For the first time on South African soil, the South African Deaf Rugby Association (SADRA) will be hosting a ground-breaking international Deaf rugby series from 3rd to 8th August. This historic event will see top teams from around the world, including Australia, England, Japan, and hosts South Africa, competing in an exciting series.
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 announce a momentous International Series that will 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 for each being:
- South African Deaf Rugby Sevens International: 3rd and 4th of August 2024
- South African Deaf Rugby Tens International: 7th and 8th of August 2024
“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. This event underscores our commitment to inclusivity and excellence in sports, highlighted by the Women’s Day clinic aimed at fostering rugby skills development among girls and ladies. This initiative aligns perfectly with our strategy to expand rugby within our girls’ school, empowering young female athletes on our campus” – Richard Little, Acting Director of Boys’ College Sports
Included in this fantastic series are matchups between the England Deaf Rugby ladies, and the R10C select teams who are coached by Ryno Combrinck. They are set to clash on the 3rd, 4th, and 8th of August. Doors open at 9:30 AM daily and admission is free to all that wish to attend.
With SA Deaf Rugby trials conducted across the country you can be certain that the best of the best will be showcasing their skills. The competition requires a hearing classification of a 40DB loss. All players are over 18 years old and proudly don their national colours.
This series promises to be an unforgettable celebration of rugby, showcasing the skill and passion of Deaf Rugby players. Spectators will have the unique opportunity to watch, learn, and engage with the game, witnessing that Deaf rugby is officiated and played no differently from normal rugby. Fans will also have the chance to get signatures and photos with players and coaches from around the world.
If you can’t make it to the event in person, don’t worry! SADRA is thrilled to announce a partnership with SuperSport Schools, ensuring that every game will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Schools app. This exciting collaboration means that not only will South African fans be able to support their team, but friends, family, and fans around the world can follow the action. This global viewership will not only boost enthusiasm but also foster growth and excitement from emerging Deaf Rugby countries.
“This groundbreaking event is a significant step toward providing equal opportunities for all athletes to showcase their talents. It embodies our commitment to inclusivity and highlights the remarkable abilities of our deaf rugby players. We look forward to witnessing the passion and skill that will be on display at one of our partner schools and believe this series will inspire many more to pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they face.” – Pearl Mashego, Marketing & Communications Manager, SuperSport Schools.
You do not want to miss out on this historic series!
South African Deaf Rugby Sevens & Tens Squad
Sevens Team
- Enrico Abrahams (WC)
- Rodwin Beyers (WC)
- Admar Claassen (GP)
- Marnus Dercksen (GP)
- Gerard Kroese (GP)
- Arthur Mcgee (GP)
- Patrick Molotshwa (GP)
- Boitshepo Motlhala (GP)
- Nkhumbuleni Nkhumeleni (GP)
- Tashriq Parker (WC)
- Akhanani Pasha (EC)
- Leon Willemans (GP)
Tens Team
- Enrico Abrahams (WC)
- Brandon Alkaster (EC)
- Mark Barnard (KZN)
- Dennis Conroy (GP)
- Marnus Dercksen (GP)
- Andre Du Toit (GP)
- Isaac Grootboom (EC)
- Glentin Huisamen (EC)
- Gerard Kroese (GP)
- Laszlo Maya (EC)
- Arthur Mcgee (GP)
- Tashriq Parker (WC)
- Rickus Prinsloo (GP)
- Adin Pieters (GP)
- Leon Willemans (GP)
Reserves
- Shani De Jager (GP)
- Micheal Els (GP)
Cardinal Rebel
The dubious honor of being called the worst Test batsman belongs to New Zealand’s Chris Martin. He has a poor batting average and only ever achieved double figures once. He was so bad that he even starred in an ad for Pulp Sport spoofing his (lack of) batting skills.
Moxie
First African Nation that Hosted the FIFA World Cup: In 2010, South Africa was the first African country to host the FIFA World Cup, and what an event it was! The Inter Press Service team agrees with Tim that it was one of the best FIA World Cup seasons that the world has witnessed. The event was so colorful that the fun was increased multiple times. They also used vuvuzelas, making the event more fun to look at.