Engen is proud to be the official fuel sponsor of the Springboks and the headline sponsor of Get into Rugby (GIR), a grassroots development program that aims to support young people and discover raw talent across all nine South African provinces.
In South Africa, Get into Rugby forms part of the South African Rugby Union’s strategy to encourage players of all ages to try rugby, play rugby, and stay in rugby. Engen is a long-time supporter of grass-roots sports development. GIR is one of several Engen sports sponsorship programs that focus on youth in order to create positive change in underprivileged communities. “As a long-time supporter of sports development, Engen is proud to back an initiative such as Get into Rugby because it will empower our young people with the skills, confidence, and self-esteem to chart their own paths," comments Joan Njoroge, Engen’s head of strategic communications and brand.

Since its inception in South Africa in 2013, GIR has reached over 200,000 participants, playing a pivotal role in the development of rugby for girls and boys aged between 7 and 13, many of whom aspire to become successful athletes and compete at the national level. In addition, GIR has also trained more than 500 referees across all nine provinces over the past decade. The TRY, PLAY, and STAY stages of GIR feature a series of modules that provide a safe passage of progression from an introductory level to being a player who can enjoy all forms of the game.

And while GIR is certainly about rugby and discovering the rich talent we have in the country, it is also about life skills, leadership, and teamwork, adds Njoroge. In South Africa, GIR focuses on storytelling to inspire children. By featuring five original stories with African wild animals as mascots and main characters, the stories seek to convey the values of respect, integrity, discipline, solidarity, and passion. "The learning of these important skills will help support South Africa’s young people in finding their place in a complex and competitive world."

In 2023, GIR kicked off on July 26 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, with several current Springboks in attendance. Over 150 learners aged 7-8 from schools in Saulsville, Mamelodi, Soshanguve, and Silverton played mixed team TAG rugby on the day, with the Boks close at hand to offer encouragement and advice. Being Women's Month, two successful GIR festivals were held in August focused on girl players. The festivals were hosted by the Limpopo Rugby Union in Polokwane and Umzuvukile Sport Development and Management in Mdantsane in East London, with 288 girls aged 11–12 taking part in the former and 120 girls in the latter. The last GIR festival in 2023 will be held in Delft, Cape Town, on September 13. Approximately 340 boys and girls aged 11–13 are expected to attend.