Lionstale September

Official Digital Magazine of the Lions

LIONS

LIO

TALE

TA

SEPTEMBER 2016 | ISSUE 3

Match Programmes

BOKS PHOTOS • SCHOOLS • NEW AMATEUR CHAMPS • RUNNING THE GLRU

CONTENTS Legend: Hugh Bladen Emirates Lions: Super Rugby Gallery Q&A with Kwagga Smith How big is rugby really?

Lions Springboks

By the way Q&A with Dylan Smith Clubs wrap Ellis Park Great Moments Defending the Currie Cup Schools Wrap

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AN INTERESTING ISSUE OF DIVERSE MATTERS At the time of writing, the Currie Cup series as well as the Gold Cup series had not yet run their course. This issue of Lions-Tale, though, is filled to the brim with good action shots, and action photos of the Currie Cup cocaptains Ross Cronje and Howard Mnisi are featured in this issue.

Bronwyn Bodley had a chat to the legendary rugby commentator Hugh Bladen, a former Lions Junior Springbok flyhalf (in the days when the Junior Springboks was a side of players on the fringe of the Bok team).

This issue looks at the year’s schools action and also at the club rugby, including the title the Golden Lions won as the northern provinces’ Provincial Amateur champion.

There is a schools wrap in this issue, including the Craven Week; a look at club rugby in 2016 where the Golden Lions’ won the northern provinces’ Amateur Provincial Competition; a photo gallery of the Lions’ Springboks; two heroic feats at Emirates Airline Park in the days when it was still known as Ellis Park.

Pleasant reading!

Bronwyn also had a chat to Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of the GLRU, to find out what makes the union tick and how vast and complicated the operation of a union-cumfranchise is.

And click on the adjacent icons to view the first two editions of Lions-Tale, the official digital magazine of the GLRU. – Ed.

GLRU SPONSORS

Editors Editor: Wim van der Berg GLRU editor: Annemie Bester GLRU Media and PR Manager Annemie Bester 078 064 3695 email: annemie@glru.co.za

Contributors Piet Ebersohn, PK Deysel, Wim van der Berg, Bronwyn Bodley, Gerrit Erasmus, Annemie Bester Photographer Deon van der Merwe – DeonvanderMerwe.co.za

Photographs GB Jordaan, GLRU and archives

Digital Production epresense

Publisher Rugbyvaria cc 083 604 0389

Advertising: Russel Modlin 083 393 4570 email: russel@epresense.co.za

Graphic Design Reneé Naudé

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Photo Deon van der Merwe Behind the microphone, commentating on the game he loves so much – and with notes on the players involved in that particular game. Blades is renowned for his background information that gives TV viewers an insight into aspects of the game many were not aware of, and spends hours to obtain formation

HUGH BLADEN DOYEN OF SA RUGBY COMMENTATORS

By Bronwyn Bodley

HUGH BLADEN, DOYEN of South Africa’s rugby commentators, has been bringing the great game to television viewers throughout the world for the past 40 years.

In that time he commentated on 160 Springbok tests, 27 Currie Cup finals, 20 ‘other’ tests and too many Currie Cup and Super Rugby matches to keep count of.

Since the advent of television, the former Transvaal and Junior Springbok flyhalf has pierced the living rooms of all avid rugby spectators with an impassioned force. His unique voice has made him one of the most instantly recognisable commentators in the world.

It is his ability to express love in every important way, still entranced by his passions, that has earned him a great deal of love in return as both a person and commentator.

Bladen was nine years old the first time he put foot on the grounds of Ellis Park to watch Transvaal play the Wallabies. Bladen was overwhelmed by the debris of naartjie peels and empty beer cans that flew about but he viewed the pitch as a land rich with possibilities. This inspired the prophetic words that he would one day play on those very grounds.

Bladen has since served the game of rugby for just shy of a lifetime consuming and giving back to it in all shapes and forms. Bladen captained both his high school rugby team at KES and the Transvaal Under20s. He later represented the Junior Springboks and Transvaal until 1971, aged 26.

The following four years were treated as a complete hiatus from rugby with Bladen attending primarily to growing the family jewellery business and domestic duties as father and husband. But, immersing himself in Transvaal rugby was still too great of an appeal for Bladen.

