Villager set for high-stakes national showdown
Devon Lailvaux of Villager charging toward the tryline against Hamilton in a South Section quarter-final of the Pick n Pay national club competition, at Brookside, on Saturday.
Image: Mark Ward
Mark Ward
Villager Rugby Club will host Gardens from the Eastern Cape in a high-stakes South Section quarter-final of the Pick n Pay national club competition at Brookside on Saturday.
This follows Villager’s impressive come-from-behind 27-14 victory over arch-rivals Hamiltons, a result which underlined their resilience and attacking quality. After trailing 10–14 at halftime, the Brookside outfit turned on the power in the second stanza to secure the win and book their place among the last eight.
Flyhalf Devon Lailvaux sparked the homeside’s determination, scoring the first of Villager’s four tries in the opening stages of a fiercely contested clash. Lailvaux converted his own try and added a penalty to complete his side’s first-half scoring. With Villager reduced to 13 players after two yellow cards, Hamilton responded strongly before the break with two converted tries through Damo Rawstorne and Xander Botha, both kicked by right-wing Mujaahid Noordien.
Hamilton's Willem Van Der Merwe maintains possession under pressure during his side's clash against Hamilton, in a South Section quarter-final fixture of the Pick n Pay national club competition, at Brookside, on Saturday.
Image: Mark Ward
Villager, however, regrouped after the interval, tightening their defence and showing greater patience in attack. Their structured play and fitness were evident during the second as they crossed the tryline three more times to seal the result and set up a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown against the Eastern Cape champions.
Gardens, meanwhile, will arrive in Cape Town riding on a wave of confidence after a thrilling 29–25 victory over neighbours Kruisfontein in Kariega on Saturday. That result reaffirmed Gardens’ status as one of South Africa’s most respected community rugby clubs.
Their continued success in the competition highlights the depth of rugby talent that thrives beyond the traditional strongholds. Gardens have built a reputation for fast-paced, physical rugby, and their meeting with Villager promises to be one of contrasting styles and fierce commitment.
Villager's William Rose of Villager charging toward the tryline in a South Section quarter-final against Hamilton, at the Pick n Pay national club competition, at Brookside, on Saturday.
Image: Mark Ward
Elsewhere, Robertson ensured that Boland remained represented in the knockout stages after a high-scoring 52–33 win in a match that produced 13 tries. Robertson crossed the whitewash eight times, while their opponents managed five.
Marco Jones, Jennewil April, and Rune Lucas each grabbed two tries, while Curtly Timm and Freginald Africa also added their names to the scoresheet. Flyhalf Adriaano Conradie kept the scoreboard ticking with six successful conversions.
As the competition enters the business end, Villagers’ clash with Gardens stands out as a classic East–South battle, one between Cape Town’s enduring rugby institution and the pride of the Eastern Cape.
Villager's Andries Viljoen of Villager tries to shake his marker during his side's South Section quarter-final national club championship fixture against Hamilton, at Brookside, on Saturday.
Image: Mark Ward