by Thinus Ferreira
kykNET has decided to cancel its Getroud met Rugby Afrikaans soap which will air the final episode that will air on 30 September 2022.
The Getroud met Rugby cancellation leaves kykNET with multiple other locally-produced soaps with M-Net’s Afrikaans channels division that is actually over-delivering on soap opera programming with series like Binnelanders, Suidooster and multiple others series which remain in original production.
kykNET gave Overberg Productions a slight 6-month contract extension to wrap up characters and storylines for an additional 55 episodes, with filming of the last season that will start in July 2022, and the final episode that will be shown on 30 September on kykNET (DStv 144).
Getroud met Rugby, created by Deon Opperman and Hanli Rolfes that revolved around the fictional Stryders rugby team, ends after 6 seasons as a soap opera, after it made its debut on 7 April 2009 on kykNET as a more risque drama series that continued for 5 seasons before becoming a soap opera in 2016.
In total, Getroud met Rugby was on kykNET for 14 years.
“It is with a heavy heart that we and our
viewers bid the tenacious Stryders farewell in September 2022,” says Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of kykNET channels.
“A dynamic
television landscape necessitates schedule changes, but these changes also
bring new opportunities and new stories. kykNET thanks Deon Opperman, Overberg
Productions and every actor and member of the production team who contributed
to the remarkable success of this truly original South African series.”
“kykNET
wishes to continue the good working relationships with the producers, talent
and production team of Getroud met Rugby after the conclusion of this
chapter – a chapter of which we believe the whole Getroud met Rugby team
can be very proud of.”
Producer Deon Opperman in a statement says “Getroud Met Rugby has been an enormous
part of my life as writer and producer for the past 14 years, initially with
the five seasons of Getroud Met Rugby as a drama series and afterwards with the soapie. I’m
deeply thankful to kykNET for making everything possible”.