This clash of titans will determine the ultimate champion of the region for 2023 as the two teams battle it out for glory on the field.
IN WHAT promises to be a thrilling showdown, the Kimberley Rugby Club (KRC) will play host to the Douglas Rugby Club on Saturday in the highly-anticipated Griqualand West Kimberley Regional League club rugby final.
This clash of titans will determine the ultimate champion of the region for 2023 as the two teams battle it out for glory on the field.
KRC has by far been the dominant force throughout the season, and are currently sitting comfortably at the top of the log with 56 points. They have played a total of 12 matches, winning 11 of them and suffering only one defeat. With such an impressive winning record, they enter the final as firm favourites to clinch the title.
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However, the Douglas Rugby Club is not to be underestimated. Holding the second spot on the log with 45 points, they have managed nine wins out of their 12 matches. Their tenacity and skill make them formidable opponents, ready to challenge the Kimberley team for the championship crown.
The road to the final has been arduous for both teams, filled with intense matches, bruised bodies, and numerous injuries along the way. There are no easy matches in the Griqualand West Kimberley Regional League and each of these teams has faced tough competition throughout the season. Being in the final is a testament to both teams’ resilience and determination.
Franco Stassen, KRC captain, spoke to the DFA and expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the upcoming match.
“Our coaching staff has set out a plan for us, and every player has bought into that plan, and that plan is to win the league. As captain, I have high expectations for this Saturday and that we will be able to pull this game through.
“All the players are practising hard and making the effort to come to all the practices, so we are prepared and ready to play,” said Stassen.
The skipper also mentioned that the team had been hit with several injuries, but those have been resolved and they now have a full team ready to face Douglas.
On the other side, Douglas captain Leon du Raan told the DFA that his team is excited for the final. “We have worked really hard this season to be in the finals, and I don’t have to motivate them,” Du Raan said. “They want to play, they want to win, and they are excited about being able to play in the final game,” he added.
The Douglas captain further stated that the visitors would utilise their forwards, who have been instrumental throughout the season, to try and dominate the Kimberley Rugby Club. He acknowledged that they lost the previous game against KRC by 15 or 20 points but emphasised that there is not much pressure on them as they are considered the underdogs.
Du Raan, however, also acknowledged the challenges they have been facing in preparation for the final.
“Preparing for this game is a bit difficult this time around. We have players who work on farms and who work for themselves. It is harvest time currently, and some of the players are professional hunters. With the hunting season upon us, they are busy with their daily jobs, and that makes it difficult for us to practise as much as we would like.
“This week we arranged for at least two solid sessions,” he explained.
Du Raan highlighted the significance of the final for the town of Douglas, saying that the team’s victory over the KRC powerhouse would be a great achievement for the community.
“It would have been great if the final was held in Douglas, but Kimberley Rugby Club earned the right to have it at their home ground. Ninety percent of the team has not worn a Douglas rugby jersey during a final game, so the team is eager to get the game going to bring back that trophy,” Du Raan added.
Spectators who would like to witness a battle of epic proportions on the field are encouraged to head to the Kimberley Rugby Club on Saturday to be part of the last chapter of the 2023 club rugby calendar set to be written. The final whistle will mark the end of a memorable season and crown the deserving victors.
