Betway leads sponsorship drive for South African women’s club rugby
The betting giant joins forces with SA Rugby to launch the inaugural Women’s Club Championship, boosting grassroots development.
South Africa.- Betway is making a game-changing statement in South African women’s rugby, stepping in as the naming rights sponsor for SA Rugby’s inaugural Women’s Club Championship. The move signals the brand’s commitment to supporting grassroots development while creating pathways for emerging talent across the country.
The Betway Women’s Club Championship (BWCC), set for October 5 to 10 in Johannesburg, will feature 16 club teams drawn from all 15 provincial unions, plus one wild card. Over three match days at Alberton Rugby Club, these teams will compete for the crown, while the U20 Women’s Tournament expands under Betway’s sponsorship at Queens High School.
Jason Shield, Betway Africa Head of Sponsorship, said according to gsport: “As a partner and sponsor, we are constantly seeking ways to add value to all of the teams in the SA Rugby portfolio. Working closely with SA Rugby, we have identified a gap in the women’s game at club rugby level and have addressed that by forming the Betway Women’s Club Championship.”
Shield said that supporting women’s sport is a long-term focus for Betway. He added: “Through the BWCC, we have created a platform where so many more amateur players will be exposed to a higher level of rugby. This will form a base for SA Rugby to identify talent for the future. Investing in women’s sport is vitally important, and as a brand, we will continue to identify opportunities in the women’s sports going forward.”
Betway drives the next generation
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer hailed the initiative as a breakthrough. “The Betway Women’s Club Championship marks an important milestone in the development of women’s rugby, providing a vital platform for players to showcase their talent at the level below provincial rugby,” he said.
The 16 competing teams include Durban University of Technology (Sharks), Sol Plaatje University Rugby Club (Griquas), University of Limpopo (Limpopo Blue Bulls) and club stalwarts such as Walker Bay (Boland), Pirates (Lions) and Harlequins (Bulls). Split into two divisions of eight, teams will face off based on their provincial league standings, ensuring competitive balance while providing exposure for emerging talent.
Oberholzer added: “We’re not just building competitions -we’re creating pathways for women to play, dream, and rise, and we are very grateful to Betway for coming on board as title sponsor and showing strong support for the women’s game in South Africa.”
By elevating the women’s game through sponsorship, structure and visibility, Betway is not just backing rugby-it’s shaping the future of South African women’s sport.
