Eastern Cape’s Eye of the Tiger are the 2012 Soweto Rugby Tournament Cup Champions after their emphatic 41-5 win over the hosts Soweto Rugby Club, in the final played at the Braamfischer Multipurpose Complex earlier today Monday, 30 April 2012.
The Eastern Cape outfit outplayed and outmuscled the Sowetans and was superb in attack, defense and tactical acumen.
Having won the 2006 version of the tournament the Sowetans were favourites to lift the crown. However, the Eastern Cape lads were not in the mood to lose, especially to them (Sowetans) and went on to register the highest number of points in a match in the tournament.
Despite the high margin, the Sowetans gave a good account of themselves but were let down by their handling and distribution. They gave away too much possession easily. On the road to the final the two teams played excellent rugby to reach the final, however in the final the Eye of the Tiger were more determined not to lose and displayed magnificent display of offensive and defensive play.
Earlier in the day in an all Gauteng team affair Alexandra Rugby Club saw off Eldoronians 37-5 in the Plate Final. The Plate is played by teams who lost in the first round games on Saturday.
With the successful 2012 edition coming to an end, talks have already begun to make the Soweto Rugby Tournament an annual event. This will assist in making the sport popular and in increasing support for the Soweto rugby Club.
The tournament which was touted for not only being about the performances on the pitch drew a lot of interests from the local community. It also brought the players from different provinces and communities together in strengthening the development of rugby and in building new recreational interests for the people.
With the performance displayed over the 3 days by the players, it will not be a surprise to see a few players playing at the highest level of rugby including donning the national colours for the springboks or the sevens.
Final Results
Cup final:
Eye of the Tiger Rugby Club 41 - Soweto Rugby Club 5
Plate final:
Alexandra Rugby Club 37 - Eldoronians Rugby Club 5
Standings
1st place:
Eye of the Tiger - Gold medals and a Trophy
2nd place:
Soweto Rugby Club - Silver medals
3rd place:
Alexandra Rugby Club - Bronze and Plate
Awards for best play
Best forward player: Victor Skekete (Eye of the Tiger)
Best backline player: Ryan Julies (Eye of the Tiger)
Top try scorer: Ryan Julies (Eye of the Tiger)
Player of the tournament: Oliver Zono (Eye of the Tiger)
For media inquiries contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
E-mail: nomazwe.ntlokwana@gauteng.gov.za
Zola Ntlokoma
Cell: 079 671 4892
E-mail: mzolistodemas@yahoo.com
Soweto Rugby Tournament final produces an upset for the favourites
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