Super B champs Primrose poised to return to top flight

Mark Ward

Primrose celebrated one of their finest moments as the Western Province Rugby Football Union Super League B champions following a commanding 46-24 victory over Franschhoek. No doubt, the festivities will carry far beyond Saturday’s final whistle at City Park, and probably for some time,

For a club with a history stretching 130 years, their promotion to Super League A, arguably the toughest club rugby competition in the country, is more than just a sporting milestone; it’s the continuation of a legacy built by generations who turned Primrose into a community institution not only in the Cape but nationally.

Among the many who stood quietly in the shadows of celebration at City Park on Saturday was Muhammad-Alawie Albertus, better known as Alwie. A modest attorney by profession and a lifelong son of Primrose. He embodies the tapestry of sacrifice and devotion that has sustained the club for decades. Though not one for the limelight, his fingerprints are everywhere in the story of Primrose’s rise over the past decade.

While he was only elevated to lead as chairman at the beginning of the season, he served in various positions, including on the disciplinary committee, where the ground rules of respect and sportsmanship were laid down.

Reflecting on the legacy handed down to him, he said, “I’m here because of others. This club is more than rugby. This club played an integral role in giving me a chance not only to play rugby but also to have a chance in life. Taught me discipline and dedication, where my father Achmat installed discipline and devotion.”  

His words no doubt echo the sentiments of many in Athlone, Lansdowne, and surrounding communities, where Primrose has long been more than a sports team. It has been a place of belonging, discipline, and aspiration. The club’s home ground, at the Rosmead Avenue sportsground, in Kenilworth, became a breeding ground for generations of players who carried both pride and responsibility on their shoulders.

For the Albertus family, rugby and Primrose are inseparable. Alwie’s father, a master builder by trade, spent his life shaping both structures and rugby culture. “Our only language was rugby,” Albertus recalled. “Primrose was our love language,” he added.

This deep-rooted loyalty explains why the triumph over Franschhoek felt like a full-circle moment. Work to rebuild and strengthen the club began in earnest three years ago, with volunteers and former players pouring effort into ensuring Primrose would not only survive but thrive. The victory on Saturday confirmed their faith.

For Albertus, who balances the demands of law with service to his childhood club, the achievement is not personal glory but collective reward. “What you see today is the product of so many who came before us, players, families, and supporters who gave everything.  We stand as a team behind the team,” he said, quick tribute to his executive committee, who tirelessly worked to bring about success.

Next season, Primrose returns to the elite level of Western Province rugby after being demoted at the end of 2019 with momentum, pride, and an unshakable sense of identity. Their story is not just about promotion,  it is about heritage, resilience, and the reminder that in some communities, rugby is more than a game.