SA Deaf rugby to host international series

NEWS: The South African Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA) will make history when they host a first-ever international Deaf series in August.

For the first time, an international Deaf series will take place in South Africa from August 3 to August 8 in Johannesburg.

This historic series will see top teams from around the world, including Australia, England, Japan, and hosts South Africa, compete locally.

SADRA continues to break new ground in the sport of Deaf Rugby.

Coming off the back of a fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Argentina and picking up the award for Associate Member of the Year at the SA Rugby Awards, SADRA is excited to welcome top international teams.

This will help lay the foundation for the continued development and growth of the sport and association.

The series is set to take place at St Stithians College in Johannesburg with the dates being:

South African Deaf Rugby Sevens International: August 3,4

South African Deaf Rugby Tens International: August 7, 8

“St Stithians College is honored to host the SA Deaf Rugby International Series, which is supported by SARU, our strategic partners in promoting rugby growth on campus.

“St Stithians College is proud to be the venue for the SA Deaf Rugby International Tournament, welcoming teams from England, Australia, Japan, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

“St Stithians views this event as a unique opportunity to foster the development of rugby at our schools. The hosting of the event on our campus underscores our commitment to both inclusivity and sporting excellence, as demonstrated by the Women’s Day coaching clinic scheduled for August 9th, designed to develop rugby skills in young female athletes.

“This initiative aligns perfectly with our plan to include rugby within our girls’ school, empowering young female athletes on our campus”, said Celeste Gilardi, Rector of St Stithians College.

Added to this series will be match-ups between the England Deaf Rugby ladies and the R10C select teams who are coached by Ryno Combrinck.

SA Deaf Rugby trials are continuously being conducted across the country.

The competition requires a hearing classification of 40DB loss and all players must be over 18 years old.

Spectators will have the unique opportunity to watch, learn, and engage with the game, witnessing Deaf rugby officiated and played no differently from normal rugby.

South African Deaf Rugby Sevens & Tens Squad

SEVENS TEAM

Enrico Abraham (Western Cape)
Rdowin Beyers (Western Cape)
Admar Claassen (Gauteng)
Marnus Dercksen (Gauteng)
Gerard Kroese (Gauteng)
Arthur McGee (Gauteng)
Patrick Molotshwa (Gauteng)
Boitshepo Motlhala (Gauteng)
Nkhumbuleni Nkhumeleni (Gauteng)
Tashriq Parker (Western Cape)
Akhanani Pasha (Eastern Cape)
Leon Willemans (Gauteng)

TENS TEAM

Enrico Abrahams (Western Cape)
Brandon Alkaster (Eastern Cape)
Mark Barnard (KwaZulu-Natal)
Dennis Conroy (Gauteng)
Marnus Dercksen (Gauteng)
Andre du Toit (Gauteng)
Isaac Grootboom (Eastern Cape)
Glentin Huisamen (Eastern Cape)
Gerard Kroese (Gauteng)
Laszlo Maya (Eastern Cape)
Arthur McGee (Gauteng)
Tashriz Parker (Western Cape)
Rickus Prinsloo (Gauteng)
Adin Pieters (Gauteng)
Leon Willemans (Gauteng)
Replacements:
Shani de Jager (Gauteng)
Micheal Els (Gauteng)