As told by Harold Holmes, from what he could remember, and learned from older members of the club.
Foundation: It appears that the club was founded in 1908, based on the following facts.
The original Kenhardt Cup was donated for competition between Upington, Kenhardt, Keimoes and Kakamas, who the donor was I was unable to establish, but a condition of the competition was that should any club win the cup three seasons in succession they would be allowed to retain the cup. This was done by Kenhardt, but to keep the competition going the public of Kenhardt subscribed sufficient money to purchase a new cup to replace the original, and Upington won the new cup in the 1912 season, and working back from 1912, the club must have been founded in 1908 or 1909, but from information gleaned from late Hof Davies and Clarence Robinson I would say 1908 was the year.
Kenhardt Cup Competition: When the competition started all four teams met at one or other of the towns, the venue being selected on the basis of rotation, and each team played the other until one or other team becomes the winner. The mode of travel in those days was by donkeywagon, which covered 40 miles a day, when it was case of outspan , braai and sleep in the veld until next morning when they should inspan and move on. Team mates were picked up on the way, some of them never played rugby in their lives before, but they were coached by others and taught the rules of the game as the wagon proceeded on it’s way. I have no doubt that they must have had some who could play the guitar, and there must have been at least one who could play the ‘Engelse Konsertina”, to while away some time.
By 1927, Harold Holmes first season with the club, we travel on a open lorry with a wooden platform body, on which we had to make ourselves as comfortable as possible and keep warm as best we could when returning at night. In later years we travelled with a schoolbus that had hard wooden benches with a canvas top and sides, and then as car owners become more plentiful we were transported by club supporters in open passenger cars which were subsequently replaced by sedans and pukka schoolbusses.
Gebeurtenisse op plaaslike rugbyfront sedert ontstaan.
1908 – Upington Rugby Football Club word gestig.
1945 – Spoorweg Rugbyklub word gestig.
1939 The club logo were accepted on 24 February. The present rugby field were cleared of bushes by Herklaas Engelbrecht snr and made playable by donkeys scrapers, grass planted with the help of school pupils.
1937 Keimoes rugby club is accepted in the local league with the stipulation that certain ” ruff” players (Botha,Payene and Roux) will not be allowed to play
1954 Before closing the Yearly meeting the chairman extended the club’s congratulations to Franco Schultz on playing for Griquas during the 1953 season and also being selected to play in the SA rugby trails at Potchefstroom in the North vs South game The club apply for a permanent liquor license. Bellon Bross apply to be the sole agent to sell ice cream during games for a fee of 20 pounds. Management approve the building of a bowls ground. N.S.Basson and his helpers collected R14000 as part payment for the pavilion .The pavilion were officially opened on 12 June 1954 .The architect were George Albert and were known as the Harold Homes pavilion Harold Holmes and Abe hummel represented the club to sucesfully negotiate with Upinton Tennisclub for the amalgamation of the clubs.
1955 The clubs application for a liquor license were not approved and all NG Church members have to consult with their minister.
1957 Upington Jukskei laer apply to be allowed to be part of Upington rugbyclub
1961 Mr Jim Shamly donates a ram to be auctioned to contribute to the payment of the light. R405 were collected
1962 Lights were installed at a cost of R1900.Management decided 3 dozen beers will be provided after games but club members have to donate an even amount and that it may only be consumed in the cloak rooms To promote team spirit the club will be provide R10 for a function in the clubhouse but 20 playing members have to be present.The secretary mention that they are negotiating concerts with Pieter Van Der Byl (Piet Pompies).Mr Longland point out that it is communion(nagmaal) the mentioned weekend and the church wont allow it. The date is rescheduled
1965 Upington Rugby club do a donation of R22 to Gordonia Hospital which were collected through old crocs games.
1967 With a visit by the Potchefstroom University team a letter is received prior to the visit, instruction the club not to allow PUK players to dance
1968 Prior to the visit of a matie student team that matie player may drink beer and wine but no one should be allowed to drink strong drinks like gin, brandy or whiskey
1969 Management decide to hold a stoep sale. Membership fees change from R3 To R5 per year.
1970 Management decide biltong to the value of R10 should be donated to D.Hopwood for cupboards they donated to the club
1966 – Noordwes Kaap ontstaan na afstigting van Griekwas.
1968 – Spoorweg Rugbyklub se naam verander na Gordon Park Rugbyklub
1969 – Upington Rugby Football Club se naam word verander na Upington Rugby Voetbalklub
1968 of 1969 – Oostelikes Rugbyklub word gestig.
1974 – Upington Rugby Voetbalklub se naam word Upington Rugbyklub.
1974 – Upington Weermag Sportklub (Weermag Rugbyklub) word gestig.
? – Kenhardt Rugbyklub ontbind
1985 – Oostelikes Rugbyklub ontbind.
1986 – SAP Rugbyklub word gestig.
1987 – Gordonpark Rugbyklub ontbind.
– Sarvu en Saru smelt saam.
1992 – Wolves, Collegians, en Desert Rats smelt saam om een kleurlingklub, United, te stig.
1992 – Die eerste gekleurde speler speel vir Dorp se eerstespan( Johnny Klaaste).
1993 – Gevangenis Rugbyklub word gestig.
1994 – Gevangenis Rugbyklub ontbind.
1995 – Weermag Rugbyklub ontbind.
1995 – Noordwes Kaap ontbind en word deel van Griewaland Wes.
1995 – Eerste vyf gekontrakteerde spelers deur NWK, begin speel by Dorp.
1996 – Grootdrink Rugbyklub word gestig.
Pietman, hierdie is mos jou kos. Lekker leesstof.
More
‘n Vriend van my vertel my nou die dag hy het van Upington af Pofadder toe getrek.
Sy redenasie is dat as jy op Pofadder bly kan tenminste naweke Upington toe gaan….
Hahaaaa, klink soos eerste prys is n week op Upington en tweede prys is 2 weke
Grootdrink Rugbyklub… Hehehe
Het elke dorp nie een?
Jisja manne, pas terug oppie dorp.
Sal later bietjie oor Upington gesels, moet gooi afpak en die ouers gaan wegsien.
Tony McGeever en Blhoo het Uptn Weermag gespeel, saam met Schalk Burger, so hulle sal ook baie stories he oor Kalahari-rugby. Ek het lank vir Oostelikes gespeel.
Oom Abe Malan (oud-Springbok) bly op Grootdrink, rowwe span daai, erfboere, suip mampoer halftyd….
Oom Harold Holmes was Jnr Springbok en Griekwas, saam met my pa gespeel.
Tjeers eers.
(PS. n Ou wat nog nie op Pofadder se sandveld gespeel het nie, weet nie wat is ‘nerf af’ nie! Vra maar vir TonyM en Blhoo….)
Boerboel ook, hy ken van Upington rugby…
4 -Pill
Wonder waar kom die klub se naam vandaan. 😉
Snoek/Pill
Die plek se naam is Grootdrink en is die middelpunt van die wynbedryf. Grootdrink is so 70km oos van Upington oppad na Groblershoop. Maar, die plek se naam was al Grootdrink nog voordat die wyn gekom het en die oorsprong is maar net dat daar water is vanweë die Oranjerivier. Maar dat daar groot gedrink word is seker nie snaaks nie?
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