Sport plays a vital role in building relationships, bridging historical divides, and bringing about social change – and nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the story of rugby in South Africa. The image of Nelson Mandela cheering on a nearly all-white Springbok rugby team at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, in a moving gesture towards national unity in the early days of democracy, will forever be etched in the minds of sports lovers.
In June, 22 rugby-playing students from the University of Virginia (UVA) were able to relive, and learn from, South Africa's national experience of rugby through a Summer School programme entitled Game Change: Race, Rugby, and Reconciliation in South Africa at Stellenbosch University (SU).
The intensive course, which ran from 8 – 22 June, is one of SU International's tailored programme offerings and forms part of an emerging series at UVA, which explores the links between sports and global politics. The programme was part of SU International's offering to develop and host tailored short programmes for international partners on demand.
The students – all players from UVA's men's and women's rugby club teams – attended lectures and visited some key historical sites. They watched the Maties Men's and Women's rugby teams in training, joined training sessions and played rugby with various local teams.
The hands-on programme had, as its goal, to examine the role of rugby in politics, national identity, reconciliation and transformation in South Africa, both during and after apartheid.
The lectures were presented by local historians, sociologists, political scientists and athletes. Students learnt about the country's history and culture and visited communities which use sport to bring about social integration.
The students' field visits included a visit to the District Six Museum, which presents the memories of communities affected by forced removals during apartheid; the Langa Dompas Museum, which showcases the history of Langa township. They went up the iconic Table Mountain, and visited the Grootbos Foundation in Gansbaai, which works to conserve the unique Cape Floral Kingdom and uplifts local communities through sport.
Their rugby-related activities included visits to the Vusa Rugby and Training Academy which works to empower young people in Langa through sport, academic support and mentorship. The students also played a rugby match against women's and men's teams from University of Western Cape (UWC).
Emily Mellen, Global Communications Officer in the Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs at UVA, said a key goal of the programme was to highlight the role of sport in global diplomacy, and to explore how universities can be involved in this.
“Diplomacy is built on relationships, and relationships are built on shared emotions. Sports provide the space for shared emotions to develop and provide the ground on which to build connections into further diplomatic relationships over time."
Ms. Mellen said UVA is building further collaborations in South Africa with a range of institutions, including UWC, UFS, and SU.
Students interviewed said they found the lectures professional and compelling, particularly the parallels between South Africa and the United States in terms of race relations. A highlight, they said, was gaining diverse perspectives on history and politics, and being immersed in the culture, including the country's strong rugby focus.
Olivia Allen, a fourth-year neuroscience student, said the summer school exceeded her expectations and changed her perspective. “Visiting the Vusa Academy in Langa was a highlight. It was fascinating to see children playing rugby at such a young age. It's been great to see how tight South Africa's rugby community is, and the impact it's had on the country."
“South Africa's story on rugby and reconciliation will stay with me. There are many inspiring sports stories about individuals, but this rugby story saw so many people coming together. The 1995 World Cup was a time when people put aside their prejudices and came together. It's so inspiring."
Media student Katherine Delaney enjoyed learning about how rugby became a political tool in South Africa. “I also loved hearing about the social habits of South Africans. Elements of the culture kept jumping out at me. For example, in Langa, our tour guide told us it's a sign of respect for children to receive gifts with two hands. I found that a precious piece of culture."
Computer science student Patricio Anduaga said as somebody who grew up loving rugby, it was “wonderful to be immersed in a culture so heavily surrounded by rugby.
“My highlight was our match against UWC. Their team beat us, but they did it with such respect, even though they were way more skilled than we were. They treated us like brothers afterwards."
Kinesiology student Dylan Kirk enjoyed observing the interactions between diverse South Africans. “They're so open to talking to each other. In America, you stick to your clique. Here, the people are constantly branching out and listening to different perspectives."
Coordinator: Short Term Mobility and Affiliates at SU, Zandelie Trollip, said beside the academic content, SU offers a full-service experience, including accommodation, meals, lectures, venues, cultural and academic excursions, airport transfers, and round the clock support.
“These programmes are designed to foster a truly transformative student experience.
“They are primarily intended for students from the sending institution and are often co-taught by faculty from both institutions. By immersing students in the South African context, these programmes aim to broaden global perspectives, deepen intercultural understanding, and strengthen long-term institutional partnerships," she said.
Ms Trollip said the collaboration with UVA aligns strongly with SU's internationalisation goals and commitment to global engagement with local relevance.
“It reflects our shared academic interests in issues of race, reconciliation, as well as our shared passion for sport. Hosting the Game Change programme supports SU's goal of offering inclusive, immersive, and socially impactful learning experiences."
