The Malelane Ruby Club will celebrate its 50th birthday in style on 24 and 25 February during a thrilling line-up of school and club matches, headlined by a special clash between the South African Rugby Legends and the Pumas Legends.

The Malelane Rugby Weekend has been the club’s biggest annual event since 1996. Starting out as a local club occasion, the weekend has grown to attract clubs from all over Mpumalanga. This year the event has soared to new heights with the commitment of SA Rugby Legends and a side packed with former Pumas stars.

Ian Macintosh, who was head coach of the Springboks in the early 1990s, will take charge of a sparkling SA Rugby Legends team including the likes of Wim Visser, John Mametsa, Kennedy Tsimba and Werner Cronje.

Former Pumas head coach Jimmy Stonehouse, who led the side to their second Currie Cup First Division title in 2009 and cemented the Pumas in the Premier Division, will coach the Pumas Legends side.  Stonehouse is back in the Lowveld on holiday before he returns to coach Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan.

Jimmy Stonehouse. 
Photographer: Hennie Homann

“During my time at the Pumas I coached many of the players playing in the match against the SA Legends. They approached me and I was more than happy to agree. It’s going to be very exciting to reconnect with the guys and I think it’s also a great motivation for supporters to get behind the current Pumas side for the upcoming Currie Cup,” said Stonehouse.

Returning to the field against the SA Legends, Pumas fans should look out for MJ Mentz, Corne Steenkamp, Jaco Bouwer, Ashley Buys, Ashwin Scott, Francois van Wyk, Hyron Thyse, Ronnie Uys, Doppies le Roux, Valentine van Wyk and Jovan Botha.

The weekend’s action gets underway on Friday at 16h00 with several school and club matches. 11 more matches will take place on Saturday, with the headline encounter taking place at 15h40. Tickets cost R10 per person, and there will be a cash bar, food, kiddies corner and big screen rugby at the club. 

Submitted by: Kathleen Bailie