Poorte salvage bonus point from tough Gold Cup opener
The clash was Poorte's first Gold Cup match since the 2014 final which was also against Rustenburg Impalas.
Roodepoort Rugby Club got its 2019 SSG Gold Cup campaign off to a disappointing start when they went down by 21 points to Rustenburg Impalas on Saturday, 9 March.
The first Group D clash of the 2019 SSG Gold Cup was a repeat of the 2014 SARU Community Cup final, which also just happened to be Poorte’s last game in the country’s top amateur club competition until their return last weekend. Heading into the game, Poorte knew they had a mountain to climb as they were facing the competition’s most successful club. Rustenburg Impala is the only club to have won the title twice, and is only one of three clubs to have played in every edition of the tournament.
With about 200 spectators in attendance, the two teams ran out onto the Ruimsig Stadium pitch ready to wage war in their first battle of this year’s Gold Cup. Right from the outset, Rustenburg dominated the game through possession and a superior forwards presence. Rustenburg took an early lead as they converted a penalty to go 3–0 ahead.
With former Golden Lions centre Stokkies Hanekom missing a penalty at the other end, Rustenburg capitalised on a good 22 metre dropout and dotted down the first try shortly thereafter. They continued to dominate the first half thanks to the superior experience and physical presence that their forwards pack had on offer, causing Poorte to struggle to keep up at scrum time.
The game went into half-time at 30–10 to Rustenburg, with Poorte needing a much-improved second half effort to stand any chance in the game.
Poorte managed to improve immensely on their first half performance, thanks to a strong effort by the players that coach Alwyn Hollenbach brought on off the bench. As Rustenburg’s forwards began to tire, Poorte’s forwards pack seemed to finally hold their own at scrum time with the back line also showing improved chemistry.
The improved effort just wasn’t enough however, as Poorte’s three second-half tries were matched by Rustenburg as the visitors emerged victors by 52–31. Roodepoort will be hoping to put on a better showing this weekend when they take on Springs Rugby Club in the curtain raiser for the Super Rugby game at Ellis Park on Saturday.
