On a fresh Durban morning, the rugby fields at Durban Preparatory High School are bustling with energy. But this year, the usual rhythm of training, passing drills, and tactical breakdowns carries a different intensity. The boys are not just playing for victory or personal development, they’re playing with purpose. In 2025, the school’s rugby teams embarked on a remarkable initiative to raise R86,000 to renovate the kitchen at Eqinisweni Primary School in Inanda, a community where resources are scarce but hope is resilient.
The idea didn’t begin with a corporate campaign or a national programme. It started with a simple discussion among teachers and coaches, how could they instil deeper values in their players? Rugby at DPHS has always been about more than sport, it is a vehicle for character, resilience, and leadership. When staff heard about the conditions at Eqinisweni Primary, where the school kitchen struggles to meet the daily nutritional needs of hundreds of learners, the conversation turned to action.
Eqinisweni Primary, located in the heart of Inanda, serves a vital role in its community. Yet its kitchen infrastructure has long been in disrepair. Basic equipment is either outdated or broken. Food preparation is cramped and inefficient. For many learners, the school meal is the most substantial of the day. Improving this space could mean better nourishment, increased concentration, and a boost to the entire learning environment. Once the boys at DPHS understood this, the cause became personal.
What began as a few school-based initiatives quickly grew into a full-scale fundraising drive. The rugby teams, ranging from U11 to 1st team players, organised events, engaged with local businesses, and set personal goals to support the effort. Family fun days, rugby exhibition matches, bake sales, and donation drives created momentum. It wasn’t just the boys who were involved, their parents, coaches, and school community rallied behind them. The project became a shared mission, uniting people around the common goal of meaningful change.
A Journey of Discovery
As the campaign unfolded, the boys visited Eqinisweni Primary. These visits were eye-opening. With the statistics and fundraising goals, they met the learners who would benefit directly from their efforts. The experience was humbling. It reshaped how the boys saw their place in society and gave them a deeper appreciation for their own opportunities. Conversations were had, laughter was shared, and a bond was formed. This wasn’t a charity project, it was a partnership based on mutual respect.
What made the initiative extraordinary was its broader impact. Within DPHS, the campaign sparked introspection and maturity. Younger students admired the older boys not just for their rugby ability but for their compassion and leadership. The school assemblies shifted in tone, highlighting community, not just achievements. The boys learned that leadership is not about speaking the loudest or scoring the most points, but about doing something that matters beyond oneself.
Teachers noted a cultural shift. Rugby sessions began with more purpose. Boys discussed the project during lunch breaks and explored creative ways to raise awareness. They were driven by the realisation that sport can be a bridge between different realities. This cultural awakening extended to their homes. Families spoke of deeper conversations at the dinner table, about privilege, empathy, and action.
At Eqinisweni, the transformation is already underway. While the R86,000 target is still being approached, temporary improvements have been made. Plans for a redesigned kitchen are being drawn, with safer food storage and more efficient preparation areas. But even before a single brick is laid, the emotional impact is evident. The learners and teachers know they are seen, their needs matter and they’re not alone.
This initiative has sparked conversations about longer-term collaboration. Coaches and staff from both schools have begun discussing future exchange visits, rugby clinics, and academic workshops. The project has planted a seed, one that could grow into a sustainable relationship between two schools, where learning, mentoring, and growth move in both directions.
The story of DPHS and Eqinisweni reminds us that sport’s greatest victories often take place off the field. Rugby teaches discipline, endurance, and teamwork, but it also has the power to connect and uplift. When harnessed properly, it becomes a platform for meaningful action. At DPHS, this lesson is now deeply embedded in the ethos of every young player lacing up his boots.
A Shared Future
As the rugby season continues, the boys carry their project with them in every match. Every tackle, try, and team huddle is laced with a sense of greater purpose. They’ve discovered that the most rewarding goals aren’t always scored on the field. And when the final whistle blows, they know their work isn’t finished. They’re playing to build something real, lasting, and life-changing.
This is a story not just of fundraising, but of empathy, humility, and the courage to act. It’s about boys learning that leadership comes from the heart and that sport, when rooted in service, can change lives. The bond between DPHS and Eqinisweni Primary proves that when young people rise to meet challenges together, communities grow stronger, and futures brighten.
Theirs is not just a rugby story, it is a South African story. A testament to what can happen when we look past the scoreboards and see each other as part of a larger team. And that is a victory worth celebrating.
