After an outstanding launch event at Emirates Airline Park, there is much excitement in the air with the official start of the Castle Pirates Grand Challenge this weekend.
Thomas Lawrence, Castle Lager marketing manager, said at the launch:
“This is a community rugby tournament; the hope is we can become closer to our community, connect with them more because we are from the community […] We hope to build long-lasting relationships with the community rugby clubs, and this is just the beginning.”
The Castle Lager Pirates Grand Challenge, also steeped in rich history and tradition dating back to 1890, aligns perfectly with the sponsor’s vision.
In the featured match, Alberton will welcome the students from WITS to the South of Johannesburg. Alberton Rugby Club will be abuzz with activity from the onset as the first matches start at 13:45. The main game will kick off at 16:00.
Ferdinand Kelly from WITS tells us they have 25 of their Varsity Cup players in a resting period. Only four players in the squad for Saturday have played Varsity Cup this season, mostly as substitutions. It is exciting to see a fresh group of players getting an opportunity to flex their style.
Alberton club manager Rory Lategan claims the underdog tag against the students but says they have been working hard and have adapted their brand of rugby somewhat from the traditional Alberton style. They will be looking for the upset on Saturday- expect them to come out “guns blazing.”
The average age of the squad is only 24, with some exciting youngsters in the system. Keep an eye out for Lindo Dladla in the front row as well as Shaun Potgieter and Thylor Paulsen returning from a stint at Acklam Rugby Club in Middlesbrough.
A big focus for the sponsor, Castle Lager, is to create opportunities for the community to get together in a family-friendly, fun space, enjoy good food, great rugby, and a few Castle Lagers. The team at Alberton is hard at work preparing the club for the fans on Saturday. There will be a variety of food and drinks on sale, ample covered seating, and a great vibe all around. All you have to do on Saturday is get down to Alberton Rugby Club ready to have a great time and witness the resurgence of the Castle Lager Pirates Grand Challenge.
In the other exciting fixture this weekend the University of Johannesburg will host Pirates Rugby Club from Greenside.
Alberton
1.Brendon Schäfer, 2.Lesego Maelangwe, 3.Lindo Dladla, 4.Alex Venter, 5.Shaun Botha, 6.Roberto Torres, 7.Christiaan Le Roux , 8.Shaun Potgieter, 9.Thylor Paulsen, 10.Keagan van Schalkwyk, 11.Byron Van Onselen, 12.Bennie Botes, 13.Danny Westenberg, 14.Justin Liebenberg, 15.Jason Botha, 16.Xhadi Makalima, 17.Jean Combrink, 18.Brandon Schoultz, 19.JJ Kruger, 20.Jared Steyn, 21.Nkosinathi Ncube, 22.Juan Westenberg, 23.Mark VerweyWITS
1.Mikhaya Sonqisha, 2.Dagan Meuwese, 3.Christo Swanepoel, 4.Awethu Lushozi, 5.George Devenish (Captain), 6.Josh Ferreira, 7.Thomas Meintjies, 8.Ntsako Silinda,, 9.Drew Bennet, 10.Edrich Aucamp, 11.Kevon Chirwa , 12.Siya Xulu (Vice Captain), 13.Joshua Herold, 14.Lungelo Sithole, 15.Simelela Nkomo, 16.Ronan Van Helsdingen, 17.Sean Ngwenya, 18.Xola Skhathele, 19.Emihle Gcwabe, 20.Khanyiso Ndumiso, 21.Stix Selema, 22.Thando Ngcelwane, 23.Neil Nyembe
1.Brendon Schäfer, 2.Lesego Maelangwe, 3.Lindo Dladla, 4.Alex Venter, 5.Shaun Botha, 6.Roberto Torres, 7.Christiaan Le Roux , 8.Shaun Potgieter, 9.Thylor Paulsen, 10.Keagan van Schalkwyk, 11.Byron Van Onselen, 12.Bennie Botes, 13.Danny Westenberg, 14.Justin Liebenberg, 15.Jason Botha, 16.Xhadi Makalima, 17.Jean Combrink, 18.Brandon Schoultz, 19.JJ Kruger, 20.Jared Steyn, 21.Nkosinathi Ncube, 22.Juan Westenberg, 23.Mark VerweyWITS
1.Mikhaya Sonqisha, 2.Dagan Meuwese, 3.Christo Swanepoel, 4.Awethu Lushozi, 5.George Devenish (Captain), 6.Josh Ferreira, 7.Thomas Meintjies, 8.Ntsako Silinda,, 9.Drew Bennet, 10.Edrich Aucamp, 11.Kevon Chirwa , 12.Siya Xulu (Vice Captain), 13.Joshua Herold, 14.Lungelo Sithole, 15.Simelela Nkomo, 16.Ronan Van Helsdingen, 17.Sean Ngwenya, 18.Xola Skhathele, 19.Emihle Gcwabe, 20.Khanyiso Ndumiso, 21.Stix Selema, 22.Thando Ngcelwane, 23.Neil Nyembe
