The Protea Cup, after two rounds, is shaping up to a two-horse race with the Tomahawks and Leopards taking an early lead.  Leopards the current log leader following two straight wins currently enjoy a small six-point difference on the second-placed Tomahawks who had lost one match thus far. The latter has much to smile about after the action of the past weekend. Not only did they score 10 tries, but a total of nine players contributed to their points haul. This speaks to teamwork, good interplay and an ability to convert opportunities into points. The ultimate proof, however, will be consistency against tougher and fitter opposition in the rounds to come. 

Wolverines, who only had their first outing the past weekend, clearly still suffering from a lack of match-fitness after the prolonged Covid-19 interruption. Always a proud and fiercely competitive outfit, not too much should be read in their first defeat. The true measure of their worth will become clearer as the season unfolds. 

The challenges emanating from the Covid pandemic, continue to complicate the optimal functioning of the competition. The Silverbacks, in particular, continue to wrestle with obstacles of membership and related factors. A fully-admitted member of the South African Rugby League, they were unfortunately forced to abandon their game against Leopards the past weekend. They, together with the national body, however, continue to tackle the issues in the way of their full return to competitive rugby. In the absence of a league match, the two Leopards-sides played each other in a friendly encounter in order to maintain match fitness and their competitive edge.  Fittingly the senior side defeated its second-stringers by 42-21. Both will benefit from this training opportunity.

Match 1: Tomahawks 52 - 6 Wolverines
Tomahawks - Tries
 Andre Thomas 2
 Jeandre Muller 2
 Willie de Jager 2
 Ivan Steyn 
 Baruch Buchling
 Zerey Geel
 Deon Minaar

Conversions
 Zimri Buckling 3
 Luigi Cirigliano 2
 Leon du Preez
Wolverines - Tries
 Leo Tshimbili
Conversion
 Ben Viljoen


Match 2: Leopards 36 - 0 Silverbacks

Silverbacks forfeit match points

Double-Header Try Scorer of the Week:

 Andre Thomas 2 (Tomahawks)
 Jeandre Muller 2 (Tomahawks)
 Willie de Jager 2 (Tomahawks)

Golden Boot of the Week
 Zimri Buckling  (3 conversions – Tomahawks)

Climate factors, especially the threat and reality of thunderstorms, yet again exercised a critical influence on the third round of matches played over the past weekend. This caused the scheduled match between the TuksRL Reds vs Brits Bulldogs to be cancelled, much to the frustration of the players. While the affected teams were kicking their heels, the St. Helen Vultures, with no interference from the side of the weather gods, were in good nick. 

Judging by the latest third round results of the Rhino Cup, the Vultures are picking up critical momentum. Crucially, they are staking a definite early claim to the championship. In another relentless show of striking and ripping, they, in true raptor-style, feasted on the subdued bodies of the TuksRL Blues. The end result:  a comprehensive victory of 62-6 over the pride of Pretoria University. More importantly, half of the team made a contribution to the final score. This indicated the existing high level of effective and efficient teamwork. Try-scorers for the victors were Victor Dixon, Loukie Koekemoer, Dylan Keys, C-Jay Strauss, Shaun Botes and Amilton Jose. 

Despite this comprehensive win, and a healthy point difference at this early stage of the competition, the road to championship glory remains precarious. Both Grizzlies and Pretoria have regained their momentum and with their form over the last two games, to keep the pressure on Vultures. If both remain on their current path and increase their competitiveness by defeating Vultures in their return matches, the season-decider may have to be decided by points difference. This prospect may just add another edge to the existing rivalries and may contribute to a number of cliff-hangers as the season proceed. Pretoria, after their first round, has continued to reclaim their place amongst the top teams and has clearly indicated their ability to manufacture tries. This is well demonstrated by the fact that at least four of the team were able to score double-tries and a total of five were able to cross the opponent’s goal-line. Given its long association with rugby league in this country, Pretoria as a founder club of the code must continue to be the game’s flag bearer. Victories are therefore non-negotiable. 