He re-established his affinities with his old union as he fulfilled a number of administrative and authoritative roles including acting as a Transvaal selector, convener of the selection committee, sitting on the board of Ellis Park Pty ltd and then finally graduating to the vice president of the Transvaal rugby union.

Although sufficiently competent with these dealings, Bladen indelibly secured his legendary status in the rugby world acoustically rather than administratively. It was commentating that truly provided Hugh with a platform to express his excitement and passion for the game.

During a Castle Lager Sports quiz in 1976, his skill in addition to his charm, relaxed disposition and the warmth he exudes, caught the attention of MNet Sport, now Supersport. They were seeking an English sporting figure that had played provincial rugby to anchor and provide additional comments.

Bladen readily accepted the challenge and was immediately put to the test with a game between the All Blacks and Transvaal. This marked the beginning of an ardent love affair with rugby commentating.

Bladen’s passion for his work is evident in the time and energy he invests into it. Prior to any given game, he immerses himself in rugby journals and old secretary notebooks that he has kept throughout the years spending up to four hours all consumed by the facts, figures and other information regarding the game and players. This obtained knowledge, he believes, enhances the viewers experience by providing a wider context and additional interesting information.

The energy he has invested into becoming a rugby commentator has been rewarded in the form of a long and fulfilled career. In addition to experiencing the hundreds of matches as a commentator, he

Left: Hugh Bladen in action against Western Province at Newlands in 1971, his last season of provincial rugby before concentrating on his business and family. He first played for Transvaal in 1965.

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has travelled wide accompanying the Springboks to France, England, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Italy and England.

The 2007 World Cup final in France is pinpointed by Hugh as his career highlight, and a privilege of commentating his home side to an elating victory.

It is Hugh’s fierce love for his wife Bronwyn and his family that have added the texture to his life and brings the real spark to his eyes. The two began dating since the age of 16 and have endured triumphs and tragedies together.

After falling out of a building, Bladen experienced acute renal failure and was put on life support for two weeks. Coming back into full consciousness, he was then dealt a mean fate indicating he would never walk again.

This was news he battled to come to terms with and he became despondent. During this trying time, Bronwyn admits her inherent human sympathy was stretched to the limit.Yet, Bladen insists that it was her balance between benignancy and bravery that guided him through this emotionally challenging time including being the impetus that forced him to literally get back on his feet.

Despite spending year after year at the top of SA’s favourite rugby commentator polls, Bladen denies his legendary status, admitting he still gets sweaty palms before every match.

This is merely a result of his ever-prevailing excitement revealing a man that still has a great love for what he does. Until the day that his palms stop sweating, he plans to journey on with the same vigour and continue to live very much in the same style that his iconic voice enthuses.

Left: Bryan Habana, coach Jake White and captain John Smit celebrating the 2007 win over England in die final of the 2007 World Cup in Paris. Bladen describes commentating on this match as the highlight of his career as a commentator.

Above: The Pumas, who first had contact with South African rugby in 1932, won a match against a South African representative side for the first time in 1965 when they beat the Junior Springboks. Bladen played flyhalf on that unforgettable day for Argentinian rugby. Fifty years later, in 2015, the Pumas players involved in that game, visited South Africa and were present when Argentina won a test match against South Africa for the first time, winning 37-25 in Durban.

Left: Bladen, who also played in the Springbok trials, a huge honour in those days, on the photo of the1965 Junior Springboks which was taken 51 years ago. He is in middle row, second from the left.

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EMIRATES LIONS STARS IN THE SUPER RUGBY CAMPAIGN

Photos by GB Jordaan

Andries Coetzee

Andries Coetzee, a fullback who has also played a number of matches for the Lions on the wing, had another good season in 2016. Had it not been for injury at the very wrongest of times, his name may well have been in the hat for a national call-up. He is nevertheless on the selectors’ radar with solid fielding, kicking and good attacking skills.

Courtnall Skosan:

The speedster has come into his own this season, leaving opponents behind with his searing pace. There was also a great improvement in his defence and aerial skills, and he seriously put his hand up for national honours. That will have to wait for next year, though, as it is unlikely that he will be considered for the Springboks without any game time before the year-end tour.

He has a groin injury and is unlikely to play again this season.

