Sunday League rugby in Khayelitsha is quickly becoming a vibrant and stylish affair, thanks to its annual tournament, which now includes junior and high school teams.
The growth of this tournament over the past four years is a testament to the hard work of the teams and organisers.
This year’s event, held over the weekend at the Khayelitsha Stadium, saw a massive turnout that highlighted the progress made by the league, now known as Ikamva Lethu Rugby Development.
Fans and players alike electrified the field, creating a lively atmosphere that showed how far the tournament has come since its inception.
The tournament’s growth signals the league’s potential to rival more established club rugby sides who have the joy of playing in more organised leagues.
Vincent Jack, chairman of the Sunday League, reflected on the tournament’s growth by calling it a promising start towards even bigger things.
“This year’s tournament was very successful, with more than 12 clubs participating from Khayelitsha, Langa, and Strand. Next year, we plan to expand by adding senior teams to the tournament,” Jack said.
He also hinted at future plans to hold the event on Heritage Day, offering an even grander platform for local rugby talent.
The journey is never without its challenges as in their early stages, teams pooled their own resources to fund the tournament, but now the league is attracting the eye of sponsors, which can help alleviate some of the financial burden.
The presence of multiple gazebos and sponsor banners at the weekend’s event symbolised the support the league has garnered, though Jack acknowledged there is still a long way to go to achieve their ultimate goals.
On the field, the competition was fierce and exciting. In the under-16 division, Blue Jets secured a hard-fought victory over Kaytomas, winning the final 19-15.
Kaytomas, however, bounced back in the under-20 division, shutting out Blue Jets 12-0 in the final to claim victory in that age group.
Other notable teams in action included Busy Bees, Langa and the Sakumzi Rugby Organisation.
