Titans Rugby Academy

🏉 A HISTORIC DAY FOR GIRLS RUGBY AT KNYSNA HIGH SCHOOL

Titans Development 35–19 Knysna High Tuskies

Friday, 28 August 2026, will go down as a special day in the history of girls rugby in Knysna.

The Titans Rugby Academy High School Girls Rugby Program was proud to introduce Knysna High School to girls rugby and host the Tuskies for their first-ever rugby match representing the school.

While previous attempts to establish a school girls rugby team at Knysna High faced a number of challenges, the success of this latest effort is largely thanks to Ms. Van Aswegen, who stepped forward and got the ball rolling again.

🌱 THE PERSON WHO GOT IT MOVING

Ms. Van Aswegen currently serves as the Manager and Trainee Coach of the Knysna High Tuskies girls rugby team.

She has embraced the challenge of helping establish the programme and is already looking towards the future. She is in the process of preparing to undertake her World Rugby Level 1 and Level 2 coaching training, with the goal of eventually taking full responsibility for coaching the Tuskies girls team.

Her commitment has been instrumental.

Without Ms. Van Aswegen stepping forward, this team may not have happened as quickly as it did.

Titans Rugby Academy would like to acknowledge and thank her for believing in the girls, taking responsibility and helping turn an idea into something tangible.

Sometimes development starts with one person simply saying:

“Let’s make this happen.” 💙💗

🌱 A RELATIONSHIP THAT GOES BACK YEARS

The relationship between Titans Rugby Academy and Knysna High School has deep roots.

Titans co-founder and Director of Rugby Coach Ash’s sister, Allison Plaatjies, was among the first girls from Knysna High to play rugby and went on to represent SWD, followed by Magdalene Martin between 2007 and 2009.

More recently, Buhle Gogwana and Caitlyn Jacobs continued that connection.

Caitlyn’s aunt, Nataley Jacobs, is also a Titans co-founder and was actually the person who suggested to her classmates back in 2005 that they try rugby as a new adventure.

Although only a few players initially took up the opportunity and an attempt was previously made to establish a girls team at the school, Friday marked the first time a Knysna High girls team took to the field in an official school representation capacity.

What a historic moment! 💙💗🏉

“It was indeed a special day as this marked the day we managed to establish another school girls team and now have played a role in starting girls rugby at all the High Schools in Knysna.”
— Coach Ash

🔥 THE SCORE DOESN’T TELL THE FULL STORY

FULL TIME: Titans Development 35–19 Knysna High Tuskies

The more experienced Titans Development team certainly did not have it all their own way. While the final score went in favour of the more established Titans Development team, the real victory belonged to girls rugby and the players who had the courage to take the field for the first time.

The final 16-point margin doesn’t reflect just how competitive the match was.

With approximately 5–8 minutes remaining, Knysna High were still only 20–19 behind, showing just how much fight, determination and potential this young Tuskies team possesses.

For a team playing its first-ever match, this was an outstanding effort.

👏 COACH MARLENE PROUD OF THE GIRLS

Knysna High coach Marlene Adams was full of praise for her players after the historic occasion:

“I’m extremely proud of the girls’ effort in their first game and all of them exceeded the expectation.”

She further expressed her excitement about the future of this group and what can be achieved as the players continue to develop.

The occasion also created a special reunion, with several Knysna High players having graduated from the Titans Primary School Girls Rugby Program, where they represented schools including Fraaisig Primary School and Sunridge Primary School and previously worked with Coach Marlene Adams - #04

From primary school rugby to representing their high school — the pathway is beginning to come together. 🌱🏉

🌸 THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

The Titans Rugby Academy High School Girls Rugby Program has now played a role in creating opportunities for girls rugby at all the High Schools in Knysna.

First came the introduction of the game.

Then came the dream of forming teams.

Now the schools are taking the field.

And this is only the beginning.

Knysna High’s next challenge will be against Plett Secondary School in Plettenberg Bay, with the date expected to be confirmed within the next week or two.

Two newly established girls teams.
Two schools taking their first steps.
One growing girls rugby community.