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Rohan Janse van Rensburg was the form inside centre in South Africa and one of the very best in the Vodacom Super Series. His sheer, brute force, with silky skills on the attack and a solid defence played a huge part in the effectiveness of the Lions backline in the series. He scored 10 tries, one less than the top try-scorer Israel Folau and one more than his centre partner Lionel Mapoe in the series, underlining his value as an attacking player.

Rohan Janse van Rensburg

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Q&A with Kwagga Smith

What does it mean to you to pull that Lions jersey over your head every weekend?

KS: To pull the Lions jersey over my head means so much for me because it is an opportunity for me to express myself and to inspire other people and show respect of what the Lions mean to me.

2. What motivates you to give your best every weekend?

KS: The thing that motivates me the most is the enjoyment in a game and the God- given talent that I can’t waste.

3. Who is the biggest supporter in your life?

KS: My girlfriend is definitely my biggest supporter in my life and she helps me so much because she is always honest.

4. Who played a significant role in your journey as a rugby player?

KS: My family and my friends played the biggest role in my rugby journey as each person helped me in a different way to achieve my goals.

5. Why do you love rugby?

KS: It is the game itself that I love and enjoy to play and the people that I do it with just make me a better person.

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HOW BIG IS RUGBY IN SOUTH AFRICA?

By Bronwyn Bodley

The vastness of the planning and management of a top rugby stadium, such as South Africa’s biggest and foremost stadium, Emirates Airline Park, is unbeknown to most of the spectators visiting the stadium and the supporters of the various Lions sides that play there.

There are the ongoing inter-actions, things such as ensuring that amenities, including the nearly 400 toilets, are in ship-shape order; managing the many food and beverages outlets; arranging for announcers on the field before and between matches; ensuring that the screens at the stadium function properly and also that the standby-power is in place; liaising with the traffic authorities and SAPS regarding security; facilitating parking for spectators; arranging, albeit through agents, for the transport of Lions players to and from matches away from Emirates Airline Park; hosting visiting sides from within South Africa and abroad.

And of course the professional players, club and school structures as well as other amateur teams and competitions, refereeing appointments and the likes put additional pressures on the organisational structures at EAP, as in fact at all of the other major stadiums in South Africa.

BRONWYN BODLEY sat down with Rudolf Straeuli, the CEO of the Golden Lions Rugby Union and also the other two business arms of The Golden Lions (Pty) Ltd. This is how Bronwyn describes it ‌

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To the average rugby spectator and supporter, the game is mostly as pastime and in also a passion – especially when it comes to his favourite side and their performances.

They follow the game on television and come to the stadiums in their droves for the more important matches in whatever competition.

It is an outing, for the fervent supporter and increasingly so for his/her family as well.

But the background to the enjoyment is mostly unbeknown to those who love and follow the game and their team.

Rugby in South Africa provides its very own context to illustrate the phenomenon of structural organisations. Like any professional establishment with commercial objectives, there are methodical and mechanical systems in place, each functional to the overall existence and success of the operation at large.

Within the overarching entity of The Golden Lions (Pty) Ltd exists three entirely separate arms that are the Lions Rugby Company, Ellis Park Stadium (Pty) Ltd and the Golden Lions Rugby Union.

Each arm varies in its contextual features and thus serves different purposes. This configures an enormous scale of operations across the board that, although divided, are also inextricably webbed by the thread of a dominant business goal and philosophy; to nurture and sustain the game of rugby in South Africa.

The Lions Rugby Company arm is the division that most relates to satisfying and articulating the needs and demands of a professional sport. All the functions that exist under this arm join forces to create an attractive brand of both rugby and business that warrant the commercial offerings us

Rudolf Straeuli, CEO

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consumers are privy to.

Arguably, the most integral agents in packaging and producing a satisfying consumer offering, and therefore prominent features within this arm, are those responsible for the delivery of result-orientated and competitive play.

To field competitive sides across all professional age groups, the Lions Rugby Company contracted 135 players in total for the year 2016. Of this, there are approximately 36-40 players at an Under-19 level and Under-21 level alike.

Although only 45 of the 135 players were used in the Super Rugby Campaign and thirty five in the Currie Cup campaign respectively, all contracted players earn salaries. As the most valuable business assets, financing this particular set of employees requires a substantive allocation of budget, especially when considering the heavier financial expenses of the nine flagship Springbok players.

enhancing the skills and physical conditions of the players which are then maintained by the team doctor and physiotherapist.

