It was a Wednesday night and after the rain had yet again pelted down, the playing field at the North-West University’s campus in Vanderbijlpark was soaking wet. And draped in darkness. If it wasn’t bad enough that the elements conspired against the first rugby team of the campus training in acceptable conditions, Eskom had decided to throw its weight behind Mother Nature as well. Loadshedding is a friend of neither coach nor rugby player. The players and coaches pulled their cars up to the pitch, turned on their lights and practice resumed.

“It is tough,” says coach Dewald Pieters. “The weather and loadshedding makes training very difficult.”

The team is sharpening their claws for the upcoming Falcons Peregrine League, with a host of fixtures against clubs such as Pretoria Rugby Club and Centurion Rugby Club.

“We have had a few injuries and there are some worries about a few key positions, but, given the circumstances, I think we are doing well. We will soon be going full-steam ahead.”

In 2019, the North-West University Rugby Institute extended its reach to encompass the campus in Vanderbijlpark as well.

“We had such a good start with the introduction of the Rugby Institute in 2019, but then a year later Covid hit and we, like every other institution, took a lot of shots. Last year was really frustrating because of the stop-start nature of the season. We played only three games. It was demotivating for the guys. Now our young players are taking charge and that will bring some of the older guys back,” explains Pieters.

In 2019, the under 21 team won the Falcons under 21 Peregrine League, and in 2018 they contested the final. In 2019 both the first and second teams reached the semi-finals.

Together with coaching partner Gunner Williamson, Pieters is hoping to put some gold back in their trophy cabinets. He could not have asked for a better comrade in this task.

“We have an exceptional partnership. I’ve never experienced coaching with somebody like him before. We have become best friends. We complement each other in so many ways, we think the same, we live the same, our hearts beat the same way.”

It is that unison that will ensure that rugby on the campus in Vanderbijlpark is ready to fly.

Bertie Jacobs