The female rugby team on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus was crowned the winners of the Leopards Rugby Virtual League tournament on 25 October 2020.

The NWU team won the league with 3 104 votes and 24 points.

With the lockdown still being a reality, the Leopards Rugby Club decided to host a virtual tournament to keep the rugby spirit alive and to bring the rugby communities closer together again.

The men’s tournament started on 31 August and the female tournament on 9 September. All-in-all 24 teams from across the North West province took part.

Rules of the game

During the seven-week virtual tournament, teams were divided into four pools of six teams each, with selected teams playing against each other each week. Throughout the league supporters voted for their favourite team on the Leopards Rugby Facebook page by either liking or reacting with a heart . The team with the most likes/reaction and most points were announced as the Leopard tournament winner.

NWU player Mandisa Mtika says they ensured their win by constantly keeping record of votes and lobbying friends, fans and family to support them.

Each team member won a special rugby jersey sponsored by the Leopards rugby team, NWS Sportswear and VDM media.

More about the Leopards

The Leopards rugby team is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament, currently playing in the first division, where they represent the North West province.

The team was founded in 1920 and celebrates 100 years of rugby this year.

 Winners of the Leopards Rugby Virtual League tournament – the NWU female rugby team.