Champions, trailblazers and milestones: Frances Baard Rugby’s 2025 season celebrated at awards evening

The Frances Baard Rugby Region capped off a breakthrough 2025 season recently with an awards evening honouring and celebrating the players, coaches, and volunteers who drove progress across men’s, women’s, and youth rugby.

The league campaign culminated in a thrilling season bursting with skill and persistence. Kimberley Rugby Club was crowned champions after a standout performance that demonstrated the region’s depth and competitiveness, with Hartswater Rugby Club securing the runners-up position.

Rooikatte Rugby Club rounded out the top three, cementing Frances Baard’s reputation for producing quality rugby at the club level.

Development in Action: Youth and Women Leading the Charge

The region’s Under-21 side once again proved its dominance by clinching back-to-back championship titles. The Frances Baard Rugby Region Under-21 team also secured consecutive victories in the Griquas Regional Tournament, a testament to the strength of the youth development pathway that continues to nurture the next generation of stars.

Equally inspiring was the performance of the Frances Baard Rugby Region Women’s Team, who claimed the championship crown in Kimberley. Their fearless play and tactical maturity underlined a powerful message: women’s rugby is thriving in Frances Baard.

Frances Baard also became the first region from the SARU Women’s Gold Cup circuit to advance a women’s team from Sol Plaatje University into the Griquas regional scene – a breakthrough that deepens the connection between higher education and regional rugby.

International and National Achievements

 Sol Plaatje University’s rugby programme added to that success by winning the Griquas Superleague, highlighting the growing influence of the academic sector on regional rugby. It represents an encouraging step forward for student-athletes aiming to compete at higher levels.

Together, these achievements paint a picture of growth across every layer of the game, from youth and university programs to regional and national platforms.

Honouring Excellence: Players Who Made Their Mark

The men’s division saw Sean Harding named Player of the Year, with Deon van Niekerk taking home the Best Forward award. Gerhard Holtshausen earned Best Backline Player, while Tiaan Swanepoel claimed the Most Points accolade. 

Player of the Year, Harding, also walked away with the Most Tries award, capping off a stellar season.

On the women’s side, Lindene Kruger shone as Female Player of the Year. Queenitah la Meyer was named Best Female Forward, and Maserati Bangaza received recognition as Best Female Backline Player. 

Each award reflected not only individual excellence but also leadership, teamwork, and the spirit of Frances Baard rugby.

Recognising Officials, Coaches, and Administrators

The evening also paid tribute to the dedicated officials and coaches who keep the rugby engine running. Hugo Smith was named Referee of the Year, while Victor Hughes, Koos Maritz, and Roderick Januarie were collectively recognised as Club Team Managers of the Year.

Coaching honours went to Steve Pringle as Male Coach of the Year and Claudia Francke as Female Coach of the Year, acknowledging their commitment to building strong, disciplined, and competitive teams.

Beyond trophies and titles, the awards evening was a celebration of community collaboration. The Department of Sport received heartfelt appreciation for their contribution toward medals and trophies, ensuring players were recognised for their efforts.

Local businesses and supporters also played a key role. Special thanks were extended to The Heights Restaurant and Bistro and Ntlo for their hospitality and contributions, which helped make the event a memorable success for players, families, and supporters alike.

A Call to Partners: Building Toward 2026

Looking ahead, Frances Baard Rugby Region’s leadership expressed optimism and ambition for 2026. Chairperson Romeo Syfers said, “Our success is a collective achievement of clubs, players, coaches, officials, and sponsors. As we look to 2026, we invite businesses to partner with the Frances Baard Rugby Region to go bigger and better, to empower more players, and to bring even more high-quality rugby to our communities.”

The Frances Baard Rugby Region continues to serve as a gateway to rugby excellence, fostering youth development, supporting women’s rugby, and providing pathways for players and officials to rise through the ranks. The 2025 awards night was a proud reflection of the region’s passion, discipline, and growing potential.

For more information or to explore partnership opportunities for 2026, contact Romeo Syfers, Chairman of the Frances Baard Region (076 236 5903), or Moira Januarie, Secretary (073 326 0245)