GAUTENG, 29 September 2022: The Hollywood Foundation, in partnership with the Cell C SA Rugby Legends and the South African Rugby Union, join the eighth instalment of the iQhawe Week, which is set to take place at the Johannesburg Stadium in Gauteng, from 3 – 6 October 2022.
iQhawe Week is South Africa’s premier development rugby tournament for u15 boys and is back after a two-year break. This year, 14 boys and five girls’ teams will set the field on fire as the players display their talents with a lot of heart, energy and hunger to succeed. The first iQhawe Week was held in Cape Town in September 2013, as a joint venture between the Cell C SA Rugby Legends and the South African Rugby Union. The aim was to create a pathway for players from new, introductory, small, rural, lower-league and non-traditional rugby schools to participate in a tournament equal in stature to the National Craven Week and Grant Khomo Weeks. Numerous players have since gone on to play provincial rugby and earn degrees while participating in the Varsity Cup.
The Hollywood Foundation is proud to come on board as the main sponsor of the tournament, which will now be known as Hollywood Foundation iQhawe Week. The non-profit organisation has a history of supporting rugby from grassroots level, through meaningful contributions such as rugby kits and equipment. This year, the tournament will take place in Johannesburg, hosted by the Golden Lions Rugby Union, with representative teams from 14 rugby provinces. For the first time, five girl’s teams from the Golden Lions, Blue Bulls and Falcons will be participating in the tournament.
“The Cell C SA Rugby Legends are thrilled to have the Hollywood Foundation iQhawe Week back. It is SA’s premier u15 rugby tournament, giving the countries untapped talent an opportunity to shine. To make it even more special, for the first time, we are incorporating a girl’s tournament to run alongside the boy’s tournament. We are extremely grateful to the Hollywood Foundation, City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Government, SA Rugby and the Lions Rugby Union for all their support,” said Cell C SA Rugby Legends CEO, John Smit.
“The Hollywood Foundation is proud to be partnering with the SA Rugby Legends in sponsoring the iQhawe Rugby Week. We are passionate about sports, but more importantly, passionate about grassroots development, and building a future for the sporting talent in this country. We know how vital it is for these previously disadvantaged youngsters to showcase their rugby talents on a stage like this. We congratulate all the boys and girls that have been selected for the week and wish them all the best on the field of play,” said Devin Heffer, Brand and Communications Manager at Hollywoodbets.
