Old boys rugby at its best
GREENSIDE – Masakhane Old Boys took their first victory at the OBX19 10s tournament, beating three-time winners Middelburg Old Boys in a nail-biting final.
A successful weekend of old school spirit and old school rugby at Pirates Club helped raise R100 000 for the Education Endowment Fund.
The funds will allow four disadvantaged learners to receive educational bursaries at partner schools.
The vibrant OBX19 10s tournament saw 16 rugby and four netball teams go head-to-head in a friendly tournament with the goal of giving back.
Tournament director Marcel Malherbe said, “The feeling at this year’s tournament was euphoric, with teams riding on a high after the Springboks’ victory at the world cup. There were so many inspirational stories coming through from the world cup and we wanted to make it possible to see more happen.”
The 10s rugby tournament saw an exciting final when Masakhane Old Boys took on three-time winners Middelburg Old Boys.
After losing to Middelburg 19–7 in the group stages, Masakhane went into the final as the underdogs. The team of mostly Wits alumni scored an early try and conversion to put Middelburg Old Boys on the back foot. The men from Middelburg soon equalised with a quick try after having little possession.
The match went into 10 minutes of extra time and it was Masakhane who scored the winning try in the final minutes to win 12–7.
Elated director and coach of Masakhane Old Boys, Chulumanco Macingwane described the nail-biting final as unbelievable and well-deserved.
“Masakhane was founded in 1995 by boys at Wits who wanted to make a statement about the ability of black boys in rugby. At the time, there were very few opportunities for black boys in rugby,” said Macingwane.
“We wanted to make a statement that wherever we go, we are worthy, equal, deserving and competent. We thought that Old Boys 10s was the perfect platform to display what we wanted to prove at Wits. We needed to break the hegemony and ensure that there is a new face to rugby.”
He added that after walking away with the bronze medal last year, they came back this year with unfinished business.
“And here we are with the gold medal. It was an extraordinary game and it has been an extraordinary journey. To go into extra time, one man down, and still be able to grind out, it speaks to the character and grit of this group of young men.”
Queens College Old Boys took bronze after beating St Alban’s 19–0 while Pretoria Boys beat Stirling 28–0 in the plate final. The Wanderers Stables beat the Mighty Kings 7–0 in the Vets final while Jeppe boys beat Dale College 10–0 in the bowl final.
KES edged out General Smuts in the Shield final 22–5 and Parktown Boys put in a convincing win against Trinity House in the spoon final.
On the netball side, the ladies from Middelburg took home gold, beating the Netball Junkies 16–11.
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