SWD has a golden touch
GARDEN ROUTE - In its first national tournament, the SWD Touch Rugby Association recently showed its class by securing both gold and silver in the same division.
The association entered four teams into the men’s invitational division of the Senior National Touch Tournament which was hosted by the South African Touch Association (Sata) in Durban from 29
September to 2 October. On the first day of the tournament, SWD 1 dominated their fixtures, winning all three games, while SWD 2 secured victory in two of their three games.
The second day saw both teams’ success continue as SWD 1 won two games and drew one, while SWD 2 won two and lost one.
The third and final day was the deciding factor though and SWD 1 remained undefeated, winning two more games. They finished in first position and earned a place in the final. SWD 2 also persevered, winning their semi-final match to ensure the final would be an all-SWD affair. In what some might consider an upset, SWD 2 trounced SWD 1 and walked away with the gold medal while SWD 1 could only take home silver.
Through winning the invitational title the association has earned a spot in next year’s Men’s Open (A League) at the next senior national tournament, which is the highest touch league under Sata. The player of the tournament for SWD 1 was Nico Jafta and Heinricht Fortuin was SWD 2’s player of the tournament.
In what some might consider an upset, SWD 2 trounced SWD 1 and walked away with the gold.
The history of SWD touch rugby
In September 2021, former Tag Rugby Springbok Ruth Wessels and Radian Williams established the SWD Touch Rugby Association in Knysna. Since its inception, the association has made remarkable progress in the world of touch rugby and by the end of 2022 the SWD Touch Rugby Association became an official provincial touch rugby team under Sata.
The SWD Touch Rugby Association has played host to numerous exciting events, most notably a regional tournament featuring provincial teams such as the Western Cape Islanders, Border, EP and Boland. They’ve also organised a Sunday Touch Rugby League that attracted teams from Plett, George, Sedgefield, Knysna and Jeffrey’s Bay, showcasing incredible footwork and skills.
Touch rugby being a non-contact sport, it serves as an excellent replacement for rugby players during the off-season to stay active and maintain fitness. It also provides a fantastic alternative for individuals who are not interested in heavy-contact sports, easing concerns for parents and partners about potential injuries. Touch rugby is a safe sport for everyone, with divisions for various age groups and even mixed teams.