Additionally, the services of mental coaches are provided to relieve and appease any possible physiological suffering that may distract from the focus one puts into their game.

Beyond the field exists another set of professionals tasked with optimising the relationship between the entertainment and sporting sector. This is to sustain the success of the business’ brand through the commercial activities of eventing, increasing publicity, merchandising and managing sponsorship relations.

Another whole set of employees are thus required to fulfil the functions of marketing, accounting, event management and liaising and other logistical demands concerning the commercial activities of the brand.

As its own operation, the EPS (Elis Park Stadium Pty Ltd) is created solely to To ensure the players reach their full potential attend to the physical existence of the they are supported by a team of professionals. business; the stadium.

Teams are equipped with a head coach, an Primarily, this includes the payment and assistant attacking coach, assistant defence administration of water and electricity coach and a conditioning coach dedicated to which alone is a hefty cost considering the size of the property. In addition to these essentialities, the threat of ongoing maintenance costs still loom.

Maintaining the appearance and ambiance of a stadium is an integral factor in the business’ offering as a determinant of the spectator’s overall game-day experience. Thus, both money and labour is forked out to ensure a clean, well-organised and safe environment.

Resultantly, this includes employing cleaning staff, security services and ground staff who continually attend to the repairs of vandalised toilets, seats and other stadium features on almost a weekly basis.

As its own operation, this arm is allocated Kevin de Klerk, President of the GLRU

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their own budget and set of projections thereof to cover the aforementioned costs.

While the Lions Rugby Company and the EPS are mobilised by sponsorship support the activities of the Golden Lions Rugby Union is fuelled by the South African Rugby Union (SARU). This is in return for attending to Saru’s decrees as agents of rugby promotion and development in South Africa.

Part of developing the game in South Africa involves increasing its presence within townships. The union is therefore responsible

for sending coaches, managers and teams of people to these areas in pursuit of this goal.

Once again, this works as a separate division running according to its own set of systems.

The division of labour and business functions into three separate arms is illustrative of a business that houses an extensive set of operations.

Rugby in South Africa depends on and is kept alive by a plethora of working mechanics where each is responsible for breathing their own life into sustaining and growing the game.

Emirates Lions and Xerox Golden Lions head coach Johan Ackermann presents golfing legend Ernie Els with a signed Golden Lions rugby jersey. Els is a huge supporter of the Lions and Golden Lions.

Photo by Wessel Oosthuizen

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LIONS’ SPRINGBOKS Photos by GB Jordaan

Ruan Combrinck Ruan Combrinck bumps an opponent out of his way en route to his first test try on his home ground Emirates Airline Park in the second test against Ireland. He was one of the Boks’ standout players until he was injured in the second (losing) test against the Pumas.

Franco Mostert

A belated call-up to the squad was repaid wih his usual hard, honest play in the tight loose and a solid lineout display. He really took his opportunity at this level and should be around for some time, depending on his overseas commitments.

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Lionel Mapoe

Faf de Klerk

(Picture SA Rugbymag)

Lionel Mapoe tries to get through between two of the Pumas centres at Nelspruit. His attacking play at outside centre was hampered by the lack of possession coming his way.

A difficult customer on the attack or defence, the diminutive and gutsy scrumhalf has come through his first internationals with an enhanced reputation.

Warren Whiteley

Lions captain Warren Whiteley, always on hand, scores a try in the close victory over Ireland at Emirates Airline Park.

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Julian Redelinghuys

The tighthead prop was drafted into the starting side after the injury to Frans Malherbe, and was outstanding in and outside the scrum. An unfortunate injury put his continued involvement at this level to an temporary stop.

Elton Jantjies

A difficult season for Elton at the highest in a Springbok side that not always produced the goods and the clean possession needed. There were however a number of flashes of what he is capable of on the attack.

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Kwagga Smith

Jaco Kriel

Kwagga Smith, a regular in the Golden Lions jersey when World Rugby’s international series does not take place, has been outstanding again in this series with a string of outstanding performaces in the 2015/’16 tournaments

Despite a clamour from supporters, Jaco Kriel was only called up from the third test match against Ireland, and has since been a major factor as replacement in the tests as openside flank.

