Chesley Abrahams – A true Abbotsdale Rugby Football Club (RFC) legend connects his passion for his rugby and the legacy that he has been part of for nearly 30 years.
A name synonymous with Abbotsdale Rugby – Chesley Abrahams – started his club rugby journey at the age of 15 years in 1995. Following in the footsteps of his late father, Stephen Fry, Chesley soon made his mark as one of the best young prospects of the club during his debut years.
At the age of 16 years, many moons ago, Chesley was selected to play for the club’s first team and never looked back ever since. Chesley became a regular selection in the Abbotsdale team and was known as one of the key players in his prime. He had a trusted right boot of the tee and he could slot drop goals from anywhere which had the opponents in tatters at times.
He still recalls the day when slotted five drop goals to beat the mighty Darling RFC on their home turf. During the recent Sanlam Boland Top 12 activations at the Abbotsdale Sport Grounds Chesley showed that he can still teach the current squad a thing or two when he won the kicking competition, slotting the ball through the uprights with ease.
Chesley went on to represent the Boland Rugby Sub-Union teams in 2005, 2006, and 2007 and was included in the Boland Amateur team in 2007. He recalls being part of the championship Abbotsdale team that managed to gain promotion to the Boland Premier League in 2005 as one of his favourite memories.
“That was a dream come true for us. We always wanted to play rugby in the big league and our promotion in 2005 was certainly one of my highlights. We could then measure up against the likes of Rawsonville, Ceres, Wellington, and Roses United and we did so in style. The Boland then knew who the mighty Abbotsdale was” said Chesley.
Today, Chesley is one of the club’s biggest supporters and he will be the club’s flag bearer in the Sanlam Boland Top 12 Round Three home fixture against Newtons on 26 October 2024.
We salute Chesley for his profound contribution to rugby in Abbotsdale and for sharing many connected moments over the years.
In the rush of life, it’s easy to get distracted and lose sight of what’s most important.
“When Villagers Worcester recognise what God has done, the club do not take it for granted that it’s been His hand getting us to where we are,” said Piet Hermanis, the secretary of Villagers Worcester. “Then it’s easy to honour God, it’s easy to be grateful. It’s easy to serve, to give, to help others. We realize where the club are in life, is because of the mercies of God.”
On Sunday, 20 October 2024 the club held a celebratory service at the Roodewal Flats, where hundreds of residents turned up to attend the festive alongside the Sanlam Boland Top 12 team, led by Pastor James Davids of the Ebenaezer Restoration Ministries.
Pastor James Davids. Photo credit: Stephen Neethling
It was also a special opportunity for Villagers Worcester, players who are a role model for many in the area, as they bore witness to the love the community has for the club.
Hermanis continued: “The festivities, which took the form of a thanksgiving service, provided an opportunity for the club to reflect on all the good deeds the Lord had done for the club after we had been tempted, broken, weakened and discouraged since 2022.”
Many of the things that happen away from the actual matches shape the identity of each club, and for Villa it has been meditation, singing, reaching higher honours, remembrance, and reflection.
Under the powerful ministry of Pastor James Davids, the club experienced the art of celebration by:
Meditate: We all pause and meditate in silence on what God has done for us and those around us.
Singing: Through singing, especially, “Come and see what the Lord has done,” we could joyfully realize that we are no longer where we were but are on our way to where He wants us to be.
Reach out: Because many of our players come from Roodewal and received higher honours in sports despite the social ills, it has been decided that we will move the Fan Park to the area on 26 October 2024. By bringing rugby to the gang-infested area, we believe that role models such as Wendell Wehr, Gurshwin Africa, Mario Marinus and many more, will be able to positively influence the youth’s behavioural patterns.
Reflect: We were able to reflect and realise that SANLAM TOP 12 COMPETITION is a tremendous tool to positively impact communities and that Fan Parks in particular should be taken to the communities.
Remembrance: Our spiritual battle has to do with our memory. If we remember who God is and what he has done then we will overcome all obstacles, but sometimes we tend to forget what we have to remember.
