 | Plan to open De Kraal for practice in March ’26 receives blessing of rugby legends
18 November 2025 | Press Releases |
18 November 2025
It was a Friday afternoon with a difference in the City Manager’s boardroom. The air was filled with expectation, excitement and a mutual respect as Drakenstein rugby royalty took their seats at the boardroom table.
Memories of their golden years at the De Kraal Sports Grounds in Paarl East were brought back as Louis Pienaar, Executive Director: Engineering Services, shared the 1955 site plan of this historic terrain. The group, led by rugby legend Randy “Yster” Marinus, remembered how there were originally four rugby fields, which other sports were contested at De Kraal, and how sport at these grounds were often a family affair.
Pienaar continued to reflect how the terrain changed over the last seven decades, and then presented the Municipality’s new project plan to restore their beloved De Kraal to its former glory.
Dr Johan Leibbrandt, City Manager, who initiated and chaired the meeting on 14 November 2025, said this restoration project has been in the making for quite a while and unfortunately suffered various unacceptable delays. “It is important that we now give it the momentum it deserves, that we honour the legends and community members whose presence graced these fields, and tell the story of De Kraal.”
He emphasised the Municipality’s commitment to do just that and to take hands with the sporting community to make it happen.
“This is a legacy project,” said Councillor Stephen Korabie, Executive Mayor, while Dr Leibbrandt impressed on everyone how important it is to get the new De Kraal rugby fields ready for players to start practising as soon as possible. The opening date is planned for March next year.
In the room, bursting with sporting talent (in rugby as well as netball, cricket, athletics and drum majorettes), were among others Pompies Williams, Randy Marinus (as mentioned above), Mario Williams, Kevin Benjamin, Pieter Lourens, Angelo Carolissen, Thomas du Plessis, Quinton Jacobs, James “Basie” Pedro, Christiaan Herandien, Adrienne Thomas, Jessica Adams and Randall Williams.
After the celebrated group gave their input into what the project should entail, the afternoon was spent on reminiscing, sharing stories, and dreaming of watching local stars-in-the-making again running out on their favourite old stomping ground, De Kraal.
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Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
