The Pniel Villagers Rugby Club (RC) is set to have their first game in two years, after the Covid-19 pandemic brought most of the team’s operations to a halt.
Pniel Villagers will play Young Gardens Rugby Football Club (RFC) from Paarl at the Pniel Coronation Cricket Club on 5 March, according to a post that was shared on the club’s Facebook page.
The Pniel Villagers vs. Young Garden’s RFC match is set to take place at the Pniel Coronation Cricket Club. The team can be seen getting ready for practice on 24 February. PHOTO: Joel Ontong
“We have not played a friendly game in a long time,” said Ivor Myburgh, chairperson of Pniel Villagers RC. The Pniel Villagers consider Young Gardens RFC to be old rivals and have not played a match against them in 20 years, according to Myburgh.
The adjusted level one lockdown restrictions have made it possible for the team to return to the field, but Covid-19 protocols will still be in place on the day of the match, said Myburgh. “Spectators can once again be on the field,” stated Myburgh, who said that mask mandates will be enforced.
“The guys are very excited after two years without rugby”, said Adrian Cupido, Pniel Villagers RC’s head coach. According to Cupido, the game is significant because it is their first match of 2022 — a year that also marks the 120th celebrations of the club’s existence. The game will be part of the team’s preparation for the Western Province Club Rugby Super League C, added Cupido.
Adrian Cupido, the head coach of the Pniel Villagers, prepares the rugby field for practice. Cupido expressed his excitement for the coming rugby season, stating that the derby against Kylemore Rugby Football Club will be one of the season’s highlights. Both Kylemore and Pniel are part of the Stellenbosch Municipality and are in close proximity to one another. PHOTO: Joel Ontong
“Joh, I can not wait…[two] years since the last competition,” said Jeremy Williams, interim captain of Pniel Villagers RC. Williams said that the rest of the team were very excited for Saturday’s match as well.
The Pniel Villagers RC finishes their game of touch rugby to start with warm up drills. Many members of the team expressed their excitement to finally have an official rugby game in 2022. PHOTO: Joel Ontong
The rivalry between Pniel Villagers RC and Young Garden RFC lies in their shared history, as they have played against each other prior to the 1960’s, according to Ruben November, who served as the secretary for Pniel Villagers RC from 1985 to 1997. Though they consider each other rivals, there is a mutual respect between the clubs, explained November.
According to November, Pniel Villagers RC is a source of pride for Pniel, being one of the first sports clubs formed in the town. November added that the club has also spawned two players who received Springbok colours in 2000 — Ivor Myburgh (Snr) and Trevor Adams.
Ruben November, former secretary and coach of Pniel Villagers Rugby Club, shares the history of the relationship between Pniel Villagers Rugby Club and Young Gardens Rugby Football Club. He makes references to SARU and the “Federation”, which is the South African Rugby Union and South African Rugby Football Federation respectively. AUDIO captured by Joel Ontong