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.
SANLAM Boland Kavaliers can hold their hands high despite going down 67-19 to the ADT Lions in Saturday’s 2025 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division semi-final at Ellis Park.
It was the first time in the professional era of South African rugby that Boland had reached a knockout game of the Currie Cup’s top flight, having played in a semi-final way back in 1969.
In reaching that milestone they had set for themselves at the beginning of the Currie Cup campaign, the Wellington-based outfit, however, found the going tough against a Lions team bolstered by a few Springboks and United Rugby Championship (URC) regulars.
And a first-half blitzkrieg by the experienced Lions saw the home side take a 41-5 halftime lead as the Kavas struggled to find cohesion on defence and attack. The Lions pounced on Boland’s errors from the get-go as winger Angelo Davids crossed for a first-half hat-trick while Henco van Wyk (a brace) and SJ Kotze also dotted down.
Boland made sure they had the last say in the first half as Sidney Tobias went over for a try from a lineout maul. The Lions started the second half as they did the first, with their unrelenting attack and direct play leading to a penalty try after James Tedder was adjudged to have slapped the ball down with the Lions a man over.
Davids then scored his fourth as Springbok Quan Horn also dotted down to put the game away.
That, however, did not stop the Kavas as they showed some good fight in the latter stages, with Jayden Bantom and Chriswill September each scoring two converted tries.
But the home side would have the final say as Renzo du Plessis scored the Johannesburg side’s tenth of the night.
SCORERS: Fidelity ADT Lions 67 (41) – Tries: Angelo Davids (4), Henco van Wyk (2), SJ Kotze, penalty try, Quan Horn, Renzo du Plessis. Conversions: Chris Smith (6). Penalty Goal: Smith. Sanlam Boland Kavaliers 19 (5) – Tries: Sidney Tobias, Jayden Bantom, Chriswell September. Conversions: James Tedder (2)
TEAMS:
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha (captain), 1 SJ Kotze Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela
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, 7 Khwezi Mafu, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Ameer Hendricks, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthozisi 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
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
Sanlam Boland Kavaliers know they have a lot of work to do before they play in next week’s semi-finals of the Carling Black Label Currie Cup. The Wellington side went down 40-22 after holding onto a slender 7-8 lead against the DHL Western Province.
This was the final round-robin match, and head coach Hawies Fourie’s men will have to wait on the results from the remaining Round Seven games to know who they will be playing and where.
The loss against a DHL WP side had some DHL Stormers players, who are preparing for the upcoming Vodacom URC competition. Three yellow cards and numerous penalties conceded by the visitors allowed the DHL WP side to extend their lead and keep the scoreboard pressure firmly in place.
Juan Mostert’s first-half penalty sent the players into the sheds with the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers hanging onto a one-point lead.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 06: Spectators looking on during the Carling Currie Cup match between DHL Western Province and Sanlam Boland Cavaliers at DHL Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
The experience of the Cape side’s stars began to filter through in the second half as lock Adre Smith barnstormed his way over the line before Leolin Zas dotted down in the left corner to break open the game.
Smith’s second try put further daylight between Province and the Kavas. Xavier Mitchell’s disallowed try swung the scoreboard in favour of the hosts from the resulting scrum. Moster’s pass to Mitchell was adjudged to have travelled forward. This turned the momentum when Jonathan Roche and Marcell Theunissen both crossed the whitewash in quick succession.
There was still hope of the Kavas clinching a bonus point when Donovan Don and Llewellyn Classen scored their side’s second and third tries, respectively.
However, it was the home side’s experience that saw them across the lines and shut the proverbial door, leaving the Kavas with a wait to see if results in their favour in Saturday’s remaining fixtures will see them hold on to a home semifinal spot.
SCORERS:
DHL WP 40 (7)- Tries: Vernon Matongo, Adre Smit (2), Leolin Zas, Jonathan Roche, Marcell Theunissen. Conversions: Jurie Mathee (5)
SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS 22 (8) – Tries: Dayan van der Westhuizen, Donovan Don, Llewellyn Classen. Conversions: Jayden Bantom, Donovan Don. Penalty: Juan Mostert.
