How is my child's age group worked out, and can they play up?

SA Rugby's School Rugby Age-Banding Regulations (updated January 2026) base age groups on the age a child turns during the calendar year. The oldest player in an age group is still that age on 31 December, so an U10 player turns 10 or younger that year.

U9: one-year band. Only children turning 9 that year may play U9. A child who turns 8 or younger that year may not play U9.

U10 to U13: two-year band. A player may be at most two years younger than the oldest age in the group. For example, a child who turns 11 or younger that year may not play U13. Where there is no U9 team, U9 children may play U10, and coaches must manage them accordingly.

Teams cannot play up a league. An U10 team may not enter an U11 league, because its youngest players would fall outside the U11 age band.

Non-contact rugby (U8 and younger) is not bound by these age bands. Schools may group children as they see fit, as long as anyone aged eight or younger plays non-contact rugby only.