The TuksRL Reds, who have played two games less, due to climatic and other factors, also remain in contention. The ‘Clever Boys’, given their log position at the present moment, need to regroup as a club and work hard to find their ‘mojo’. Their role in taking rugby league into the student fraternity cannot be underestimated. They also have the responsibility to expand the existing Tukkie-legacy and catapult it into the 21st century.

Spartans, the new kids on the block, is also not to be discounted. They are continuing on their steep learning curve and seemingly is becoming more competitive by the week. In true warrior-style, they have proved their worth against the Vultures, scaring them sufficiently to improve their form with a view to the future. The fact that Mwana Yabombo has claimed a spot in the ranks of the Hat-trick Kings of the Week is of significance and definitely a further indicator of things to come. That this performance is no fluke was made clear by the fact that Tumi Legodi was able to score two tries against quality opposition, followed by further additions through single tries by Bright Thabana and Thabiso Thabata.  

The next rounds, therefore, promise some compelling matchday action.
Results of Kobus Botha Rhino Cup 20 Nov. 2021

Match 1: Pretoria RLC 44 - 42 Spartans

Pretoria - Tries
 Leon Makhubo 2
 Cha Dieker 2
 Avanda Swartbooi 2
 Adrian Karelse 2
 Aiden Adams

Conversions
 Craig Scott 2
 Adrian Karelse 2

Spartans
Tries
 Mwana Yabombo 3,
 Tumi Legodi 2
 Bright Blessie Kagiso Thabana
 Thabiso Mbatha
Conversions
 Carlyle Hendricks 3
 Tumi Legodi 2

Match 2: TuksRL Blues 6 - 62 St Helens Vultures

Blues - Tries
 Jaco Scholtz
Conversions
 Sandile Magagula

Vultures - Tries
 Victor Dixon 3
 Loukie Koekemoer 2
 Dylan Keys
 C-Jay Strauss 3
 Shaun Botes
 Amilton Jose 2
Conversions
 Dylan Keys 7

Hat-trick Kings of the Week:
 Mwana Yabombo (Spartans)
 Victor Dixon (Vultures)
 Loukie Koekemoer (Vultures)
 C-Jay Strauss (Vultures)


Golden Boot of the Week

 Dylan Keys (7 conversions – Vultures)

Ludwig Japhet - 17 November 1957

On this day, 64 years ago, Ludwig Japhet, the ‘father of rugby league’ in South Africa died in a Johannesburg Nursing Home following two operations earlier. The 67 year old businessman, was born in 1890 in Hoopstad in the Orange Free State, one of four siblings and the son of Phillip Japhet who came to South Africa in 1874. He received his education in Hamburg, Germany and was an old boy of Marist Brothers College in Johannesburg where he matriculated at the age of 15 years.

A lawyer by profession, he specialised in divorce and road accident cases. As a boxing promoter, he worked for the legalization of boxing. To this end, he prepared a draft bill, which was passed by the National Assembly during the 1920s. In 1927, he initiated the establishment of the Transvaal National Sporting Club who went on to promote the first world boxing title fight in South Africa between Petey Sarron and Freddie Miller in 1937. 

This organisation, of which he was the Chairman and Life-President, also promoted the first rugby league match in South Africa between a French and English team during 1957, shortly before his untimely passing. Japhet was also a Johannesburg City Councillor for three years during the 1920s. In this capacity, he served on the Parks & Estates Committee that deals with Council properties including playing venues and strongly opposed the denial of these facilities to professional sports bodies. Such an action, in his view, was tantamount to depriving citizens of their lawful rights. 

As far as rugby league was concerned, he believe that there was enough space for the two codes, union and league, to co-exist. 
During his lifetime, he had a membership of the Johannesburg Examining Board and honorary legal advisor of the Transvaal Automobile Club. 

