Investing in the future of South Africa through Get Into Rugby
As part of our Sustainability Week, under the theme “Kicking off for sustainability”, we are spotlighting how sport can help create positive, lasting impact in our communities.
In South Africa, that story is playing out on rugby fields across the country.
Through our partnership with the South African Rugby Union (SARU), we are helping young people take part in the Get Into Rugby programme – which, for many, is the very first time they will have stepped onto the field.
Starting with a simple opportunity
For many of the children involved, access to organised sport is not a given. This is what Get Into Rugby has been designed to change.
Open to boys and girls aged 6 to 13, the programme offers a safe, inclusive and enjoyable introduction to rugby, where children of all backgrounds are given the space to learn and participate.
Across South Africa’s nine provinces, the festivals bring together thousands of young players every year.
Learning on and off the field
The festivals teach children the basics of rugby - but that is not all. Spending time on the field means learning how to work together, how to listen, how to support teammates.
It means building confidence – from believing you can make that first pass, to celebrating shoulder to shoulder with new friends.
Over time, these small moments help shape how children see themselves and what they believe they can do.
A programme reaching communities across the country
Since its introduction in South Africa in 2015, Get Into Rugby has grown to become one of the country’s largest rugby development programmes.
Vivo Energy’s fuel brand in South Africa, Engen, has been working alongside SA Rugby as the official development partner since 2020, supporting the continued growth of the initiative.
Over 200,000 children take part in festivals each year. This means our partnership has reached more than one million young people so far.
In 2026, the programme will once again return to communities across all nine of the country’s provinces, welcoming another 200,000 boys and girls onto the field.
Building something that lasts
At Vivo Energy, we believe in the power of sport to open doors.
Through Get Into Rugby, children from across South Africa - including those from under-resourced communities - are given the chance to take part, learn and grow.
For some, it is their first introduction to the game. For others, it is a way to keep playing and build confidence over time. For a few, it may lead to future opportunities in the sport.
At its heart, it is about creating access. Because every child deserves the chance to play and dream big.
Kicking off for sustainability
This initiative is one example of how, across our markets, we are using sport as a platform to drive positive change - supporting education, strengthening communities, and promoting social inclusion.
From 1-7 June, we’ll be sharing more stories like this from across our network. Follow along to see how we’re working with partners to create meaningful impact.