Unlikely Evergreens trio make Super 8 Dream Team

Lubabalo “Giant” Mtyanda is one of three Multisure Evergreens players selected for the Saldanha Super 8 Dream Team after the recent Easter tournament.

While not quite against the run of play when three Multisure Evergreens players were included in the Saldanha Super 8 Dream Team following the recent Easter rugby tournament, it was close.

Flank Godwin Mangenje, veteran lock Lubabalo “Giant” Mtyanda and up-and-coming front-rower Malcolm Joseph were all named in the elite squad after clearly impressing the selection panel.

The latter’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy after his tournament was cut short to one-and-a-half matches due to him suffering an unfortunate rib injury.

With new personnel and backing in 2025, the Evergreens have made no secret of their ambition to return to their glory days.

They have made a terrific start to their South Western Districts Super League A Division where they top the table after four rounds.

While only finishing on the winning side once on the West Coast, they gave some of the country’s leading club sides a run for their money.

For instance, they only lost by a single point to Cape Town powerhouse Tygerburg in the plate final despite some crucial decisions not going their way.

Head coach Ricardo Beukes said it was a privilege to test themselves against this level of opponents.

“It was a good learning curve for us as players and coaches. I’m proud of the guys.”

Following a 33-9 loss to Northam Rhinos, he told his charges the only difference between the two teams was that their opponents had been together for three years versus their paltry two-and-half months.

In the very next game against Kruisfontein, the Evergreens repaid their coach’s faith in them as they galloped to a 40-34 victory.

Beukes’ immediate goal is to get the mix between youth and experience just right and he is confident the club is already in a very good space in that regard.

For example, at 39, Dream Teamer Mtyanda brings plenty to the table. He played for the Sharks, EP Elephants, EP Kings, SWD and Pumas in South Africa and Rovigo Delta and Rugby Colorno in Italy.

Despite his pedigree, his Super 8 selection means a lot.

“It’s great to be acknowledged like this. It shows I can still do this thing,” he joked.

He said the Easter tournament had been far more “physical” than he had experienced at similar rugby festivals in the past.

Being part of the Evergreens revival was an honour because it allowed him to guide his younger teammates, he added.

Mangenje, a Zimbabwean international who has played Currie Cup rugby for the Boland Cavaliers, was equally pleased with his selection.

“It was a chance to show the kind of rugby we play in the districts. It also gave us the chance to see where we are as a club,” he said.

“I didn’t know a Dream Team was being selected so it was a surprise to be named in the squad.”

The 28-year-old joined the SWD club this season and is delighted to be part of its quest to return to the top. The key, he said, was to build on their early momentum.

Prop Joseph played under Beukes when the pair were still at George’s Crusaders club and his selection came totally from left field.

“I played against the Rhinos and then in the game against Kruisfontein a guy fell and his elbow landed in my ribs,” the 23-year-old SWD U21 representative said.

“So it was a big surprise after I got an injury like that in only the second game.”

Joseph is also optimistic about his new team’s prospects and thinks they are slowly but surely finding the right combinations.

Multisure CEO Denton Goodford said they had every reason to hold their heads up high.

“Let’s take the positives from Saldanha to build a Green Machine that will be very tough to beat,” he said.