Poorte legend Byron Godfrey officially hangs up his boots
Byron is hanging up his boots after being a part of the Poorte family for the last 17 years.
Byron Godfrey has been a member of the Roodepoort Rugby Club family for as long as most people can remember, but he is finally hanging up his boots to focus on his family.
Byron grew up attending Bekker Primary School, where he first learnt to play rugby, before attending Hoërskool Roodepoort from Grade 8–10, and finally Hoërskool Monument, where he matriculated in 2005. Byron’s exploits at full-back for Monument’s first team were so impressive that in 2015 when a ‘braai selector’ put together his top team of Monument players between 2005 and 2015, Byron was selected as his first choice full-back.
Despite moving high schools, he made his debut for Poorte’s U/14 team all the way back in 2001, and would play for Poorte for the remainder of his high school career before moving to the University of Johannesburg in 2006. It would prove to be a highly successful year for Byron as he found himself representing South Africa at the 2006 U/19 Rugby World Championship in Dubai, where they finished 8th overall.
Four years later, Byron’s hard work paid off when he signed a contract with English club Rotherham Titans, for the 2010/ 11 season. Soon after, he was scooped up by the Sale Sharks for the 2011/ 12 and 2012/ 13 seasons. Byron’s efforts also saw him earn a call-up to the Portuguese national rugby team.
Byron made his return to Poorte for the 2013/ 14 season, which he describes as the outright highlight of his career with Poorte. This was the time when Poorte managed to go unbeaten throughout the season and qualify for the SARU Gold Cup, where they finished second, behind the Rustenburg Impalas.
Now, after helping Poorte qualify for the Gold Cup once more, Byron has decided to call it a day. Looking back on his time on the rugby field, Byron pointed out two players he feels are the most promising guys he’s played alongside, namely Junior Grey and Dwayne Pienaar. He also highlighted Munster as the toughest team he’s played against, and named the Rustenburg Impalas as the toughest club he’s faced. When it comes to the fixture he always enjoyed, he had to point out Pirates Rugby Club.
Byron leaves Poorte with a special message:
” I would just like to say good luck for the coming Pirates Grand Challenge season and Gold Cup run. Make the jersey and club proud – many legends of men have played and bled in that jersey before you, so show everyone what that jersey means to you every time you pull it over your head. You are not just playing for yourself or the team; you are playing for every player that has come before you. Roodepoort Rugby Club is not just a rugby club, it is a family. COME ON POORTE!!”
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