Mercy: It is about not responding to others in ways that they deserve but overlooking offences, put mercy into practice and you will be a person who is deeply admired.
Humility: Not thinking too highly of yourself but understanding any gifts, any advantages, and any strengths are from the hand of the Lord.
Remember: Bring to mind what God has done. Give credit to God and never forget His power and love.
In association with Clovers Cricket Club, all residents of Roodewal and Worcester are invited to join us on Saturday, 26 October 2024, at 14.00 at Roodewal, Flats, A-Block, to come and watch the match between Villagers Worcester and Vredenburg RVK which will be streamed live at the Vumatel Fan Park. Different prizes will also be up for grabs.
Pieter Jooste, a founding member and former player for Vredenburg Rugby Club, is a name synonymous with rugby on the West Coast. Not to be confused with the Tygerburg SARU legend and former Springbok national convener of selectors with the same name and surname, and yes, they are related.
Jooste’s love for the sport began at a young age, inspired by his father, who once played for the Langebaan Spring Roses. From early on, rugby was more than just a game for Jooste — it was a family tradition.
A Family Legacy
Central to Jooste’s rugby journey is the influence of his cousin, Jeff Esau, a fellow Vredenburg Rugby Club player. He often credits Jeff as his greatest inspiration, with their shared love for the sport encouraging an unbreakable bond between the two. This familial connection not only nurtured his passion but also motivated him to give it his all in rugby. Together, they created memories that not only enriched their lives but also contributed to the strong rugby culture in their community.
Founding Member’s Pride
Jooste’s involvement with Vredenburg Rugby Club runs deep. As one of the founding members of the club, he played an integral role in its history and development. Over the years, he wore many hats — player, coach, and now, a passionate supporter. His unwavering commitment to the club is something that has defined his journey in rugby. Even though he no longer plays, his presence is felt at the club, where his leadership and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of players.
Perseverance and Team Spirit
Reflecting on the club’s recent successes, he highlights the importance of dedication and teamwork. This spirit of resilience is at the heart of Vredenburg Rugby Club’s culture, and it is a testament to the strong bonds and sense of community within the team. For Jooste, rugby has always been about more than just individual achievement—it is about the power of collective effort.
“What is most valuable to me is the commitment from the management, players, supporters, and coaches,” Jooste said. “Last year, we were at our lowest point, but they didn’t give up, and today we are reaping the rewards of hard work.”
A Lasting Legacy
Pieter Jooste’s story is a testament to love, loyalty, and the powerful impact of sport. His dedication and unwavering support to Vredenburg Rugby Club, as a founding member and lifelong supporter, will leave a lasting legacy. Through the highs and lows, Pieter has remained steadfast, and his journey with the club is a testament to the enduring spirit of rugby.
For him, Vredenburg Rugby Club will always be home. As the club continues to grow and thrive, his contributions will remain woven into the fabric of its history, ensuring that his legacy as a true rugby legend lives on.
The Sanlam Boland Top 12 tournament has quickly proven to be a crowd-puller, with each game drawing enthusiastic support from the local rugby-loving community. This past weekend’s action saw Robertson hosting Darling in the opening round with an impressive 2,700 spectators cheering on from the stands. Abbotsdale’s victory over the Eagles from Vanrhynsdorp attracted 1,600 fans, while Safcol and Ceres played in front of a dedicated 1,866 at Grabouw.
Newcomers to the Boland Club Rugby pinnacle tournament, Newton’s, hosted their opening round match at the home of Boland Rugby in Wellington at the Boland Rugby Stadium. Their match against Villagers Worcester attracted nearly 4,000 people.
With this momentum building, it’s time for the rest of the clubs to step up their game, especially when it comes to filling those stands. Villagers Worcester, who are set to host Abbotsdale in their next fixture at Boland Park Stadium, are leading the charge in setting an ambitious target of attracting 10,000 people for the game.
To sweeten the deal, the day kicks off with a curtain-raiser featuring an exciting U21 Boland v Border Bulldogs match — a perfect way to set the stage for the main event.
