Township Rugby Youth brings local sports lovers together for a festival like no other

Sport has long been recognised as one of the most powerful forces for unity, bringing together people across race, class and background. That spirit will be on full display at the upcoming Township Rugby Youth Festival - an event dedicated to building stronger communities around Johannesburg through the love of rugby.

Known as TRY, the Township Rugby Youth Festival will host a one-of-a-kind tournament on Saturday, 31 January 2026, from 8 am to 5 pm at Bill Jardine Stadium. The festival aims to bring together community members, families, friends, and sports lovers to watch young, emerging rugby players battle it out on the field. 

What sets TRY apart is its commitment to uncovering talent in communities where rugby has not traditionally been popular. For many years in South Africa, soccer, and not rugby, dominated township sports culture. However, the rise of figures such as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and other African rugby stars has inspired a new generation of township youth to embrace the game. TRY exists to nurture that growing passion.

The tournament will feature twelve township clubs - Eden Park, Orange Farm Fire Ants, African Badgers, Ennerdale, Inner City (Johannesburg CBD), Ditau Diarora (Soweto), Kagiso Sting, Raiders (Newclare, Westbury and surrounds), Alexandra Wolves, Cerulean Challengers (Davidson), Soweto Eagles, and Eldoronians.

Beyond the knockout matches, the festival promises a full day of entertainment. Fans will be treated to music performances by Amapiano duo MFR Souls. Jerome “Slim” Du Plooy will serve as the MC. 

It also promises to be a fun day for the whole family, with children’s play areas, family-friendly activities and a variety of food stalls available on site. 

More than just a tournament, TRY is a festival of hope and possibility. It sends a message to young people across Johannesburg that no dream is out of reach. 

As crowds from across the city are expected to fill the stadium, the festival promises to be a historic occasion, uniting Johannesburg in the spirit of competition through the beautiful game of rugby.

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