It will be a clash between two giants of SA club rugby when top Kariega side Gardens face crack Cape Town outfit Villager in a Pick n Pay Gold Cup quarterfinal showdown in Cape Town on Saturday, Gardens vice-president Royden Johnson says.
Gardens delivered an impressive all-round display when they marched into the last eight with a nail-biting 29-25 win over Kruisfontein United in Kariega on Saturday.
Villager, who recently won the Western Province Grand Challenge Cup for the first time in 25 years, will be looking for their first national title since former Springbok captain Morné du Plessis lifted the trophy in 1980.
“Villager is a club with a proud history and we respect that,” Johnson said.
“But we also know what we stand for and that is passion, grit, and unity.
“It’s going to be a great spectacle of South African club rugby, two giants from different provinces meeting with everything on the line.
“Without a doubt, making the quarterfinals is a massive moment for Gardens.
“Not just for the club, but for the entire Kariega community.
“Gardens RFC is built on history, resilience, and heart.
“To be in the Top 8 of South Africa’s premier club competition is a reward for years of hard work, sacrifice and belief.
“It’s a victory for every player, coach, committee member, supporter, and former legend who helped lay this foundation.”
Johnson said Gardens were planning to take a big contingent of supporters to Cape Town.
“Our supporters are the heartbeat of Gardens,” he said.
“We’ve already started working on logistics to ensure as many of them as possible can make the trip.
“They’ve carried us through the toughest moments, so it’s only right that they share this next chapter with us. Whether by bus, taxi, or carpool, we want to see a sea of green in Cape Town.
“Gardens will be painting the Mother City green.”
Johnson thanked his team's fans for coming out in big numbers to support the team when they beat Kruisfontein in the second round at the Central Field.
“I just want to say a big thank you to our Gardens family,” he said.
“You’ve been with us through the highs and the lows, and your voices from the stands fuel the players more than you can imagine.
“Keep believing, keep showing up, and keep that green spirit alive.
“This run is for you, for everyone who’s ever worn the badge, and for Uitenhage [Kariega] as a whole.
“Cape Town, we’re coming — and we’re bringing our green army with us.”
Last week's clash lived up to the prematch hype, and a big crowd at the Central Field were treated to an absorbing encounter.
Kruisfontein raced into an 8-3 lead after 20 minutes thanks to a try from flyhalf Aldrin Pieterse and a penalty booted by fullback Jayren Draghoender.
Gardens, however, fought back and led 24-15 at halftime thanks to tries from fullback Adriano Martin, loose forward Sesuthu Gans and scrumhalf Marvin Kampher.
The second half proved to be an arm wrestle, and a 74th-minute try for Gardens by Claude Jantjies proved to be crucial for the home side.
Kruisfontein kept fighting until the bitter end and were rewarded for their efforts when wing Breyton Wentzel scored a late try.
However, it proved to be too little too late, and Gardens advanced to the next round.
In the North section, defending champions Naka Bulls are just three victories away from what would be an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ of national titles
Hat-tricks by left wing JJ Motlhodi and scrumhalf Jack Hart allowed the Pretoria side to sweep aside visitors Louis Trichardt 88-19 on Saturday.
The Villager vs Gardens clash will be shown live at 2.55pm on SuperSport channel 210.
Saturday's quarterfinals:
South Section: Robertson v College Rovers (Robertson), Villager v Gardens (Cape Town).
North Section: Naka Bulls v Northam Wolves (Pretoria), Northam Rhinos v Harlequins (Setaria).
The Herald
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.