Vir bykans twee dekades het die naam Anthony Linnert sinoniem geword met trots, passie, en lojaliteit by die Vanrhynsdorp Eagles Rugbyklub. Met 19 jaar as speler en 2 jaar as spanbestuurder, is hy een van die pilare waarop die klub gebou is. ’n Ware legende wie se toewyding en geloof aansteeklik is.
Van speler tot leier Hy het in al die agterlyn posisies gespeel, maar dit was op nommer 13 waar hy werklik sy naam gemaak het. Sy spelintelligensie, harde verdediging en vermoë om geleenthede te skep, het hom n sleutelspeler gemaak in die Eagles se sukses oor die jare.
Die derby struweling Wanneer mense oor groot wedstryde praat, kom die derby teen sy neef Pit altyd ter sprake. Dit was die tipe wedstryde wat die dorp tot stilstaan gebring het. Eagles lê diep in se Linnert se hart, vir hom gaan dit nie net oor die wen van die wedstryde nie, maar oor die vriendskapsbande en waardes wat die klub bevorder.
“En gewoonlik was ek die wenner in daardie stryd,” skerts Linnert soos hy die storie oorvertel.
”Die klub bring iets besonders uit die jongmense. Hier leer jy dissipline, respek en geloof – dinge wat verder as rugby strek.”
Onoorwonne jaar en hoogtepunte Een van die trotste oomblikke in sy loopbaan was in 2015-seisoen, toe Eagles onoorwonne gebly het. Met die oog op die huidige Sanlam Boland Top 12 kompetisie, is hy vol hoop en selfs opgewonde oor die jare wat nog voorlê.
“Daardie jaar het vir my uitgestaan. Ons het op God se genade en beginsels van samewerking gebou. Die vertroue onder mekaar was ongelooflik sterk.”
“Ek dink ons voorbereiding en benadering is reg op koers. Die spelers besef die erns van ‘n goeie performance. As ons bly in die strukture en mekaar vertrou, kan ons baie goed doen.”
Motivering vir die spelers Sy boodskap aan die span is eenvoudig.
“Boys gaan uit en gaan besef jou purpose in die span en hoekom juis hierdie jaar die hemelse vader jou in dié span en groep geplaas het. Baie ander wil hierdie geleentheid hê wat julle tans het maar is nie so bevooreg nie.
“Gaan wys vir hulle hoekom jy gekies is en daardie plek verdien. Ek se altyd die Here weet reeds wat die uitslag van die [Sanlam Boland] Top 12 en niemand kan dit verander nie, jy kan net tot eer van sy naam deelneem aan jou beste gee. Gaan uit en maak jouself, familie, gemeenskap en klub trots.”
Hillcrest United is celebrating its 25th anniversary in fine style with its maiden qualification to the Sanlam Boland Top 12 competition.
In the early days of Hillcrest, there are a few names that carry as much weight, or heart, as Bryan “Katto” Cato. A founding member of the club, Cato was known for his toughness on the field and inevitable deep loyalty off it. His nickname, “Katto en grate,” was earned the hard way.
“I was the skinniest guy in the team, but also the hardest player,” Cato said. “I was the only one who could punch above my height, and this came in handy when an opposition hooker or a prop was a bit of a nuisance, especially at scrum time.”
For more than eight memorable years, Cato played lock and flank for Hillies. His presence in the pack became the heartbeat of the team, where toughness and camaraderie mattered more than size. Among his closest allies on the field were the late John Abrahams and Leon Cupido, affectionately known as Hoppie; players who have the same fighting spirit, values, and beliefs that helped shape the club’s early identity.
“Wyle John Abrahams was a great leader; he bled for the team.”
Cato believes that the 2000 season – the inaugural year of the club – stands out for him. It was the season Hillcrest defeated Abbotsdale in the final; a moment of that will always be remembered with pride, for the club and the community.
His performances that year earned him the first-ever Hillies Sportsman of the Year award, along with six Man of the Match awards. A quarter-century later, Cato’s message to the Hillcrest family is one of unity and resilience.
“In 2000, the team showed that Hillcrest could rise above. We were thrown into the deep end and had to swim for survival.
“To the management, coaches, and players—stand strong and be there for one another. Hillcrest has always been one of the top teams in Boland. Let’s bring back that power, but it starts with teamwork. Remember, rugby is a team sport—you’re never too big for the game.”
