Rugby fever grips Soweto

23-04-2015
 

New stars are expected to be born when the annual four-day Soweto Rugby Tournament kicks off at the Braamfischerville Multipurpose Complex tomorrow (Friday April 24).
 

The tournament is sponsored by the City of Johannesburg in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and the Soweto Rugby Club.
 

Four semi-professional rugby teams, six under-13 sides, four development outfits and four senior women’s teams will slug it out for top honours in what Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development Councillor Chris Vondo describes as an “ideal platform” to build and nurture South Africa’s future rugby champions.

MMC Vondo says rugby is one of the key “transformation sporting codes” that he believes must be replicated across the city, especially given the fact that it is not as popular as sports such as soccer in Johannesburg townships.
 

This year sees four Gauteng teams – Eldorians Rugby Club, Eesterus, Atteridgeville and the Soweto Rugby Club – geared up to wrestling the champions’ trophy from last year’s winners, The Eye of The Tiger Rugby Club from the Free State.

Echoing MMC Vondo’s sentiments, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Molebatsi Bopape says she is elated that the Soweto Rugby Tournament, now in its fourth year, is growing stronger.
 

She says the tournament gives hope and assurance that there is a solid foundation to identify and find talent to continue to influence transformation of rugby in the province.

Other provinces are also represented in the tournament. KwaZulu-Natal is represented by Seskhona Rugby Club, whereas North West is represented by Matlosana Rugby Club.
 

Soweto Rugby Club chairman Mzamo Mjekevu says it is encouraging that awareness about junior and women’s rugby programmes is rising.

Since 2012 the Soweto Rugby Club has produced no fewer than four women players for the Golden Lions Rugby teams.