by Ben-Piet Lotter
When Castle Lager marketing manager, Thomas Lawrence, spoke at the launch event he did so with passion about the synergies between Castle Lager as community brand and the Grand Challenge, one of the oldest community-based rugby tournaments in the world. On the eve of the finals to be played at Alberton Rugby Club tomorrow we reflect on the season with a sense of awe. The numbers tell a story of camaraderie and displays of excellence: 18 matchdays, 40 men’s teams across eight clubs in the premier division alone – adding up to more than 300 games of rugby. Thousands of fans have been entertained at their local clubs, while Lawrence Sephaka and Philasande Sixaba’s superb narration added flavour to the live-streamed matches. All-in-all, this event has been a resounding success!
In the crowning stroke of the season tomorrow, several teams face off in the finals. NWU and UJ confront each other in the U21 final at 13:00 on the B-field, with the Pirates and Alberton 3rd Teams doing battle on the A-field. The U19 varsity contingents, represented again by UJ and NWU will run out onto the B-field at 14:40, while the NWU and WITS 2nd Teams square off on the A-field. Ultimately, in the pièce de resistance at 16:15, NWU (the top University) and Pirates (the top open club) clash in the 1st Team Final. Such a fixture could not have been scripted more excitingly.
The U19 and U21 finals should be tight affairs. Ahead of the 3rd Team game, Pirates 3rd Team coach, Warren Bakos (a man not afraid of 20x100m sprints before a Tuesday contact session), says that they have a “nice mix of youth in the backs and bulk in the pack”. They are ready to play classic Pirates rugby against old foes, Alberton, who will pose a formidable challenge. Ahead of the 2nd Team clash, WITS Head coach, Roland Bernard, says it is both a privilege and a responsibility as the only WITS team in the finals, to go up against favourites NWU and carry the flag for the club.
Join us as we conclude a spectacular season of Castle Lager Pirates Grand Challenge rugby tomorrow, or watch the live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/AEDNVtaj-Ms?si=H8SG-WX-EOtnCh_C
