After a bye this past weekend, False Bay RFC host newly promoted Kuils River at the Philip Herbstein Fields in Constantia on Saturday.
The Bay’s last outing was against NNK where all teams registered big wins against the luckless northerners.
Saturday’s matches will by no means be the same fare. The visitors, “newly-promoted” at the end of 2019 along with Hamlets of Mamre, have a strong playing force and are performing well in their new Super League A (SLA) home, far from the bottom of a competitive table.
False Bay are unbeaten thus far in the competition, a record that was severely challenged a fortnight ago in a bruising north-south derby against Durbell in which the Constantia team managed to hang onto a slender two-point lead for victory.
The match against NNK allowed coach Johnno van der Walt the opportunity to give his extended squad some much needed match-play and opportunity to express their talents.
Saturday’s visitors, Kuils River, have played five matches of which they have won two. Two of their losses, against student opposition UWC and Maties are by no means a blight on their copybook nor an indicator of their ability.
Their “two-season off-season” recruitment drive has resulted in a competitive SLA club which extends through the spectrum of teams in the various leagues.
This recruitment has included former Matie players and experienced SLA campaigners to complement their cache of talented stalwarts. Their game is based on a solid set of forwards with pacey outside backs and a battle of attrition lies ahead.
“Kuils River has a solid set of forwards which has ensured their set piece is quality, so that they can be competitive in the SLA”, says Van der Walt.
“They grabbed the attention of all by nearly beating Durbell at Durbanville in their first league game of the season”.
Without any doubt, the visitors would have pencilled in the Bay as a potential victory and for this reason alone, they will travel to Constantia quietly confident and determined. Van der Walt and his panel will in no way be taking their visitors lightly and with the return of some talent from injury, will be sending a powerful squad onto the pitch to contest the result.
“It promises to be a cracker of a game for spectators to watch” says Van der Walt.
Since False Bay’s resurgence in 2013, they are a force in the SLA and everyone targets their scalp as a treasure. Success is not a guarantee, players and teams come and go and hanging onto that treasured status is a weekly challenge.
Just as the First XV receives the accolades on media platforms, there is an equally successful and determined band of teams adding to the club’s success, from three Reserve League teams, the unbeaten Second XV, and under-20 A and B squads.
Saturday’s matches start at 1.30pm at Constantia. All spectators are welcome.
