The Kimberley Rugby Club is the league champions for 2025, with Hartswater Rugby Club in the second and Rooikatte Rugby Club in the third place.
This was announced on 17 October when the Frances Baard Rugby Region celebrated a landmark year across men’s, women’s, and youth rugby.
The 2025 awards evening highlighted a rising tide of talent, teamwork, and community support that sets the stage for even bigger ambitions in 2026.
As a testament to the region’s robust development pathway, the U21 squad secured consecutive championships, signaling a bright future for the region’s next generation of stars. This year, they also secured back-to-back victories in the Griquas Regional Tournament, reinforcing Frances Baard’s dominance at the youth level.
The female team of the Frances Baard Rugby Region delivered fearless play, tactical maturity, and depth that bodes well for future campaigns. Notably, Frances Baard became the first region from the SARU Women’s Gold Cup circuit to advance a women’s team from Sol Plaatje University to the Griquas regional scene, marking a historic milestone in the alliance between higher education and regional rugby.
Also, the Sol Plaatje University’s rugby programme achieved a landmark triumph by winning the Griquas Superleague, underscoring the academic sector’s growing impact on the rugby pipeline.
Individual excellence recognised
Male awards
Player of the Year: Sean Harding;
Best forward: Deon van Niekerk;
Best backline: Gerhard Holtshausen;
Most points: Tiaan Swanepoel; and
Most tries: Sean Harding.
Female awards
Female Player of the Year: Lindene Kruger;
Best female forward: Queenitah la Meyer; and
Best female backline: Maserati Bangaza.
Referees, management and coaches
Hugo Smith was announced as the Frances Baard Regional referee of the Year; with Victor Hughes, Koos Maritz and Roderick Januarie the Frances Baard Club team manager of the Year:
Coaches of the Year are Steve Pringle and Claudia Francke.
Gateway to rugby excellence
The awards night highlighted a shared commitment to growing rugby in the Frances Baard region, with strong emphasis on partnerships and community support.
The Department of Sport’s contribution was gratefully acknowledged for their support with medals and trophies, ensuring the athletes receive the recognition they deserve.
Frances Baard chairperson and executives say the 2025 awards night was a clear signal of what’s possible when clubs, players, officials, sponsors, and communities unite.
ALSO READ: Kimberley Rugby Club clinces Frances Baard Region Cup
Chairperson Romeo Syfers emphasised, “Our success is a collective achievement – clubs, players, coaches, officials, and sponsors. As we look to 2026, we invite businesses to partner with the Frances Baard Rugby Region to go bigger and better, to empower more players, and to bring even more high-quality rugby to our communities.”
Syfers said the Frances Baard Rugby Region serves as a gateway to rugby excellence, fostering youth development, supporting women’s rugby, and providing pathways for players and officials to rise through the ranks.
ALSO READ: Frances Baard Rugby Region dominates Griquas Regional Championships
