Changing the landscape of rugby

EXCLUSIVE: Rugby is one of the most popular sports in the world, and now Lauren Terras is working hard to bring deaf rugby into the mainstream as well.

Born in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), Terras has gradually become a force in the rugby fraternity.

She was initially involved in soccer – her father played for Moroka Swallows – and later became a consultant for top South African rugby teams, including the Springboks, Blitzboks, Varsity Cup, and Currie Cup, between 2012 and 2015.

Known for her unwavering determination, she is currently the Vice President of the SA Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA). Her incredible work recently saw her appointed as Vice-Chair of World Deaf Rugby.

“It’s been one hell of a journey,” Terras told Rugby365. 

“I started working in rugby by default in 2011. At that stage, there weren’t many women in the space, so I had a lot of doors and walls to knock down.

“I finally managed to overcome that hurdle and worked as a consultant for the Springboks from 2012 to 2015. I worked with the Springboks, Blitzboks, and Currie Cup teams.

“I later joined Varsity Cup, and from there I got into Varsity football, athletics, netball, and more.

“Getting involved with SA Deaf Rugby was my way of giving back. I’ve always been drawn to the communities I came from in the Eastern Cape, so I know how challenging blue-collar towns can be, but I also know how much talent exists there.

“So, to start with, deaf rugby was just amazing because we’re all volunteers. Being able to give back has been incredible, and watching that journey as South African Deaf Rugby has grown substantially has been equally rewarding.

“South African Deaf Rugby was also never aligned with SASCOC, so players never received national colours.

“When nominations for World Deaf Rugby came up, I was brought on as a trustee two years ago, and then in elections two months ago, I was voted in as Deputy Chair. It’s been great. It showed that the work we’ve done in South Africa has reached the global stage, and now I get to work with countries all over the world.

“It really made me realise that South Africa isn’t as far behind from a global perspective as people think. It’s been so rewarding.

“I’m just looking forward to working with World Rugby to try and get sign language into Level One and Level Two training – a project close to my heart. I’m working with Greg Woods from World Rugby.

“Knowing I can leave a legacy not just for SA but for Africa – I can’t describe it.”

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Unearthing new SA legends 

Under her guidance, South Africa competed in the 2023 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Argentina, finishing fourth.

SADRA claimed the Associate Member of the Year award in 2024. SADRA was recognised as a well-governed body that’s growing its footprint in South Africa.

SADRA also hosted its first-ever international Deaf series in South Africa in August 2024.

Now, the national team is preparing for the 2026 tournament in Tokyo, with trials ongoing.

“At the moment, we are working towards our nationals in November, which also forms part of trials for our national World Deaf Sevens team. The championship kicks off from October 20 to November 4 in Japan.

“It is quite difficult for lesser-known codes, so we are working hard on fundraising and hoping we can cross the line to get our boys competing.

“We went to the World Cup for the first time in 2023 in Argentina. Only two of our players had ever been on an aeroplane, let alone gone overseas to represent their country.

“We ended fourth. We arrived in Argentina at 12.00 and had our first match at 14.00 after travelling for three days. So, we weren’t as prepared, but we got there.

“This year, we’re aiming to be in Japan three days before the tournament. We are solid in our belief that we will come home with a medal.”

Terras is using her platform to build communities and open doors for deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes across Africa and beyond.

“SA Deaf has collaborated with Hearing Works, the second-biggest audiology firm in South Africa. Starting in August, we will offer 1,500 free hearing tests to rugby communities. We’re working with the Falcons, Eagles, Bulls, Cheetahs, and Boland.

“We will go into their setups and test the players.

“We know we are going to find a lot more players through that system.

“We’re also working with schools and clubs – like Villagers in Cape Town, Centurion in Pretoria, and Crusaders in PE – across the country to make them deaf-friendly clubs.”

For Terras, it’s all about changing the perception of deaf rugby, stating there is no difference between deaf rugby and other codes.

“There’s no difference in officiating. The only thing we ask is that when the referee blows the whistle, he also raises a flag. Players are trained to watch for flags.

“Other than that, the game is the same. That’s why we can play hearing teams.

“It’s all about changing the perception that deaf rugby is only for those who are profoundly deaf, meaning someone born deaf or with complete hearing loss.

“SA Deaf and other associations around the world include both hard-of-hearing and deaf players. To qualify, a minimum hearing loss of 40 decibels is required.”

Boks go comic

Aside from her incredible work for deaf rugby, Terras also runs her own sports agency, which played a key role in creating the first-ever Springboks Rugby comic book.

“We have the official rights via SA Rugby with MyPlayers to produce the first-ever Springboks Comic Book,” she revealed to Rugby365.

“We’re going to hit the shelves in December, just in time for Christmas. It will be our first edition – a collector’s item.

“Next year, we’ll release three editions: Incoming, Rugby Championship, and a December Celebration.

“Hopefully, we’ll also release a colouring book and a sticker book this year, featuring all the players in comic form.”