When one looks back to our rugby history in the province, the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union (KZNRU) can be very proud of its achievements and indeed our heritage. No other tournament in KZN speaks more aptly to this proud heritage than that of the Murray Cup, which was founded in 1890, and which over the years has continued to prove its prestige and relevance in the hearts of the most die-hard rugby fans in our province.
The Murray Cup is named after Sir TK Murray, who was appointed in June 1890 as the first President of a newly formed rugby union in the province, which we today know as the KZNRU. It didn’t take long before the newly appointed President made his presence felt by presenting the newly formed Rugby Union with its first trophy, The Murray Cup. This trophy was to be used for a challenge/knockout competition, which is now the oldest knockout rugby competition in World Rugby.
Whilst the format of the competition has changed over the last 127 years of the Cups existence, it is important to note that from the inception of the competition, there has been that element of intrigue and prestige associated with the trophy that is competed for by the rugby clubs in KZN.
The clubs that originally participated in the tournament was based on a seeded draw and over the years the rule changed to accommodate 16 teams. In 2017, for this the 118th season of the competition, the tournament has come full circle and has returned to its roots. This year there will be a seeded draw with eight teams competing, thereby ensuring that the competition becomes more competitive and that the top clubs do not face each other in the early rounds of the competition.
The strongest team will face-off against the team ranked eighth. In another twist to the competition format, the lowest placed team will host the match at their home venue. The semi-final and final will be played at one venue, which this year will be hosted by the Bidvest Insurance Crusaders.
SA Home Loans Durban Collegians won the coveted trophy for the first time in 14 years, in 2016, and will clearly be looking to retain the title. Of the clubs participating in this year’s competition eThekwini Refractories Amanzimtoti, Mancosa Zululand Rhinos, Bidvest Insurance Crusaders, SA Home Loans Durban Collegians and College Rovers have all had their names engraved on the trophy.
In the last 38 years, College Rovers have laid claim to the trophy on 12 occasions, followed closely behind by Collegians with 11 wins. Crusaders have last won the trophy back in 2003 and will want to change this in 2017. Zululand Rhinos, who will celebrate their centenary in 2019, have had a single win back in 2008, while Amanzimtoti achieved the honour of lifting the Cup for the first time in 2014.
Over the years, the success of the tournament has been made possible by valued sponsors, who have committed their resources and funds to this prestigious tournament. This year High-Tech Ink and Cell C, join SAB as the associate sponsors of the competition.
Could this be a year of surprises, with a new winner laying claim to the historic trophy?…. Only time will tell. Let’s play!!!
The post THE MURRAY CUP appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
With the Fidelity Security KZNRU leagues all neatly wrapped up and the trophy’s all nicely polished and put away into their respective trophy cabinets its now time to turn our attention to the knockouts and be introduced to the new sponsors of the oldest club knockout competition in World Rugby The Murray Cup.
The 118th playing of The Murray Cup presented to the KZNRU by its First President Sir TK Murray way back in 1890 kicks of on Saturday and sees SAB Millers the longest serving sponsors of a sporting event in the country being partnered by newcomers Cell C and HiTech Ink in what looks set to be yet another enthralling and exciting competition.
The famous knockout competition now known as the Murray Cup brought to you by HiTech Ink, Cell C and SAB also sees the original seeded draw being reintroduced thus ensuring a far more competitive element to the competition, which can only result in a far more beneficial outcome with that surprise result still very much a strong possibility.
The Top eight sides from the Premier Division will contest the Murray Cup with South Coast Warriors replacing Richards Bay. All the sides playing for the coveted trophy in this years competition, except for South Coast Warriors and Varsity College, have had their name engraved on the historic piece of silverware.
FNB UKZN Impi who have only won the cup on one occasion back in 1930 will be hosting the 2016 knockout champions SA Home Loans Durban Collegians at the Peter Booysen Stadium in Pietermaritzburg. Collegians won the trophy last year after 14 years in the doldrums and will be going all out to defend their title.
The newly crowned Premier Division champions College Rovers will travel to The Douglas Mitchell Park in Uvongo to face South Coast Warriors. Rovers last won the cup in 2015 and will be looking at reclaiming the trophy and no doubt seeking to take the rare double before tackling the National Club Championships.
eThekwini Refractories Amanzimtoti winners of the trophy in 2014 travel to Mick Kelly Park in Empangeni to play their hosts Mancosa Zululand Rhinos the winners against all odds back in 2008, which for the late Hugh Moore was a most memorable season for him and the club.
Finally Bidvest Insurance Crusaders winners of the trophy back in 2003 will host their neighbours Varsity College who have yet to have laid claim to the prized possession. So will this be the year of a new champion or will Collegians be able to retain the historic piece of silverware. Only time will tell
The Premier Division Reserve sides will follow their respective First XV outfits to contest the Peter Taylor knockout trophy while the in the Junior Murray Cup Jaguar Land Rover Durban Hillcrest will be looking at retaining the trophy that they have won for the last two seasons. They open their 2017 campaign against Harlequins out on the Bluff while Durban Mets will host Westville in the other South Section game.
In the North Section Sentraal from Dundee host Newcastle and Piet Retief entertain Vryheid. The Reserves will follow their respective First XV’s to contest the Keith Parkinson Trophy.
In the only club games played over last weekend the opening rounds of the regional Ebbo Bastard Cup were played with the President Of Southern KZN Rugby Sub-Union Dougie Haralambous getting the best possible birthday present he could have ever have wished for with his side beating the Durban Rugby Sub-Union 33-10 while up North the Northern KZN Rugby Sub-Union beat Zululand 53-18
The post WEDNESDAY COLUMN CLUB RUGBY appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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