Rewarding schoolboys for their early off-season!
SIX GUN GRILL SUMMER RUGBY FESTIVAL
Rewarding schoolboys for their early off-season!
The inaugural Six Gun Grill Summer Rugby Festival is a new product scheduled to take place in the iconic Stellenbosch at the start of December this year. The exciting eight-day competition will give school players who have worked hard in their off-season a short-term goal to work towards. “Top schools start their preparations for the following rugby season in October each year, and this new competition will be a fantastic opportunity for these teams to get quality organised game time” said the founder and organiser of the event, Pieter Rossouw.
“Tomorrow’s Heroes Today, is our strapline, as this represents the first public glimpse of the teams for the following season. Teams will have the opportunity to play four matches in eight days, in early December. It is not frowned upon anymore to see rugby in December, and with this new innovation, we give coaches an opportunity to enhance their senior squad’s preparations for the new year and to enjoy the Summer Rugby Festival” Rossouw explained.
Rossouw, who is also the organiser of the well-known ‘Noord-Suid Toernooi’ in Pretoria, decided to join forces with Duitser Bosman, former CEO of Varsity Cup and Varsity Sports. “December in Stellenbosch will become iconic in the ever-changing landscape of sport at school level,” Duitser Bosman said.
“We are in agreement with our main sponsor, Six Gun Grill, that this needs to be a festival that schools look forward to each year, ending the year on high”. The beauty of this product is that all schools are welcome, with schools competing on a strength-versus-strength basis. The first 40 schools will be accommodated in year one, with the organisers ensuring each school has a pleasant experience, both on and off the field.”
Bosman stated that this product model is built to accommodate schools on different levels, all aiming to finish the year and the initial pre-season on a high. “We have a few prominent schools, with strong rugby programs, who have already indicated that they would be very keen to participate in Stellenbosch, with the first list of participating schools being released very soon. Schools have also expressed interest in attending the HSBC 7’s at the DHL Stadium on Sunday, adding to the appeal,” Rossouw confirmed. The early interest is indicative of Rossouw’s strong relationship with recognised rugby schools.
The backing from Six Gun Grill as the festival’s title partner has added some extra spice to this new exciting product. “This innovative contribution to the sports calendar is fresh and exciting and will become an annual introduction to the summer holidays,” John Morris, Managing Director of Six Gun Grill, added.
The synergy between a South African Summer Rugby Festival and the King of Spices already adds an exciting glimpse as to what festival goers can expect. “We will need to find a partner in the meat industry, as it is obvious that the braai’s will be a feature and part of the “GEES” we hope to add to this festival,” Rossouw reacted.
This event will take place from 5 to 11 December with affordable accommodation offered to the schools at local school residences in Stellenbosch. This will allow schools to save costs and make the festival as affordable as possible.
To ensure this event continues to grow into the ultimate pre-season festival, two additional competitions will be added. One for primary schools’ rugby and 10’s rugby for seniors and old-boys. Primary schools’ rugby will also see schools focusing on the squads for the following season. The competition rules and playing schedules are structured and well thought through for both primary and high schools, to simulate early-season trial elements among squads. The primary school boys will play from 5-7 December at the same venue.
For more information about the Summer Rugby Festival visit
