By: Nomfundo Zuma

Touch rugby may be not a well-known sport in South Africa but the turnout at the Durban’s Rovers Rugby Club over the weekend demonstrated that it has a future.

The senior inter-provincial Touch Rugby tournament is hosted by the South African Touch Association, SATA, every four years. Currently, South Africa is ranked third place in the overall world rankings.

About 25 senior provincial teams – men and women –participate in five divisions, representing ten touch rugby associations at the country’s top draw talent in the game of touch rugby.

SATA utilized this weekend to select a Springbok squad to take part in the Touch Rugby World Cup tournament that will be held in Australia in 2015.

The KZN women’s teams walked away with a gold medal after they won all their games in their division. Coach Chris Smith could not contain his excitement after winning the final game against Western Province side.

“I always had faith in the girls I knew that they could bring the gold home, I’m beyond happy,” said Smith.

The mixed open team defending hard against the Gauteng mixed team. Pictures by: Nomfundo Zuma.

“I’m proud of our achievement as a team, it wasn’t without a lot of hard work,” said Samantha Wilson, the team’s captain.

KwaZulu-Natal Touch Association head, Jenna Nortier said, “I’m glad that everyone came out in their numbers to support the Natal teams this year.”