Kwagga was also part of the SA sevens team that won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympic Games.

Malcolm Marx

Malcom Marx has been impressive in die Super Rugby series and was only called up for the Rugby Championship test against the All Blacks after being part of the Springbok group for the preceding three tests without getting the nod even as a bench player.

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BY THE WAY JOHAN DU PLESSIS was watching rugby at Ellis Park one Tuesday evening in April 1989 when he was suddenly hit in the chest by a .357 bullet that dropped out of the blue.

SAPS detectives were able to find exactly where the bullet came from: a nearby flat housing two men who were ultimately convicted of attempted murder when a weapon they owned was matched to the round that hit Du Plessis.

But not completely out of the blue.

Using the angle at which the bullet struck the unfortunate victim and some complicated calculations about wind direction and air resistance,

Du Plessis survived but was lucky to do so; the police concluded that the round was travelling at nearly 80m/s – that`s 288 km/h – when it hit him.

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THE SKY IS THE LIMIT The first party of British Lions to travel by air was the 1955 team of Robin Thomson. It took them 36 hours from London to Johannesburg, including changes at Zurich, Rome, Cairo, Khartoum, Nairobi and Entebbe.

(2 500metres) above sea level on the stint between the Cocos Islands and Australia. A Shackleton reconnaisance plane was diverted from patrol to shadow the ‘injured’ Boks’ plane for the flight to Darwin.

The first Springbok side to fly was the 1956 team of Basie Viviers. Their plane’s one engine broke down and they had to fly on three engines at a height of only 8 000 feet

The first internal flight, carrying a South African provincial side to a Currie Cup match, was in 1950 when Transvaal travelled to Cape Town to play Western Province.

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A WEEK’S ‘LEAVE’ TO PLAY WESTERN PROVINCE! Former Springbok flank and Transvaal captain Piet Malan gleefully told the story of how he missed a week’s work for a single match at Newlands – and that was as recently as the 1950s!

‘When we played in Cape Town, we left Johannesburg by train on a Wednesday evening and arrived in Cape Town on the Friday morning,’ related Oom Piet. ‘The Sunday after the match we wandered about in Cape Town, and that evening we’d leave to arrive back on Tuesday mid-morning – too late for work. That meant we were away for a week for a single provincial match!’

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Q&A with Xerox Golden Lions prop Dylan Smith With Annemie Bester

1. What does it mean to you to pull that Lions jersey over your head every weekend?

DS: Pulling the Lions jersey over my head shows me every weekend that my hard work pays off and that I’ve got a responsibility to represent the Lions Rugby Union with pride.

2. What motivates you to give your best every weekend?

DS: I’ve always had a passion for rugby and playing alongside my mates gives me motivation to always play better for them and myself.

3. Who is the biggest supporter in your life?

DS: My biggest supporter would be my dad. Throughout school he would travel to all my games no matter how far they were and still he always makes an effort to come and see me play.

4. Who played a significant role in your journey as a rugby player?

DS: I’ve got a few people who played significant roles in my journey - my high school coach Carl Spilhaus at KES, Russell Winter who coached me at U21 level here at the Lions and definitely Coach Ackers who still brings the best out of me and my teammates..

5. Why do you love rugby?

DS: I love rugby because it allows me to have fun all the time. Even when the training is tough and you are sore, you still enjoy doing it with the guys around you.

Rugby brings out the best in me.

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GOLDEN LIONS CLAIM PROVINCIAL AMATEUR TITLE

By Piet Ebersohn THE IMPORTANT BUT low-key competition for provincial amateur sides for the northern unions was won by the Golden Lions when they beat national holders, the Blue Bulls, in the final of the competition at Alberton Rugby Club in August.

Cup competition that has been moved to September and early October.

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Only the Central Champions, the Sharks Club XV, retained their title while Western Province won the southern competition.

The score was, befitting of the two neighbours’ rivalry, a closely fought 26-19 after a tough match.

Proving that club rugby at the GLRU is alive and well, the Golden Lions XV were also involved in the play-off for their and fourth positions but lost their encounter against the Valke 14-37.

