For the first time, the top men’s and women’s rugby teams from around the world converged on Irvine this week for the Rugby Tens Championship.
Held at the Great Park, the tournament kicked off this week and culminates in a playoff on Saturday, Nov. 29. Olympians and World Cup stars, along with rising talents, are competing in a mixed play format: Men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ teams compete under a franchise umbrella, with the winning franchise taking home a trophy at the end of the weekend.
Participating franchises include the Balkans Honey Badgers, Cape Town Wild Dogs and the Serengeti Elephants — as well as the San Clemente Rhinos, which trains and recruits players closer to where this year’s Rugby Tens Championship is held.
The tournament was held last year at the San Juan Capistrano Riding Park. Prior to that, it was held in South Africa and Portugal.
More information, including about Saturday’s event, can be found at www.rugbytens.com.
San Clemente Rhinos players sandwhich their opponent on the Honey Badgers team during the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Honey Badgers player Monty Diamond celebrates a try, or score, during the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fans try to stay cool as they watch the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Balkans Honey Badgers, pictured, take on the Cape Town Wild Dogs during the the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
San Clemente Rhinos player Mike T’eo, left, takes on a Balkans Honey Badger player during the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
San Clemente Rhinos, green, take on the Balkans Honey Badgers during the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Cape Town Wild Dogs, in yellow, go against the Balkans Honey Badgers during the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1 of 7
San Clemente Rhinos players sandwhich their opponent on the Honey Badgers team during the Rugby Tens Championship games at the Great Park in Irvine on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now The steady rise of Beckman’s girls basketball team created a few new dynamics Thursday as it played host to San Clemente in an...
Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now SAN CLEMENTE — San Clemente and Beckman’s girls water polo teams have produced several close matches the past 13 months, and Thursday was...
Sender One co-founder Alice Kao is seen in one of the company’s facilities. The rock climbing, bouldering and yoga facility is opening its sixth Southern California location on Feb. 1 in Aliso Viejo. (Photo courtesy...
La Habra senior Acen Jimenez continues to impress with his scoring, which includes 36 points in a win over Canyon in a Crestview League boys basketball game last week. What makes him even more valuable,...
