Preface
Dear Reader,
For the past six months I have been able to get valuable insights into one of the
biggest rugby club in South Africa. In these six months I have been doing research
pertaining to youth development in rugby in relation to the Athletic Skills Model
(ASM).
I want to thank everyone (management, coaches and players) who have contributed
to my research. Just like rugby in South Africa this report is not a one-man effort, but
a report formed from different views and perspectives. I also want to thank everyone
for giving me the opportunity to learn within the professional environment of Lions
Rugby Company.
Enjoy reading!
Thobias Bakker
24-3-2025
,Summary
This research report explores the development of youth rugby players within the
Lions Rugby Company (LRC) in South Africa, using the Athletic Skills Model (ASM)
as a guiding framework. The study investigates how multi-sport participation,
structured development pathways, and South Africa’s unique sporting culture
contribute to nurturing professional rugby talent.
Drawing on interviews with team managers, coaches, senior and youth players, the
report highlights the value of diverse athletic backgrounds.
The South African sports landscape is deeply embedded through national identity
and shaped by complex historical factors which in turn provides fertile ground for elite
player development. Rugby acts as a unifying force across cultural and linguistic
divides.
Key findings indicate that youth benefit significantly from exposure to various sports
before specializing in rugby, aligning with the ASM’s emphasis on broad athletic
development. Recommendations are made to formalize multi-sport training
opportunities within the LRC youth system and to reinforce support networks that
prioritize athlete growth.
Ultimately, the research emphasizes that talent alone is not enough; the social,
structural, and psychological environment plays a crucial role in shaping the future of
young athletes.
1
,Content
Preface................................................................................................................... 0
Summary................................................................................................................ 1
1: Introduction........................................................................................................ 3
1.1: Prompt.......................................................................................................... 4
1.2: Substantive Orientation............................................................................... 5
1.2.1: South Africa’s Sport Culture...................................................................5
1.2.2: Professional Athlete’s Sports History......................................................6
1.2.3: Youth Development in Rugby.................................................................8
1.2.4: Important Rugby Development Aspects...............................................11
1.2.5: ASM...................................................................................................... 14
1.2.6: South Africa’s rugby system.................................................................16
1.3: Research question...................................................................................... 18
2: Research Plan................................................................................................... 19
2.1: Methodological Characterization................................................................19
2.2: Research instruments................................................................................. 19
2.3: Sample....................................................................................................... 20
2.4: Data collection........................................................................................... 22
2.5: Data Analyzation....................................................................................... 23
2.6: Ethical Responsibility.................................................................................. 24
3: Results.............................................................................................................. 26
3.1: My take on South Africa’s sports culture....................................................26
3.2: How do rugby players benefit from other sports........................................28
3.3: What is already being done........................................................................30
4: Recommendation............................................................................................. 31
5: Discussion........................................................................................................ 36
6: Conclusion........................................................................................................ 39
Attachment 1: Interview M.J. (Development Team manager)...............................41
Attachment 2: Interview Morné van den Berg (Senior player)..............................43
Attachment 3: Interview Mziwahke (Coach).........................................................45
Attachment 4: Interview (youth player)................................................................47
Attachment 5: Transcribed interviews..................................................................49
5.1: M.J.............................................................................................................. 49
5.2: Morné van den Berg................................................................................... 63
5.3: Mziwahke.................................................................................................... 70
5.4: Lions U21 and Junior Springbok player.......................................................74
6: Sources............................................................................................................. 77
2
, 1: Introduction
In this chapter the motivation for this research will be discussed. Additionally, the
structure and methodology of the research are explained through substantive
orientation and the formulation of a research question.
3
Dear Reader,
For the past six months I have been able to get valuable insights into one of the
biggest rugby club in South Africa. In these six months I have been doing research
pertaining to youth development in rugby in relation to the Athletic Skills Model
(ASM).
I want to thank everyone (management, coaches and players) who have contributed
to my research. Just like rugby in South Africa this report is not a one-man effort, but
a report formed from different views and perspectives. I also want to thank everyone
for giving me the opportunity to learn within the professional environment of Lions
Rugby Company.
Enjoy reading!
Thobias Bakker
24-3-2025
,Summary
This research report explores the development of youth rugby players within the
Lions Rugby Company (LRC) in South Africa, using the Athletic Skills Model (ASM)
as a guiding framework. The study investigates how multi-sport participation,
structured development pathways, and South Africa’s unique sporting culture
contribute to nurturing professional rugby talent.
Drawing on interviews with team managers, coaches, senior and youth players, the
report highlights the value of diverse athletic backgrounds.
The South African sports landscape is deeply embedded through national identity
and shaped by complex historical factors which in turn provides fertile ground for elite
player development. Rugby acts as a unifying force across cultural and linguistic
divides.
Key findings indicate that youth benefit significantly from exposure to various sports
before specializing in rugby, aligning with the ASM’s emphasis on broad athletic
development. Recommendations are made to formalize multi-sport training
opportunities within the LRC youth system and to reinforce support networks that
prioritize athlete growth.
Ultimately, the research emphasizes that talent alone is not enough; the social,
structural, and psychological environment plays a crucial role in shaping the future of
young athletes.
1
,Content
Preface................................................................................................................... 0
Summary................................................................................................................ 1
1: Introduction........................................................................................................ 3
1.1: Prompt.......................................................................................................... 4
1.2: Substantive Orientation............................................................................... 5
1.2.1: South Africa’s Sport Culture...................................................................5
1.2.2: Professional Athlete’s Sports History......................................................6
1.2.3: Youth Development in Rugby.................................................................8
1.2.4: Important Rugby Development Aspects...............................................11
1.2.5: ASM...................................................................................................... 14
1.2.6: South Africa’s rugby system.................................................................16
1.3: Research question...................................................................................... 18
2: Research Plan................................................................................................... 19
2.1: Methodological Characterization................................................................19
2.2: Research instruments................................................................................. 19
2.3: Sample....................................................................................................... 20
2.4: Data collection........................................................................................... 22
2.5: Data Analyzation....................................................................................... 23
2.6: Ethical Responsibility.................................................................................. 24
3: Results.............................................................................................................. 26
3.1: My take on South Africa’s sports culture....................................................26
3.2: How do rugby players benefit from other sports........................................28
3.3: What is already being done........................................................................30
4: Recommendation............................................................................................. 31
5: Discussion........................................................................................................ 36
6: Conclusion........................................................................................................ 39
Attachment 1: Interview M.J. (Development Team manager)...............................41
Attachment 2: Interview Morné van den Berg (Senior player)..............................43
Attachment 3: Interview Mziwahke (Coach).........................................................45
Attachment 4: Interview (youth player)................................................................47
Attachment 5: Transcribed interviews..................................................................49
5.1: M.J.............................................................................................................. 49
5.2: Morné van den Berg................................................................................... 63
5.3: Mziwahke.................................................................................................... 70
5.4: Lions U21 and Junior Springbok player.......................................................74
6: Sources............................................................................................................. 77
2
, 1: Introduction
In this chapter the motivation for this research will be discussed. Additionally, the
structure and methodology of the research are explained through substantive
orientation and the formulation of a research question.
3
