Mama’s Pies welcomed to the Boland Rugby family

Mama’s Pies welcomed to the Boland Rugby family

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.

Stay connected with Boland Rugby:
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Boland U21 kick off title defence with nervy win

Boland U21 kick off title defence with nervy win

The Sanlam Boland Under 21 team’s defence of their SA Rugby U21 Shield title got off to a shaky start after a nervy 31-24 win over Border Bulldogs at Boland Stadium in Wellington.

However, Boland U21 head coach Juan de Jongh was satisfied seeing his team secure a bonus-point win that puts them in second position on the log, behind Eastern Province, after the first round.

De Jongh’s men will have a few things that need attention this week, more so because the next two fixtures are both away games.

“Great start for us in terms of getting the victory and getting a bonus point win to get our campaign underway,” said Juan de Jongh, Sanlam Boland U21 head coach. “There are obviously a lot of things that we have and will be working on in the week leading to the next match.

Photo: Wellington, 23 August 2025, Juan de Jongh, head coach of Sanlam Boland U21 ahead of the Sanlam Boland U21 v Border Bulldogs in the SA Rugby U21 Shield competition. Photo by Boland Rugby Media / Ernest Kilowan
Photo: Wellington, 23 August 2025, Juan de Jongh, head coach of Sanlam Boland U21, ahead of the Sanlam Boland U21 v Border Bulldogs in the SA Rugby U21 Shield competition. Photo by Boland Rugby Media / Ernest Kilowan

“Two away matches coming up, but really satisfied to see a couple of individual players that performed well.”

Boland winger Slade Jacobs opened the scoring for Boland after five minutes as he finished off a great attacking move.

The winger then scored his second as the home side went 10-0 up before Border struck back through a converted try by Siya Sakhela.

Border then took a 14-10 lead as Lakhe Baliso crossed the chalk for a second converted try.

The Bolander would wrestle back the momentum with Renaldo Koker scoring and Tireque Apolles converting as the home side hit the sheds 17-14 up.

Photo: Wellington, 23 August 2025, O'Ryan Jack of Sanlam Boland U21 v Border Bulldogs in the SA Rugby U21 Shield competition. Photo by Boland Rugby Media / Ernest Kilowan
Photo: Wellington, 23 August 2025, O’Ryan Jack of Sanlam Boland U21 v Border Bulldogs in the SA Rugby U21 Shield competition. Photo by Boland Rugby Media / Ernest Kilowan

Enrico Giani then got in on the scoring action after halftime with his converted try, putting Boland 24-14 ahead. But Boland’s 10-point lead was cut in half when Siphenathi April went over for the visiting side’s third try.

Koker then bagged his brace as Boland went 31-19 up with Apolles kicking a third conversion.

The home side could not stop Border securing two bonus points as Sakhela went over for his second try of the day, making sure the Eastern Cape side also bagged a point for losing the game by a margin of seven.

De Jongh’s side next travels to Gqeberha, where they will face log leaders Eastern Province this coming Saturday at the De Wet Stadium in Despatch.

SCORERS:

SANLAM BOLAND U21 – Tries: Slade Jacobs (2), Ronaldo Koker (2) and Enrico Giani. Conversions: Tireque Apolles (3)

BORDER BULLDOGS U21 – Tries: Siyamthanda Sakhela (2), Lakhe Baliso and Siphenathi April. Conversions: Sinala Jivana (2)