Alberton’s rugby history 50 years ago
The Alberton RECORD takes a trip down memory lane, bringing you details about Alberton’s 102 years rugby history.
ALBERTON – Looking back just more than 50 years ago, the year 1962 was a very good year for Alberton rugby. The team, which was the pride and joy of Alberton, was captained by Daan Dippenaar and coached by Piet Fick, to whom the Piet Fick Stadium was later named.
Daan Dippenaar, who later became Mayor of Alberton, played for Transvaal in 1962 against the British Lions.
The year 1962 is also known for the try of Mannetjie Roux against the Lions in August 1962. Other living legends in Alberton’s history were part of the team of 1962, namely Johann van der Merwe, Honorary Citizen of Alberton, Willem Botha, oldest living Alberton rugby player, and on the team photo, Wimpie Pienaar, holder of some world record for being secretary of a rugby club for 49 years.
The 1962 team’s record is still today one of the best ever in the club’s history. They won 16 of their 19 completed Transvaal Senior League games with two draws and a single loss against the champions Diggers 5-11. However, Alberton revenged the defeat in the second round by defeating Diggers 21-3.
The draws were against Police 0-0 and 3-3. The record of victories were: beating Germiston 13-8 and 14-0, Pirates 14-3, Union 20-11, Jeppe Old Boys 20-11 and 6-0, Kempton Park 13-9, Municipality 6-5, Old Eds 26-9 and 11-0, Sturrock Park 9-3, 15-6 and 19-0, Wesrand Cons 9-5 and 29-0. Just note from the above: the few rugby clubs which still exist today and of which Alberton, Pirates and Union are the only three left, which are still playing in the top senior leagues.
