Team Announcement: Sanlam Boland Top 12

by Denshir | Oct 20, 2023 | Club

The opening round fixtures sees defending champions travel to Robertson where they face Robertson Town while newcomers Safcol United host Malmesbury juggernaut Wesbank.

Vanrhynsdorp Eagles and the team from Wellington Roses United go head-to-head in Vanrhynsdorp and last year’s runners-up, Bella Vista host Delicious NW in Ceres. Making their fifth appearance at the Sanlam Boland Top 12, Darling and Hawston do battle in Darling while in Mamre debutants Mamre welcome the Worcester-based Young Hamiltons in what promises to be an epic encounter.

“There’s always pressure from the community. People are fanatical about the team. There is also the pressure that comes with being champions, but I reckon we are in a good space. The guys know what it’s about,” says Saldanha Bay head coach Travor Pieterse.

He adds that Saldanha Bay aren’t approaching the tournament with the mindset of retaining the trophy. “Our mission is to compete for the trophy. We don’t see it as something that is in our possession. We are going to compete like any other team. We shouldn’t think of ourselves as Boland champions. We are past that stage,” says Pieterse.

All matches can be followed live on www.bolandrugby.co.za

Teams:
Darling RFC: 15 Ryle Daniels, 14 Gerrit Carolus, 13 JP Abrahams, 12 Chad McKay, 11 Hubert Cleophas, 10 Earl Lewis, 9 Ethan Sias, 8 Wildon Marsh, 7 Lodewyk Langeveldt, 6 Wilton Tango, 5 John Samuels, 4 Jedwin Fortuin, 3 Marius Herman, 2 Chadwin Robertson, 1 Henwille Cleophas
Replacements: 16 Lean Matthyse, 17 Kelvin Marthinus, 18 Chester Gordon, 19 Mitchum Fortuin, 20 Renfred Adams, 21 Anasto Warnick, 22 Verdeen Daniels, 23 Jonte Loubser

Delicious NW: 15 Conrel Kouter, 14 Reagan Boltney, 13 Jaco Ockhuis, 12 Jaydrin Kotze, 11 Gezrwin Walker, 10 Corne du Plessis, 9 Carl-Andrew Heins, 8 Thurston Zimri, 7 Duran Steenkamp, 6 Gailton van Wyk, 5 Shandre Prince, 4 Quinton Pieterse, 3 Brenton Brink, 2 Dillon Minnaar, 1 Chriswill van Rooy
Replacements: 16 Anvour Hendricks, 17 Randal Oktober, 18 Kervinne Fortuin, 19 Dilian Goliath, 20 Fredwin Goedeman, 21 Aubrey van Rooien, 22 Chadd Fortuin, 23 Tristian Noemdoe

Roses United: 15 Adriaan Jacobs, 14 Jaydan Fransman, 13 Xavier Mitchell, 12 Marc Andries, 11 Heinrich Isaacs, 10 Ryan Julies, 9 Percival Williams, 8 Hyco Jacobs, 7 Ryan Presence, 6 John Jantjies, 5 Denvor Cloete, 4 Jade Demas, 3 Chandtler Davids, 2 Kelvin Fikster, 1 Lance Korabie
Replacements: 16 El-Shaun Davids, 17 Betra, Geswind, 18 Byran Matthews, 19 James Solomons, 20 Jason Fortuin, 21 Elton Fortuin, 22 Diago Julies, 23 Anil Samuels

Bella Vista: 15 Jared Manus, 14 John-Lee Skippers, 13 Durin Nasson, 12 Cameron Davids, 11 Ruan Manuel, 10 Marno Saunders, 9 Rowan Wildschuts, 8 Therry Grootboom, 7 Francois Adam, 6 Lorenzo Boer, 5 Lurenco Jumath, 4 Elcado Baadjies, 3 Jemiehl Muller, 2 Chesvill Muller, 1 Selwin Jafta
Replacements: 16 Adrian Mars, 17 John-Ross Hofmeester, 18 Morne Swartz, 19 Francois Hofmeester, 20 Martinique Jacobs, 21 Marco Manus, 22 Kenan Wessels, 23 Jathan-Lee Martin

Hawston: 15 Gershwin October, 14 Wesley Spandiel, 13 Conway Sauls, 12 Chad Kleinsmidt, 11 Ronaldo Isaacs, 10 Roland Swarts, 9 Cameron Plaaitjies, 8 Franscois Geduld, 7 Branden Hunter, 6 Neville Pietersen, 5 Dino Afrikaner, 4 Dawid Gerber, 3 Edward Fisher, 2 Nardie Groenwald, 1 Mouhammed Diop
Replacements: 16 Mavin Benjamin, 17 Carlton Cellie, 18 Darren Maree, 19 Brattleigh Mitchell, 20 Aiden May, 21 Dwight Armstrong, 22 Taygon Johnson, 23 Nohen Fick

