It may have only been the second outing for hosts Villager RFC and visitors Motorvaps False Bay on Saturday, but it lacked nothing in intensity and heralded their readiness for the upcoming season.

It was the Bay who exited 19-12 winners after the scores were tied at 5 points apiece at the break.

In their first friendly of the season a week earlier, Villager’s First XV beat UCT 37-7 at Brookside. For the armchair club rugby follower, the result indicated the drain of Varsity Cup on the talent pool of the university.

On the evidence of Saturday, Villager were every bit deserving of their victory, a well-balanced squad of powerful tight forwards, robust loose forwards and a backline with a hunger to spread the ball wherever possible.

Their opponents from up the M3 were probably not much different in where they stand on the threshold of SLA 2024. Villager ended on top of the log in 2023 and faltered at the final hurdle by losing to Stellenbosch University in the final of the Presidents Cup.

Maties may be etched on the base of the trophy, but VRFC is etched at the top of the final league table, not to be erased. Many viewing from the outside questioned the Brooksides’ capacity to maintain that challenge for the play-offs.

In the other change rooms was Ashley Wells, his talented team of coaches and the Motorvaps First XV, perhaps differently motivated, yet no less determined. Having beaten Durbell in their opening friendly a fortnight earlier, a more concentrated squad of players took to the pitch. At the end of the contest, the Bay took honours with a three try to two victory-margin.

The following day, as the sun set on the day of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, False Bay heard of the passing of their patron, Louis de Waal. The respected business leader, humanitarian, CT Cycle Tour Legend, Club Rugby standard-bearer and grandfather of Sevens rugby in South Africa, peacefully passed away.

This Saturday, Motorvaps False Bay host Helderberg RFC of the Strand in their next friendly match. False Bay invites everyone to join in a circle of remembrance for De Waal on the pitch immediately after the main game.

The First XV kicks off at 4pm and the first matches of the day start at 1.25pm.

Grant Hermanus standing strong during the attack.

Seth Frieslaar is met with a wall of defence.