A move to give rugby a boost in the townships is making headway, as aspiring young people battle it out in the townships of the Western Cape.

The Steve Tshwete Rugby tournament seeks to unleash potential players with the ability to play for the national team, the Springboks.

The annual tournament, in its third year now, is sponsored by the provincial Department of Sport and Recreation.

"Through sponsoring the tournament the Department aims to give exposure to township rugby as part of its strategy to encourage youth in the townships to play the sport," said Departmental Spokesperson Mandla Yeki.

The tournament got off to a great start on Sunday at Khayelitsha stadium, where 14 out of 18 teams were eliminated in a knock-out format.

The remaining four teams will play against each other in the semi-finals on Sunday, with the last two proceeding to the finals on the same day.

At stake is a full rugby kit and tracksuits for the winning team, while the losing finalists will take home a full rugby kit.

Third and fourth position teams will receive jersey sets and golf-shirts respectively.

Mr Yeki said the prizes had been agreed to in consultation with clubs and were in line with government prescribes of not awarding monetary value to developmental initiatives such as these.

He said women's teams and juniors would have an opportunity to demonstrate their ability in the game as curtain raisers during the semi finals and the finals as there were few clubs in these categories.