This is what grassroots development looks like. 🌱🏉

TITANS RUGBY ACADEMY
Inspire To Rise & Shine
From Grassroots To Glory 💙💗

SWD CLUB TENS FESTIVAL 3 CANCELLED AS TITANS RUGBY ACADEMY WAIT ON CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP DECISION

Knysna | 29 August 2026

The SWD Rugby Union has cancelled Festival 3 of the SWD Women’s Club Competition, which was originally scheduled to conclude on 30 May 2026.

The decision follows the unavailability of two clubs, reportedly after approximately three months without competitive rugby. Titans Rugby Academy had indicated its willingness to fulfil the fixture should it be enforced, while simultaneously raising concerns regarding player safety following the extended layoff and lack of competitive preparation.

Titans Rugby Academy only enquired about the status of the festival late on Friday afternoon after receiving no communication from the Union regarding the weekend’s fixtures. Shortly after 19h00 on Friday evening, clubs were informed that Festival 3 had been cancelled.

The Union further advised clubs that it would communicate by Monday which club will represent SWD at the 2026 Betway Club Championship.

According to the SWD Women’s Club Competition rules, following the final festival, the team with the most log points is declared the SWD Women’s Club Champion. At the time the cancellation was communicated, Titans Rugby Academy occupied top position on the log with 25 points, with a superior points difference over second-placed Tigers Queens, followed by Hessequa and Harlequins.

The SWD Club Champions traditionally go on to represent the Union at the national Club Championship.

TITANS AWAIT DECISION

Titans Rugby Academy enters the uncertainty as the defending SWD and Betway National Club Champions.

The club made history last year by becoming the first club within the SWD borders to win a national club championship title in both the men’s and women’s competitions, and the senior women’s team had been preparing to defend its national title and once again represent SWD on the national stage.

“Our girls worked around the clock to make themselves available to play this weekend after receiving only four days’ notice of the possibility of the festival going ahead,” said Coach Ash, Director of Rugby at Titans Rugby Academy.

“Although we were not physically where we wanted to be following a three-month layoff from competitive rugby, we were prepared to play if the fixture was enforced. At the same time, we had genuine concerns about player safety because of the extended period without competitive rugby.”

“The girls were extremely disappointed when the news came through that the festival had been cancelled and that the competition had effectively been concluded. We will now wait for the decision from the Union’s Executive on Monday.”

“As defending national champions, our girls have worked incredibly hard throughout the season with the goal of defending that title and representing SWD again at the national event. We hope that the process will be handled fairly and in accordance with the competition rules.”

A BUSY WEEK FOR TITANS RUGBY ACADEMY

While the Titans senior women will no longer take the field in the SWD Women’s Club Competition this weekend, the Academy continues to enjoy a significant period of growth across its development structures.

The Academy is concluding an exceptionally busy week with its junior programme hosting Hawston Secondary School’s girls at Loerie Park, in what will be the fourth match of the week for the Titans Rugby Academy’s junior teams.

The week has also seen two new high schools added to the Titans High School Girls Rugby Programme, further expanding the Academy’s grassroots-to-senior development pathway.

For Titans Rugby Academy, the immediate focus therefore shifts from the uncertainty surrounding the senior competition to continuing the work of developing girls’ rugby, creating opportunities for young players and building a sustainable pathway from grassroots to competitive rugby.

“Inspire To Rise & Shine — From Grassroots To Glory Holistically.”

Titans Rugby Academy ready & Geared for Final Festival tomorrow in Oudtshoorn

Go Big Girls

👑🏉 KILT GIRLS CROWNED THE NEW QUEENS OF KNYSNA RUGBY

The SWD YTC Academies Tens Festival at Loerie Park on Thursday delivered an exciting afternoon of girls’ rugby, with Titans Rugby Academy, KILT Girls and Barbarians Development showcasing the growing depth of women’s rugby in Knysna.

Titans U16 got the day off to a flying start with a dominant 44–05 victory over Barbarians Development. Roshley Baadjies was the star of the show, scoring four tries and converting two.

The highly anticipated clashes between Titans and KILT then produced a major upset.

