The SARL Provincial Final (Jan Prinsloo Cup) was hosted at Tuks Groenkloof Campus on 22 February 2014. The game was played with the same high-intensive spirit as with the last encounter between the two provincial teams.  As a typical final, both teams did not allow the other team to get much freedom on the pitch.  Tackles were typical rugby league style – group tackling of quality.  Under footing was heavy due to the past few day’s raining in Pretoria and the humidity started to show it’s effect with players showing signs of cramping in the second half.

The Northern Bulls came out victorious with the final score 26 – 4 at the sound of the final hooter.

Scoring




First Half-

Nardus Raubenheimer (Northern Bulls) open the scoreboard for the day which Jean Coetzer converted. Score: Northern Bulls 6 – 0 MP Panthers.

The Panthers then hit back by scoring their first unconverted try by the right wing, Mtzwake Fransman. Score: Northern Bulls 6 – 4 MP Panthers.

Peet V/d Merwe (Northern Bulls) scored the next unconverted try on the left  wing. Score: Northern Bulls 10 – 4 MP Panthers.

Second Half-

After the break Juan Greenberg (Northern Bulls) on replacement wing scored the third try that was converted by Jean Coetzer. Score: Northern Bulls 16 – 4 MP Panthers.

Steynberg Van Zyl (Northern Bulls) kept his habit warm by scoring the fourth try. Score: Northern Bulls 20 – 4 MP Panthers.

Captain Courages - Allen Kasselman (Northern Bulls) nailed the last try that Piet (Chuck) de Jager converted.

Final Score: Northern Bulls 26 – 4 MP Panthers

Yellow Card: Nardus Raubenheimer (Northern Bulls).

Man of the Match: (As nominated by the Opposition)

Northern Bulls: Jean-Pierre Nel

MP Panthers: Samuel Schmidt

Match Officials

Referee: Rudolf du Plooy

Line 1: Warren Pretorius

Line 2: Henry Warrington

Match Commissioner: AJ Barnard

The Rugby League International Federation today announced that Australia and New Zealand were the successful bidders to host the 2017 RLIF World Cup. The joint bid was one of two bids, with South Africa being the other nation bidding for the honors to host this prestigious event.

Chairman of the bid committee and RLIF Vice-Chair, Nigel Wood said “This was not a simple decision but with fans of international Rugby League buoyed by the recent success of RLWC2013, we were determined to get it right.”“Both bids were thoroughly compelling but the joint Australia/New Zealand bid was selected as the one with the greatest chance of success in providing more compelling games in world class environments in front of big, passionate crowds.”

“The bid from South Africa was very strong, prepared professionally and clearly demonstrated a passion for Rugby League that is growing by the day in that country.”The Australia/New Zealand bid hopes to expand the sport in other territories in both countries. Australia won the 2013 RLIF World Cup in the United Kingdom and hopes that they can defend the title again in 2017. The expectations for the 2017 World cup will be high as the 2013 World Cup, hosted by England and Wales, was a tremendous success and the Super League has seen the benefit with new broadcasting and sponsorship deals concluded on the back of a very successful World Cup.

Kobus Botha, President of South African Rugby League, congratulated Australia and New Zealand on their winning bid, stating: “South Africa will now endeavor to work with the ARL and the RLIF to ensure the growth of the sport and will look at sending a strong team to the 2017 World Cup to compete for the final.“
Botha also emphasized that this does not mean that South Africa will stop in its quest to develop the sport, and that SARL and the RLIF have already entered into discussions to look at ways of developing the game in South Africa through a series of international tournaments and exhibition matches to ensure that South Africa is in an optimal position to host the 2021 RLIF World Cup.
“All of the facilities and aspects unique to South Africa to ensure expansion of the game is still available to the RLIF and also the ARL and NZRL to ensure the positive growth of the game in South Africa.”

Ian Riley, CEO of the South African Bid was also quick to point out that the Bid for 2017 was not a waste but have very positive spin-offs. “Rugby league in South Africa now has a voice, and the process of bidding has allowed SARL to start the conversation with SASCOC and SRSA and SARU towards recognition and support. It has also created dialogue between developing countries, and has shown willingness by other countries to also get involved and play a role in developing the game. We are in discussions with the RLIF on creating a 7 year roadmap for rugby league in South Africa and other territories to see how we can collectively grow and develop the sport.”

Panthers vs Northern Bulls











Venue:                  A.J.Swanepoel Stadium Ermelo.

Referee:               Warren Pretorius

Score:                   Panthers           16         Northern Bulls   18

Half Time Score:  Panthers           10          Northern Bulls   6

Tries Scored:       1st Half  
                               Panthers:                Danie Strydom : Wayne Burger
                               Northern Bulls :      Rupert Wells

                               2nd Half 
                               Panthers:                Waldo Nelson
                               Northern Bulls:        CP Louw, Hein Pretorius

Goal Kicks              1st Half  
                               Panthers                 Christo Nelson
                               Northern Bulls         Jean Coetzer

                               2nd Half 
                               Panthers                  Christo Nelson
                               Northern Bulls          Jean Coetzer X 2

Man of the Match:          
                               Panthers                   Waldo Nelson
                               Northern Bulls           Jean Coetzer

Yellow Card:          Panthers             Waldo Nelson
                              Northern Bulls    Riaan Laidlaw

Red Card:                    None

Match started at 17.010hr and Had to be played under lights as it got dark with a threatening storm.

