​SARLSA Protea Cup Beware the Tomahawks and Leopards!

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)