TRY Festival Showcases the Power of Township Rugby

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The Township Rugby Youth Festival returns to Jozi with a celebration of grassroots rugby talent and pathways to opportunity for young players.

Soweto, South Africa (23 January 2026) – Township rugby takes centre stage in Johannesburg at the end of January, as the TRY Festival returns with a bold mission. That’s mission is to use sport as a vehicle for access, opportunity, and community connection.

The festival is set to take place at the Bill Jardine Stadium in Industria, bringing together young rugby players from township clubs across Gauteng for a day that blends competition with culture. More than just a tournament, the event is designed as a celebration of grassroots rugby and the communities that continue to nurture it.

Organised by Township Rugby Youth (TRY), the festival showcases 12 township clubs, each fielding men’s and women’s teams, with players aged between 18 and 32. The format allows players to compete in knockout matches while putting their talent on display in front of a wider audience that includes scouts, administrators, and rugby stakeholders.

TRY was established in 2023 with hopes of breaking down barriers that have historically limited access to rugby pathways for players from township communities. While the organisation’s broader programme focuses on youth development through a structured season, the festival creates a high-visibility platform for senior players who are ready for the next step. TRY spokesperson Hanyani Baloyi couldn’t have said it any better.

“The TRY Festival is about more than rugby. It’s about access, visibility, and creating real pathways for young people from township communities into sport, education, and leadership. This event is transformation in action.”

Beyond the action on the field, the festival is also about bringing people together. The programme includes entertainment, family-friendly activities, and moments that turn the day into a shared community experience. Fans can expect a lively atmosphere, with highlights such as a public screening of the Gauteng Lions versus Blue Bulls match, alongside music and activations that keep the energy going long after the final whistle.

Hosting the event at Bill Jardine Stadium, a venue with deep roots in community sport, further reflects TRY’s commitment to uplifting township rugby from the ground up.