The South Western Districts Eagles are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup tournament. They represent the Southern Cape (Garden Route & Klein Karoo regions) and play out of Outeniqua Park in George.

SWD Eagles
Full nameSouth Western Districts Eagles
UnionSouth Western Districts Rugby Union
Emblem(s)Eagle
Founded1899
RegionEastern part of Western Cape, South Africa
Ground(s)Outeniqua Park (Capacity: 7,500)
Coach(es)Anton Moolman
Captain(s)Shaun Raubenheimer
League(s)Currie Cup First Division
2022Semi-finalist
3rd on log
Team kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.swdarende.co.za
Current season

History edit

The South Western Districts Rugby Football Union was established in 1899. Initially, home matches were held in Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn and George, but in 1996, the SWDRFU made Outeniqua Park in George its home base.

They have never won the Currie Cup, but they did win the Bankfin Cup in 2002 and the Currie Cup First Division in 2007 and 2018 Currie Cup First Division.[1] They also reached the semi-finals of the Currie Cup in their centenary season in 1999 under Heyneke Meyer.

Honors edit

  • Three Currie Cup First Division champions: 2002, 2007, 2018
  • Currie Cup First Division Runner-up: 2009, 2010, 2015
  • Vodacom Shield Runner-up 2004
  • Mzansi Challenge Runner-up 2023

Sevens edit

The SWDRFU also hosted the South Africa Sevens leg of the IRB Sevens World Series for several seasons at Outeniqua Park. In 2012, they also launched the 7s Premier League tournament in 2012 held at the same venue.

Current squad edit

The following players were included in the SWD Eagles squad for the 2022 Currie Cup First Division:[2]

SWD Eagles Currie Cup squad

Props

Hookers

  •   Keano Hendricks
  •   Stephen Leonard
  •   Gihard Visagie

Locks

  •   Ian Alexander
  •   Marnus Botha
  •   Phillipus Botha
  •   Armand Grobler
  •   Arie O'Neil
  •   Anton Smit

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

  •   Deon Carstens
  •   Winslin Klaasen
  •   Hlumelo Ndudula
  •   Dillin Snel

Fly-halves

Centres

  •   Kirsten Heyns
  •   Adri Jacobs
  •   Edwin Sass
  •   Regan van der Westhuizen

Wingers

Fullbacks

  •   Darryn Fortuin
(c) Denotes team captain.

References edit

  1. ^ "SWD clinch Currie Cup First Division title" (Press release). South Africa Rugby Union. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  2. ^ "SWD Eagles squad". SA Rugby. Retrieved 29 March 2022.

External links edit