The South African Rugby Club competition, the Gold Cup, starts on Saturday. This is a second tier club competition after the Varsity Cup, and comprise of all SA Rugby’s provincial champions.
One of the competition’s objectives is to revive club rugby, but the gulf in terms of facilities and resources between the advantaged and disadvantaged clubs, still exists.
One day to go until community club rugby enters a new era with @SSGroupSA, @BluApproved & @m4jam on board! #goldcuprugby pic.twitter.com/bGLTuUwvYg
— The SSG Gold Cup (@GoldCupRugby) March 8, 2019
Gardens is one of the five teams from the disadvantaged communities. Their scrum machine broke in the middle of a session, a clear picture of inadequate resources. However, their home ground, Derrick Ferreira Stadium, is always an intimidating place for the visitors.
Reece Maarman, Gardens coach, says that they want to show that they can play rugby despite the lack of resources.
“We did well under this specific field “die Hok” as it is commonly known by the community. All teams that are coming here they are in for a fight; we want to show them we can play rugby despite these conditions and lack of resources.”
The @SSGroupSA Gold Cup, Presented by @BluApproved & @m4jam
Round 1 – Sat 9 March – POOL B: pic.twitter.com/nH7fgcpR2f
— The SSG Gold Cup (@GoldCupRugby) March 8, 2019
40-year-old former Stormers and Lions wing, Wylie Human, is the only big name player in their ranks.
“I was born and bred here, now I’m coming back to give it back to my home team, it’s actually my family club. I’m trying to help the players to develop more, to develop trying to work with their skills and that stuff I am just helping them.”
It’s important for Gardens to capitalise on home ground advantage. They are in a difficult group that includes two time finalists, College Rovers from Durban.