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The usual play-off between the winners of the Northern, Southern and Central amateur provincial competitions did not take place this year, mainly because of the national Gold

The Golden Lions celebrate victory after winning the northern provinces’ Amateur Provincial title after beating the defending champions, the Blue Bulls at Alberton Rugby Club in August

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UJ win seventh Pirates Grand Challenge title in ten years

Pirates started their campaign in the Gold Cup with a close win against Namibia representative, Windhoek Wanderers, who put up an unexpected spirited fight. Pirates won 28-26 and followed this with a 51-24 win over Northam Rhinos from Limpopo. They then lost their third match against Evergreens from SWD 31-35, putting them under pressure to make the play-offs.

THE UNIVERSITY OF Johannesburg won the Pirates Grand Challenge for the seventh time in ten seasons in 2016.

They beat Pirates on a wave of resurgence after some lean and average years, in the competitions final played at Wits. The score was 41-19.

UJ’s success followed title wins in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. Their sequence was interspersed by victories by the NWU-Pukke in 2008 and 2009, and Roodepoort in 2013.

UJ also won three of the other finals in the 2016 Pirates leagues, all against the Pukke, and for good measure also saw their new ‘satellite’ team, UJ Soweto, come out tops in the Senior Grand Challenge Under-20 division.

The successful splitting of the league into a ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ competition after the Round Robin phase

The Pirates Grand Challenge trophy, first played for 127 years ago in 1889.

again proved successful. Randfontein won the final against West Rand neighbours Roodepoort 35-15 In the Senior Grand Challenge, Germiston-Simmer played in their first final since 1992 and showed that their earlier promise of a return to the Pirates Grand Challenge is not far from realisation.

They beat Diggers, another team that made great strides over the past two or three years under new management in a closely-fought final, 24-21.

Jabulani, on the up, were rewarded for their hard work and won the Presidents Cup beating Southern Knights 41-29 in the final.

There was a huge improvement in the quality of rugby in especially this latter competition where the decrease of forfeited matches was also noticeable.

Other results in the Golden Lions competitions – Pirates Grand Challenge Second teams UJ 13, Pukke 9.

Third teams UJ 48, Pukke 18.

U-21 teams Pukke 21, UJ 15.

U-20 teams UJ 36, Pukke 22.

Senior Grand Challenge Second teams Diggers 44, Simmer 5.

U-20 teams UJ Soweto 17, Diggers 8.

Presidents Cup U-19 teams Jabulani 16, Southern Knights 14

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Bert Sutcliffe, after suffering what was called a ‘near-fatal’ injury returned from hospital against the doctor’s orders and hammered 80 unbeaten runs, including seven sixes, with blood oozing through the bandage around his head.

DEFIANT BRILLIANCE AND HEARTBREAK BRAVERY AT

ELLIS PARK

By Gerhard Burger and Wim van der Berg

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ELLIS PARK IS one of the greatest rugby grounds in the world and there have indeed been many memorable moments and magnificent performances at the ground that is now known as Emirates Airline Park.

However, since that moment in 1928 when Phil Mostert scored the first points in a test match at Ellis Park – a 45-yard dropped goal after a fair catch, also against New Zealand – there is one individual performance that can truly be hailed as the best seen at Ellis Park, and, on the same day, one of the bravest sporting acts on the famous field.

It was a New Zealander, a man named Bert Sutcliffe, who was responsible for the unparalleled batting performance and a youngster Bob Blair who provided the bravery.

You won’t their names in the rugby annals, because they were cricketers.

Cricket was played at Ellis Park for a number of years in the 1940s and 1950s after the old Wanderers grounds between Braamfontein and the city centre were closed and before the new Wanderers, the Bullring, was opened on the other side of town.

It was at Ellis Park, on Boxing Day 1953, that Herbert Sutcliffe played an innings that eclipsed most of the most memorable ones seen anywhere in the world.

The wicket must have been a little unpredictable when 26-year-old Neil Adcock marked out his run-up. He had taken no wicket in 19 overs at his home ground in Durban during the first test, and he was determined to break into the big time.

The next day, the late Louis Duffus wrote in The Star, “In the Valhalla of cricket they are preparing a plaque for Bert Sutcliffe.

“After fainting in hospital when treated for a severe bruise behind the ear, Sutcliffe went back to Ellis Park,” Duffus wrote.

