Rugby fans must brace themselves for two days of 7s rugby featuring South Africa’s best, on 24 and 25 October.

The fourth Forward Faster Invitational Sevens takes place on 24 and 25 October at the Paul Roos Markötter Fields in Stellenbosch. Some of the region’s top sevens teams will take part, including the South African Sevens side, which has competed in the tournament since its inception in 2023.

A unique pillar of this two-day event is that community and local rugby club teams get to test their mettle against the country’s best sevens players. The tournament has also featured other professional and semi-professional teams in the past. Teams like SWD Eagles, South Africa Women’s Sevens, SAS Rugby, UXi Rugby, Rhinos Academy, and so much more.

ALSO READ: SA’s U17 sevens stars named for Dakar youth olympics glory hunt

Community teams that have made their mark at this tournament include Gel Squad, Macassar RFC, Wits Barbarians, Jaguars, Chicago Blues, and Excelsiors, among others. “Four editions in, this tournament has become a fixture for rugby fans and a real platform for young players,” said Le Roux Conradie, Managing Director and Founder of Forward Foundation. “We’re grateful to our partners, whose support lets us keep growing it. Our aim has always been to move South Africa forward, faster, by giving athletes a stage to show what they can do.”

Players who have featured in this tournament in the past include the latest DHL Stormers signing, Lleyton Davids; Blitzbok and Sanlam Boland Kavalier speedster Renaldo Young; and Forward Foundation captain and recently South Africa “A” squad member, Roland van der Heever.

ALSO READ: Pre-pandemic prices return for Cape Town sevens

Forward Foundation is a non-profit organisation (NPO) known for creating opportunities and a development mindset through its programmes. The rugby programme covers 7s, 10s and touch rugby, and it opens doors for players from under-resourced neighbourhoods and socio-economically challenging communities. “This is our fourth year hosting,” Zhaun Booysen, Head of Rugby at Forward Foundation, “and it still means a lot to us. Our players have grown with every edition, and sharing a field with the country’s best shows them how far they can go. They are well prepared and can’t wait to play.

According to Patrick van Wyk, Forward Foundation Sevens coach, the players come from tough environments, and watching them rise above those challenges is what makes the coaches proud. “Four years in, this tournament gives them a stage they would not otherwise get,” he added.

Gates open at 08:00 each day, entry is R20 per person, and parking is free.Expect great talent on display, coffee and food stalls, and a great festival atmosphere.