VC teams set to dominate Club Champs

Varsity Cup teams are once again set to dominate the 2009 National Club Championships, which takes place at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria from September 20-26.

Five provinces have already confirmed the teams that will represent them at this year’s SAA National Club Championships, which takes place at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria from September 20-26.

FNB Tukkies, semifinalist in the 2008 and 2009 Varsity Cup, will join fellow VC side FNB Shimlas at the Club Champs, along with Rawsonville (Boland), Middelburg (Mpumalanga) and Kuruman (Griqualand West). FNB Pukke – the 2009 Varsity Cup finalists – also look set to join Tuks and Shimlas at the ‘Champs.

This is the first time since 2004 that the event, now in its 35th year, has been held at a venue other than the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.

It is also six years since the Blue Bulls Rugby Union has hosted the most prestigious event on the club rugby calendar.

In 2003, Tukkies – who were then coached by current Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir – beat the Puk Rugby Institute 46-25 in the final, played at Loftus.

Since then, Pukke have gone on to claim three of the last five titles – including the 2008 crown following a nailbiting 17-12 win over Durban’s College Rovers in last year’s final.

Pukke and Impalas are still fighting it out in the Golden Lions’ Pirates Grand Challenge league to decide which team will represent the Leopards this year, but there are no such concerns for Rovers, who once again claimed the KZN Moor Cup title with relative ease to qualify for their fourth consecutive tournament.

With nine weeks remaining until the tournament; Rawsonville (Boland), Shimlas (Free State), Middelburg (Mpumalanga) and Kuruman (Griqualand West) have also already booked their tickets, whilst more qualifiers will be known after this weekend.

After a couple of years in the wilderness, the Shimlas – of the University of the Free State, prevailed over Bloemfontein rivals Old Greys (2007 champions) and Central University of Technology’s Ixias (2008 winners) to claim the Free State Stadsbeker title and so return to a tournament they last won in 2002.

Middelburg and Rawsonville, meanwhile, will return to the ‘Champs  after missing out last year to Nelspruit and Roses United, respectively. Middelburg, in particular, will be overjoyed, having lost their 2008 title, following a dramatic 33-34 Cup Final loss to their Lowveld archrivals.

In Griqualand West, champions Kimberley Police lost out this year to Van Druten sub-union champions Kuruman, who finished top of the league.

One club that will not be returning to the National Club Champs, are last year’s semifinalists, Brakpan.

The Valke champions performed impressively last year before being beaten by College Rovers in the Last Four.

However, 2009 has seen them playing second fiddle to fierce rivals Springs and surprise package Vereeniging, who will meet in the Valke final at Springs’ home ground this Saturday at 3pm to determine who will qualify.

The Border Premier League is also reaching its climax, with Police at home to Old Boys at Police Park in East London on Friday night in the first semifinal. Kick-off is at 8pm.

Champions Buffalo host Wallabies at Buffalo Park in East London on Saturday in the second semifinal, with kick-off at 3.30pm. The final will be held on August 10.

In the Eastern Province Grand Challenge, Park have staged a remarkable campaign this year and lead the Super Six log by 10 points from nearest challengers SAPS. The semifinals will, however, only be held at the end of August.

In the Leopards’ Neser A league, Vaal Reefs will host fellow mine team West Wits of Carlentonville in the final, to be played on July 29 at the Oppenheimer stadium in Orkney. Kick-off is at 8.30pm.

The remaining provinces’ champions will be decided in the coming weeks, as the Golden Lions, Griffons, Blue Bulls and SWD provincial leagues have not yet run their course.

Of course, one team that will not be present at the 2009 Club Champs are double FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International champions, FNB Stellenbosch.

Hamilton’s, who ended the first half of the ’09 WP Super League in first place, will represent Western Province at SA’s annual club rugby showpiece, with Maties and fellow Varsity Cup outfit, UCT, both finishing below ‘Hammies’ on the log.