Being a youngster in Eersterust can be challenging as after school there are a lot of temptations of which the outcome can become disastrous.

But for a few boys, this might just have changed now that Dabeon Draghoender (TuksRugby) decided to get actively involved in trying to revive a rugby culture in Eersterust. For him, it is part of the University’s Outreach Program. 

Rugby in Eersterust has been in decline for quite a few years. Currently, no club teams are playing in any of the Blue Bulls leagues. Apparently, at a schools level, there is also not really anything happening.

Willy Eckard (rugby-organiser at Nantes Primêre Skool) explains that often they need to resort to playing touch rugby as they don’t have the proper equipment.

“I can honestly say that our players are just as talented as that of any other school but due to a lack of opportunities they never get to fulfil their real talent. To see this happening as a coach is really disheartening.”

Luckily the first big breakthrough happened last week with Investec donating R45 000 rugby equipment to the Nantes Primêre Skool.

There are two reasons why Draghoender is so passionate about getting involved. The first has to do with that as coach of the Tuks Young Guns he had to recruit far and wide all over South Africa.

“Can it indeed be that there are not enough good players in Pretoria? I believe there is a real talent in a community like Eersterust. The same goes for Mamelodi, Atteridgeville and Soshanguve. The challenge is just to make sure all young players get proper coaching from early on.

“From personal experience, I can say that rugby is a means to change youngster’s lives. I also come from a poor background. Rugby has certainly changed my life for the better.  I want the same for the players of Eersterust. My goal is to have some of them playing for Tuks hopefully and maybe the Bulls in five to six years from now. The ultimate would be if I can get a few players to also study at Tuks.”

According to Draghoender drugs and gangsterism are sad realities for any child growing up in Eersterust.

“Again from my experience sport, in this case, rugby is a way to teach the players from a young age what discipline and hard work are all about. I want the kids to dream. The bigger their dreams, the better as it would mean they are laying a proper foundation for life. It is a case of a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. 

"I have found that gangsters tend to be in awe of those who succeed in their community through hard work. No one willingly chose to be a career criminal unfortunately many are forced to do so due to a lack of any real opportunities."

Onnyen Louw who is an avid Bryan Habana supporter could not thank Investec for helping them out with equipment.

“Rugby is everything to me. I can’t live without rugby. Now thanks to Investec we are getting the opportunity to play real rugby, and that is exciting.”