The City of Johannesburg in partnership with Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation as well as the Soweto Rugby Club, will again host a rugby tournament at the Braamfischer Multipurpose Complex in Soweto, from 24 April.
The Soweto Rugby Tournament will be preceded by a diner to honor the success of this tournament which has produced 13 professional rugby players since its inception 23-years ago. Cllr. Chris Vondo: MMC Community Development in the City of Johannesburg said the City is proud to host the Soweto Rugby Tournament dating back to its inception.
“Rugby is one of the key Transformative codes which we believe has to be replicated across the City. It is an ideal platform that is building and nurturing future champs and stars that continue to take sport to the next level in this country”, MMC Vondo added.
Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Molebatsi Bopape said: “It is encouraging that 4 years-on the Soweto Rugby Tournament is growing stronger and is becoming one of the prominent sporting highlight in the township. It is not only about the festivities of the tournament but the product thereof, where national stars such as Victor Seketekete and Malungisa Nkosi started”.
"As the home of champions, Gauteng should be leading in producing future stars for our sport from all corners of our province and this tournament is a platform to unearth more of these. It gives us hope and assurance that there’s a solid foundation to identify and find talent as well as continue influencing the transformation of rugby in our country”, added MEC Bopape.
The Soweto Rugby Club was formed in 1992 following the unification and revival of clubs that existed before within this area. Since then, players who started their career at this club have been featured in prestigious competitions in the country such as Vodacom Cup, Varsity Cup as well as Varsity Shield.
This year’s tournament will feature 4 semi pro rugby teams, 4 development teams, 6 under-13 teams as well as 4 senior women teams from across South Africa. The teams will do battle for the crown and pride of development, growth and high performance of township and rural rugby, however the most important will be the tournament’s potential to produce the next Victor Seketekete or Malungisa Nkosi from the grass roots.
The teams are from 4 provinces and Gauteng has 4 teams- Eldoronians Rugby Club from Eldorado Park, Eersterus, Atteridgeville as well as the Soweto Rugby Club. From Kwazulu Natal is Seskhona Rugby Club, North West –Matlosana Rugby Club and from Free State- and Harmony Rugby Club as well as Eye of The Tiger Rugby Academy.
The format of the competition will be the Super 8 senior teams that will split into 2 groups of 4 teams to play against each other after the top 4 teams and bottom 4 has qualified on Saturday, 25 April. The 2 teams from each group will go on to play the on the 26th April cup, plate, shield & bowl semi final on Monday, 27 April will be Bowl, Shield, Plate and Cup Final. The 25th April will be dedicated to the under 13 tournament and Women Rugby.
“This initiative has influenced and encouraged clubs like Soweto Rugby Club, Matlosana Rugby Academy to focus on Club Development the past 2 years hence we have taken stance to support and create more awareness about Junior Club Rugby Programmes and Women’s Rugby Programme. Since 2012 Soweto Rugby Club has been producing not less than 4 Women to represent in the Golden Lions Rugby teams.
"Our legacy for 2015/2016 is to start under16 women development teams in Soweto, as well as spread our net and expand our development programme from Braamfischer to Meadowlands and Orlando East etc.” says Mzamo Mjekevu Chairman Soweto Rugby Club.
The Tournament has played in Soweto 4 years in succession since 2012 where Soweto Rugby Club has lost two finals against The Eye of The Tiger Rugby Academy, and the winners were against the best of the country’s top clubs.
The Soweto Rugby Tournament will be preceded by a diner to honor the success of this tournament which has produced 13 professional rugby players since its inception 23-years ago. Cllr. Chris Vondo: MMC Community Development in the City of Johannesburg said the City is proud to host the Soweto Rugby Tournament dating back to its inception.
“Rugby is one of the key Transformative codes which we believe has to be replicated across the City. It is an ideal platform that is building and nurturing future champs and stars that continue to take sport to the next level in this country”, MMC Vondo added.
Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Molebatsi Bopape said: “It is encouraging that 4 years-on the Soweto Rugby Tournament is growing stronger and is becoming one of the prominent sporting highlight in the township. It is not only about the festivities of the tournament but the product thereof, where national stars such as Victor Seketekete and Malungisa Nkosi started”.
"As the home of champions, Gauteng should be leading in producing future stars for our sport from all corners of our province and this tournament is a platform to unearth more of these. It gives us hope and assurance that there’s a solid foundation to identify and find talent as well as continue influencing the transformation of rugby in our country”, added MEC Bopape.
The Soweto Rugby Club was formed in 1992 following the unification and revival of clubs that existed before within this area. Since then, players who started their career at this club have been featured in prestigious competitions in the country such as Vodacom Cup, Varsity Cup as well as Varsity Shield.
This year’s tournament will feature 4 semi pro rugby teams, 4 development teams, 6 under-13 teams as well as 4 senior women teams from across South Africa. The teams will do battle for the crown and pride of development, growth and high performance of township and rural rugby, however the most important will be the tournament’s potential to produce the next Victor Seketekete or Malungisa Nkosi from the grass roots.
The teams are from 4 provinces and Gauteng has 4 teams- Eldoronians Rugby Club from Eldorado Park, Eersterus, Atteridgeville as well as the Soweto Rugby Club. From Kwazulu Natal is Seskhona Rugby Club, North West –Matlosana Rugby Club and from Free State- and Harmony Rugby Club as well as Eye of The Tiger Rugby Academy.
The format of the competition will be the Super 8 senior teams that will split into 2 groups of 4 teams to play against each other after the top 4 teams and bottom 4 has qualified on Saturday, 25 April. The 2 teams from each group will go on to play the on the 26th April cup, plate, shield & bowl semi final on Monday, 27 April will be Bowl, Shield, Plate and Cup Final. The 25th April will be dedicated to the under 13 tournament and Women Rugby.
“This initiative has influenced and encouraged clubs like Soweto Rugby Club, Matlosana Rugby Academy to focus on Club Development the past 2 years hence we have taken stance to support and create more awareness about Junior Club Rugby Programmes and Women’s Rugby Programme. Since 2012 Soweto Rugby Club has been producing not less than 4 Women to represent in the Golden Lions Rugby teams.
"Our legacy for 2015/2016 is to start under16 women development teams in Soweto, as well as spread our net and expand our development programme from Braamfischer to Meadowlands and Orlando East etc.” says Mzamo Mjekevu Chairman Soweto Rugby Club.
The Tournament has played in Soweto 4 years in succession since 2012 where Soweto Rugby Club has lost two finals against The Eye of The Tiger Rugby Academy, and the winners were against the best of the country’s top clubs.
