South African Wheelchair Rugby prepares for the European Division B Championship in Spain as they call on the public to help power their international campaign.
Pretoria, South Africa (20 February 2026) – “They said rugby wasn’t for bodies like these.”
But for Bennie Erasmus, chairman of South African Wheelchair Rugby, that belief was never going to define the sport or the athletes who play it. His journey with wheelchair rugby began in 2011, just a couple of years after leaving rehabilitation in 2009.
“I started as a player. I was still quite weak at the time a quadriplegic trying to rebuild strength and fitness. I was just a green player, learning the game and trying to get stronger.”
He joined Tuks Wheelchair Rugby and, like many others in the sport, began by simply showing up. Training. Learning. Competing. What he found was far bigger than a game.
More Than a Sport
Wheelchair rugby is often described as brutal. There’s speed, power and contact packed into four intense quarters.
Across South Africa, roughly 140 to 150 players are involved in wheelchair rugby. For many, it starts organically. From meeting someone with a similar injury and seeing what is possible.
“You get to training and see the guy next to you. He’s got the same injury as you but he’s driving his own car, getting in and out by himself, loading his wheelchair, living his life fully. That changes something in you.”
It becomes more than competition. It becomes community.
The Road to Spain
Now, that community has its sights set on the WWR European Division B Championship in Zaragoza, Spain. The team needs to be there by 24 May and the countdown is on.
But representing the country on an international stage comes at a cost.
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Costs that covers the essentials: flights, tournament entry fees, accommodation, food, transport in Spain, training camps and basic wheelchair maintenance. No luxury. Just what is necessary to compete.
“People don’t always realise how quickly the costs add up. You pay an entry fee just to confirm participation. Then there’s a second fee that covers accommodation, food and local transport. It’s a significant amount.”
The team’s main sponsor, Arrie Nel Pharmacy Group, has stepped in to cover a large portion of the expenses.
“If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t even be attempting this.”
But the funding gap remains and that’s where the call to action comes in.
Leadership Behind the Scenes
As chairman, Bennie now operates largely behind the scenes. Securing sponsors, organising training camps, handling logistics, and ensuring the system works. He is quick to credit the support structure around him the assistant coach, head coach, team manager and administrative team.
Push Forward With Them
As the team prepares for the European challenge, they are asking South Africans to stand behind them. At the time of writing, the team had not yet launched a crowdfunding page, but plans are in place to make one available soon.
If you would like to sponsor, donate or support South African Wheelchair Rugby, see the information below and become part of their European journey.
Email: admin@sawcr.co.za
Facebook: sawheelchairrugby
For the latest updates: https://sawcr.co.za/
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