March 2023
Rugby League Fanfare – March 2023 (Issue. 80)
Rugby League was first played in South Africa in 1957. Throughout its long history, the game has been virtually banned – suffered from splits in the Board of Control – AND had different organizations claiming to run the sport.
But, Rugby League is on the way up in South Africa. Who better to talk too, than the captain of the South African Rugby League team – Shane Gillham.
In South Africa’s Rhino Cup, the teams play a Qualifying Series of matches. The ‘Top 6’ teams from the Qualifying series then play each other in a Final Series.
Pretoria RLC defeated Nigel Rabbitohs 42 to 32 in the 2022/23 Rhino Cup Grand Final.
Shane Gillham has played 7 tests for South Africa and is the current captain. He’s pictured here in his playing days with the Tweed Head Seagulls. He currently plays for North Beach in the WARL.
For more information on Rugby League in South Africa, go to:
-Song; ‘ Don’t go lose it Baby’ – Hugh Masekela (Jive Afrika – 1984).