Rugby Borders In The Cape Back In The Spotlight After Western Province Block Winelands Clubs' Move To Boland

Three rugby clubs in the Cape Winelands, including the current third oldest active club in the country, have asked SA Rugby to intervene after Western Province blocked a cross border move away to Boland.

La Motte Rugby Club in Franschhoek and Paarl Rugby Club have had formal requests to play their club rugby in neighbouring Boland denied by the Western Province Rugby Football Union WPRFU. It is believed that Cloetesville Rugby Club in Stellenbosch also seek to play their rugby in Boland.

La Motte has been playing in the WPRFUs Metro League, while Paarl Rugby Club once competed in the top division.

Paarl, one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country, sent out a letter to the WPRFU on January 29 saying that they will no longer be taking part in the unions competitions and no longer want to be affiliated with it. According to the letter, the Paarl state that they are unhappy with the lack of support for the club, as well as the lack of proper playing facilities in the Drakenstein Municipality.

Paarl are currently playing in the Boland Social League as a non-affiliated club. But their wish is to be a full member of Boland before the start of next season.