The annual Cape Town Tens tournament, which first took place in 2003, was completed in Green Point over the weekend.
The brainchild of rugby legends Bob Skinstad and Robbie Fleck and lifetime friend, Ron Rutland, the tournament has become a fixture on the rugby calendar and has drawn teams and players from around the world.
Offering a bouquet of competitions under the banner, every year sees young and the old, the legends of the game and those in their own minds, take to the pitch in a format which is slower than its glamorous cousin, sevens, but faster and less stop-start than the full-format game. Ultimately it is a tournament for everyone, with the added spectator involvement completing the experience for all.
On the pitch, in terms of a measurement for preparedness for the upcoming season, coaches are known to be cautious for fear of injury, but it exposes their wider talent pool and allows them the opportunity to stake claims for selection.
Motorvaps False Bay fielded two teams in various competitions, one in the Premier League and another in the Beer League.
Coached by Shaune Jordaan and Ryan van Niekerk, the Motorvaps False Bay Lite team progressed to the semi-finals and their flagship team took the cup, in the form of a funky guitar, in the Premier League.
Getting off to a slow start, with only one win out of three at the start, Bay recovered strongly, fighting their way to the knock-out stages, where the ability to scrap for a win is a prerequisite.
With players from all levels, including under-20, the Bay demonstrated the depth available to them for the upcoming season. Written off as still-born hopefuls, the team was galvanised by the fear of falling flat and embarked on a course of corrective action mixed with bold determination.
“The tournament’s early stages seemed to spell disappointment for the Bay”, said Van Niekerk. “Bay’s ethos of inclusivity and fighting spirit shone through in our all-important encounter against hosts, Hamilton.”
There is nothing like a derby to inspire and invigorate, and Motorvaps False Bay produced a confidence-boosting performance to reach the final, admittedly against all expectations.
The schedule was particularly tough and Motovaps False Bay took to the pitch again, as barely an hour later the final against SK Walmer kicked off.
While the men were grinding out glory at Green Point, the False Bay Women’s section were conducting their Open Day at Constantia. A runaway success with almost 60 players in attendance, the majority of whom were complete newcomers to the game, the event proved the interest in the format of the game and clubs across the peninsula and the Western Province Rugby Football Union are to be commended on their efforts in the growth of the game.
- Jon Harris is a member of False Bay RFC.