Adding to the possibility of a record crowd at Boland Park, fellow Worcester side, Young Hamilton’s RFC, will be there to support their neighbours. Worcester is also known for large community events that attracted a great number of people but this weekend the ball is bouncing favourable for the Villa Boys given that there is no major event competing with the match against Abbotsdale.
With an average attendance of 2,000 fans per game so far (excluding the many pensioners who enter for free), it is clear that the community is showing up in strong numbers, but there is room to push those figures even higher. This is where the real competition begins: not just on the field, but off it too.
The challenge has been laid down for the other clubs to up their marketing game and draw even larger crowds.
`It is not just about rugby — it is about community spirit, and Villagers Worcester is banking on that connection to pack the stadium. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just looking for a great day out, there is no better way to support your local club than to turn up, cheer loudly, and be part of the spectacle.
Who will win the off-field competition and claim the bragging rights for the biggest crowd? The race is on! Make sure to be there and let us see which club can rise to the top both on and off the field.
“Wanneer jou wêreld ineenstort, het jy ‘n kans om iets te doen wat jy nie voorheen kon gedoen het nie. Ek het nou `n geleentheid om my storie van opstanding uit die as van vernietiging aan elke speler te vertel.” Dit is die woorde van Mario Marinus ‘n speler van Villager Worcester wat voor 2023 nog nooit deel was van enige klubrugby span.
Hy eenvoudig een dag opgedaag, aangesluit, en teen die einde van verlede se seisoen – sy debuut seisoen – nie net weggestap met die Speler van die Jaar toekening nie, maar ook die gesogte Spelers Speler van die Jaar titel. Laasgenoemde word as ‘n massiewe eer onder rugby beskou omdat dit die benoeming van die wenner deur jou medespelers aangewys word. Hy vorm ñ integrale deel van die eerste span en word beskou as ‘n toekomstige kaptein.
Foto: Mario Marinus. Verskaf
“Ek is ‘n kind van Roodewal, Worcester, waar die vraag telkens gevra was of daar enige goed uit die woonbuurt kan kom,” sê ‘n trotse Marinus. “Dis die agtergeblewe gemeenskap van die flêtse wat my karakter gevorm en geslyp het in die mens wat ek bekom het.”
Villagers Worcester het deur ‘n baie moeilike tyd gegaan in 2023, en as Villa ondersteuner het dit mense soos Marinus se hart gebreek om te sien hoe so `n spog klub stelselmatig vernietig word. Daar was ‘n noodkreet deur diegene wat diep in hul harte nie net glo in die voortbestaan van die klub nie, maar dat dit gedoen word met uitmuntendheid.
“Februarie 2023 het ek langs die oefenveld rond gestaan en besef ek maar hier moet ek deel word van die oplossing. Ek moes meer doen as net toekyk, dit was wat ek heeltyd vir myself sê.
“Ek is `n krieketspeler wat as tweede jaar student laas op klubrugby gespeel het. Rugby was `n no go area vir my. Nogtans het ek besluit om by die klub aan te sluit as speler, aanvanklik dink ek ‘al was dit net om getalle vol te maak’.”
Marinus het nie handjies gevou gestaan en gekritiseer van buite af nie, maar die onderwyser het moue opgerol, en ingegryp by sy geliefste Villa Boys. Sy verkose posisie langs die skrum het hom toegelaat om sy gewig letterlik en figuurlik agter sy span en klub te gooi.
“Al wat ons soms nodig het is om in jou vermoëns te glo en op te staan uit self twyfel. Ek vir my self gesê: ‘Jy kan dit doen’. As onderwyser het ek geleer vir ‘n ster om gebore te word, is daar een ding wat moet gebeur: ‘n gasvormige newel moet ineenstort. Verkrummel.
Dit is nie die vernietiging daarvan nie, dus die hergeboorte van `n nuwe lewe. Mario Marinus was wedergebore in `n nommer ses trui, en danksy die gawes van die Allerhoogste was ek opgeneem in die eerste span.
