Barberton and Pirates to kick-off 2024 Community Gold Cup at Coronation Park

The first match of the 2024 African Rainbow Community Gold Cup will be the fixture between VR Cargo Barberton Rugby Club (BRC) and Pirates Rugby Club at Coronation Park.

The Pirates are the oldest rugby club in Gauteng (est 1888), and Barberton the oldest in Mpumalanga (est 1896). The game at the historic Barberton rugby grounds, with its high goalposts and sloping field, will kick off at 14:00 on Saturday, September 21.

Barberton qualified for the 2024 edition of the Community Gold Cup as a finalist in the 2023 Mpumalanga Premier League. They defeated Sasol Secunda Rugby Club 19-18 in the final.

“The match on Saturday is Barberton Rugby Club’s biggest ever. We are considered one of the top 32 rugby clubs in South Africa due to an incredible effort by players, coaches and other support staff over a number of years. Last season, we were the Ehlanzeni and Mpumalanga club champions.

“Another reason for our success is the loyal supporters who come to our home and away games. They are a vital and appreciated part of BRC culture. Please come and support us on Saturday. Pirates are an excellent team, but with our preparation and the energy we get from your support, we will not be moved,” said Walter Schröder, BRC’s coach.

Pirates know they are in for a tough match. “Barberton have had a decent season so far. It does not matter who we play against, it’s still a game of 80 minutes and no one can be underestimated. I’m sure Barberton will make use of their home ground advantage. We have had our fair share of injuries in the latter part of the season as well. Our aim is to regain confidence and get back to our winning ways after a disappointing result in the Grand Challenge final,” said Aidynn Cupido, Pirates’ captain.

“It’s another opportunity for the team to express themselves and play together again. We have set our sights on making the final and giving ourselves a chance to lift the trophy, but the focus is on our first game against Barberton.”

Entrance to Saturday’s match will be R10 per adult and R5 per child.

The opening round will see 32 of the country’s best amateur rugby clubs fight it out for places in the second round in the straight knock-out competition. The second round is scheduled for the weekend of September 29, and will be followed by the quarter-finals and semi-finals on consecutive weekends, before the final on October 19. Naka Bulle are the defending champions.

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“We saw the excitement, anticipation and the importance of the tournament last year, when it was staged again for the first time since the pandemic,” said Rian Oberholzer, the CEO of SA Rugby. “It is a very important event on the calendar of our amateur rugby community, and we are delighted to again confirm the involvement of African Rainbow Capital as our major partner for the competition. We all know the challenges faced by the amateur game, but I am thrilled to see that despite these obvious difficulties our club rugby continues to flourish, drawing in passionate crowds not only at big city venues, but many club grounds across our vast platteland.

“Club rugby continues to be one of the most important considerations on our agenda and we believe that the African Rainbow Gold Cup has already helped us to breathe new life into this level of the game.”

Dr Johan van Zyl, the co-CEO and executive director of African Rainbow Capital, said: “We are very excited to have extended our participation at grassroots level rugby. This competition serves as a springboard for future stars and unearthing new talent from various communities across South Africa. The Gold Cup forms an important part of the local rugby ecosystem, bringing communities together for a great day out of some wonderful rugby.”

Martin Lombard will referee the match between Barberton and Pirates, and he will be assisted by Kosie Wessels and Danie Visser.

Teams

Barberton
1- Cauwen Mabila
2 – Mark Pretorius (c)
3 – Neil de Witt
4 – Willem Kok
5 – Sandiso Mkhabela
6 – Juandré de Beer
7 – Matheus Oberholzer
8 – Gerrit Engelbrecht
9 – Shane Muller
10 – Cassie Jansen
11 – Vukani Ngwenja
12 – Phulane Sowana
13 – Themba Njakane
14 – Jimmy Mhlanga
15 – Mavuka Mhalambo

16 – Lebokgang Mondlane
17 – Marno Vrey
18 – Thando Bhila
19 – Jaice Terblanche
20 – Nduduzo Mkhabela
21 – Brett Hey
22 – Delron Zwane
23 – Jerrel Mbambo

Head coach – Walter Schröder
Team manager – Kruys Swanepoel.

Pirates
1 – Wayne van Niekerk
2 – Sheldon Terblanche
3 – Anthony Gallagher
4 – Francois van der Merwe
5 – Brevan Herbst
6 – Khahule Nethengwe
7 – Libhonyolethu Geza
8 – Kevin du Randt
9 – Tinashe Gowere
10 – Aidynn Cupido (c)
11 – Devan Brough
12 – Sinithemba Mapaqa
13 – Ilunga Mukendi
14 – Pholoso Phogole
15 – Garrick Stead

16 – Michael Masindi
17 – Dillon Bakos
18 – Bradley van Niekerk
19 – Velaphi Khumalo
20 – Rinus Khumalo
21 – Uzy Noah
22 – Devon Booysen
23 – Archibald Qata

Head coach – Brian Armitage
Assistant coach – George Makwena
Conditioning coach – Derek Archer.

Competition rules
If scores are level after 80 minutes, the winner will be determined as follows:
• Extra time will be played, 10 minutes each way;
• If scores are still level after extra-time, then the sudden-death rule will apply. Teams will continue to play in intervals of 10 minutes with a minute break in between and the first team to score points will be declared the winner.

African Rainbow Community Gold Cup round 1 fixtures:
Saturday, September 21:
14:00: VR Cargo Barberton vs Pirates – Barberton Rugby Club, Barberton
15:00: Randfontein vs Sasol Rugby Club – Greenhills Stadium, Randfontein
15:30: Groot-Brakrivier RFC vs Robertson – Greenhaven Sport Stadium, Groot-Brakrivier
15:30: Helderberg RFC vs Kruisfontein – Charles Morkel Stadium, Strand
15:30: East London Police vs Capital Legacy Crusaders RC – Police Park, East London
15:30: Gardens RFC vs Hamiltons – Derrick Ferreira Stadium, Kariega
16:00: Centurion vs Rovers Rugby – Centurion Rugby Club, Pretoria
16:00: Northam Rhinos vs Bloemfontein Collegians – Setaria Recreation Club, Setaria
16:00: Welkom Rugby Club vs Tuine Rugby Club – Down Touch Investments Stadium B field, Welkom
16:00: Louis Trichardt vs Bloemfontein Police – Louis Trichardt Rugby Club, Louis Trichardt
16:00: Springs vs Sibanye Stillwater – Olympia Park Stadium, Springs
16:00: Naka Bulle vs Sishen – Naka Bulle Rugby Club, Pretoria
16:00: Kimberley Rugby Club vs Swallows – Kimberley Rugby Club, Verwoerdpark, Kimberley
16:00: Safcol United RFC vs Heidelberg RFC – Grabouw Sportsground, Grabouw
19:00: Northam Wolves vs NWU Rugby Millstream – River Estate, Hartebeespoort

Sunday, September 22:
15:00: College Rovers vs Young Leopards – Hollywoodbets Kings Park 3, Durban.