The History of Collegians RFC
The bulk of Collegians RFC, a merger between Rosendales RFC and Silvertree RFC was in 1976 an inevitable result of the declaration of District Six as a “whole” on 6 February 1966. The majority of the players resided in Ross Street and it was from there that their named emanated. Players were drawn from the congregation of the late Emaun Yusuf Davids of Ross Street, whose sons later played a pivotal role in the club. The twin sons of the Emaum, namely Gasant and Goosain Davids played prominent rugby with Gusnie Davids becoming a prominent referee in the Western Province and was nicknamed Max Baise after this internationally renowned referee. Other prominent players of Rosendales were Mogamad Theunissen as well as “Boe” Ariefdien. Silvertree RFC was established in 1954 where the legendary “Dol” Freeman played a prominent part as well as Catuza. Silvertree RFC was in the forefront of establishing junior rugby in the late 1960s on the slopes of Devils Peak and a stone throw from De Waal Drive. Players who made their mark in this club before merger was amongst others Abubaker Pretorius, Sedick Pretorius, Winston Pieterse, Omar “Vleis” Daniels, the Khan brothers, namely Jumanah and Ismail “brother” & Salie "Cho-Cho" Baradien. The merger of the two clubs sadly suffered when Silvertree broke away, but with new blood, likes of Yagya Sakier, Cassiem Noordien, Bernard “BA” Adams, B. Fredericks, Zain Daniels and others steered the club to become one of the most respected clubs with the open style rugby and to this day still a force to be reckoned with playing in the 1A division and conquering weighty clubs like Stellenbosch University (Maties), Villagers, Victorians as well as University of Cape Town. The club is well administered under the astute leadership of unassuming Cassiem Smith and Ridwaan Osman. It is however, very sad and grossly unfair that the powers that be and sponsors are not listening to their cries for help in upgrading the playing field and dressing room. THE COLLEGAINS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Preamble
The Collegians Rugby Football Club was established through a merger of the Rosendales Rugby Football Club and the Silvertree Old Boys Football Club in the lamented District Six in 1976. Sadly however, this merger ended when Silvertree OBRFC broke away to go on its own, but the name Collegians was maintained. It is an undeniable fact the Western Province Rugby Union (SARU) took pride in the Collegians for their dedicated and loyalty to the Union. Discipline and organisation of the Club made it envy of other Sports Association in the Western Cape. The Club has proud history of producing a brand of rugby of very high standard and it can boast players second to none. One only has to think of names such as Sony Williams, shaheed Manuel, “soldier” Daniels, Vincent Jacobs, Bala Fredericks Chris Nickles, Yaghya Sakier, Henry Meyer Cassiem Noordien, Zain Daniels, Faried Theunissen, Billy Arendse, “BA” Adams and Magdie Jappie to conjure up memories of a rugby machine that became feared and respected throughout the peninsula. Integral to its exploits on the field of play, they produced administrators of exemplary calibre, men motivated and dedicated to the challenge of the future which set in motion of what was to become one of the best administered clubs in the western province rugby union (SARU). These men spared no pains in building a strong and powerful club. The resurgence of the old spirit of loyalty, dedication and sportsmanship that is now evident in the club is indicative of its resilience, therefore we look with a renewed spirit to the challenges of tomorrow that will once again see the collegians take its rightful place in the unified Western Province Rugby Fraternity. It has been 10 years sin the “Unity Process” and the achievements on and off the field of play bears testimony of the potential greatness this club can reach in future.
