The fourth Forward Faster Invitational Sevens wrapped up on Sunday 25 October at Markötter Fields in Stellenbosch, with Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS), Zelby’s Perels, and False Bay Primary School lifting the Cup.

The South African Sevens Men’s side played two exhibition matches against Germany on the opening day, showcasing some of the best players in the Sevens format. In the Seniors’ competition, SAS beat Voetspore in the Cup division final while Gel Squad finished third ahead of West Coast Blues.

SportPesa Forward Legends A won an all-Forward Foundation Plate final against SportPesa Forward Legends B. UXi WP took the Bowl against Drakenstein Invitational, and Assassins won the Shield against JSA Academy.

In the under-17s competition, Zelby’s Perels beat Be The Difference (BTD) to win the Cup section, with West Coast Blues claiming third place ahead of Cloetesville High School. Connect Academy beat Forward Foundation to win the Plate competition, while Bellville took the Bowl from Kasselsvlei Secondary, and Amazonians edged Bonnytown to claim the Shield title.

Under-13 Cup competition

False Bay beat SSDP in the under-13 Cup final, with Stellenbosch Reds finishing third ahead of Paulus Joubert Primary School.

Danie Ackerman Primary School won the Plate against Clover Forward Foundation A, Paul Roos Academy took the Bowl against Klapmuts A, and False Bay B won the Shield against Klapmuts B.

Forward Foundation’s under-13s and under-17 sides reached the Plate final in all three divisions. Zhaun Booysen, head of rugby at Forward Foundation, said: “Our players gave everything over the two days. Seeing our under-13 and under-17 teams in a Plate final in every division shows how far they have come since the first edition. While our Senior team, SportPesa Forward Legends, fell short of the final 4 in this year’s tournament, we remain immensely proud of each one of them. They understand and respect the value of both winning and losing.”

According to Patrick van Wyk, Forward Foundation sevens coach, the players backed themselves against some of the best sevens teams in the country. “That kind of experience is what helps them grow, on and off the field,” he said.

SA sevens men’s squad

Le Roux Conradie, managing director and founder of Forward Foundation, said: “Thank you to every team, supporter, community member, and partner who came out to Stellenbosch. Congratulations to SAS, Zelby’s Perels, and False Bay. Four editions in, the tournament keeps growing, and we are already looking forward to next year.

“”A special thank you to SA Rugby and the SA sevens men’s squad for being part of the Forward Faster tournament. Seeing some of our country’s best sevens players in action certainly motivated and inspired the next generation of superstars. It is important for youngsters to see these guys up close and not only on television or at the Cape Town leg of the HSBC Sevens circuit.”