“He opened his score with a six, saved the follow-on with another, lifted five more balls over the fence and, in scoring a memorable 80 not out, evoked a wave of admiration for the daring spirit of Kiwi cricket from 22 000 spectators.”

The story of that match – Sutcliffe felled

by Adcock, Laurie Miller coughing blood after Adcock had hit him in the chest and Bob Blair batting heroically with Sutcliffe two days after being told his fiancée had died in a train crash in New Zealand – has been told many times. It is still one of sport’s greatest stories. And Ellis Park’s.

In fact, the sheer courage of the seriously injured Sutcliffe’s innings was all but bettered by his final batting partner Bob Blair.

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The wreckage of the train in which New Zealand cricketer Bob Blair’s fiancÊe was killed on Christmas Eve, 1953. He batted at number 11 at Ellis Park just hours after being informed of her death.

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On Christmas eve, some 11 000 kilometres away from Ellis Park, Blair’s former fiancée Nerissa Love died in the 1953 Tangiwai rail disaster in New Zealand, caused by the sliding mud of a volcano that had swept a bridge away.

one of the greatest sporting feats in its own right at the famous old ground.

There has been a play, a book and movie about the saga of the Tangiwai disaster.’

Blair was 21 years old and devastated when the news was broken to him. He stayed in the team hotel on Boxing Day, grieving, hours after being told of Love’s death.

IT WAS ACTUALLY a sad period, those days after the old Wanderers was closed down. It was reported that many people were weeping during a special ceremony on October 27, 1946, to say farewell to the grounds. However, they managed to keep the bar open until the next year.

He listened to the test on the radio, and stunned the crowd of 23 000 when he walked out to bat, tears streaming down his face, after the fall of the ninth New Zealand wicket. The players were just leaving the field, believing that Blair wasn’t at the ground and that there were no more Kiwi batsmen left.

Cricket returned to the Wanderers, albeit at the new headquarters in Kent Park, in 1956 when Peter May and his England team played Transvaal at what would become known all over the world as the Bullring.

Blair joined the bloodied Sutcliffe, and even hit a six. And the pair took 25 runs off a single over of the great South African off-spinner, Hugh Tayfield – an international record at the time for runs conceded in an over.

And in true sporting spirit, the new Wanderers returned the favour by opening its gates and pavilions to rugby when the new Ellis Park was being built in the early 1980s.

The Bullring, of course, was not suited to rugby at all. The players were a New Zealand lost the test despite Blair’s proverbial mile away from most of the presence at the end, but it was certainly spectators. a defining moment in New Zealand sport – and one of the great acts of But South Africa played test rugby bravery at Ellis Park, supplementing the there; and Transvaal played Currie Cup batting heroics of Sutcliffe which was matches there.

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Defending the Currie Cup Photos by GB Jordaan

RUAN ACKERMANN

Ruan Ackermann’s selection for the Emirates Lions raised some eyebrows and sceptical comments that coach and father Johan was giving his son the inside lane. Ruan, however, was impressive, even when he had to start for the Lions. He continued his good form for the Xerox Golden Lions in the Currie Cup competition, and showed his versatility in three consecutive matches in the different positions as flank, lock and then No 8.

DYLAN SMITH

‘He is too young’, many said when the former KES prop was selected for the Emirates Lions and made his debut on his 22nd birthday. However, the stocky front-rower did his job as a scrummager, was all over the park in the loose in all 16 his matches and continued his form after the strenuous Super Rugby season with some outstanding efforts in the Currie Cup series. A great future awaits.

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AKKER VAN DER MERWE

The angry Warthog, commentators sometimes call him because of his short, stomping steps on the run, but Akker van der Merwe is the real thing. He is strong, deceptively quick, and has the necessary skills. Some may criticise him as he is regarded as too small, but he is a compact package of 110kg.

Although an excellent player even in the starting XV, his aggressive and effective impact from the bench is really some sides would rather forget.

LOURENS ERASMUS

Lourens Erasmus is at the very start of his career. He only turned 23 in June, and has eight matches for the Emirates Lions and about double that in the Currie Cup to his credit. An excellent ball player, good lineout player and exceptionally mobile, he has impressed virtually every time he has donned a Lions or Golden Lions Jersey, be it in the starting team or from the bench and has been very good in the present Currie Cup campaign.

