Club rugby in the Lowveld is officially under way for the 2025 season, with the MRU Ehlanzeni Premier League two weeks in, while the Mayor’s League will kick off on Saturday, April 26.
The season kicked off with Premier League fixtures on April 5, and saw the reintroduction of Malelane Rugby Club. They faced off with Nelspruit Rugby Club in the first week and received a harsh welcome to the top tier of Lowveld club rugby. Nelspruit’s first team thrashed Malelane firsts 87-0. Nelspruit won the second team match 82-5.
Rooikat Rugby Club hosted Barberton in Lydenburg in the first week. The first team of Barberton were made to work hard for a 28-17 victory over the home side. In the second teams’ clash, Barberton won 19-15. Barberton enjoyed a bye in the second week of fixtures on April 12.
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Malelane continued their tough start to the season, travelling to compete against White River, who thumped them in the second team game, winning 83-10. Their first team ran riot, too, amassing a 102-10 win over Malelane. The hosts’ third team played a friendly match against Ngodwana’s firsts, which they won 43-10.
Nelspruit battled the Rooikatte in the second round, with their third team playing a friendly against Hazyview’s firsts, which the latter won 26-7. Nelspruit asserted their dominance in both the first and second team games against the Rooikatte. Their second team won 64-5, and the first team triumphed with a 76-5 scoreline.
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It is Malelane’s turn for a bye this weekend while Barberton hosts Nelspruit and the Rooikatte host White River. The MRU Ehlanzeni Mayor’s League will kick off on Saturday, too. Hazyview will host Ngodwana, University of Mpumalanga will host Matsulu and the Ratels will welcome Kamhlushwa Black Cats.
