Build-up to derby weekend excites

Rugby
Last year's NRU premier league rugby finalists will clash in their annual derby.
Brian Munango
  • 1 Week Ago
Expect a proper showdown this weekend as Trustco United and FNB Wanderers meet in their annual derby at the United field this Saturday.

The two clubs will compete in various mutual sporting events, namely rugby, cricket (T20), netball and knobel.

The senior netball game and NRU premier league rugby game will be broadcast live on Network Television on DStv 285, GOtv 25 as well as on our web-based TV channel, https://oneuptwo.com/ntv.

At the photo session of the team captains and coaches on Tuesday at the Trustco United Sports club, Wanderers first team rugby captain, scrumhalf Jacques Theron, said: “We made a statement at the beginning of the season (winning the Castle Lite United ten-a-side tournament) and we also want to win the premier league. This weekend will be another chance for us to move in the right direction.”

Trustco United were crowned winners of the derby last year when they won it at Wanderers field in a tight game that ended 33-30.

United also edged out Wanderers in the dying seconds of the NRU premier league final last year with Renier Benade’s late penalty (30-29) – a result that built on the growing reputation of coach Robbie Dickson’s side as one that knows how to peak when it matters most.

However, the 2024 season started with a hangover for the Philistines, as they were beaten in their first three matches (all away, to FNB Grootfontein, FNB Unam and FNB Kudus) before beating FNB Western Suburbs 34-23 in Khomasdal last weekend.

In contrast, Wanderers slipped badly in their opener against Unam before putting together a winning streak against Kudus, Western Suburbs and FNB Reho Falcon.

This week, Wanderers is at third position on the NRU log standings with 16 points from four matches, behind leaders Unam (26 from five) and Kudus (20 from five).

United’s first win moved them up to fifth, although still far behind on seven points from four matches.

However, over the years, the derby between these two rivals have shown that recent form or current log standings count for nothing and neither does favourite or underdog tags.

United captain and inside centre JD Nel said: “The team spirit is high, we’ve been putting in the work. We had a good game against Suburbs, so this is a huge game for us.

“We will give it everything we have and I am sure Wanderers will do the same, so let’s see how Saturday goes.”