Game ended at 19.03hrs






Try scorers were        Panthers:         Jean-Di Oosthuysen      X 2 … 1st half X 1 : 2nd half X 1:

                                                              Etienne Booysen           X 1 … 2nd half X 1 :

                                     Eagles              Reyno Steenberg          X 1 … 1st half X 1 :

                                                              Antonio Morellis            X 1 … 2nd half X 1 :

Goal scorers were      Panthers           Christo Nelson              X 2 … 1st half X 1 : 2nd half X 1:

                                      Eagles              Reyno Steenberg          X 1 … 1st half X 1 :

Man-Of-The-Match         Panthers           No: 8  Waldo Nelson

                                            Eagles               No: 17 Dries vd Merwe

No Yellow or Red cards.

Remarks:

The game was played with much enthusiasm and vigour.

The hits were hard and both teams did not want to give either the leeway.

The standard of play was good most of the time

Each team took it’s opportunity when the other team made a mistake.

The discipline was good and no yellow or red cards were given.

Txs

John Oosthuysen

Panthers Team Manager

Posted 03/01/2014 in News, Rugby News.

The players and staff of Salford Red Devils have flown out to South Africa for an 18 day training camp based at the High Performance Centre at Ingwenyama near Pretoria. The centre was originally constructed to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup and will provide Brain Noble with the very best facilities in which he can mould his newly assembled squad.
 
The full squad is finally all in one place and flew out today (Friday) with all the new recruits ready for an intense camp which will also give the opportunity for the players to start to gel ahead of their assault on the 2014 Super League Season.
 
It is a very long journey since the time exactly a year ago when the club did not know if it would start the season to a brand new club, playing staff, backroom staff and even identity. The players who were at the Reds last season know full well the extent of that journey and they are looking forward to the new campaign with great optimism. One of those players is captain, Martin Gleeson and he is relishing the challenge.
 
“I am flying in training at the moment and really looking forward to the South Africa Camp. It is an ideal time for us to really get to know and understand each other. We will be living in each other’s pockets on and off the field. Now is the time to build the team spirit and to establish the combinations that will prove so important to us all this season.”
 
“All of the players, old and new, are enjoying the new facilities at the club and the approach and attitude towards training is fantastic from everyone.”
 
During their visit the Red Devils staff will be working on physical preparation, team cohesion and some sessions with specialists who will help to create a mental toughness in the squad that will help them through the rigours of a long Super League campaign.
 
Whilst they are overseas the players will have the opportunity to see some of the sights and to work with some of the South African Rugby League Squad. The camp has been co-ordinated by SARL Administrator, Chris Botes and he will help them locally during their stay.
 
The Red Devils return to the UK on January 21st and will be totally focussed on impressing a massive crowd at the AJ Bell Stadium on February 16th when they meet the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, kick off 3:00.
 
Tickets for that must see match are on sale now from www.thereddevils.net

Press Release from the SARL in what was apparently the first time a team from the North has beaten a Cape Town side in 22 years, albeit they were always separate.

This past weekend saw a much-anticipated match between Tuks Rugby League and Cape Town Buccaneers. Both teams topped the logs in their respective regions and a match day between the South and the North was arranged.

Before the game both teams paid their respect to Nelson Mandela’s passing with a minutes silence, and both teams wore armbands with the message: lola ngoxolo tatu Mandela” (Rest in peace father Mandela)

The game kicked off at Goodwood Stadium on Saturday at 16hoo and immediately the pace was quite high. Tuks attacked with gusto and the Buccaneers was defending from the beginning. The defense held as Tuks kept on attacking, but the relentless pressure was rewarded when Shaune Bouwer went over for the first try within minutes. Jean Coetzer converted and the game was on.

The continued pressure led to the next try by Ewald Hugget, which was also converted by Jean Coetzer.

The Buccaneers were quick to attack at the restart and some clever passing saw Muhjideen Davids go over in the corner. Brendan Moodie kicked a difficult conversion at an angle, and the Cape Town side was on the board with points. Tuks quickly drew blood at the restart as Steynberg van Zyl and Charles Parsons both went over for converted tries before half time.

The second half saw renewed energy from the Buccaneers and only some clever interlinking play led to Jean Coetzer going over in the far corner for his only try of the match. The game stayed tight, and both sides were running into contact with determination. A mistake by the Buccaneers left an opening in the defenses and Jonothan Soares capitalized and scored a long solo try from his own quarter. Jean Coetzer was succesful with the conversion, and minutes after kick off Sizwe Nthlangothi managed to recover a lose ball and cross the try line again. Just as it seemed that Tuks would run away with the game, the Buccaneers scored with Morne van Niekerk going over in the corner for a converted try. The Bucs kept up the pressure and close to full time a clever kick by Marco Marais was dotted down by Buccaneers skipper Ryan Espin. Once again Brendan Moodie converted for the Cape Town side.

The game ended at 38 to 18 for Tuks, and it was a tremendous showcase for teams and players from the two areas of rugby league. Skippers Deon Kraemer and Ryan Espin was full of praise for their players and the spirit in which this game was played. The challenge is now on the Buccaneers to travel up to Pretoria next year to get the trophy back from Tuks.

Tuks Rugby League:

Shaun Bouwer (1 try), Ewald Hugget (1 try), Steynberg van Zyl (1 try), Charles Parsons (1 try), Jean Coetzer (1 try, 5 conversions), Jonothan Soares (1 try), Sizwe Nthlangothi (1 try)

Tuks Man of the Match: Steynberg van Zyl

Cape Town Buccaneers:

Muhijdeen Davids (1 try), Morne van Niekerk (1 try), Ryan Espin (1 try), Brendan Moodie (3 conversions)

Buccaneers Man of the Match: Marco Mar