Sports highlights for 2017: January – June
Catch up on the highlights of the 2017 sporting year in Springs, from January to June.
January 12
• Fernando wrestles for gold in Leipzig – Fernando Booysen returned from Germany with two wrestling trophies and a gold medal.
January 19Â
• Busy week at Pollak Park – Golfers were back in action, after the Christmas holidays, in various competitions.
January 26
• Thousands gather for Garbie race – KwaThema’s Lethabo Morapedi ran the annual 15km race barefoot, saying it felt better and made running easier.
February 2
• Another two triathlon golds for Edwards – Brad Edwards’ dream of winning the Fedhealth XTERRA Buffelspoort race came true when he took gold in 2:43:26.
February 9
• Bert Collins boxers pack in the punches – The club hosted the Ekurhuleni Elite, Youth and Junior Championships. Kobus Nienaber was the first boxer from the Bert Collins Boxing Club to enter the ring, fighting a convincing match and winning with a 5-0 decision.
February 16
• Springs’ Booth ready for Dusi – Tommy Booth participated in the JCC Two-Day Klip River Race in preparation for the 125km FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon.
February 23
• Thousands gather for Ride for Sight – The 2017 Dis-Chem Ride for Sight cycling challenge kicked off at the Boksburg City Stadium with around 6 000 cyclists for its 29th edition.
March 2
• Tommy and Frith enjoy the Dusi – Springsite Tommy Booth and Frith Cooper completed the 120km FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon in good time.
March 9
• Springs will be well represented at FightStars 22 – Four fighters from House of Tinkerbell were set to compete at FightStar 22.
March 16
• Young MMA stars to take Springs far – Pro league manager James Read commented: “Gift (Walker) and Nathaniel (Komane) are superstars. They are the next generation of fighters who are going to represent South Africa on the world stage.” The two fight out of House of Tinkerbell.
March 23
• Valke players keep up the momentum – The provincial Valke rugby team held their practice session at Dr Johan Jurgens Hoërskool in preparation for their game against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versveld.
March 30
• Almal vang gees by kerk hengeldag – Na weke van beplanning het die Afrikaanse Protestante Kerk Fonteine se hengeldag plaas gevind.
April 6
• Punching his way to elite champs – Charl Coetzer was getting ready to represent Ekurhuleni at the Gauteng Elite Boxing Championships in Pretoria.
April 13
• Valke celebrate 70th birthday – The Valke Rugby Union marked the date on which the SA Rugby Union, and previously the SA Rugby Federation, became an official union in 1947.
April 20
• Fernando, Springs’ own SA wrestling champion – Fernando Booysen has won the South African Freestyle President’s Championships for the past five years.
April 27
• Tiny Titans pack a mean punch – Two junior fighters from House of Tinkerbell won medals at the Clash of the Tiny Titans Kickboxing Tournament in Brakpan.
May 4
• Bowling has become his passion – John Molupi, from Springs Town Bowling, joined the Junior Silver Squad to play in the Malaysia Practice International Tournament.
May 11
• A secure win for Springs’ First team – Springs Rugby’s First team claimed victory over East Rand United.
May 18
• Club rugby at its best – Three local rugby teams played against Northwest University (NWU) teams in cold and wet conditions at Vanderbijlpark on Saturday.
May 25
• Fernando’s first African wrestling experience – Fernando Booysen (15) won a gold medal at his first Africa Cadet Freestlke Continental Wrestling Championships held in Marrakesh, Morocco.
June 1
• Springs’ First team is top of the log – The Springs Rugby Club’s First team beat Boksburg at Springs’ homeground 51-46.
June 8
• Good representation from Springs at the Comrades – Over 30 Springs runners, predominately from Striders Athletics Club, ran this year’s Comrades Marathon.
June 15
• Boxers chosen for Ekurhuleni team – The Bert Collins Boxing Club hosted a Gauteng Development Tournament which resulted in three of the club’s members being selected for the Ekurhuleni school age boxing team to compete at the Gauteng Championship Boxing Tournament.
June 22
• Nothing but gold as ‘Tinkerbell’ cleans up at local tournament – Gold was the order of the day(s) for Springs’ JP ‘Tinkerbell’ Kruger when he participated in three Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments over three weeks.
June 29
• NWU-Vaal fall at Springs Guns’ feet – The Springs Rugby Club hosted various rugby matches over the weekend.
