Hollywood Foundation Iqhawe Week Returns for its 11th Edition in Oudtshoorn
5 – 9 October 2025 | Langenhoven Gymnasium High School
OUDTSHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA – The Hollywood Foundation Iqhawe Week, South Africa’s premier grassroots rugby development tournament at U15 level, will celebrate its 11th edition from 5 – 9 October 2025 in Oudtshoorn. Hosted by the SWD Rugby Union, this year’s tournament promises to build on its legacy of creating opportunities for young rugby talent from across the country.
Since its inception in 2013, the Hollywood Foundation Iqhawe Week has grown in stature and prestige, becoming a key stepping stone for aspiring rugby players from small, rural, non-traditional, and non-private schools. The 2025 edition will mark a historic milestone as teams will, for the very first time, compete for the Gavin Varejes Rugby Trophy – a symbol of the tournament’s values and the shared vision of SA Rugby Legends and the Hollywood Foundation: to use sport as a vehicle for upliftment, empowerment, and nation-building.
The SWD Rugby Union will field two teams in this year’s competition, both comprised of players from the thriving Vuka Rugby Programme in the region. Their participation highlights the depth of local rugby talent and the Union’s commitment to fostering development pathways for young athletes.
The action will unfold at Langenhoven Gymnasium High School, a venue steeped in rugby tradition and perfectly suited to host a tournament of this magnitude. Beyond the excitement of competition, the week also serves as a vital scouting ground: the most promising players from Iqhawe Week 2025 will be identified for selection to the prestigious 2026 Grant Khomo Week.
The tournament has already proven its impact, producing professional rugby players such as Mawande Mdada (Sharks) and Michail Damon (Golden Lions), both of whom first showcased their skills at Iqhawe Week. Their journeys stand as testimony that the platform continues to transform lives and unlock opportunities for future rugby stars.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, representatives from the Hollywood Foundation and SA Rugby Legends emphasized the importance of grassroots rugby, “At the Hollywood Foundation, Iqhawe Week is more than a tournament, it’s a pathway to sustainability, where raw rugby talent is nurtured, and young boys are given the chance to build lasting opportunities beyond the field.”, said Devin Heffer, Brand and Communications Manager, Hollywood Foundation
“Iqhawe Week has always been about more than rugby. It’s about giving boys from underrepresented communities the chance to dream, achieve, and build a brighter future. The introduction of the Gavin Varejes Rugby Trophy is a fitting tribute to the values we stand for and the legacy we continue to build – Marius Schoeman – CEO SA Rugby Legends
The 11th edition of the Hollywood Foundation Iqhawe Week is set to deliver three days of world-class grassroots rugby, unearthing the next generation of South African rugby heroes while bringing communities together through the spirit of the game.
