The South African Touch Association (SATA), widely known as the SA Touch Boks, is gearing up to build on a triumphant 2024 campaign as preparations intensify for the highly anticipated 2025 Atlantic Youth Cup in Ireland. Scheduled to take place at the University of Limerick from July 31 to August 3, the prestigious event will showcase the finest young touch rugby talent from across Europe, the Americas, and Africa.
The Atlantic Youth Cup, a premier international competition for underage national teams spanning the Under-15 to Under-20 divisions, is set to welcome approximately 30 teams from up to a dozen nations. The University of Limerick, which successfully hosted the 2023 Tag Rugby World Cup, is expected to provide the ideal backdrop for this gathering of emerging talent.
Touch rugby, a fast-paced, six-a-side non-contact version of the traditional game, emphasizes agility, strategic awareness, and technical skill. While it enjoys widespread popularity in Australia and New Zealand, the sport has experienced significant growth in South Africa, where it is increasingly viewed as an essential developmental tool for young rugby players. One of the unique and engaging elements of touch rugby is the mixed-gender team format, fostering collaboration, tactical adaptability, and enhanced teamwork.
The inaugural Atlantic Youth Cup, held in 2023 at the University of Nottingham in England, saw South Africa send five teams across various categories. Notably, the SA Touch Boks’ Women’s U20 and Men’s U20 teams both claimed silver medals, narrowly missing out to England in their respective finals. The Women’s U18 team added to the nation’s accolades by securing bronze in a convincing 6-2 victory over Wales in the third-place playoff.
With eyes firmly set on the 2025 competition, SATA has already unveiled the roster of players participating in the national youth program. These athletes were selected following the successful 2024 Youth Touch Rugby Nationals held in Cape Town this past November, where the best youth players from across the country competed for divisional honours.
South Africa’s impressive touch rugby trajectory was further underscored at the 2024 Touch Rugby World Cup, which took place in July 2024 in Nottingham, England. The nation fielded eight teams across multiple categories, including Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Mixed Open, and various Masters divisions. The campaign culminated in three bronze medals, with standout performances from the Women’s Over-27 team (beating the USA 6-4), Men’s Over-35 team (edging hosts England 6-5), and Women’s Over-35 team (defeating Wales 6-1).
The 2024 World Cup was a testament to the surging popularity of touch rugby globally, drawing 186 teams from 35 countries. Looking ahead, New Zealand is slated to host the 2028 World Cup, with projections indicating that the tournament will be the largest and most competitive to date. For many of South Africa’s rising stars, the Atlantic Youth Cup will serve as a vital stepping stone toward potential World Cup selection in 2028.
As SATA continues to foster talent and expand the reach of touch rugby within South Africa, the 2025 Atlantic Youth Cup represents another critical milestone in the sport’s evolution. With a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, the SA Touch Boks are poised to leave their mark on the international stage once more.
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