Women’s rugby in South Africa is about to step into an exciting new era.
For the first time ever, a dedicated national club competition has been launched, giving female players a much-needed platform to shine.
On top of that, the U20 Women’s Tournament will welcome a record number of teams this year, proving that the game is growing faster than ever before.
Both competitions are set to unfold from 5 to 10 October in Gauteng, with the Betway Women’s Club Championship taking place at Alberton Rugby Club and the U20 tournament being staged at Queens High School in Johannesburg.
The First-Ever Betway Women’s Club Championship
This brand-new competition, proudly backed by Betway as title sponsor, will bring together 16 club teams representing every provincial union across South Africa, plus one special wild card entry.
The matches will be played over three intense days, giving grassroots players a rare chance to perform on a national stage.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer hailed it as a “major milestone” in the women’s game, stressing that this is about more than just competition.
“We’re not just creating tournaments – we’re building pathways for women to dream and rise,” Oberholzer said.
Why Betway is Backing Women’s Rugby
For Betway, this move is about reinforcing their commitment to South African rugby beyond the men’s teams.
Marketing chief Mark Rowles explained that the company sees this as an investment in the sport’s future.
“This tournament is a vital platform for the next generation of women to showcase their incredible talent,” Rowles said.
“One day, some of these players could be wearing the green and gold at a Rugby World Cup.”
Who Will Be Playing
The 16 participating clubs are a mix of university teams, regional powerhouses, and community clubs.
Three universities – Durban University of Technology, Sol Plaatje University, and the University of Limpopo – will take part, along with well-known names like Walker Bay (Boland), Pirates (Lions), and Van der Stel Evergreens (Western Province).
They’ll be divided into two divisions based on their provincial status in the Women’s Premier and First Divisions, with each side playing three matches across the week.
Record Numbers at the U20 Women’s Tournament
At the same time, Johannesburg will host the U20 Women’s Tournament, which has grown to 14 teams this year – the biggest in its history.
That’s two more than in 2024, with the Pumas and a Northern Invitational XV joining the action.
SA Rugby sees this as a crucial step in identifying young talent and preparing them for higher levels of play.
Oberholzer said the tournament is strategically important:
“It’s a vital recruitment platform, enabling unions to scout and strengthen their squads with fresh talent.”
Fixtures to Watch
Both tournaments will have their opening matches on Monday, 6 October.
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At Alberton Rugby Club, fans can expect big clashes in both the First and Premier Divisions, with fixtures like Mqanduli Sharks vs Kwaru (EP) and Van der Stel Evergreens vs Pirates.
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Over at Queens High School, the U20 sides will also kick off with action-packed matchups including WP vs Sharks and Bulls vs EP.
A United Push to Grow the Game
For SA Rugby, these two competitions symbolize the bigger picture: making women’s rugby stronger, more visible, and more competitive across the country.
The guiding motto of their development program – #GrowTogetherPlayTogether – is now more than just words.
With a historic club championship and record-breaking youth tournament happening side by side, October promises to be a defining moment for women’s rugby in South Africa.