St Theresa Crowned Champions at KRD Heritage U13 Rugby Tournament

The spirit of youth rugby and cultural pride came alive on 24 September 2025 at the Mlungisi Stadium, where KRD hosted the Heritage U13 Rugby Tournament. The event, held in celebration of Heritage Day, brought together young rugby talent from local primary schools for a day filled with energy, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Five schools took part in the tournament — Lukhanji Primary, St Theresa, Van Coller, KRD, and Edlelweni — all showcasing the growing strength of youth rugby in the Komani area. With enthusiastic crowds and a supportive community atmosphere, the day was a resounding success both on and off the field.

The action kicked off early, with Lukhanji setting the tone for the day in commanding fashion, defeating Edlelweni 30–0 in their opening match. Van Coller followed with a solid 15–5 victory over KRD, showing impressive teamwork and discipline.

St Theresa soon announced their intentions as title contenders with a confident 25–10 win over Edlelweni, combining sharp attacking play with strong defence. Lukhanji continued their winning form, overcoming Van Coller 21–0 to book a spot in the final.

The hosts, KRD, fought hard throughout the day but faced a tough challenge against an in-form St Theresa, who secured a 22–0 victory to close the group stages unbeaten.

In the playoff matches, Van Coller edged Edlelweni 12–10 to claim third place, in one of the tightest games of the day, showing the competitive balance among the young teams.

The final proved to be an exciting and closely contested encounter between St Theresa and Lukhanji. Both teams displayed excellent skill, heart, and determination, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. In the end, it was St Theresa who emerged victorious, narrowly defeating Lukhanji 12–10 to lift the Heritage U13 Tournament trophy.

Their victory was celebrated with cheers from players, parents, and supporters alike, marking a proud moment for the school and its young rugby stars.

KRD extended heartfelt congratulations to St Theresa for being crowned the overall champions of the 2025 Heritage U13 Rugby Tournament. Special appreciation was also expressed to all the participating schools — Lukhanji, Van Coller, Edlelweni, and KRD — for their sportsmanship and commitment to youth development.

A warm word of thanks goes to the event sponsors, the local community, and everyone who contributed to making the tournament a memorable celebration of both heritage and sport.

The day’s success once again highlighted the important role school rugby plays in uniting communities, nurturing young talent, and fostering pride in local heritage. With such enthusiasm and support on display, the future of Komani’s rugby looks bright.