Four Up and Under Ladies Rugby Academy alumni represented Western Province and Boland at the 2026 SA Rugby U20 Women’s Week, highlighting the impact of long-term player development and the different pathways to success.

Girls’ rugby at school level is often said to be limited — but in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, that perception is being challenged. The 2026 Northern Region Girls Rugby League marks the second consecutive year of structured competition for schoolgirls in the region. This season introduces a significant step forward, expanding from a single division into two dedicated age groups: U16 and U19 . The league, facilitated by Up and Under in its role as custodians of the Weste

The Northern Region programme continues to move forward with purpose. What began as a structured development vision is now unfolding in real time — visible in the growth of the players, the depth of competition, and the quality of preparation behind this year’s squad selections. Since our previous update on the Northern Region Development Plan, the players have expanded their exposure and training environments. A session at City Park introduced a new performance setting, whil