Union-Milnerton (Uni-Mil) Rugby Club made history this past weekend as they achieved not one, but three remarkable milestones in their illustrious history.
The rugby club, nestled in the heart of Theo Marais Park, hosted an unforgettable Saturday of sporting excellence, leaving both players and fans exhilarated and proud.
Uni-Mil celebrated their golden jubilee, marking an impressive 50 years of existence. Since the club’s humble beginnings, it has been an integral part of the community, fostering a deep passion for the sport and creating lifelong memories for players and supporters alike.
In addition to their ongoing anniversary celebrations, Uni-Mil had yet another reason to rejoice as winger, Jodi Dennis, achieved a milestone of his own. Dennis completed an astounding 50 caps for Uni-Mil, showcasing his dedication, skill and loyalty to the club.
Media officer at Uni-Mil, Nolene Oosthuizen expressed how fond she is of the team’s camaraderie.
“I’ve been at the club for so long it also feels like 50 years,” she joked.
“It’s been a great journey. We are planning a few fundraisers. There are quite a few boys that joined the team before the pandemic that would have received 50 caps way before. Jodi is one of six players that received their 50 caps this year. He has been with the club for seven years alongside coach Ishmaeel and coach Adrian,” she said.
The cherry on top of an already momentous weekend came in the form of a thrilling match against Durbanville-Bellville (Durbell) Rugby Club in the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) Super League A (SLA) campaign.
Despite the cold and rainy weather, the community rallied behind Uni-Mil, turning up in good numbers to witness the much-anticipated clash. Some supporters stood in the chill, while others took refuge in their vehicles, eagerly awaiting the spectacle that would unfold.
In a gripping showdown, former Sharks scrumhalf Vusile Dlepu and the Uni-Mil squad displayed their hunger and skill, ultimately clinching a hard-fought victory with a last-minute try by Zimbabwe Sevens national player Brian Matoramusha, that brought the scoreline to 13-0 in their favour.
With over 12 years at the club, head coach Isma-eel Dollie said they are humbled by the victory over Durbell, as it puts them on level points with log leaders, Helderberg (34 points). However, their focus is on their next encounter against Hamlets.
“It was our first time beating Durbell since 2018. Our goal is to keep our guys’ feet on the ground. We haven’t won anything yet. I remember last season we beat False Bay and they went on to win the league. We have Hamlets this weekend in Mamre. They have a big crowd and different style of play which is totally different to Durbell. They play a high-paced running type of rugby. Our goal is to take it one game at a time,” he said.
