I have just recieved the following, celebrating the 40-year aniversary of a memorable occasion:
On 18/09/2010 we are holding a commemoration of the match that took place on 18 Sept 1970, when Griquas beat the mighty Northern Transvaal 11-9 at Kimberley to win the Currie Cup. We are expecting the likes of Mannetjies Roux, Piet Visagie and Piet Van Deventer to name but a few to come visit us here at Ammosal clubhouse. This was the last time Griquas won the Currie Cup, and we have been bragging for years about the fact that nearly the whole team consisted of Ammosal players.
Of the 15 players that took part in the game on the day, only 13 are still alive, have been contacted, and all of them indicated that they are coming through for the commemoration. I don’t really think we will be able to hold many more of these get-togethers, as the guys are now just about all in their sixties, and some, as mentioned, already passed away. The rugby field here at Ammosal is also in the process of being torn up and made into a road, so this will arguably be the very last time any of these guys will set foot on the old Ammosal rugby field, ever.
Do any of you guys out there still remember the Ammosal legend?
I read in Dana Snyman’s new book “Op die agterpaaie” that there are still rugby lovers out there that even know the names and positions of all the players that took part in that game. Are there more people out there who still kindle memories of this group of players that has become a symbol of what platteland rugby can achieve?
I am currently involved with the Ammosal team, and I am glad to report that Ammosal is on the rebound. We’ve won Van Druten region’s 1st and 2nd leagues for 2010, and qualified for the super league in 2011.
I would appreciate any feedback about any of you guys’ involvement with Ammosal, any memorable moments you can think of, games played for or against Ammosal, etc. etc. etc, as I am trying to get as much information as possible about the club with the objective of opening our own website at a later stage, and including all the info we can get our hands on. How is “platteland rugby” doing in your regions. Is there still a future for “platteland” clubs?
This is food for Old Griquas 14 and Pietman…..
@ grootblousmile:
Hi GBS,
Indeed, I did play at Ammosal, although it wasn’t until 1975-76. I have told the story of my trip to Ammosal on RT once before. It was in the days before Random Breath Testing, but radar speed traps where in use.
I travelled back to Kimberley after the game with a few of the Griqualand West forwards. I wondered why they took the time to fill a large bucket of water from the clubhouse before heading back. They were chuckling away in Afrikaans (I was only a student of the language at the time, so I didn’t know what they were up to). I think it was a bottle of whiskey that was passed around in the car. The road back to Kimberley was long and straight. It was just on dark and a deep culvert ran parallel to the road. The boys started readying their bucket of water while we were on a long straight; window went down as we sped along, then whoosh, out went the water – straight in the faces of 3 traffic police hiding in the culvert with a radar gun!! Good shot!
We were pulled up a few miles further by the flashing blue lights, only to find that the cops were rugby fans and friends of the players, I thought I was going to be deported!!
Indeed, I remember the legends: Piet Visagie was a particular favourite of mine; I found Piet to be very helpful in coaching my game and I was in awe of the dedication to the game and the fervour of the rugby fans. I also played for De Beers Rugby Club, Kimberley, at club level and everyone told me how the trip to Ammosal was a season highlight. I’d describe Ammosal is a rugby player’s delight. I enjoyed playing there and loved the camaraderie of the players most of all.
From memory, the acronym stands for: Associated Manganese Mines of South Africa Limited . . .
My best wishes to any one who played in those days and I hope the 40 Year Anniversary event is a huge success.
Hells bells, too much to comment on here!!!!!
I will definately pop into the old mine club house next time I am in the Postmasburg area, hopefully soon.
Thx for this GBS, great memories.
I have heard that Jannie van Aswegen(lock and Gazelle captain) passed away, who is the other one, James Combrinck I believe.
(Btw OldGriqua, Joggie Viljoen’s son is also playing down in Oz, scrummie like his dad.)
@ Pietman:
Howzit ole mate? I wonder where he is? I’ll trawl through a few team sheets and keep an eye open for him.
Have a beer for me too when you go to Postmasburg mate. Stay well.
@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:
@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:
Howzit KS?
Just received word from somebody at the mine that it was indeed James who had passed on.
Remember, I told you last year that he couldn’t attend the GW reunion in CC because he had been too ill.
Think Joggie Jnr is playing out west somewhere (Perth?).
5@ Pietman:
Is klein Joggie nie in Nieu Seeland nie?
@ grootblousmile:
Jip, hy was in Christchurch, toe hoor ek verlede jaar by Disa hy is nou in Oz, weet nie of hy nog daar is nie…..
GBS or Super. What is the possiblity of providing me with the e-mail of the person organising the think in Ammasol. I would like to hear if any old photographs/pictures and newspaper clipping on the match exist. I would love to write an article on that match with pictures and post it here.
Should be thing not think, of course.
@ McLook:
I have Griekwa’s cell nr, have just spoken to him as a matter of fact.
I will pass it on to GBS, so he can mail you, ok?
@ McLook:
@ Pietman:
McLook, done, I have just sent the contact info to webmaster, he will mail you.
8@ McLook:
I will send you the information…
8@ McLook:
Info sent!
Thanks GBS, Super and Pietman. I would really like to dig into that match (whole Griekwa season) as it has intriqued me more many years now.
Hi Everyone, i live in Postmasburg and was at the rugby played on Saturday. These were the games played for the reunion of the 1970 team. I took some awesome photos and if you guys are interested, martin@xmedia.co.za Its great to be part of such legendary events. unfortunately i didnt attend the main gala event on saturday night, so i dont have pix of the legends. Hope to hear from you guys
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