| Mixed
rugby - conceived at Maties, born at Tukkies
The Star, 12 July 1986 By Michael Shafto Stellenbosch University has struck a blow for multiracial rugby - and, in one fell swoop, spread the word more than 1 500 km to the north, where earlier this week multiracial rugby was played for the first time, at Pretoria University's L C de Villiers stadium. It all came about when a student group calling themselves "Die Akker" decided to start a multiracial team at Stellenbosch to play in the black SA Rugby Association league and make a countrywide lour. First stop was Pretoria. The tour was made possible by sponsorship from Case, an American tractor and farm implements manufacturing company. |
Former Springbok
captain Morne du Plessis is the team's honorary president, and the group
has the full approval of South African Rugby Board president Dr Danie Craven.
Die Akker members are largely white and coloured Matie students, but it also has several black players who have been drawn from tile SA Rugby Association. Dr Craven was so delighted with the founding of the new club, says its manager Mr John Donaldson, a final year BA student at Stellenbosch, that he asked to be kept regularly informed on its progress. And this week Case International managing director Mr Barney Strydom was on hand in Pretoria to watch the team play. Unhappily, Die Akker weren't able to reward him with a win. The Tulclues tears was made up of a combination of players from the university and the coloured Eersterus team. They beat the Stellenbosch visitors 9-6. |