BIG RUGBY WEEK

The spirit of schoolboy rugby was alive and thriving in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, as the Lucas Meyer (LMS) Rugby Week 2026 delivered a thrilling three-day showcase of young talent, sportsmanship and community pride.

Hosted by the Lucas Meyer Primary School, 10^th edition of the the annual primary school rugby festival took place from 26 to 28 March 2026 on the school’s sports fields, drawing a sizeable number of parents who attended the thrilling event.

Drawing 12 participating schools from across the region, the tournament once again cemented its reputation as one of KwaZulu-Natals premier junior rugby festivals.

Among the competing teams were Lucas Meyer Primary School, Howick Preparatory School, Kloof Senior Primary School, Heuwelland Primary School, Dundee Junior School, Nuwe Republiek School, Egerton Primary School, Pongola Academy, and Veld en Vlei Primary School.

The tournament catered for Under-11 and Under-13 age groups, offering young players an opportunity to test their skills in a structured yet spirited environment.

Speaking to Evotel Media, principal Pieter Aucamp expressed pride in how the tournament has grown over the years.

“This is our 10th annual rugby week, and we are very proud as a school to host this great event here at Lucas Meyer Primary. Each year the tournament continues to grow, and we are seeing more teams and more spectators coming through,” he said.

Aucamp highlighted the scale of the event, noting the strong participation across both age groups.

“We have 12 schools participating, with teams competing in both Under-11 and Under-13 divisions. It’s a fantastic platform for young players to gain experience and develop their skills.”

He also acknowledged the crucial role played by sponsors in ensuring the success of the tournament.

“We cannot host an event of this standard without the support of our sponsors. I would like to thank Evotel for their continued partnership. They have been with us from the beginning, supporting not only this tournament but also providing connectivity to the school.”

On the field, the competition lived up to expectations:

In the Under-13 division, Nuwe Republiek School emerged as champions, with Egerton Primary School finishing as runners-up and hosts Lucas Meyer Primary School securing third place.

The Under-11 title went to Pongola Academy, while Egerton Primary School once again claimed second place. LMS finished fourth in this division.

Reflecting on his teams’ performances, Aucamp said the tournament serves as an important preparatory platform.

“This rugby week is essentially a pre-season tournament. The boys play multiple matches over the three days, which helps prepare them for the upcoming school rugby season in the next term.”

He added that the school remains optimistic about its rugby program and the talent being developed.

“We’ve produced players who have gone on to higher levels, including provincial rugby, and even Springbok representation. That shows the importance of investing in development at a young age.”

Beyond the results, the Lucas Meyer Rugby Week continues to stand out for its emphasis on development, discipline and sportsmanship.

As the final whistle blew on another successful edition, the event once again demonstrated its value, not just in producing winners, but in shaping the future of the game at grassroots level.