According to the Rand Daily Mail, he was also “a connoisseur of the arts, a gourmet, a raconteur and a man-about-the-tables at the leading nightclubs”. In 1947, Japhet published wrote two books, the first a book of epigrams was titled “Over Coffee and Liqueurs”, and the second titled “What Every Motorist Should Know About the Law”.
At the time of his death, he was married to Gisela and was the father of two children, Denise and Lance; and resided at 35 Currie Street, Oaklands, Johannesburg. He was also survived by his three sisters, Lily, Hedie and Dolly.

By Hendrik Snyders

It is with the outmost pleasure that South African Rugby League extend our heartfelt congratulations to ABE Midas Naka Bulle for being crowned the Blue Bulls Rugby Union Carlton Cup Champions for 2021. This is indeed a notable and significant achievement, considering the high quality and the competitive nature of rugby in the Pretoria-based Union. The Carlton Cup itself, is one of the iconic trophies within South African rugby and any club who claim championship status, are truly deserving of their place in the history of our favourite sport.  We further extend our sincere congratulations to the club sponsor and a business who always strive to give back to the community, ABE Midas, for yet another successful and meaningful grassroots partnership. May you continue to enjoy business success despite these challenging times.

On Saturday, 6 October, the South African rugby league season officially started with the first round of matches in the Rhino and Protea Cup Competitions. Like all other sports, the code in the wake of the Covid-19 restrictions, had to ensure full compliance with the existing return-to-play protocols. The enforced inactivity which resulted in 20 months of inactivity, however, did not damper enthusiasm for rugby league. 

At the start of the new season, 14 clubs re-affiliated with the SA Rugby League Sport Association. The affiliates are based in towns and cities as diverse as Pretoria, Brits, Boksburg, Springs, Marble Hall, Cape Town, Witbank and Ermelo. Except for the Cape Town clubs, the northern clubs will compete in two divisions on the basis of strength versus strength. Division 1 with the Rhino Cup at stake includes Pretoria, University of Pretoria (Tuks RL Red and Tuks RL Blue), Grizzlies, Knights, Bulldogs, Spartan and the St. Helens Vultures. Division 2 with the Protea Cup at stake featured Loskop Leopards, Tomahawks, Silverbacks, Millstream Wolverines and St. Helen’s Vultures2 and Spartan 2. 

Ongoing organisation and assistance to clubs indicated the return and affiliation of a number of additional clubs in due course.  Activity in Cape Town in particular, is closely monitored and assisted in order to advance the extension of the code into the Western Cape. This augurs well for the return to normality and the hosting of a regular rugby league season.

As expected, the first round of matches proved challenging. In addition with ongoing work to ensure strict compliance with the Covid—19 restrictions, clubs had to contend with bad weather conditions and a lack of facilities as a result of venue clashes as more sports return to play.  At least three matches were postponed for safety reasons. 

In the match St. Helens Vultures versus Grizzlies, which the former won by 24-4, only one half was possible before play had to be abandoned as a result of the threat of lightning. Similarly, the match between Pretoria and Tuks Reds had to be abandoned after 16 minutes following bad weather. Tuks at that stage led by 12-0. Fortunately for the players of the Leopards and the Tomahawks, conditions were more favourable, enabling them to complete the fixture. The Leopards were thus able to launch their season on a winning note by defeating their opponents by 36-10.

The feature game of the weekend was undoubtedly the contest between Tuks Blue and the Brits Bulldogs. In an evenly-contested match that saw the score swinging from one side to the next, the tenacious Bulldogs, true to their name, matched their student opponent’s man-for-man and try-for-try. In a fitting start to an exciting season, the match concluded at 40-40.

The Spartans 2 and Vultures 2 have withdrawn from the Protea Cup. The competition will be played in two rounds. There will also be a regional competition held with Gauteng Cowboys, Eastern Eagles, MW Warthogs, Mpu Panthers (seniors and o/19).