Bethal Rugby Club is all geared up for the approaching game against Sasol.
The recent loss against Witbank will not dampen the determination of the boys from Bethal. Bethal Rugby lost 48-17 to Witbank Rugby when they played on Saturday 10 June.
Secunda Grip and Rip Rugby Club have been dominating the Mpumalanga Club Rugby scene for the past few years and will be very tough to beat.
The Bethal boys, however, do not have anything to lose. Judging from their past performances it should be a game of good rugby although some would argue that it is a mismatch. The first game between the two clubs might have had a significant score difference but Bethal have proven they can attack and score points.
The recent game against Witbank saw some very nice moves and innovations by Bethal. It is unfortunate that at least two of the tries scored by Witbank were through lapses in concentration by Bethal.
Bethal moved into the higher league this year when they emerged as winners of their previous league. It will take them time to adjust and adapt to the different styles of playing. When they started to play, they could not even field a second team but now they are able to field two full teams. A testimony to their support from the community and their own eagerness to do well.
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To play Sasol is, of course, a different ballgame altogether. Even though Bethal had been improving it is evident that Sasol has also improved as the season progressed. Secunda Grip and Rip Rugby Club is a team that plays well and, as they say it, has “HEART”!
The Sasol boys have been playing together for a while and have been playing well. Their ball-handling skills are excellent. The scrums function well, and the lineouts are rarely lost. The backline has some excellent players that can attack with force and create breaks that will be difficult to stop.
On their home ground, where Saturday’s game will be played, it will be most difficult to beat the Sasol Boys. The supporters pack the pavilions, and every move is cheered.
There are several exceptional players within the Sasol team that could break the opponents’ lines at any given time, but the success of the Sasol game lies within their game as a team. That is in my opinion what makes them such a good side.
There is always someone that supports the driving player. The defence is also rock solid and therein lies the challenge for Bethal. They need to be able to break through the Sasol defences regularly to be able to score. If they lose a ball in their attack it will surely be pounced on by Sasol.
Sasol is excellent in the tackles and can secure turnover balls quickly if Bethal does not support their players when tackled. It is then that Sasol is at its most dangerous as they will turn their defence into an attack and Bethal will have to scramble back to defend.
Discipline has been good in both teams this year and Sasol has built a reputation for good discipline and focusing on the game and not the man. So, I believe that discipline will play a big role in the degree of success that Bethal will achieve.
Everyone is looking forward to the game and The Bulletin would like to wish both teams good luck with the game.
It will be cold on and off the field, but the spirits will be warm. The game will be tough and hard but I believe that we will see some good running rugby on Saturday.
Come and enjoy the game with us at Sasol Club in Secunda