Mamre: 15 Kirsten Adams, 14 Jose Williams, 13 Eudene van der Merwe, 12 Edwill Okkers, 11 Bradwin Prins, 10 Bradwinn Johnson, 9 Brian Prins, 8 Waldick Gericke, 7 Remzi Cuce, 6 Austin Apollis, 5 Liam Adams, 4 Jason Agullis, 3 Alwyn Liebenberg, 2 Cornell Oppelt, 1 Bradley Visser
Replacements: 16 Lathan Okkers, 17 Taswill Arends, 18 Gerwin Philander, 19 Yulin Sampson, 20 Lathim Stadler, 21 Divan Godfrey, 22 Duwayne Cupido, 23 Darren Jafta

Robertson: 15 Juandre Joseph, 14 Leighton Swarts, 13 Jennewil April, 12 Jovelian de Koker, 11 Runé Lucas, 10 Colin Willemse, 9 Gurshwin Africa, 8 Lorenzo Baartman, 7 Wendall Williams, 6 Freginald Africa, 5 Jumainuine Arendse, 4 Curtly Timm, 3 Oliver Regue, 2 Abdura-Ouf Gallie, 1 Jasherie Kariem
Replacements: 16 Edward Lange, 17 Matthew Fluks, 18 Duan Bredenkamp, 19 Patrick Zimri, 20 Andrew Williams, 21 Cheslin Arendse, 22 Johan Stephanus, 23 Lincolin Eksteen

Safcol United: 15 Connor Mahoney, 14 Andrin Mepomie, 13 Devrudin Abrahams, 12 Lehnrho Julies, 11 Waden Nel, 10 Willsley Banies, 9 Jason Beukes, 8 Benjamin Dwayi, 7 Cameron Julies, 6 Bradly Alexander, 5 Elzane Philander, 4 Jade Muller, 3 Ralph Dwayi, 2 Jacquinn Ruthford, 1 Shane-Lee Kenned
Replacements: 16 Brandon Mtoko, 17 Theodore Ntikinca, 18 Tyrese Peters, 19 David Claasen, 20 Noltan Sauls, 21 Ricardo Klaasen, 22 Heinrich Meintjies, 23 Warwick Philander

Saldanha: 15 Rodwill Jonkers, 14 Riaan Louw, 13 Dorehano Carolus, 12 Tyrone Abelse, 11 Mikyle Hanse, 10 Jacquin Jansen, 9 Monray Jacobs, 8 John van der Vent, 7 Emile Booysen, 6 Athi Magwala, 5 Ngelethu Yose, 4 Daniel Temm, 3 Heinrich Heinze, 2 Divan Joshua, 1 Johan Louw
Replacements: 16 Legan Jacobs, 17 Riaan Vraagom, 18 Abduragmaan Latief, 19 Nicholas de Beer, 20 Andre August, 21 Darren Visser, 22 Marius Vivers, 23 Gurshton Gurah

Vanrhynsdorp Eagles: 15 Wildeno Hahn, 14 Tyron Bocks, 13 Llewelynn Hahn, 12 Austin Davids, 11 Shaun-Lee Box, 10 Anthony Linnert, 9 JP Nortjè, 8 Arno Koegelenberg, 7 Devandre Flink, 6 Elrico Cloete, 5 Geraldo van Neel, 4 Simon Ndlovu, 3 Leighton Farmer, 2 Damian Kotze, 1 Nico Kotze
Replacements: 16 Ronaldo Rosenberg, 17 Arnold Groenewaldt, 18 Henrico Afrika, 19 Jeraldo Coetzee, 20 Godfrey Love, 21 Kraynauw Gentles, 22 Keano de Klerk, 23 William Hahn

Wesbank: 15 Dillon Strydom, 14 Matthew van der Westhuizen, 13 Devon van Niekerk, 12 Gavern Skippers, 11 Brandon Appolis, 10 Dashton Wellman, 9 Juwell Samuels, 8 Charles Gerber, 7 Keanan Solomons, 6 Melvin Lazerus, 5 Faeez Moosa, 4 Denzil Adams, 3 Nicolas Duwha, 2 Mazwell Nero, 1 Elrique Davids
Replacements: 16 Fernon Cloete, 17 Jillingisi Siphinate, 18 Braison Albertus, 19 Nathan Solomons, 20 Ashwin Lawrence, 21 Ashlon Davids, 22 Ralton du Toit, 23 Jayden Jakobus

Young Hamiltons: 15 Luciano Truter, 14 Claudio Matolla, 13 Ethan Setera, 12 Ashwill Klein, 11 Ethinique Adams, 10 Shaun Fata, 9 Luciano Elias, 8 Chad Oosthuizen, 7 Philbrey Joseph, 6 Bevan Malapi, 5 Rowydill Martin, 4 Reagan Alexander, 3 Irwin Malapi, 2 Cameron Visagie, 1 Bertram Jack
Replacements: 16 Darren Williams, 17 Rowayne Ruiters, 18 Cullen Benjamin, 19 Jean-Paul Valla, 20 Ruben Beaukman, 21 Yushwin Hattingh, 22 Ussielle Langeveldt, 23 Garth Jacobs

Saldanha going for their third title in five years

by Denshir | Oct 19, 2023 | Club

“There’s always pressure from the community. People are fanatical about the team. There is also the pressure that comes with being champions, but I reckon we are in a good space. The guys know what it’s about,” says coach Travor Pieterse.

