First premier league rugby semi-final for the coast

The FNB Kudu Rugby Club is serving great anticipation and excitement for the Walvis Bay community, as the first time in Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) history, the Kudu team will be hosting and playing in a semi-final match in Walvis Bay .

All roads will lead to Jan Wilken Stadium where the Kudus will take on the University of Namibia (Unam) rugby club at 15:45 on Saturday.

The club sealed the deal last weekend when they claimed a 10–0 victory against Western Suburbs in Walvis Bay. The Kudu reserve league team also managed to secure a spot in the semi-finals but will have to travel to Rehoboth to play against Rehoboth II.

Kudus coach, Gawan Esterhuizen, labelled the win against Western Suburbs, a morale booster and said it restored the players confidence after they suffered a defeat dealt to them by Grootfontein.

"It's good – we’ve gained momentum for the next game. This season is a dream season for us. To start with boys who ended in eight position last year, last on the log, and to build with them and see them grow – is a dream. But our season is not yet done. We are working hard for the next one and I am very happy that we are playing on our home ground, which will be a great advantage for us. However, it is going to be another tough match which we are prepared to work very hard for."

With regard to the second team playing in Rehoboth, Esterhuizen stated that with the depth the club has in both teams; the second team just need to believe in themselves.

"Each team is structured with its own set of players, and we can properly prepare for the next game."

The Kudu Rugby Club chairman, Allister Carollisen, said that it is a special achievement to have two teams in the semi-final considering the number of kilometres that the club and Grootfontein have to cover compared to the other clubs. "FNB Kudus had to train in Swakopmund this year as Narraville Stadium was not suitable for training and no other field in Walvis Bay was available for the club.

“As a result, the team had to travel to Swakopmund three times a week, which was an expensive exercise, costing the club N$120 000 this year. Due to this we lost around 30 players as by the time they are done at work, the team is already in Swakopmund. If this had not been the case, I dare say we would have had three teams in the semis. The FNB Kudus team showed fighting spirit this year and gave a good account of themselves."

He expressed his appreciation to all members of the club management for their contributions, on the pitch, at the training ground or behind the desk.

"We are extremely grateful to our sponsors for their selfless contributions made.

"To the coaching team led by Gawan, many thanks for your time and energy that you spend on the club. Also my late predecessors Chandler Plato and James de Koker's contributions to the current success cannot be overlooked because they walked the road with us through rough times."

Carolissen also wished the players all the best for the semi final.

"It will be two rock hard semi finals without a doubt and unfortunately there will be a few players who just won't make it to the teams. Putting on the blue and white jersey must be a special honour in itself, but to name a few for whom it must be extra special is for captain Cameron Langenhoven in whose Grandfather Uncle Bertie Langenhoven's garage the first assembly in 1961 took place.

“The Plato brothers' father Chandler left deep traces in the club's history, Craig Swartz's father Fanco and Greg Swartz led the team for years and are still involved in the club. Joshua Jacobs' father, Humpfrey Jacobs, was captain of the first team in his day. Codey Naholo is on the verge of making his dad Eric's jersey his own. Lloyd Jacobs is another player whose father, Jakes, worked for Kudus for many years. Rayton Paulse's grandfather was a founding member while his father, Jerome and uncles Johan and Donovan and brother Williams ran for the blue and white for years."

Zane Jansen, the patron of the Kudu Rugby Club stated that it has been a battle to bring a NRU semi-final match to the coast.

"After years, it is finally happening and this is phenomenal. The potential for club rugby at the coast is immense and this has clearly been evident the past two home games, where we have recorded about a 1 000 fans in attendance in the rugby stadium pavilion. The impact club rugby has is also immense, which can clearly be seen at our high schools at the Coast where we now have seven schools participating in rugby. Additionally, we have about three to four of the Kudu players involved in the coaching of these teams."

Kudu Rugby Club managed to win the reserve league in 2007/08 and has lost twice in the premier league semi-finals thus far.

At a business dinner hosted, the club received a much needed financial boost in the form of N$500 000 in pledges as well as from rugby t-shirts that were auctioned.

At the occasion, Springbok legend Bolla Conradie were the guest speaker and motivated the players.

"As a young child from the Cape Flats, I've always dreamt to play for the Bokke, and there isn't a greater feeling to play for your country's national team. You too, can play for Namibia, it all depends on your determination and willpower."