The return of experienced head coach Qondakele Sompondo has ignited Motherwell Rugby Club’s revival as they push for promotion to the Score Energy Drink EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12 division, president Mziwoxolo Mpofu says.
Established in 1992, the club has a vibrant history within the Motherwell community and some of the original players from the early 1990s are involved in the club’s structures in various capacities.
Thanks to a fine run of form, Motherwell are in third spot on the Middle 12 log after winning six of their opening 11 first round games.
“Motherwell has aspirations of winning the Middle 12 division and progressing to the Top 12 in 2025,” Mpofu said.
“Sompondo’s return this season has assisted our club immensely.
“Having been a player for Motherwell Rugby Club in the early 1990s during the formative years of the club, he possesses a rich knowledge base of the club’s history.
“And thus, he slips into a position of authority among the players with relative ease.
“In his previous stint as the coach of the club from 2018 to 2020, he took the club to two finals in one season.
“In his previous stint as the coach of the club from 2018 to 2020 he took the club to two finals in one season.
“However, it is his experience as a tried and tested coach with World Rugby level three qualification and the fact that he has previously coached provincially [EP U19], varsity shield [Rhodes University], and Community Cup [African Bombers] that is being put to good use.
“He has introduced a professional environment, and the players have embraced this approach to the benefit of the club.
“It has been remarkable to see how Sompondo has moulded this generation of players into a formidable force that is pushing for honours.
“Motherwell are hopeful they will keep challenging for higher honours.
“We have seen local high school rugby boys completing school and joining our club.
“This has culminated in them becoming regular first-team men playing over 50 caps.
“These players are community role models and, by their standing in our community, assist in our recruitment efforts.”
Mpofu said Motherwell had also established and developed an exceptionally strong women’s rugby team.
“I say women in inverted commas because 90% of our team is made up of high school teenage girls.
“In 2023, we had a total of 35 players represent EP Women’s Rugby in various teams including the EP U16 and EP U18 Youth weeks, the EP U20 and EP Queens teams.
“Some of those girls have gone on to study at the University of Pretoria and are playing for the Tuks Women’s Rugby team.
“Some are currently studying at NMU representing the NMU Madibaz Rugby Women’s Team.
“In 2024, we have produced 23 players who will be representing EP.
“We will also have three members of our club representing EP Rugby in a management capacity at these girls’ youth weeks.
“Athi Mayinje, former EP Kings player and current Motherwell Rugby Club player, will be the assistant coach of the U16 EP Girls team.
“Nwabisa Phikwa, who is a member of the Motherwell Women’s Rugby Club team, will be the team manager for the EP U16 Girls’ team.
“Khanya Kondile is a member of the Motherwell Women’s Rugby Club; she will be the EP U18 Girls’ assistant coach.”
After the stepping down of previous Motherwell president in 2023 for personal reasons, the club elected a new and unfamiliar face to the club, in Mpofu, on January 25 to occupy the position of club president.
A former Grey 1st XV, EP Craven Week and Maties Rugby Club player, the Stellenbosch graduate has entered familiar territory.
Mpofu was also previously involved with Grey Junior and High School rugby as a coach, as well as NMU Madibaz Rugby Club in 2011 and 2012 in a team management and logistics capacity.
After having lived something of a nomadic life because of employment, he is now settled in Gqeberha and has rolled up his sleeves to get stuck in with club rugby.
“We also have a goal of winning the women’s league in 2024, as we fell incredibly short in 2023, losing in the semifinal,” Mpofu said.
HeraldLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.