Who is eligible to race in school regattas, and what are the rules for Grade 12s?

Eligibility (SASRU rules for all regattas):

• The rower must be 18 or younger and enrolled full-time at a registered South African school, or be able to prove enrolment in a school-level education system.
• Rowers still at school who are U19 may race in Open events at school regattas, but must be U18 for provincial or international competition.
• Post-matric rowers in school regattas must be U18.
• Learners in online schooling must row for a junior club.

Grade 12s

• Matrics at rowing schools and junior clubs may not race in school regattas from September to December. This includes the SA Schools Boat Race.
• They return to school racing in the January to March part of the season.
• At the SA Schools Championships, Open rowers must be a Grade 12 scholar born in 2008 or later, or any other registered rower born in 2009 or later (2025/26 rules).

Other rules

• No rower may race for two schools or clubs at the same regatta.
• Boys may not race in girls' events or girls in boys' events. This includes coxswains.
• A rower at a rowing school may only row for that school.
• All competitors race in their school's or club's recognised colours.