Overview
The South Western Districts Rugby Union and Eagles rugby teams are based in the scenic city of George at the foot of the Outeniqua mountains. George is the administrative and commercial centre of the Southern Cape region of South Africa.
This area includes the towns of George, Mossel Bay, Oudshoorn, Riversdale, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Beaufort West. The Eagles rugby teams are well known for their green , black and white colours. The Union and teams are based at their ‘home’, Outeniqua Park which has often been described as “one of the most scenic rugby grounds in the world” by international commentators. The stadium is the biggest sport stadium in the region and is fitting for rugby as the biggest sport in the region. It is often referred to as ‘the Eagles’s Nest’
The Eagles Senior team play in the annual Vodacom Cup as well as in the ABSA Currie Cup First Division.
The SWD u/21 team play in the B Division of the ABSA Currie Cup.
The SWD u/19 and SWD Women’s teams play in the Premier Division of 
the ABSA Currie Cup.
The SWD Primary school and Secondary school teams play at the Craven Week
SWDRFU was one of the first fully transformed unions in SA and boasts an impressive development and club structure with 113 clubs (65 league, 10 woman and 38 farm based) making it one of the biggest club structures in SA rugby.
The IRB International Sevens tournament was successfully hosted by SWDRFU from 2001 to 2010 before it was moved to Port Elizabeth because a larger venue was needed. The new 7’s Premier League (based on the IPL cricket concept) will be hosted on 14 & 15 December 2012 at Outeniqua Park for the first time, a week after the IRB SA 7’s in PE. Drawing top international 7’s stars as well as some of the 15 man code’s top players the R1 million ‘winner takes all’ prize money jackpot will ensure great excitement for players and spectators alike. International stars such as Sonny Bill Williams, Quade Cooper and Shane William's participation have been confirmed.
History
The South Western Districts Rugby Union was established in 1899 and it has a proud legacy still continuing in today's modern professional era.
During the early years provincial home matches were rotated mainly between Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn and George before the Union moved to its current home at Outeniqua Park in George.
Outeniqua Park was opened in 1966 by the honourable mayor of George, Mr Andrew Swart and was initially the home of George Rugby Club before SWDRFU took occupation thirty years later, in 1996.
The SWD Eagles won the Bankfin Cup in 2002, the ABSA Currie Cup 1st Division in 2007 and played in the Currie Cup semi-final in 1999 under current Springbok coach, Heyneke Meyer.
During the years SWD produced the following top players, coaches and referees:
Springboks
Johan Heunis, Johan Muller (captain), Anton Leonard, Zane Kirchner, Bevan Fortuin, Kabamba Floors, Meyer Bosman, Pedrie Wannenberg, Marco Wentzel, Theo v Rensburg, Botha Rossouw and Braam v Straaten
Springboks Sevens
Paul Treu, Darryl Coeries and Barry Jacobz
Coaches
Heyneke Meyer (Springboks & Bulls), Paul Treu (SA 7’s), Frans Ludecke (Bulls & Lions) & Phil Pretorius (EP, Valke, Maties & Tuks)
National Referees
Hansie Schoeman, Cobus Wessels, Abe Steenberg and Jason Jafta
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