Violence in Western Cape club rugby reared its head again when spectators, including a knife-wielding man, invaded a rugby field in Clanwilliam, the Argus reported on Tuesday.
Its website said the fight broke out towards the end of the game between the Clanwilliam Rugby Club and the Delicious club of Clanwilliam on Saturday.
”There was a bit of niggle here and there [during the match], but nothing serious,” said Clanwilliam coach Arend Redelinghuys.
”But with 10 to 15 minutes remaining in the game, a fight broke out. The players would have sorted it out … but then some spectators ran on to the field to join in.”
Redelinghuys said one of the team’s wings, Marcus Greeff, was kicked in the head twice.
”I ran on to the field. It wasn’t difficult separating the guys [players]. I said to the ref he had better stop the game, that it’s a mess now. And he blew his final whistle,” said the Clanwilliam coach.
”Then a spectator came running on to the field with a knife. Luckily, their coach saw the guy and ran over and smacked him. If it wasn’t for him …”
Redelinghuys insisted the players were not to blame. After the match, the two teams shook hands and met for a beer.
”The crowds are going to make it impossible for the young guys to play rugby.
”Rugby is very important for the platteland. We play rugby for fun and for pleasure. And we want to take our families and our kids to the games. But now it’s just not safe.”
The incident at the weekend came a week after the death of 24-year-old Boland rugby player Riaan Loots.
Loots was allegedly felled by a stiff arm tackle during an ill-tempered match between his team, Rawsonville, and the Delicious club of Ceres, and then kicked in the head.
He died in hospital two days later. — Sapa