SA Rugby: Internships (Finance, Marketing, Admin, Data Science/Management, Research)

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) is offering an exciting Graduate Internship opportunity for five (5) unemployed graduates (focusing on ages up to 35 years) to acquire practical work experience and gain exposure to professional workplace practices over a 12-month fixed-contract period,

Successful candidates will benefit from dedicated mentorship, effective leadership, and meaningful engagement within the relevant departments they will be allocated to. A monthly stipend of R7,500.00 will be provided for the duration of the programme.

The following Internship Opportunities are open for Applications:

Communication and Commercial Department Internship

Department: Communication and Commercial

Requirements: Degree in: Marketing, Sports Marketing or equivalent relevant qualification

Duties: Provide support to the Brand Manager in the function of promoting SA Rugby by aligning brand and property campaigns to the organisation’s broader goals. Assist in the planning and delivering brand and property campaigns. Assist in event/sports presentation delivery to maximise their impact. Provide input in Identifying and acting on PR opportunities to promote SA Rugby properties where budget may be minimal or absent. Play a supporting role by observing and learning about Relationship management for internal and external stakeholders which ensures delivery of campaigns and the enhancement of SA Rugby’s reputation. Assist with general administration duties and office requests. Coordinating with marketing and events teams to deliver sponsor activations and matchday experiences. Ensuring that contractual obligations are fulfilled (e.g. signage, digital exposure, VIP access). Maintaining and updating the sponsor partner portal under the direction of a mentor. Accessing data for the preparation of reports on account performance, ROI, and client feedback. In Supporting the commercial rights delivery team. Attending commercial events to observe and learn about the activities taking place

Medical Department Internship

Department: Medical

Requirements: National Diploma / Degree in (Business or Office Administration) or equivalent relevant qualification.

Duties: Document preparation: Drafting, formatting, and reviewing documents such as reports, memos, and emails. Appointment coordination between medical staff including pre and post events support. Handling communication for BokSmart enquiries. Maintenance of filing system (digital and hard copy records of medical statistics). Processing payments for all medical Doctor’s, supplier and physiotherapist. Travel bookings and logistics.  Accurately inputting and updating confidential safeguarding information in databases or spreadsheets. Manage database from the unions and upload documents on Safeguarding system. Where required, assist with liaising with unions and ensure they have access to all necessary Safeguarding information. Assisting with the maintenance of accurate confidential safeguarding electronic records of referrals /concerns /meetings on a regular basis. Assist with social media activities and posting of BokSmart content. Assist with BokSmart Certification enquiries. Processing of medical purchase orders. Picking, sorting and packing & unpacking medical stock. Medical Stock take. Team bag allocation. General upkeep of office and storerooms. Sourcing specified products

Operations and Finance Department Internship

Department: Medical

Requirements: National Diploma / Degree in Finance or equivalent relevant qualification

Duties: Conversion of Requisition Purchase Orders (RPO’s). Processing of invoices. General administration in the Finance department through all areas. Processing of journals. Credit card reconciliations. Reconciliations. Customer take on. Raise invoices

Participation and Development Department Internship

Department: Medical

Requirements: National Diploma / Degree in n Data Management, Data Science, Research, or equivalent relevant qualification

Duties: Assist in maintaining and updating SA Rugby’s centralised database, ensuring accuracy and consistency of data related to community rugby, youth weeks, EPD camps (boys and girls), training and education programmes, and transformation initiatives. This includes validating incoming data, identifying discrepancies, and applying corrective measures under supervision. Contribute to the collection and organisation of programme-related data, including player demographics, participation metrics, and training outcomes. Use basic analytical tools to generate insights that support departmental reporting, monitoring, and evaluation processes. Support the team in interpreting data trends to inform strategic decisions and policy development. This includes preparing visual summaries, dashboards, and briefing notes that reflect the footprint and impact of SA Rugby’s development initiatives across regions and demographics.

Skills and Competencies:

• Initiative & Willingness to learn
• Attention to detail
• Passion for sporting environment
• Ability to work in a pressurised environment
• Computer Literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook)
• Interpersonal & Relationship management skills
• Planning, organising and coordination skills
• Problem solving skills
• Communication skills
• Basic understanding of Rugby would be advantageous