South Africa boasts the oldest test rugby playing venue in the world Newlands in Cape Town following the redevelopment of Lansdowne road, so no doubt rugby fans will be upset to hear that at the weekend the oldest rugby club in the East London region, the Buffalo Club, has been partially burnt to the ground. It is believed to have been the result of an electrical fault.
The club is the third-oldest rugby club in South Africa and is situated alongside the Buffalo Park cricket ground, home of Border cricket. It also overlooks the East London Golf course and the clubhouse was a well-known landmark in the city..
The club’s rugby section competes in the Border Premier League. The club is also home to the Buffs Runners club, which is famous for hosting a number of tough annual marathons and ultra-marathons. The most famous being the 160km Washie 100, run from Port Alfred to the Buffs club which takes place each July. The club also hosts cricket, hockey, snooker, squash and water polo.
Although members tried to rescue many of the historic photographs and trophies housed in cabinets at the club many have been damaged and some lost. A sad day for the club and its members past and present.
