TOP POINTS SCORERS in the 2023 Mzansi Challenge
1 Adriaan van der Bank (SWD Eagles) – 65
2 Keagan Fortune (Boland Kavaliers) – 47
3 André van der Berg (Welwitschias) – 39
4 Valentino Norman (Boland Kavaliers) – 34
5 Aphiwe Stemele (Border Bulldogs) – 31
TOP POINTS SCORERS in the 2023 Mzansi Challenge 1 Adriaan van der Bank (SWD Eagles) – 65 2 Keagan Fortune (Boland Kavaliers) – 47 3 André van der Berg (Welwitschias) – 39 4 Valentino Norman (Boland Kavaliers) – 34 5 Aphiwe Stemele (Border Bulldogs) – 31

Leopards’ last defeat here was in 1999

Rugby
An exciting clash is in store between two proud rugby unions.
Andrew Poolman
The visiting Leopards from Potchefstroom will put their winning record of more than two decades against the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias on the line in tomorrow’s Mzansi Challenge match at Jan Wilken Stadium in Walvis Bay.

The Namibians should be well rested from their bye weekend, looking to launch the final stretch of their campaign that concludes with matches against the Leopards, Kenya Simbas (13 May), Boland Kavaliers (27 May) and Eastern Province (3 June), all in Windhoek.

Coach Chrysander Botha’s team are currently fifth on the log with five points. Two weekends ago, their last match against the San Clemente Rhinos just frustatingly slipped away from them (24-25), but still gives them much to build on.

The Leopards are ninth with just one from 3 matches, after their meetings with the Goshawks and the Simbas were both cancelled.

The North West Province team is boosted by a good number of members of this year’s triumphant Varsity Cup champions NWU Eagles squad, that beat Ikeys in the final.

They include the Eagles prop and captain Sampie Swiegers, joined by both his fellow front-rowers, as well as lock Wihan Nel, wing Hardus Pretorius and fullback Tino Swanepoel. The latter has been especially vibrant this season, scoring some electric tries with his quick footwork or short kick-and-chases.

Leopards team: 1 Ruan (Sampie) Swiegers, 2 Vernon Paulo, 3 Ruben du Plessis, 4 Wihan Nel, 5 Vincent Maruping (captain), 6 Arminn Posthumus, 7 Kwezi Mafu, 8 HP Swart, 9 Dok Cupido, 10 Lionell April, 11 Keenan Twigg, 12 Dunvan van Vuuren, 13 Danrich Visagie, 14 Hardus Pretorius, 15 Tino Swanepoel.

Replacements: 16 Carl Wijburg, 17 Henri van der Westhuizen, 18 Jumbo Haitembu, 19 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 20 Jandre de Beer, 21 Tjaart Benade, 22 Ryan Smit, 23 André Grobler.

Welwitschias team: 1 André Rademeyer, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Nelius Theron, 4 Mahepisa Tjeriko, 5 Johan Luttig, 6 Peter Diergaardt, 7 Max Katjijeko, 8 Prince Goaseb, 9 Jacques Theron, 10 André van der Berg, 11 JC Greyling, 12 Danco Burger, 13 Hillian Beukes, 14 Lloyd Jacobs, 15 Aurelio Plato.

Replacements: 16 Wikus Jacobs, 17 Herschell van Wyk, 18 Jason Benade, 19 Le Beau du Preez, 20 Lezardo Vos/ Francois Jones, 21 AJ Kearns, 22 PJ Walters, 23 Gershwin Mouton/ Henrique Olivier

FORM GUIDE

The Leopards’ season so far (includes Currie Cup first division):

4 March: lost to Valke (Brakpan) 27-43.

11 March: beat Boland Kavaliers (Potchefstroom) 33-32.

25 March: v Zimbabwe Goshawks (cancelled).

8 April: v Kenya Simbas (cancelled).

15 April: lost to Eastern Province (Despatch) 20-24.

22 April: lost to SWD Eagles (Potchefstroom) 25-33.

29 April: lost to Boland Kavaliers (Bredasdorp) 3-12.

HISTORY BETWEEN UNIONS

DATE VENUE RESULT

18 June 1952 – Klerksdorp – Western Transvaal beat SWA 26-8

31 July 1957 – Potchefstroom – SWA beat Western Transvaal 14-9

19 May 1962 – Windhoek – SWA and Western Transvaal drew 12-12

04 July 1964 – Potchefstroom – Western Transvaal beat SWA 14-12

31 July 1968 – Windhoek – Western Transvaal beat SWA 9-6

28 May 1969 – Potchefstroom – Western Transvaal beat SWA 33-17

24 June 1972 – Windhoek – SWA beat Western Transvaal 24-16

13 May 1978 – Windhoek – Western Transvaal beat SWA 30-21

20 September 1980 – Windhoek – Western Transvaal beat SWA 25-7 (Currie Cup promotion/relegation)

07 May 1983 – Windhoek – SWA beat Western Transvaal 23-19

27 April 1985 – Potchefstroom – Western Transvaal and SWA drew 20-20

20 July 1985 – Windhoek – SWA beat Western Transvaal 39-19

28 September 1985 – Potchefstroom – SWA beat Western Transvaal 16-13 (Currie Cup B final)

12 April 1986 – Potchefstroom – SWA beat Western Transvaal 15-0

21 June 1986 – Windhoek – SWA beat Western Transvaal 21-12

30 August 1986 – Potchefstroom – Western Transvaal beat SWA 14-12

02 May 1987 – Windhoek – SWA beat Western Transvaal 36-9 (Currie Cup B division)

05 September 1987 – Potchefstroom – Western Transvaal beat SWA 30-14(Currie Cup B division)

12 September 1987 – Windhoek – SWA beat Western Transvaal 24-12 (Currie Cup B final)

12 April 1999 – Potchefstroom – Leopards beat Namibia Kudus 30-11 (Vodacom Cup)

14 May 1999 – Windhoek – Namibia Kudus beat Leopards 22-12 (Vodacom Cup)

02 May 2000 – Potchefstroom – Leopards beat Welwitschias 70-7 (Vodacom Cup)

06 March 2010 – Potchefstroom – Leopards beat Welwitschias 52-11 (Vodacom Cup)

08 May 2015 – Windhoek – Leopards beat Welwitschias – 33-25 (Vodacom Cup)

20 May 2016 – Potchefstroom – Leopards beat Welwitschias 42-17 (Currie Cup qualifier)

20 August 2016 – Windhoek – Leopards beat Welwitschias 54-42 (Currie Cup first division)

15 September 2017 – Potchefstroom – Leopards beat Welwitschias 78-29 (Currie Cup first division)

25 May 2019 – Windhoek – Leopards beat Welwitschias 70-8 (SuperSport Challenge)

SUMMARY : Played 28 / Leopards won 17 / SWA/Namibia won 10 / One draw.

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