This week, Wednesday saw yet another milestone for Western Province Rugby as we witnessed a first for our club structures as our Super League A clubs drew the names of contract players.
The draft draw event saw the contracted senior DHL WP Rugby players’ names all go into a hat as our Super League A Clubs drew the names of the players for their respective clubs. The event generated much excitement as the clubs realized the value of having senior contracted players linked to their club, including our Springbok players.
Although this system does not guarantee that players will play weekly club rugby, it does provide a fair allocation to a club if and when we need our contracted players to get some extra game time, for example, when returning from injury.
This initiative, similar to the very popular international draft system bolsters our connection between club rugby and professional rugby. It will undoubtedly see several of our clubs looking to invite their new members and make them feel at home, with the possibility of some club rugby fan interaction.
This weekend sees some big matches on the cards, including some derbies and Youth Day celebration matches. In Super League A we have last year’s finalists Durbell and False Bay going head to head at Durbanville. False Bay will have their work cut out for them as Durbell, who have three games in hand, will be looking to move into a possible 2nd place spot on the log, behind UCT. The same can be said for Uni-Mil, who will host UWC this week, as UniMil will be looking to secure a possible 3rd position on the log.
Super League B has eight clubs in action this weekend, and there is no doubt that the match between Collegians and SK Walmers is the match on everyone’s lips. SK Walmers is currently unbeaten in Super League B, but we know that derby matches could go any way on any day. Although it’s a home game for Collegians, the venue has been secured at the Tygerberg Rugby field in Ravensmead, as Collegians’ fields are still not available.
Other matches in Super League B include Strand hosting Kylemore at Gustrou, Young Peoples hosting Vineyards at the Faure Stadium in Paarl, and All Saints will look to go top of the log when they face CPUT at Helderzicht while Franschhoek has a bye this weekend.
Other matches this weekend include Kraaifontein in action against Hamediehs in Super League C, Police hosting Callies in the City League, and in the Southern League, we see Young Stars hosting Rocklands while Thistles are up against Young Wesleys, and Retreat, who drew with Rocklands last week, take on Peninsula. Retreat will need only one point from this match to go to the top of the log over Atlantis, who are also off this weekend.
It’s a Youth Day festival of rugby at Langa this weekend as Busy Bees RFC commemorate their one hundredth year of rugby. The event, which will see several teams including women’s and junior rugby teams in action, starts at 08:00 with a fitness program, followed by junior rugby and then various senior matches, including Busy Bees Ladies up against Blue Jets Ladies.
The highlight of the day will undoubtedly be the attendance of the Mayor of Cape Town, Mr. Geordin Hill-Lewis, as he hands over the one hundred-year commemorative jersey.