Touch rugby tourney begins

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT SPORT NEWS - Thirty-nine touch rugby teams, each counting eight players, converged on Strand Beach on Sunday, 5 December.

Camaraderie, good sportsmanship and great vibes were the order of the day.

This bodes well for the remainder of the 2021 Hot Summer of Touch (HSOT) touch rugby tournament, now making its way to the Southern Cape.

All roads lead to Mossel Bay, with HSOT events in Camps Bay (12 December), Kleinmond (16 December) and Struisbaai (19 December) preceding the tournament's much-anticipated final leg in Mossel Bay.

Mossel Bay Tourism's The Great Escape to Mossel Bay campaign is looking forward to hosting the two culminating events of this popular annual feast of touch rugby at Dias Beach on 27 December and Hartenbos Beach on 29 December.

HSOT founder Grahame Bobrow said his organising team's greatest fear in the days leading to Sunday's kick-off was that inclement weather would prohibit players from performing at full throttle. "It was generally predicted that it would rain for most of the day, but the first Hot Summer of Touch 2021 event played out in brilliant weather."

Strand tournament
Bobrow said the standard of touch rugby defied the amount of time spent away from the game due to Covid-19 and that he "witnessed some of the best touch action ever" on Sunday.

"Sampies beat the Rising Stoners in the Plate Final, and Mac Titans beat the Vikings in a very tight Cup Final. Rising Stars were scheduled to play Liberty Webb Samurais, and the Score Forward Legends were due to play Composure in the Premier Semis.

"All these teams will receive a prize for their achievements at Camps Bay on Sunday, for which entries are now open, so register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment," said Bobrow.

Entries are streaming in to fill up the full contingent of teams to vie for the remaining HSOT crowns. And for spectators, the lure is not only in supporting their kin, but they might even spot some rugby celebs on the beach.

Players and support crew can also look forward to contests, product displays and prizes up for grabs.

General beachgoers will be able to enjoy the spectacle from a distance, with all Covid protocols in place.

Make sure your HSOT team does not miss out; visit www.touchrugby.co.za to enter online. Pre-registration is essential owing to Covid-19 rules.

If the full team contingent has not been filled, late entries may be permitted on the morning of each event (from 07:15 to 08:45). Call or WhatsApp the HSOT Hotline (062 770 6818) for more information.

Beach goers will welcome some of South Africa's best touch rugby players to Dias Beach on 27 December and Hartenbos Beach on 29 December.