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The two opposing teams, Hoërskool Monument (in white) and HTS Louis Botha of Bloemfontein, in good spirits at Emirates Airlines Park where they played a curtain-raiser to the Emirates Lions’ Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs.

MONNAS TOPS IN BEELD TROPHY SERIES but Helpmekaar ranked higher in Top 20

By Wim van der Berg HOËRSKOOL MONUMENT, the last school to win the Beeld Trophy for two consecutive years before Garsfontein achieved it this year, was again crowned the top Golden Lions schools team.

They accounted for the eventual Beeld Trophy winners Garsfontein (twice) during the season, beat Waterkloof and Golden Lions champions Monument and lost by just seven points against Paarl Boys High, who were rated as the top schools rugby side in the country for the second consecutive year.

They therefore progressed to the play-offs of the Macro Schools competition. In the quarter-final Monnas, at home, beat the Pumas side Nelspruit in a closely-fought encounter, 25-21.

The Krugersdorp side was however eliminated in the semi-final of the premier schools competition in South Africa by the eventual winner Garsfontein. The score was 35-20.

In the other semi-final Waterkloof lost 31-34 to EG Jansen who went down 28-32 in the final at Garsfontein on the defending champions’ home field.

A third Golden Lions team in the country’s Top 20 was Jeppe, who beat top Blue Bulls schools Waterkloof during the season.

HELPMEKAAR, on size, qualifies to play in the Large Schools league. Because of their strength and the resultant mismatches against even the best in that league, they have been granted the request by the organisers to only play from the quarter-finals onwards.

This year they accounted for Oos-Moot in the quarters (30-18), beat Ligbron 27-15 in the semi-final and then won the Large Schools title by trouncing Lichtenburg 55-10.

MONNAS WAS RANKED eighth by rugby365.com, generally recognised as the country’s premier schools ranking list.

Considering that Lichtenburg won their semi-final against Vereeniging Gim by a comprehensive 48-17 scoreline after Gimmies had beaten Linden 55-0, the lopsided strength in this competition surely needs relooking.

However, Monument was not the top Golden Lions school side on the list. That honour belongs to Helpmekaar.

Helpies played the country’s top schools in friendlies and in tournaments, but again did not play in the Large Schools league as they, with good reason, find the competition in this league too weak.

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Bekker advanced to the quarter-finals in the Medium Schools competition which was won by Vryburg, who comprehensively beat Ben Viljoen in the final, 39-8.

CRAVEN WEEK

Golden Lions performances auger well for the future

By PK Deysel

THE BIDVEST GOLDEN Lions’ message at the Under-18 Craven Week held at Kearsney College during the July holidays, was loud and clear: the future of Golden Lions Rugby Union is assured with another batch of outstanding young players now coming through the ranks.

The Golden Lions won their first two matches at the Under-18 Craven Week convincingly, beating the difficult South Western Districts side 59-29, and then the neighbouring Blue Bulls 41-14 which set them up for the main match on the final day of the tournament.

The Lions and Golden Lions head coach Johan Ackermann congratulates PJ Botha of Monnas on his selection as captain of the Bidvest Golden Lions side for the Craven Week.

The Lions’ performances justified the honour as one of the two teams to play in this match, regarded by many as the unofficial final of the schoolboy’s week.

They lost the ‘final’ 20-27 to the very strong Western Province side.

Eight of the Golden Lions players were selected to present South Africa and South Africa ‘A’ in the six-team international competition in which England, Wales, France and Italy also took part.

The eight players were Wandisile Simelane (Jeppe), Nathan McBeth (Monnas), PJ Botha (Monnas), Tatendaishe Mujawo (St Benedicts), Tyrone Green (Jeppe), Mark Snyman (Helpmekaar), Christopher Havenga (Monnas) and Keegan Glade (KES).

Simelane was arguably the best player in this very good side. In the Lions’ first match he scored 29 points against SWD, which included three tries. He followed this up with 26 points against the Blue Bulls.

The Grant Khomo side (Under-16) finished third on their log, losing to the Blue Bulls 31-35 in their encounter. There performances, too, were promising when looking at the Golden Lions future.

The Under-18 Academy side also won two of their three matches at their Craven Week and, like the other two Golden Lions sides were (tied) third on their unofficial log.

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