The Boland Rugby Union is delighted to announce Mama’s Pies as a new sponsor partner for the 2025 Sanlam Boland Top 12 competition and broader rugby structures across the region.
Mama’s Pies, a proudly South African favourite and part of RFG Foods (Pty) Ltd, joins Boland Rugby as a Level 4 sponsor, further strengthening the Union’s growing family of commercial partners. With its headquarters based in the Boland, between Paarl and Franschhoek, Mama’s Pies is perfectly positioned to contribute to the growth of community rugby across the province.
“We are very excited to be part of this incredible community,” said Jana Lategan, Brand Manager at Mama’s Pies. “By supporting not only the players but also the ‘Mama’ behind each player, as well as the spectators and everyone involved, to make the tournament possible. Mama’s Pies is a South African favourite, and we look forward to being part of the heartbeat of Boland rugby.”
Mama’s Pies has emphasised that their sponsorship recognises the crucial role of women in rugby, from mothers who patch up their sons after a tough match, to the partners who support their loved one’s training late into the evenings, to the passionate fans cheering on from the sidelines. The company believes that without the support of women, there is no sport.
This partnership extends beyond the flagship Sanlam Boland Top 12 into the broader rugby ecosystem, including the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and club rugby competitions throughout the region. Following the Kavas’ recent successes in the Carling Currie Cup, sponsor interest in Boland Rugby has grown rapidly, and Mama’s Pies is among the leading brands investing in the future of the Union.
Mr Bennie van Rooi, President of the Boland Rugby Union, welcomed the partnership: “We are proud to welcome Mama’s Pies into the Boland Rugby family. Their brand values of care, nourishment, and community align perfectly with the spirit of our Union.
“This sponsorship is about more than visibility; it is about strengthening the role of family, supporters, and especially women in our game. We thank Mama’s Pies for believing in the power of rugby to unite communities.”
About the Sanlam Boland Top 12
The Sanlam Boland Top 12, also known as the Grootuitdaag, is the premier community rugby competition of the Boland Rugby Union. Bringing together the region’s best clubs, the tournament represents the pinnacle of passion, rivalry, and sporting excellence in the Boland region. Alongside the Top 12, the Union also hosts the Super 10 (Streekuitdaag), Super 16 (Gemeenskapskild), and Super 8 (Vroueliga), ensuring a full pathway for men’s, women’s, and community rugby.
The Boland Rugby Union is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Sanlam Boland Top 12 competition – the pinnacle of club rugby in the region – along with three additional premier regional tournaments: the Super 10 (Streekuitdaag), the Super 16 (Gemeenskapskild), and the Super 8 (Vroueliga).
The defending champions, Robertson Town RFC, will host three matches, as will five other teams who finished top in their respective Boland club rugby regions’ Grootuitdaag competitions. Teams that finished in the second place will play three away and two matches in front of their home crowds.
Every match across the four knockout tournaments kicks off on 11 October, with the semi-finals on 15 November and finals on 22 November being played at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington.
Photo: The Sanlam Boland Top 12 captains ahead of the 2025 competition set to kick off on 11 October. Photo by Boland Rugby Media/Ernest Kilowan
In the first round, which kicks off on 11 October, there is a repeat of the 2023 Sanlam Boland Top 12 final, with Robertson Town hosting Safcol United, while Roses United welcomes Vredenburg. Worcester Villagers travel to face the in-form side from the Overberg, Botrivier. In Round Two, Roses United travel to Boland Park to face the 2024 runners-up, Worcester Villagers, in what will prove to be an entertaining encounter. The 2023 champions, Safcol United, host the Noordweste champion, Delicious NW, while Vanrhynsdorp Eagles welcome Botrivier to the Matzikama Municipality.
“The Sanlam Boland Top 12 brings about hope, and it creates a healthy platform for Boland’s young talent to be showcased,” said Mr Bennie van Rooi, president of the Boland Rugby Union. “We celebrate the energy and passion of every supporter, management team member, player, and coach.
“All of which would not be possible without any of our sponsors, thanks to Sanlam, Santam, Vuma, Tekkie Town, Heineken Beverages, Rainbow Chickens, and our newest partner, Mama’s Pies. Through these partnerships, we can elevate the platform. This season promises unforgettable rugby for our communities.”
