The SA Dream Hunters, a rugby youth-development initiative, took its under-19 Higher Education Through Sport (Hets) team on an unforgettable journey to the prestigious Gravity Sports International Youth Rugby Tournament in Windhoek, Namibia, from Monday 1 to Saturday 6 July.
The team’s invitation stemmed from its impressive performance at the Wynberg Rugby Festival earlier this year, catching the eye of Gravity Sports CEO Shaun Powell. This opportunity wasn’t just about competition; two talented players, Siraaj Cyster and Gursin Tandy (both from Macassar High School), received bursaries to attend the UXI Western Province Rugby Institute to further their academic and athletic careers.
The 28 Hets players embarked on a challenging, yet rewarding 25-hour bus drive of 1 499 km. Despite initial hurdles such as player sickness, their determination shone through in the main game on Tuesday 2 July. They secured a hard-fought victory against Windhoek High School (WHS), the top Namibian school team. Tandy’s exceptional performance earned him the well-deserved most valuable player (MVP) award.
While they fell short in their next encounter against UXI WP Rugby Institute, the team’s unwavering spirit propelled them to the Shield final, vying for third place. In a nail-biting match that extended into extra time, the Hets team emerged victorious against Stellenberg High School, claiming the Shield trophy.
“This experience was incredibly rewarding,” shared Darrin Roman, one of SA Dream Hunters’ directors.
He expressed immense pride in the players, coaches, parents and management for their dedication. Their success story emphasises that achievement isn’t solely about attending elite schools or financial resources; it’s about overcoming challenges and pushing forward.
Roman extended heartfelt gratitude to Gravity Sports, Powell, and their sponsors (Boston City Campus, RIM Construction, City of Cape Town, Rotary Strand and TotalEnergies Wellington) for their invaluable support throughout the journey.
The Hets programme aims to provide talented players with opportunities beyond their current schools. This tournament provided a platform for them to not only excel but also win the hearts of supporters and universities. They received three MVP awards, two bursaries, and a player of the tournament recognition.
Building on this success, SA Dream Hunters has already received an invitation to next year’s tournament. With more time to prepare and raise funds, the team looks forward to further development and upcoming regular matches. Additionally, they are actively securing university bursaries for their 12 graduating players, with four already confirmed through Boston City Campus and UXI WP Rugby Academy.
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For more information about SA Dream Hunters, call Roman on 081 775 5224 or Griffin Solomons on 072 650 9110.
