After many months of research and negotiations as well as various closed-door meetings, the president of the Mpumalanga Rugby Union (MRU) and executives are proud to announce that they are partnering with UXI Sport to establish a much-needed Mpumalanga Rugby Institute (MRI), that will make a significant impact on the u/21 rugby landscape in Mpumalanga.

Former Pumas player, Chumani Booi, will join the MRI early next year as head coach.

“A new age is dawning for Mpumalanga” said MRU president, Andries Visser, yesterday. “Mpumalanga boasts rugby talent that needs to be developed to create a sustainable and retainable talent pipeline or the Mpumalanga Rugby Union.

“The Mpumalanga Rugby Union executives recognise the increasing need for raw talent identification and the development of rugby as a sport in rural and underdeveloped communities.

“The development of talent that haven’t been contracted or had opportunities at provincial or national level and those with and without university exemption, will be a priority focus for the union.

“The Mpumalanga Rugby Union objectives are to develop rugby players through this institute, as well as address the shortage of coaches, referees and unique skills development (video and game analysts, project managers, club administrator/managers) in the rugby world locally and nationally. It is taking full responsibility of the skills and talent development of the clubs in Mpumalanga,” said Visser.

Through this initiative, the union is creating job opportunities and hope for the province’s u/21 aspirant rugby players, and this will become a major talent investment into its rugby club system, strengthening club rugby and the club rugby competitions as a whole in the Mpumalanga region as well as the communities in which they operate.

The Mpumalanga Rugby Institute  will focus on high performance rugby development on a world -class level, combined with academic qualifications that will ensure employability of its student rugby athletes for a career during and after rugby, all part of a structured disciplined programme that will be based  at Mbombela Stadium.

UXI Sport is a subsidiary of Commerce Edge South Africa and also the operations partner of the Toyota Cheetah’s Institute of Excellence, the Western Province Rugby Academies, Griquas Rugby Institute, Boland Rugby Institute and newly announced EPRU Rugby Institute.

It will be offering academic bursaries to the value of over R1 million to all students who register with the Mpumalanga Rugby Institute for the 2021 academic year. The programme offering for 2021 will include a high performance rugby development program delivered by union and Saru quality approved coaches, plus a national accredited qualification in sports administrations and coaching. 

The academic offering will be extended to artisan trades, agriculture, marketing and various sports qualifications from 2022.

“UXI Sport’s vision is to Inspire greatness through sports to life and beyond. We are passionate about the development and employability of the youth in South Africa,” COO, Thea Visagie, said.

Through this initiative with the Mpumalanga Rugby Union, UXI Sport will contribute to the upliftment of communities, creating better South African citizens that will be the future leaders and business owners in the economy.

As Nelson Mandela said, “Sport is a language that the youth understands”, through the underpinning values that a sport like rugby cultivates in young men and women, the youth is developed not only in their sport, but through sport and skills-based qualifications, they will display a work-readiness that will differentiate them from everyone else.

More about the head coach

The 40-year-old Booi played for various South African provinces at Currie Cup and Super Rugby level, amassing 168 provincial caps in 12 years, at centre, wing and full back. He represented SA u/21 in 2001 and South Africa “A” in 2004.

In the 2003 season he was contracted to the Pumas and played 14 matches for the team, scoring six tries, when they were still based in Witbank.

He most recently coached the EP Elephants and was assistant coach for the Southern Kings in the Pro 14 Championship.

For player student recruitment enquiries and information contact:
Lambert Groenewald on 061-228-0102 or lambertg@pumasri.uxi.edi.za
Justin van Staden on 072-6416573 or justinvs@pumasri.uxi.edi.za