This year’s Sanlam Boland Top 12, widely regarded as the Grootuitdaag, will feature the following confirmed clubs:
Robertson Town RFC (Defending champions)
VillagersWorcester RFC (2024 runners-up)
Safcol United RFC (2023 champions)
Botrivier RFC (newcomers)
Saldanha Bay RFC (2019 & 2022 back-to-back winners)
Roses United RFC (the only unbeaten team of the 2025 season)
Delicious NW RFC (back in Sanlam Boland Top 12 after 2023)
Hillcrest United RFC (Semi-finalist in previous Top8 format, in 2017)
Vredenburg RFC (returning Weskus side)
WesbankRFC (returns to the Sanlam Boland Top 12 since 2023)
AbbottsdaleRFC (returning Swartland side)
The teams are divided into two groups, with no teams from the same Grootuitdaag region placed in the same group. Teams that won their respective leagues will have three home games and two away matches, while the second-placed sides will be on the road for three games, with two of their five matches played at their home ground.
Mr Quintin van Rooyen, CEO of Boland Rugby (Pty) Ltd, said: “The Boland Rugby competitions embody both heritage and innovation. By launching the Top 12 alongside the Super 10, Super 16, and Super 8, we are building a sustainable competitive pathway for men’s, women’s, and community rugby. Our focus is on strengthening the Boland brand while growing the game across every corner of our union.”
“At Sanlam, we are proud to continue our association with the Boland Rugby Union through the Sanlam Boland Top 12,” Heinrich Punt, General Manager of intermediaries at Sanlam. “This competition reflects the values of perseverance, teamwork, and community that we as an organisation deeply believe in. Supporting the Top 12 is about more than rugby — it is about enabling opportunities, building stronger communities, and ensuring that the future of our game remains bright across the Boland.”
Mr Viwo Jack, Chairperson of Robertson Town RFC, 2024 Champions, said: “As last year’s winners, Robertson Town RFC is honoured to defend the title in what promises to be the toughest season yet. Every club has earned their spot, and the intensity will be immense. For us, the Top 12 is about honouring our supporters and giving back to our community through the game we love.”
About the Sanlam Boland Top 12
The Sanlam Boland Top 12 is an end-of-season knockout competition in which the top 12 teams from the 60 Grootuitdaag regions’ clubs compete. It is the premier community rugby competition of the Boland Rugby Union. Bringing together the region’s best clubs, the tournament represents the pinnacle of passion, rivalry, and the platform of hope in Boland. Alongside the Sanlam Boland Top 12, the Boland Rugby Union hosts the Super 10 (Streekuitdaag), the Super 16 (Gemeenskapskild), and the Super 8 (Vroueliga), ensuring a comprehensive pathway for community rugby.
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers head coach Hawies Fourie has announced his match-day 23 to face the Fidelity ADT Lions in the Carling Currie Cup semi-final at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Kavaliers have been boosted by the return of two key backline players. Playmaker Ashlon Davids is back at flyhalf after recovering from injury, while fullback James Tedder also returns after missing last week’s Western Cape derby against DHL Western Province.
There will be extra motivation for players such as Davids, Tedder, Sibusiso Sangweni, and HP van Schoor, who all once called Ellis Park their home during their stints with the Lions.
Fourie, however, has also been dealt a significant blow with both prolific try scorer Donovan Don (thigh) and powerhouse Wayrin Losper (shoulder), both ruled out due to injury.
Jayden Bantom, who made his debut off the bench against WP, gets his first start in place of Don on the wing. Veteran scrumhalf Louis Schreuder is back in the number 9 jersey after playing off the bench in Cape Town. He swaps places with Chriswill September.
Up front, lock Ameer Hendricks gets a start in place of Michael Benadie, who will play a role off the bench, while the fit-again Khwezi Mafu replaces Sauliegh Arendse at openside flanker. Mthokozisi Gumede starts at loosehead prop in place of Losper after covering tighthead prop last week, with Laurence Victor now providing tighthead cover from the bench.
WELLINGTON, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 10: James Tedder of the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers during the Carling Currie Cup match between Sanlam Boland Cavaliers and Fidelity ADT Lions at Sanlam Boland Stadium on August 10, 2025 in Wellington, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Saturday’s semi-final will kick off at 17:00 with Griffon Colby the man in charge in the middle.
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Jayden Bantom, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Khwezi Mafu, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Ameer Hendricks, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht
