THE good news for Empangeni Rugby Club is that utility backline player Corné Els has returned home after a sterling stint in his debut season playing for Ipswich Rugby Club in England.
Els, who jetted off to England at the end of last year, returns home today (Tuesday) to a small crowd of close friends and family.
He played 15 matches, kicked 47 penalties and conversions (106 points), and crossed the whitewash five times, ending on a total of 131 points.
Even though his kicking record was 64%, he averaged 8.73 points per game.
Els played a monumental role in his team’s success, currently occupying the top spot in the London 2 North East League with 12 wins in 14 matches.
The local lad scooped a handful of man-of-the-match awards and although the league season has not come to an end yet, Els is still holding the second spot on the top point scoring and kicking lists, as well as 12th place on the try scoring list.
After such a successful season abroad, the Rhinos should snap him up in no time.
10 JANUARY 2014
Els starts great game
AFTER last weekend’s match winning 31-5 performance against Stowmarket at home, Ipswich Rugby Club is back on top of the London 2 North East League.
Corné Els scored five points towards the team’s win, kicking three out of five conversions.
Els had another standout performance in the wet and muddy conditions.
Ipswich will take on Lowerstoft and Yarmouth this Saturday at home.
After thumping this side 113-0 away in the first round, the home side will aim to achieve another big score this weekend to secure the top spot on the log.
The Rhinos 1 fly-half is still sitting in second spot for top point scorers and top kickers, as well as 16th overall for top try scorers in the London 2 North East League.
Corné will be back on Zululand soil on Thursday 27 February.
Hopefully the Rhinos snap him up to aid their 2014 campaign.
15 OCTOBER 2013
Els on a roll
Former Empangeni flyhalf Corné ‘Big Easy’ Els continues riding the ‘dream season wave’ at English club Ipswich after bagging yet another Man of the Match performance in last weekend’s game against Enfield Ignatians, scoring 18 points.
Els slotted eight out of eight kicks – six conversions and two penalties. He banged two 50m monster penalties in their 48-27 win. Their next clash will be against Basildon at home on 26 October.
9 OCTOBER
Els racks up points
THE dream season continues for Corné Els after playing a major role in Ipswichs’ 113-0 drumming of Lowestoft & Yarmouth on Saturday in the London 2 North East league.
Els scored two tries and slotted 14 conversions to take his individual tally to 38 points and secure yet another man of the match award.
Ipswich managed to cross the whitewash 17 times to put on a massive score that has not been seen at the club for 20 years.
Els spearheaded the attack that the opposition found unstoppable to cement his team at top spot of the leagues log.
25 SEPTEMBER
What Els to do
WHAT ‘Els’ can Corné do to up his game? After receiving the Man of the Match award in his first game for his new English club Ipswich, Els stood out again by scoring 15 points for his side in their clash against Saffren Waldon.
The rugby player from Zululand managed to land five conversions with his golden boot and cross the whitewash for his ‘first English try’. Ipswich managed to beat Saffren Waldon 29-10 and are currently sitting in top spot on the London 2 North East leagues log.
Their next clash will be against Stowmarket this weekend.
19 SEPTEMBER
Els quickly makes his mark
FORMER local rugby ace Corné Els kicked off his English rugby season with a dream start on Saturday, playing a vital role in his new club Ipswich’s 27-12 victory against Holt.
Els started at fullback in a game that was decided by the boot.
The Zululander managed to kick two conversions and a monster 40m penalty to help his side to the comfortable victory.
He also scooped the backline Man of the Match award for his efforts.
Ipswich will take on Saffron Walden this weekend in a crucial London 2 North East League clash.