He adds that Saldanha Bay aren’t approaching the tournament with the mindset of retaining the trophy.

“Our mission is to compete for the trophy. We don’t see it as something that is in our possession. We are going to compete like any other team. We shouldn’t think of ourselves as Boland champions. We are past that stage,” says Pieterse.

Indeed, Saldanha Bay don’t expect to have it all their own way when they make the trek Saturday to go and play Robertson.

“Robertson is a good, well-coached team. They’re especially big up front. They’ve got good inside backs and big wings. They’re a neat package, a physical team,” says Pieterse.

As for his team, he says that they enjoy seeking space but are comfortable engaging physically.

“We can do both sides of the coin. While we enjoy carrying the ball, we don’t shy away when faced with size,” says Pieterse.

While confident, Saldanha Bay aren’t boldly predicting a victory.

“We want to accurately execute what we have worked on. You can’t take a team like Robertson lightly. If things work out the way we trained, the guys stick to the system and each guy does his bit, I’m sure we will have a good game,” says Pieterse.

Saldanha Bay kick off the tournament in a better space than last year, when they had to contend with a lot of injuries.

“We have far fewer medical issues and players who played in the tournament for the first time last year now have a feel for it,” says Pieterse.

Rodvill Jonkers, an exciting fullback from Vredenburg, has linked up with Saldanha Bay, while the International Rugby Institute in Saldanha has also delivered a talented flyhalf in Marius Viviers. Samuel Greyling, formerly of the Naka Bulls in Pretoria, also provides a good option at inside centre. Pieterse is also looking forward to another big season from wings Riaan Louw and Mikyle Hanse.

He says that the club community is buzzing about the influx of sponsors for the Top12. Sanlam headlines a list that includes Vumatel, Tekkie Town, Santam and Umbro.

“We’ve spoken a bit about what Boland offers us as a club and the broader community in general,” says Pieterse.

“People are excited about the sponsors that have come on board. It gives us hope. We’re looking forward to it.”

Bella Vista wil die rekord regstel in 2023

by Denshir | Oct 19, 2023 | Club

Jonathan Fredericks, afrigter van Bella Vista, ken die gesegde van ‘só naby maar tog só ver’ al te goed nadat die Top12-titel verlede jaar met ’n skopstryd deur hul vingers geglip het.

Wat dit moeiliker gemaak het om te verwerk, is die verbroude kanse wat daartoe gelei het dat Saldanha Bay met die titel wegstap. Die telling ná bykomende tyd in die eindstryd was 9-elk, wat beteken het dat die wenner deur ’n skopstryd bepaal moes word.

“Ek het dié week gesê dat skoppe dié jaar nie nodig gaan wees nie, want ons sal meer drieë in die eindstryd druk,” grap hy.

Fredericks voeg by dat sy span se voorbereiding “op koers” is voordat hul veldtog Saterdag met ’n tuiswedstryd teen Delicious begin.

“Ons het verlede Saterdag ’n spanbou gehad en in die week voor die wedstryd is die fokus net op struktuur. Ons gaan dit hekkie vir hekkie, wedstryd vir wedstryd neem,” sê hy.

Fredericks meen die hartseer van verlede jaar se eindstryd kan in ’n positief omskep word met die oog op vanjaar se veldtog.

“Ons het dit nie eintlik as ’n verloor gevat nie. Daar was geleenthede in die 80ste minuut en ook in bykomende tyd wat ons nie benut het nie. Ons het vir mekaar gesê dat ons daaruit sal leer en die foute nie gaan herhaal nie,” sê hy.

Bella Vista kan dié seisoen voor- én agterlangs sterker wees. Die veelsydige stut John Ross – voorheen van Roses United – het by hulle aangesluit. Marno Saunders, ’n aanvallende losskakel wat weens ’n besering nie verlede jaar gespeel het nie, is ook slaggereed. John-Lee Skippers se goeie spelpeil vir die tweede span het ook Fredericks se oog getref en hy kan moontlik op die vleuel diens doen. Bella Vista het dié seisoen ook ’n kondisionerings-afrigter, wat beteken dat die span fiks gaan wees.

“Ons is lekker gekondisioneer en ek dink ons het ook ’n sterker groep. Daar’s ook ’n dringendheid om te wen. Ons was daar gewees en weet wat ons moet doen om oor die laaste hekkie te kom,” sê Fredericks.

Hy verwag nie teenspoed teen Delicious nie.

“Ons het hulle verlede jaar op hul tuisveld met vyf punte geklop, so ek sien nie dat hulle ons op ons s’n sal stuit nie. Ons het net daai edge,” sê hy.

Al 33 Sanlam Boland Top 12 wedstryde gaan regstreeks op die Boland Rugby webtuiste uitgesaai word.