The men from Ducats township fell bravely at the end to the brilliant institutionally supported, professionally coached student side.
Yes, the Walter Sisulu University’s All Blacks took down Young Leopards 27-12 at Police Park but the Leopards’ road to the Castle Lager Brutten Cup final was one from potholes to a pot of R20,000 which can only help — the winners took R30,000, the cup and medals.
The second Brutten was a fine moment for our Eastern Cape students, who play so well in the Varsity Shield.
Last year, the University of Fort Hare lifted the cup, but this year, UFH failed to qualify. But WSU stepped in and filled the gap admirably.
It was somehow fitting that a former WSU captain had led Young Leopards to the final.
Young Leopards’ coach Phakamani Moni bristled with pride over his team.
“We went toe-to-toe with giants and fell short in the last game,” he said afterwards.
But, like all good SA sportspeople, he gave credit to his old side, the victors, saying: “We fought and lost to a better team.”
All Blacks’ coach Phumlani Blaauw said: “This victory is not only for me and the players but also for my technical team.
“There is a lot of work and sacrifice that happens behind the scenes.”
Blaauw said the win would provide a crucial boost ahead of their Varsity Shield campaign which kicks off in February 2026.
“This is good for us.
“It will help a lot with our preparations. It will give the players confidence heading into the Varsity Shield,” he said.
Blaauw expressed gratitude to the supporters, who had stormed the field after the final whistle.
“They had stuck with the side “through thick and thin. This cup is also for them. May they continue to support us.”
Moni looked back on their hard, heroic grind to the top.
“We finished second here but we were also runners-up in the league, even though we believe we should have won it. But this is improvement for us.
“We did well this season. As a coach, I am happy,” Moni said.
He would be looking to deepen the group, going further into the community to recruit the talent that was building in Ducats.
New efforts would be put into the recruitment drive, he said.
Moni called on local businesses to join the team.
“The team is doing well, and it helps address socioeconomic challenges by keeping young people away from drugs and other harmful activities. I urge local businesses to support us.”
In another thrilling upset, the beleaguered farming town of Fort Beaufort produced a side which took down the better resourced SAP.
Fort Beaufort United secured third place after beating East London Police 41-17, earning R10,000 and bronze medals.
