The past weekend witnessed a thrilling conclusion to the 2023 WP Club Rugby League, with multiple games unfolding at City Park. The day began early, setting the stage for playoff matches to determine which teams would advance and who would face the dreaded promotion-relegation fixtures this weekend.
In the opening clash of the day, Super League C contenders Macassar squared off against Kraaifontein, and it was Kraaifontein who emerged victorious with a scoreline of 21-5. Their triumph now sets up an intriguing showdown against Primrose this weekend to decide the fate of promotion and relegation.
Meanwhile, in the Super League B playoffs, Franschhoek triumphed with a score of 22-15 over Hands and Hearts. This outcome secured Franschhoek’s spot in the promotion-relegation match against NTK this weekend, promising another exciting contest. A win for Franschhoek could see them promoted to Super League A.
The first of the league finals took place amidst an ever-increasing City Park wind. Hamediehs faced off against Van Der Stel Evergreens, with Hamediehs emerging as the victors, with an emphatic score of 36-7. This triumph crowned Hamediehs as the 2023 Super League Champions, prompting jubilant celebrations from the hundreds of Hamediehs supporters. Captain Altheo Mathys led his team with pride as they hoisted the Super League C trophy high.
In the Super League B final, SK Walmers locked horns with CPUT, drawing passionate support from their respective local fan bases. SK Walmers proved to be the dominant force on the day, winning convincingly with a score of 31-12. Even with this disappointing result, Coach Alistair Theys still had reason to smile as they have secured their promotion to Super League A in 2024.
The late afternoon brought a chilling wind as Maties faced off against Helderberg. Helderberg had been a dominant force throughout the season, but on this occasion, the students showcased their strength, emerging victorious with a final score of 26-13. Their triumph crowned them as the 2023 Super League A Champions, capping off a remarkable season with Coach Kabamba Floors and captain Gift Dlamini raised on the shoulders of some very happy teammates.
The 2023 WP Club Rugby League finale was a testament to the dedication and talent of all the participating teams. It showcased the thrilling nature of Western Province Club Rugby and left fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming promotion-relegation matches and the promise of more exciting rugby action in the future.
This Saturday sees Elsies River United up against Gardens in the Promotion league (12:00), Primrose vs Kraaifontein SLB/C, (13:30), and NTK vs Franschhoek SLA/B (15:00)
