Banbridge RFC Notes: Tourists build bridges in historic rugby match

When Banbridge’s South African tourists arrived at Kylemore Sports Ground for the second match of their tour of the Western Cape, they were oblivious to the part they would play in what has been celebrated back in South Africa as an historic rugby match.

Pniel Villager and Kylemore, two proud rugby clubs from the Dwars River Valley came together for the very first time in what local press said ‘gave us a glimpse of what can be achieved when combining forces’ also acknowledging the toursists role in acting as a ‘bridge’ between the two clubs.

After the match referee Pierre Rogers said ‘it was for night’s like tonight that I became a referee – phenomenal rugby, great leadership and a spirit of cooperation.

Kylemore President Abraham Lackey said ‘what I saw tonight was an experience’ the two clubs ‘played as if they were all playing together for years. The generation of today understand each other much better. Kylemore and Pniel could form a massive club in Western Province and produce talented players of Springbok quality.

Whilst former Springbok, and Dwars River Valley resident Ivan Jacobs said ‘it was my wish for years that we have would one team in the valley. Our children are disadvantaged but can be stronger together. I feel we should do it immediately. We needed to agree to work together and we proved it tonight – we can play together!’

The story of the two clubs coming together was front page news in the local press back in South Africa under the headline ‘The Luck of the Irish’. Banbridge enjoyed great camaraderie with their hosts that evening, and the tourists trip to the Dwars River Valley will no doubt live long in the memories.

Banbridge presented their playing jerseys to their opposite numbers after the game and also presented two sets of youth jerseys to club officials.