SK Walmer, Hamilton to represent city at Saldanha Easter Top 8 tournament
SK Walmer stalwart, Ebrahim Davids with his twin brother in support, during his side's Super League A clash against neighbours, Hamilton, at Green Point Track, last season. Both sides will take part in the Saldanha Easter Top 8 tournament.
Image: Ebrahim "Billy"Christian
Mark Ward
The 2026 Saldanha Easter Top 8 tournament is set to usher in a bold new chapter for community club rugby in South Africa, with organisers reaffirming their commitment to grassroots development and competitive excellence.
The announcement that Bo-Kaap side Schotsche Kloof Walmers will be among the teams competing in the seventh edition, alongside three-time Gold Cup champions, Naka Bulls and their Western Province counterpart and defending Saldanha Easter Top 8 tournament champions Hamilton, has ignited great excitement in the Mother City.
SK Walmer chairman, Ghamiem Khan, has expressed his delight with the invitation having been extended to the club. “This is extremely exciting news for the club. I can confirm we have delightfully accepted the invitation. Although we have lost a few players, two have been signed by Heyneke Meyer’s SWD-Eagles. However, we have also retained the coach while several players have also shown loyalties towards the club and will be staying on,” said Kahn.
SK Walmer's Me-kaeel Hartley, pictured here with the ball in hand during his side's SLA clash against Hamilton, will resume his role as assistant coach this season.
Image: Ebrahim "Billy" Christian
The Pretoria -based Naka Bulls have dominated club rugby in the northern regions of the country and last season lifted the national Gold Cup after defeating Villager at Brookside.
Last season SK Walmer, lost to winners of the WP champions Villager in the semi-final but will now compete alongside defending champions Hamilton as the two Cape Town representatives.
Evergreens, the reigning Southwestern Districts champions, return to the tournament, while Eastern Cape champions Gardens will also take their place along wth Vredenburg and Hawston who gained entry as the wildcard in the line-up.
Hawston are the surprise inclusion as the wildcard entrant, particularly after failing to qualify for last season’s Boland Top-12 competition. However, tournament organisers were quick to point out that Safcol endured a similar path, having also entered as a wildcard before going on to claim back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
Bertram Vraagom, Saldanha Easter Top 8 tournament director, has announced the inclusion of defending champions Hamilton and SK Walmer as the two Cape Town representatives at this year's tournament
Image: Mark Ward
Bertram Vraagom, tournament director and former matriculant of Heathfield High School was speaking at the official announcement of the line-up, acknowledged the inclusion of Naka Bulls may raise eyebrows but insisted it aligns with the tournament’s broader vision.
“Many clubs might be surprised by Naka Bulls’ participation, but it must be said that while not all clubs have the same resources, this tournament gives them the chance to measure themselves against the best and aspire to reach that level. We welcome SK Walmer as well. We believe they bring a new dimension to the event as they, like many clubs, are hugely invested in their respective communities,” said Vraagom.
“Just look at how much investment is going into club rugby, particularly. This tournament gives clubs the perfect platform to test themselves. We as the Saldanha club are striving to become like Naka Bulls and therefore we look forward to measuring ourselves to them. I believe if any club strives to win the Gold Cup they need to play against the likes of Naka Bulls” said Vraagom.
The 2026 Saldanha Easter Top 8 promises to be both a showcase of elite community rugby and a proving ground for clubs aiming to raise their standards on and off the field.