KILT U18 set the tone from the opening whistle with a disciplined, high-line defensive system. Although Titans looked dangerous with ball in hand and dominated much of the physical battle, KILT’s defensive pressure forced errors and disrupted the Titans attack. KILT capitalised clinically to secure a 19–00 victory.

The U16 encounter followed a similar pattern, with KILT racing into a 17–00 halftime lead after scoring three quick tries. Titans produced a much stronger second-half performance, controlling possession and applying pressure, but could not convert their opportunities into points. KILT added another try to seal a 22–00 victory.

With victories in both age groups, KILT completed the clean sweep over Titans and earned the bragging rights as the new Queens of Girls Rugby in Knysna. 👑🔥

🎙️ Titans Director of Rugby Coach Ash:
“Today was a wonderful day of women’s rugby which displayed the depth of women’s rugby in Knysna. KILT was absolutely amazing and an extremely well-coached team. It is back to the drawing board for us as we regroup for the next festival.”

For Titans, the focus now shifts to development. Titans Development face Knysna High on Friday, before taking on Hawston Secondary School on Saturday as the Hawston girls tour the Southern Cape.

The crown may have changed hands, but the real winner is girls’ rugby in Knysna. 🏉❤️💙

TITANS DEVELOPMENT 40–25 PLETT SECONDARY 🏉💙💗

A HISTORIC DAY FOR GIRLS RUGBY IN KNYSNA! 🌸🏉

Today was about much more than a rugby score.

The Titans Rugby Academy High School Girls Rugby Program was proud to introduce Plettenberg Bay Secondary School to girls rugby and host the Plett girls for their first-ever rugby match against the Titans Rugby Academy Development team.

For the past year, the girls from Plett Secondary had wanted an opportunity to play rugby. They came close to giving up after struggling to find a way to get started.

Then, approximately three weeks ago, Ms. Marias reached out to Coach Ash and Titans Rugby Academy — and today, that dream became reality.

“One of the proudest moments for me is being able to be part of a process that played a small role in making a simple dream come alive — a girl child who wanted to try rugby, and today, they did.”
— Coach Ash

🏉 FULL TIME: TITANS DEVELOPMENT 40–25 PLETT SECONDARY

The more established Titans Development team certainly did not have it all their own way.

The 40–25 scoreline does not tell the full story. With just 10 minutes remaining, Plett Secondary were still within striking distance at 30–25.

What followed was a tremendous display of determination, courage and competitive spirit from both teams.

👏 Respect to Plett Secondary for stepping onto the field and embracing the challenge.

Unfortunately, the matriculant players were unable to take part today, but their opportunity will come — and we look forward to seeing them get their chance to experience girls rugby.

🌱 FROM DREAM TO REALITY

This is what development rugby should be about.

Not just winning.

Not just producing results.

But creating opportunities where there were none, introducing girls to the game, building confidence, developing players and opening doors to possibilities they may never have imagined.

And the journey continues…

🔥 THIS FRIDAY, Titans Rugby Academy will once again take the field with our Development team — this time helping Knysna High Tuskies experience their first girls rugby match.

Two schools. Two new beginnings. One bigger purpose.

GIRLS RUGBY IS GROWING IN KNYSNA. 🌸🏉

Whatever challenges, resistance or setbacks may exist around the development of girls rugby in the region, the Titans Rugby Academy remains committed to putting girls first, rugby first and development first.

We will continue creating opportunities.

We will continue opening doors.

We will continue building the pathway.

INSPIRE TO RISE & SHINE
FROM GRASSROOTS TO GLORY. 💙💗⚡

Titans Rugby Academy Development Friendly Match

Come & Celebrate Plett Secondary School's Girls Rugby team's first rugby fixture against Titans Development team.

While Hornlee took the honours, the fixture also provided valuable match experience for both teams and contributed to the continued development of grassroots girls' rugby.

Read the full article in the comments below.

🏋️ BENCH PRESS | KEY FACTORS

Breaking down the fundamentals of a stronger, safer, and more effective bench press with Maxwell Kiewitz from Max F**T at Titans Sports Gym.

Focus on technique, positioning, control, stability and breathing — master the basics, maximise your potential! 💪🔥

Discipline • Respect • Passion • Unity • Excellence

**T Titans Rugby Academy