After two successful sets of courses in KZN, the Investec International Rugby Academy will be returning to St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg these school holidays, adding position-specific courses, for both players and coaches, to the course line-up.

The 5-day course aims to provide high school players with the skills and expertise they need by matching them with former national and international players in their position and teach coaches to learn alongside these players.

The exciting line-up that attendees can look forward to working with are former Springbok flank Ian MacDonald and utility-back Brent Russell, former Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir, ex-Wallabies kicking coach Braam van Straaten, former Sharks coach Grant Bashford, Sharks forwards coach Ryan Strudwick, Sharks under-19 coach Paul Anthony, Super Rugby referee Archie Sehlako, as well as local coaches Greg Miller, Greig Wegerle and Ryno Combrink.

Behind the scenes training is also a feature of the academy and specialists such as Mark Steele (former Springbok conditioning coach) and Ruan Fourie (former Sharks and Lions physiotherapist) will be educating players on conditioning for the season and injury prevention.  

“The academy affords players the opportunity to meet, interact and learn from the greats of the game. It can only have a positive effect on one’s development,” says former Springbok, Brent Russell. World renown kicking coach, Braam van Straaten, who has been a coach at the academy for the past seven years, is passionate about his role at the academy. “In a week you see boys become men. We get players to function outside their comfort zone,” says van Straaten.

Players’ courses on offer in July are the Prestige Players’ Course (aged seven to 10 years), the Intermediate Players’ and Coaches Course (aged 11 to 14 years), the 5-Day Players’ and Coaches Course (aged 14 to 17 years).

Former Eastern Province player and GM of the Investec International Rugby Academy, Greg Miller, believes that in order to remain competitive on an international level, it is vital that more emphasis is placed on school level players.

“We want to set up structures that will allow players to develop over time and then reach their true potential only when the leave school, we don’t want to feed the funnel from the top. We need to plough resources and money into this every year,” says Miller.

The academy, while focused on developing SA’s talent base, is also passionate about the life skills that boys can gain from playing rugby. “We want to create young men who will become great leaders in their community and schools. With our intense programme and the way we challenge them, we get them to come out of their “shells” with confidence. Rugby is just the vehicle that gives us that opportunity,” says van Straaten.

The Investec International Rugby Academy’s players’ and coaches courses will take place from 9 to 13 July at St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg. Visit www.investecacademy.com  or contact Bernadine on 031 940 5565 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cape Town, South Africa – On Saturday, 7 May 2016, the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) and Spur will handover almost 4 000 rugby jerseys to schools signed under the union’s rugby structure. The event will take place at the Bellville Technical High School.  

This mini rugby day, billed as one of the biggest events at school level in Western Province Rugby, will also be attended by DHL Stormers stars Nizaam Carr, Jean Kleyn, Leolin Zas, Wilco Louw, Brandon Thomson, Jean-Luc du Plessis, EW Viljoen, David Ribbans and Kurt Coleman. These young rugby stalwarts will mingle with the children and parents and will be available for signature sessions and photo opportunities during the day.    

The union will welcome 318 teams from 93 different schools with matches set to start at 08:00 and conclude by 14:00.  

Over the last few years this event has grown significantly and has seen the start of many successful careers of rugby players that have gone on to wear the famous blue and white DHL Western Province hoops. “Spur Steak Ranches is proud to present our future rugby champions with the platform to enjoy sports and hone their skills through the enjoyable game of mini rugby”, said Khakhi Diala, Brand Activation Manager of the Spur Group. Spur is the majority sponsor of the mini rugby day.  

“We are very thankful to Spur for supporting this worthy initiative to introduce young people to rugby and grow the game. Spur has been our partner in this day since 2009, so we value their support and look forward to another successful Mini Rugby Day”, said Thelo Wakefield, President of the Western Rugby Football Union. This event is part of WPRFU’s effort to make the game of rugby accessible to all young South Africans living in the region.  

Entry fees: R10 per adult and R10 per vehicle, with children under 12 allowed in for free. The above mentioned DHL Stormers players will be available for a signature and photo session from 10:00 to 11:00. 

Western Province Rugby Football Union For more information about the Western Province Rugby Football Union, feel free to visit their website (http://wprugby.com/).    

Spur For more information about Spur, feel free to visit their website (http://www.spur.co.za/).