SK Walmer will be fighting to retain their Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) Super League A status when they do battle with Franschhoek at City Park on Saturday.
Just a year ago, Walmer were celebrating their return to top flight club rugby.
The only comfort for the men from the Bo-Kaap is that they had a month-long break to prepare for this encounter while their opponents were fighting it out in the play-offs.
Last week Franschhoek were made to work hard for their spot against Walmer with a 16-12 win over Kraaifontein.
It’s hard to believe that just about a decade ago SK Walmer were among the top clubs in the country and preparing to do battle in the national club rugby championship, then named Community Cup, but since then the club has had to endure some difficult times.
The past two seasons in particular were difficult but senior officials were proactive and steered the club to calmer waters by undertaking a rebuilding phase with the recruitment of several young players while growing its junior ranks at the same time.
This season they made a comeback to the Western Province’s elite Super League A under the guidance of senior coach Ashiq Wise following a tough 2023 season in the Super League B which they won having only lost one match.
But this season Walmer was hamstrung following a run of poor results which resulted in them ending the season in 13th spot on the league table in which 15 teams participated.
The club rugby competition rules stipulate the team ending in 13th spot be involved in play-off with the team which ended third in the Union’s Super League B. The two who ended top in Super League B, the University of the Western Cape and Van der Stel/Evergreens gained automatic promotion.
Kick-off for Saturday’s Walmer/Franschhoek clash is at 3pm.
Meanwhile, Primrose ended a good season under coach Ricky Petersen when they were crowned Super League C champions following a 37-27 win over Macassar.
In other action, Hamilton was crowned the Super League A champions following their 23-20 win over Durbell at City Park on Saturday and will represent the WP in the national Gold Cup on Saturday. They have been drawn to play Gardens of Gqeberha at Green Point. Kick-off is at 4pm.
