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Western Province Rugby Football Union 

Formerly Western Province Coloured Rugby Union

Also known as the Western Province Rugby Board

Established 1886

Origins & Formation

  • Traditionally, it was believed that Roslyns was the first club of the WPRU (est. 1886).

  • However, a recently discovered photo from Arabian College suggests rugby was played as early as 1881 or 1882.

  • Arabian College and Violets were major players in early matches.

  • Roslyns’ roots may extend to 1883, pre-dating formal records.


Early matches were held in Maitland, Brooklyn, Ndabeni, Claremont, and eventually Green Point Common and Green Point Track, the latter becoming the main venue.

Early Competitive Play

Early opponents included Good Hopes and United Brothers.

Competitive leagues included:

Rhodes Trophy

Fernwood Cup (won by Violets in 1898)

WPRU was the first team to win the Rhodes Trophy in Kimberley (1898)

Transformation & District Six Impact

The 1960s forced removals under apartheid displaced many families in District Six, tearing apart tightly knit rugby communities.

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President GN Khan urged clubs to amalgamate to preserve strength and identity.

 

In later years, when “Coloured” was dropped from the name, the union was referred to simply as:

Western Province Rugby Union (Green Point-based)

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Cultural & Historical Significance

Many of the WPRU’s early leaders were known community figures, including:

  • M Darries, E Davids, M Noordein, K Behariden, B Hattas, A Taliep, G Gaffoor, and L Jules.


Players and officials came from schools, churches, and civic organisations.

 

In 1938, Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman, life president of WPRU, presented the Rhodes Trophy, stating:

“The coloured people’s love for churches, mosques and sport is what sustained them in the past.”

District Six: A Rugby Powerhouse

District Six’s clubs dominated WPRU with talent, heart, and passion.

 

Noor Khan was WPRU president when the Union won the Rhodes Cup in 1955, 1959, and 1963.

 

Rugby was part of resistance, pride, and community cohesion.

Notable Players & Achievements

  • ‘Do’ Freeman & ’Meener’ Adams

  • Abdullah “Do” Freeman and teammate “Meener” Adams were standout players from Roslyns.

  • Freeman was selected for a Springbok tour in 1939, which was cancelled due to WWII.

  • He later taught at Rahmaniyeh Primary School and mentored players like Bennie Osler, a Springbok legend.

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Major WPRU Achievements

  • SA Cup Wins: 1971, 1972, 1973

  • 1985–1989: 5 consecutive SA Cup finals (lost only in 1988 to Boland)

  • 1986: WPRU won the South African Cup in its Centenary Year

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Leadership was credited to the man known only as “Mr Rugby”, who inspired teams during this golden period.

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Club Mergers (1976 onwards)

To improve competitiveness:

  • Roslyns + Montroses → Cape Town United

  • Roselands + Silvertree → Collegians

  • Caledonian + Rangers → Caledonian Rangers

  • Young Stars + Grand Challenge → Shotshcoe Kloof

  • Hameidehs + Tramway → New 2nd Division teams

 

However, mergers didn’t always work as planned:

  • Political tension, loss of identity, and leadership clashes led to further decline.

  • By 1991, few clubs remained active.

Legacy of WPRU

Despite political oppression, forced removals, and institutional racism, the WPRU:

  • Developed elite players

  • Fostered community

  • Created a space where identity, sport, and pride intersected

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Its history is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of rugby to unite.

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