Age, like the score, is just a number. This was reflected by spirited rugby action, with players aged 35 to 75 taking to the field in the Lowveld from Thursday to Saturday, September 25 to 27.

Twenty-seven teams affiliated to the South African Golden Oldies Rugby Association (Sangora) descended on Hoërskool Bergvlam for their annual national rugby festival, hosted by the Laeveld Leeulopers.

Teams travelled long distances to build new friendships and strengthen old ones.

There were 11 teams from Gauteng, six from the Western Cape, four each from Mpumalanga and the Free State, and one from the Eastern Cape. Frampton Cotterell club came all the way from Bristol, England, to play.

The opening ceremony took place on Thursday night, with games being played on Friday and Saturday. The final scores were not important.

“The weekend was enjoyed by all who played, spectated or simply popped in. It was a great success in the name of fun, friendship and fraternity,” said Peter Kluge, the national president of Sangora.

The fraternity gathered in the hospitality tent on Saturday afternoon, after all games were concluded, to support the Springboks against Argentina on the big screen, prior to the closing ceremony.

The best spirit award went to Durbell Old Boys from the Western Cape, the seventh consecutive year they have won this award.

The best dressed team was Goodwood Old Boys from the Western Cape.

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Norman Turner, a referee, was honoured for his 80th birthday, as was player Harry Prinsloo, for his 70th birthday.

The golden oldies rugby scene hit South Africa in 1983. The first Golden Oldies Festival was hosted by Villagers Rugby Club in Cape Town that same year. Shortly thereafter, Sangora was established.

Players come together annually for the national festival, which is hosted by a different club every year.

World Rugby laws apply to golden oldies, but are modified within each grade with the exception of the president’s grade. The laws embody and reflect the spirit of golden oldies rugby. The aim of the laws and the variations is to provide the best environment in which player enjoyment is maximised and the possibility of injury is minimised.

The first commandment of golden oldies rugby is: “I will play the game of golden oldies rugby for the sake of the game.”

Some rule variations include:
• Presidents grade matches consist of two 30-minute halves; other matches consist of three 20-minute periods.
• Players in red shorts or bibs are not to be tackled to the ground or pushed off their feet; they must be ‘claimed and held’.
• Players in gold shorts or bibs are not to be tackled or touched; they may run with the ball for up to 15m before passing it.
• Unlimited substitutions permitted at any time and a player substituted earlier may return to the game at any time.
• No vigorous counter rucking or reckless driving into tackles, rucks and mauls.

The 2026 Sangora National Festival will be hosted by Paarl Boys High Old Boys in Paarl.