SportPesa partners with Cobus Reinach to support the next generation of South African Rugby.
SportPesa has today announced a new partnership with world cup winning Springbok scrum-half Cobus Reinach, who will work with the organisation to expand its support for grassroots rugby and communities across South Africa.
The partnership will see Reinach spearhead the SportPesa Effect Rugby Programme, a long‑term initiative focused on strengthening community rugby clubs through coaching clinics, training workshops, mentorship and support for coaches and club administrators.
The partnership forms part of SportPesa’s wider commitment to investing in sporting talent at every level in South Africa — from grassroots clubs and national competitions to elite partnerships — with the aim of strengthening the country’s talent pipeline and expanding access to opportunity.
Cobus Reinach partnership
As part of the programme, Cobus Reinach will play an active, hands‑on role in supporting community rugby initiatives including:
- Hosting coaching clinics and training workshops
- Mentoring young and emerging players
- Working closely with coaches and club administrators
- Helping clubs build stronger, more sustainable development structures
The partnership is designed to reinforce and extend the work clubs are already doing, using Reinach’s experience at the highest level of the game to support talented rugby players at community level.
Reinach said: “Growing up in South Africa, I’ve seen first-hand how important community clubs are in shaping not just players, but people. Being part of the SportPesa Effect Rugby Programme is about giving back to those structures and aligns with my personal rugby goals— supporting coaches, creating opportunities for young talent, and helping build a stronger future for the game at grassroots level. If we invest in the foundation, the whole system becomes stronger.”
SportPesa South Africa, Managing Director, Dean Delaney, said: “Cobus brings world class experience to the level of the game where it matters most. Through the SportPesa Effect Rugby Programme, we are backing the people who build players every day, the coaches, the clubs and the communities, and helping them put stronger structures in place for the next generation. Community clubs provide a safe place for many players, they offer a sense of belonging to many and they instill important foundations amongst players and the broader community. When the clubs receive the necessary support through coaching, mentorships, kit or facility upgrades, then more players are likely to join the club, more supporters then come out and support their team and ultimately, a greater sense of pride is created within the community. We are extremely proud to partner with Cobus to create long-lasting impact not only for the clubs themselves but for the broader rugby community, and by doing so, play an important role in the development of the sport we all love so dearly.”
Investing across the sporting pathway
SportPesa’s core focus in South Africa is on investing across the full sporting ecosystem — from grassroots to elite competition.
By supporting local clubs, national competitions and professional teams, SportPesa aims to help create a stronger, more connected pathway for athletes to progress and succeed, regardless of where they start.
This approach recognises that talent development begins at community level, and that sustained investment is needed to ensure athletes have access to the coaching, facilities and opportunities required to reach their potential.
Looking ahead
Building on the partnerships established to date, SportPesa has an ambition to expand its support to reach all levels of sporting talent in South Africa.
SportPesa remains committed to South African sport and recognises the importance of helping talented athletes gain access to the opportunities, environments and support they need to succeed — both on and off the field.
