UWC Rugby closer to glory

Peter de Villiers, Director of Rugby at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), remains confident that UWC has what it takes to play in the big leagues.

UWC is playing in the toughest league in Western Province club rugby, the Western Province Rugby Union (WPRU) Super League B, and the team is firing on all cylinders to earn promotion to Super League A.

“The players are responding well to the structures we have put in place since the Varsity Shield competition and by making full use of them the squad would be well on their way to Super League A glory,” says de Villiers.

UWC is in third place with 39 points, tied with False Bay RFC (2nd place), behind log leaders Primrose RFC on 53 points.

In June this year de Villiers spent some time in Kenya, helping the Kenyan National side with training and other areas of their game. Shortly after this the Kenyan national side came to train against UWC. “It is important to build relationships with rugby teams across Africa and this also served as good motivation for our team for the remainder of the season,” de Villiers says.

Phillip October, UWC Rugby Chairperson, said the UWC success story actually started in 2010, when they made the decision to play amongst the best clubs teams in the province.

“Every year since 2010, we have earned promotion; so it is clear that the structures we implemented  are working and will continue to work as we move towards our journey to success,” he said.

“Having a good under-20 squad that serves as a feeder to the first to third teams is another important part of making UWC rugby bulletproof.  This ensures that there is a constant flow of good players coming through the ranks,” he said.