Klipfontein United RFC drew a line under their breakthrough 2025 season when they hosted a vibrant awards ceremony at Kenton Town Hall on Friday evening where players were acknowledged for their contribution to a successful season.
Among the invited guests were 1995 Springbok World Cup winning prop, Garry Pagel and former EP flanker, Sebastian Hilpert, who hails from Port Alfred. Pagel represented EP in the late 80’s before moving on to Western Province and played in the club colours of England’s Northampton Saints for four seasons.
Other guests who assisted with on-stage formalities were Klipfontein’s head coach, Sheldrid Cannon, forwards coach, St Elmo Wilken, Sedru president, Neil Wentzel, and former Shimlas, Madibaz, and SA U19 World Cup scrumhalf, Marlin Ruiters.
Up- and- coming players from the 1st reserve team were also honoured for their contribution to a successful season.
Though Klipfontein United’s 1st team missed out on the Adams Cup title after losing to Middelburg Excelsior in the Gqeberha final, the club was promoted to the Score Bottom 12 Grand Challenge Cup – for the first time in its history – after beating Evergreens Krakeel in the semi-finals.
Coach Cannon who performed emcee duties said that the players needed at the club were those who inspired hope that could positively impact the lives of the youth in Klipfontein.
“We as Klipfontein won’t rest until our players wear the red and black (EP), get selection to URC level and get to wear the Springbok jersey.”
Cannon called up two players Dylan Graaf, who broke his finger early in the season and John Hutchinson who suffered a near career-ending injury when he had his ankle stepped on by a Gelvan Wallabies player in Gqeberha.
“This is where our season turned when John had his ankle tramped on outside the field of play … we stayed calm and patient in a circle around our player – our togetherness stood out in that moment. “We knew that only something good could come of that – and did.”
Graaf returned to the side only a few weeks after his operation, scoring almost half the number of team tries for the season.
Tearaway wing, Junaid Van Rensburg, who contributed several important scores, received a special award for his contribution on the field of play, his positive attitude and helpfulness off it.
“To have four youngsters selected to the Sedru u21 squad was a huge step forward for the club”, said Cannon, who handed over awards to flyhalf, Geraldo Doyi, scrumhalf, Melligan Frantz, and Silvano Magielies.
Nathan Opperman received an award for selection to Sedru U21s and Eastern Cape U21s as a non-travelling reserve.
Two senior players, Junaid Van Rensburg and 1st team captain, Cornelius Scheepers, received awards for selection to the Sedru composite team.
Forty-two-year-old Franklin Meyers who is still playing for the 1st team received a special Klipfontein blazer for his dedication to rugby and the sport. “ We come a long way having played together at Alexandria High – I am retired nine years now and he is still playing … a Klipfontein legend through and through,” said Cannon.
Try of the year went to fullback Denver “Junior “Miles, the top try-scorer, who also won players’ player of the year award. Miles excelled for Klipfontein throughout the season scoring some brilliant tries. Lock, Ruwaydene Cannon , received the most improved player of the year award.
The award for breakthrough player of the year went to nuggety scrumhalf, Frantz.
Player of the year award among the forwards was shared by No.8 Linton Rhodes and flanker, Francois Gunn. Backline players of the year, were centres Duncan Van Rensburg and Graaf.
Rousing applause was reserved for Sportsman of the Year award shared by brothers Fabian and Junaid van Rensburg.“Harmony Park well done for raising these special brothers,” said Cannon. We are proud of them; even their employer is always talking good things about them. They are always first at practices and last to leave; and they play some of the hardest rugby on match day.”
Pagel told the audience that the Klipfontein community could stand tall and proud of what they had achieved on and off the field of play.
“This well organised special occasion and the turnout shows that the community is part of the team and the team is part of the community. To have this is the beginning of something special … and you can feel it.
Pagel, who hails from Adelaide, said in his main address, he harboured dreams of putting on the Green and Gold one day and had seemed an impossible achievement.
“I remember writing in a composition at school one day that my dream was to represent Western Province but never in my wildest dreams did I reckon I would be a Springbok. It shows that no matter where you come, from achievements can be realised if you put your mind to it.
Pagel pointed out that respect was an attribute that gave rise to success.
“I see that it is the same here in this community … you have got to respect the player next to you; you’ve got to respect your coaches – be on time for training. If you want to have respect for them you must be there on time because they are going out of their way to coach you. And vice versa.”
Pagel said he was fortunate to play Craven week before his career went on an upward curve representing EP and Western Province, before getting a call-up from then Springbok manager, Morne du Plessis, after a warm-up game against the World Cup squad. “I thought he was joking the following morning when he called and said I would be picked.
“It was a special time and we had a special team. (Bok coach) Kitch Christie put a lot of effort in to fitness. I put a lot in to training, after work, after training sessions because I told myself if I get the chance, I have to be ready.
“With the positive things happening here, it can spread to a wider area and be an eye-opener to EP (officials) that it must get back to where it used to be. Keep on with your hard work Klipfontein and you’ll get somewhere,” added Pagel.
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This article was first published in Talk of the Town, December 18, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
