Preparation for 2019 started off as a rollercoaster ride for Eastvaal Witbank Rugby Club.
“As management and coaching corps we decided to be the best – you need to test yourself against the best. As preparation for the Phakisa Premier league we played Boksburg, Springs, a team from Shoshanguve and Tuks in our pre-season preparation. Testing out our combinations, depth and skill levels had helped us to formulate the destructive game plan for a league that is out of the starting blocks,” said team manager Leon van Rensburg.
The club’s league kicked off against archrivals Middelburg Rugby Club on Saturday, May 4 in Middelburg.
Eastvaal Witbank’s first 15 functioned like a well oiled machine against Middelburg.
The most spectacular try of the day was scored by Christo Nelson. Straight from kick-off the ball was taken in mid-air by Ruan van der Colf.
The momentum kept going and Middelburg just did not have enough hands to stop Christo.
Christo managed to score three tries, MC Botes two, Willa Martin one and Jackie Smit one.
Johan Badenhorst converted five of the tries and Pieter Clarence one. Johan also added nine points to the scoreboard with three penalties.
The final score was 56-16.
Jackie was named forward man of the match and fly half Jeandré Schmidt backline man of the match.
The second team lost in the second half against Middelburg 25-8.
“We dominated the Middelburgers in the set phases, but they capitalized on our mistakes. With a positive approach and mindset our players demonstrated that we can only go from strength to strength this season. We know what mistakes were made and we have already started working on it,” Quintin said.
The second team’s man of the match forwards is Meswaki Fransman and back Jacques Nel.
Eastvaal Witbank will test themselves against Nelspruit away on May 11 in their second official Phakisa Premier League game.
Local rugby enthusiasts will then be spoiled with five home games, the first being on May 18 against Sasol Rugby Club in Secunda.
