Leopards (rugby union)

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The Leopards (Afrikaans: Luiperds) is a South African professional rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament, currently playing in the First Division, as the representatives of the North West Province. Their home ground is Olën Park in Potchefstroom. The union was formed in 1920 and was originally called Western Transvaal.[2]

Leopards
Full nameNorth West Leopards
UnionLeopards Rugby Union
Emblem(s)Leopard
Founded1920
RegionNorth West Province
Ground(s)Fanie du Toit Sport Ground, Potchefstroom (Capacity: 5,000)
Coach(es)Matt Proudfoot[1]
Captain(s)Siya Mdaka
League(s)Currie Cup First Division
2022Finals: DNQ
7th on log
Team kit
Official website
www.leopardsrugby.com
Current season

History

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The Western Transvaal Rugby Union had its origin from the Transvaal Rugby Union in 1920 when it became the 10th member of senior rugby unions forming the South African rugby landscape.[3] For most of their history they've played in the second tier of the Currie Cup, but they were promoted to the Premier Division for the 2009 season after defeating the Falcons in a promotion-relegation playoff in October 2008. They remained in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup until the end of 2011 season after beating the SWD Eagles from the Southern Cape in promotion/relegation matches at the end of 2009 and 2010. However, the decision of Saru to reduce the number of teams in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup as from 2012, saw the Leopards moving down to the First Division.

They became the first black-owned rugby team in South Africa, after securing sponsorship from Royal Bafokeng Sports Holdings in October 2007.[4] André May was elected as the new president of the Union on 29 April 2010 and was re-elected unopposed for a fourth term during April 2016, and will his current term extend until May 2019. May is a former player of Western Transvaal with 75 matches for the Union and a practising advocate. May is also the chairman of the professional arm of the Leopards, being Leopards Rugby (Pty) Ltd. The Acting CEO of both the Leopards as well as Leopards Rugby (Pty)Ltd is Eugene Fourie who is also the Manager Amateur Rugby. A permanent CEO is to be appointed in the first quarter of 2019.

The Leopards also known as the Luiperds in Afrikaans is based primarily in the university town of Potchefstroom, however in recent years have played some home games at the much larger Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg and most recently also at Rustenburg Impala Rugby Club and at other rugby clubs all around the province. During 2018 the Fanie Du Toit temporarily became the unofficial home ground of the Leopards. They draw their fans from across the North West Province and used to average crowds of 5,000 to home Currie Cup fixtures. Their traditional rivals include the Blue Bulls, the Golden Lions and the Pumas.

Honours

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  • Currie Cup First Division champions 2015, 2021
  • W.V. Simkins Trophy winners 1991, 1992

Current squad

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The following players were included in the Leopards squad for the 2022 Currie Cup First Division:[5]

Leopards Currie Cup squad

Props

  •   Waldo Crous
  •   Ruben du Plessis
  •   Lukas Klopper
  •   Lihle Lolwane
  •   JP Mans
  •   Masonwabe Ngcem
  •   Faf Pelser
  •   Sampie Swiegers
  •   Marco van Deventer

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

  •   Shirwin Cupido
  •   Riaan Genis
  •   Eugene Hare
  •   Sylvester Hassien
  •   Aphelele Madaka
  •   Keenan Twigg

Fly-halves

  •   Martin Venter
  •   Danrich Visagie

Centres

Wingers

  •   Quan Eymann
  •   Naiden Jaarts
  •   Pienaar van Niekerk
  •   Keano Windvogel

Fullbacks

  •   Heinrich Botha
  •   Willem du Plessis
  •   Andre Grobler
  •   Duren Hoffman
(c) Denotes team captain and Bold denotes internationally capped.

References

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  1. ^ Schenk, Heinz. "Twickers to Olën Park: World Cup-winning Bok coach Proudfoot comes full circle as new Leopards coach". Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Leopards". sarugby.net. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  3. ^ Van Zyl, Hans; et al. (1996). Mielieboersage (1st ed.). Potchefstroom: Potchefstroom Herald Printers. p. 3. ISBN 0-620-20378-1.
  4. ^ "Leopards become first black-owned rugby franchise in SA". Mail & Guardian Online. 30 October 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  5. ^ "Leopards squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
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