Geneva Scholtz Women’s Rugby Tournament Fosters Women’s Rugby in the Eastern Cape
The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture hosted the Geneva Scholtz Women’s Rugby Tournament in honour of the late rugby player, Geneva Scholtz. The event was held from the 6th – 8th October 2023 in Middelburg.
The department, in partnership with the Eastern Province (EP) and Border Rugby Unions has taken a note that nationally and provincially rugby is a priority sporting code, for its potential to address gender issues and equalize the playing fields for all genders. Women’s rugby has also become one of the most successful stories in the Eastern Cape. All the eight districts were represented in the tournament, and this year, netball was also added as part of developing the tournament to accommodate various sporting codes.
The tournament is an annual sport event held in memory of Geneva Scholtz who passed away in 2013 while representing her club, Middleburg Stormers in the Eastern Province Rugby League match in Humansdorp. Geneva also represented the Junior u20 Springbok team and played for Eastern Province women’s team. The tournament is part of the department’s continuous efforts to promote social cohesion and nation building through sport.