Raucous support for mixed Tuks team

Pretoria News 8 July 1986

Mike Green

Without any fanfare the two sides took the field at the L. C. de Villiers stadium to the raucous cheers of their few very vocal supporters.

It might have been just another rugby match - but a mixed race side from Pretoria University - the Jakaranda XV - was about to take on the touring Akker XV from Stellenbosch in the first match of their tour.

The local side consists of "a few students and a few mates", and although they didn't appear in the famed white jersey with the red, blue and gold hoop of the Tukkies, they were given the full cooperation of the authorities in setting up the match.

The Jakarandas haven't had much of a chance to play together "just a few practices, and this is our first game" said manager Mr David Cronje - and it showed in stark contrast to the slick teamwork of the tourists who play in the South African Rugby Association (SARA) Wine (sic-l) League in the Boland.With people like fly-half Makhala Hlahlale, who was a reserve in the SARA national team, and George Noble, brother of winger John who scored the first try by a coloured person at Newlands, in their ranks, the Akker XV held the whip hand in the first half.

But in the second half, the altitude caught up with them, and the local boys put it together with a penalty by fullback Barend Adams, and a pushover try by captain Don van der Westhuizen. Adams converted to give the Jakaranda XV a tough 9-6 victory.

Three of the leading figures in yesterday's mixed rugby match at Pretoria University meet before the whistle gets the historic match underway. From left: Dries de Villiers, captain of the Akker XV, referee Deon Cloete and Don van der Westhuizen, captain of the Jakaranda XV.