Local stars still shining

GARDEN ROUTE SPORT NEWS - The Covid-19 pandemic as a whole has taken a large toll on sport worldwide, and at a local non-professional level it has been felt just as hard.

No structured cricket, rugby, or soccer has been played in the Garden Route since March 2020, despite initial hope springing up when training was allowed again.

This has since been halted under the nationwide adjusted lockdown Level 3, however. Golf was up and running for a while too and players may still visit the greens, but no golf days or competitions can be held.

While the local sports fraternity might be placed on hold for a little while, much of the international sporting world is not.

In light of this, we will take a peek at what has been happening for some of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay's international exports.

We'll kick off with rugby. Sadly our biggest export in Hornlee, local Warrick Gelant, is still sidelined due to an ACL injury he suffered when representing Western Province in the Currie Cup last November.

Gelant underwent surgery on his knee in December, and is now hard at work to recover in time for the Springboks' tests against the British and Irish Lions in July and August.

Warrick Gelant during his homecoming in the aftermath of winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Photo: Blake Linder

While not a local export per se, former Knysna mayor Mark Willemse's son Mike was an unused substitute for Edinburgh in their narrow 22-23 loss to Glasgow Warriors in the Pro14/1872 Cup last Saturday, 16 January.

In the soccer world, former Supersport United captain Thabo September was on the sidelines as the second assistant coach in Supersport United's technical team for their goalless draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Tshwane Derby on Saturday. The clash was a big one as the sides lie third and first respectively in the DStv Premiership.

Supersport United's second assistant coach Thabo September. Photo: Blake Linder

In golf, Buffalo Bay boykie Branden Grace was in action in the Sony Open in Hawaii, but unfortunately missed the cut as he stood on four over par after the first two rounds.

Branden Grace takes a tee shot during the 2020 SA Open. Photo: Rian Bores

When it comes to hockey, Protea player and Knysna local Sam Mvimbi is part of the national senior training squad for the Tokyo Olympics in July and August. Despite test series cancellations, they have resumed high-performance training this week.

In the cricketing world, Plett local Jean du Plessis this week signed for the Cape Cobras, and has been named as part of the franchise's squad for the upcoming Momentum One-day Cup. He's had some good game time in warm-up matches, and is strongly focused on the campaign ahead.

Jean du Plessis representing the SA Invitational XI against England on 31 January 2020. Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images