
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