“As speler het ek nou die geleentheid gehad om die spog klub te help om uit die as op te staan; die grondslag te lê vir ‘n nuwe renaissance, en om die nuwe ontwaking te versnel. Geestelik het ek baie nader aan God beweeg, my hoop was gevestig in Hom. Die gees binne my, het ontaard in `n innerlike, onuitblusbare vlam – ‘n vlam waarop die gegriefdes geblaas het, maar nooit kon blus.”
Marnius glo dat die Villa Boys `n broederskap ontwikkel terwyl respek betoon word aan afrigters en leiding aanvaar van die bestuur en soos dit by Villa genoem word: “ELKEEN BLY IN SY BAAN”.
“Ons is baie beter af as wat ons was daar in die begin van 2023. Deur ons uit die as te trek, het God plek gemaak vir ‘n nuwe soort onvernietigbare hoop en onwrikbare geloof dat alles moontlik is deur veerkragtigheid, vasberadenheid en harde werk.”
Marinus se storie is `n ter nagedagtenis dat daar selfs in ons donkerste oomblikke altyd hoop is op ‘n beter toekoms as daar bereid is om te volhard. Villagers Worcester het sterker teruggekom, dis nie `n droom, Villa is in die Sanlam Boland Top 12 en wees verseker hulle is nie hier om net die getalle vol te maak nie.
“Ons het terug gebons, herbou, dinge omgedraai en as ons dit kon doen.”kom, dis nien droom, Villa is in die Sanlam Boland Top 12 en wees verseker hulle is nie hier om net die getalle vol te maak nie.
“Ons het terug gebons, herbou, dinge omgedraai en as ons dit kon doen.”
The Sanlam Boland Top12 kicked off this weekend and as promised it was a weekend full of drama, action, and heaps of memories.
Sanlam made sure the players were confidently back, Tekkie Town got every tekkie in each town into the stadium and Fan Park, Vumatel connected every fan with every moment on the field, and there was lots of gold at the end of Rainbow for some teams while others were left having to pick themselves while enjoying their ice cold Heineken-gifted beverage.
Overall, a very good representation of the Umbro jersey with a few players, coaches, and supporters having to call Santam for good and proper insurance because after all ‘This is Freedom’.
In Group A, Caledon made their voices heard, beating Vredenburg on their home turf, 26-32, Eagles almost secured their first win on the big stage, but they came unstuck in a nail-biting game which Abbotsdale claimed, 42-36. Villagers Worcester showed why they are considered one of the firm favourites in the competition by beating Newton’s 29-28 at Boland Stadium in Wellington, in a game that was played in front of almost 7000 spectators. Newton’s missing a very challenging up-against-the-touchline conversion at the death which would have seen them snatch the victory away from the visiting side.
This weekend Caledon hosts Newton’s in a must-win game for the visitors, Abbotsdale hit the road to Worcester while Eagles welcome Vredenburg at the Jan Opperman Stadium in Vanrhynsdorp.
Defending champion Safcol United kicked off their Group B campaign in with a nail-biting 28-25 victory over Ceres in Grabouw. The home side put unnecessary pressure on themselves when two tries were disallowed when both players lost control of the ball behind the try line as they were about to ground the ball. Despite that, this game could have gone either way in the end.
In the West Coast derby, Saldanha did not have much trouble cruising past a spirited Young Spurs at Doringbaai, 46-16. In Robertson, the home team made their voices heard when they thrashed Darling 64-21. Darling will soon want to forget this game when they welcome Young Spurs this weekend. Safcol travels to Saldanha in a game that will attract a lot of interest at a stadium where Safcol has achieved much success in recent years. The Sanlam Boland Top 12 champs won the 2023 Saldanha Easter competition, while a confident Robertson side travels to Ceres full of confidence where they will want to make it two in a row.
If the past weekend was any indication of what can be expected in the Sanlam Boland Top12, then the coming one should be another big one, in South Africa’s largest club rugby competition.
