Malelane Rugby Club ends 12-year trophy drought with Mayor’s League title

The silverware will finally be returning to the trophy case at Malelane Rugby Club, as they recorded their first MRU Ehlanzeni Mayor's League title and the club's first trophy in 12 years when they beat Hazyview in the final on July 6.

Malelane Rugby Club celebrate their triumph. Photos: www.rbphotography.co.za/Rikka Business Solutions/Naas Storage

Malelane Rugby Club has ended their 12-year wait to see the silverware return to their trophy case, winning the 2024 MRU Ehlanzeni Mayor’s League final against Hazyview.

Malelane had dominated the 2024 Mayor’s League season, winning all six of their round-robin matches before the semi-final stage. This ensured they finished top of the log and hosted the semi-final, in which they took on the Ratels on Saturday June 22, and emerged 29-17 victors.

Courtesy of their victory against the Ratels, Malelane secured a spot in the final of a league for the first time since 2013 when they finished as runners-up in the Super League*.

Franco van Rooyen, Ndumiso Masinga and Vernon Viviers celebrate a Malelane try. Photos: www.rbphotography.co.za/Rikka Business Solutions/Naas Storage

The 2024 Mayor’s League final presented Malelane with the opportunity to end a 12-year trophy drought. Their last triumph came in the 2012 2nd Division* season. They also won the 1st Division* in in 2007.

Standing in their way would be a determined Hazyview Rugby Club outfit, seeking revenge after a 75-0 thumping in the round-robin stage. Having finished top of the league while Hazyview finished second, Malalane hosted the final on Saturday July 6.

Goodman Danke. Photos: www.rbphotography.co.za/Rikka Business Solutions/Naas Storage

The game got off to a great start for spectators courtesy of a thrilling first half. Hazyview immediately improved on their round-robin showing, managing a first-half try, but Malalane managed to still hold the edge going into half-time.

The scoreline was 18-10 in favour of Malelane, which set up an exciting second half.

The second period of 40 minutes was hotly contested, with no side really able to run away with the game. Malelane were able to cross the whitewash one more time to score their third and final try of the match, but Hazyview couldn’t muster more than an additional penalty in the second half.

This meant that Malelane ran out 26-13 winners to win the MRU Ehlanzeni Mayor’s League for the first time ever. It also ended their 12-year-long trophy drought.

*Club rugby in the Lowveld and Mpumalanga has undergone several structural changes over the years. The 1st Division was contested by all Lowveld clubs’ rugby first teams. The current iteration is the MRU Ehlanzeni Premier League. The 2nd Division was contested by the Lowveld clubs’ second teams. The Super League was a fleeting league contested by the four best Lowveld and the four best Highveld rugby clubs.