Green and Bold: SA Rugby’s game-changing environmental initiative

Even a short drive around Kimberley will bring one face-to-face with the overwhelming housing crisis that the city and the country are facing. Informal dwellings are everywhere, and in the city’s CBD, homeless people find shelter on sidewalks and shopfronts in the evenings.

But not everyone is content to simply observe the magnitude of this housing problem.

SA Rugby is proving that its impact extends far beyond the field, as it continues to make significant strides in environmental sustainability and community upliftment. In collaboration with CRDC SA, the governing body has helped construct 15 housing units in 2024 using plastic waste collected from three major rugby events held last year in partnership with World Rugby.

The initiative, which has resulted in the manufacturing of nearly 50,000 concrete blocks over the past three years, aligns with SA Rugby’s commitment to tackling both environmental and social challenges.

These blocks, made with recycled plastic waste, can be used to construct 42 40 m² Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing units – providing sustainable housing solutions for communities in need.

This groundbreaking project has garnered international recognition, earning the prestigious Climate Action Award from the International Olympic Committee as well as the Rugby for All Award from World Rugby, which acknowledges programmes that uphold the sport’s core values through meaningful societal impact.

The ‘Bag That Builds’ Initiative

Launched at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town in 2022, the ‘Bag That Builds’ project forms part of World Rugby’s Environmental Sustainability Plan 2030. In 2023, it was successfully implemented at three key tournaments: the World Rugby U20 Championship, the WXV 2 women’s tournament, and the HSBC SVNS Cape Town.

During these events, plastic waste – including non-recyclables –was collected from team hotels and stadiums using designated green bags. This waste was then processed into an innovative eco-aggregate known as RESIN8, which replaces a portion of natural aggregates in the production of concrete blocks. These blocks are then used in housing construction, ensuring that the waste serves a new, purposeful life.

Creating Jobs and Housing Through Rugby

Beyond its environmental benefits, the initiative is actively contributing to job creation and housing solutions in South Africa. SA Rugby President, Mark Alexander, highlighted the tangible impact of the project:

“Apart from collecting waste that would usually end up in landfills, we also helped create jobs and housing in a sustainable manner for people who desperately need a roof over their heads. At the three events last year, we collected 1,862 bags of plastic waste, which were turned into almost 65,000 bricks, and in the process, 79 jobs were created.”

Alexander emphasised that SA Rugby’s commitment extends beyond the field: “We often talk about making a difference in the lives of ordinary South Africans. While we are very proud of our teams’ efforts on the field, we are also immensely proud of this project and the impact it has had away from television cameras and public eyes.”

A United Effort for a Stronger South Africa

Abraham Avenant, CEO of CRDC SA, echoed Alexander’s sentiments, underscoring the importance of the initiative in fostering hope and sustainability.

“SA Rugby created hope for all South Africans on the field over the past few years. CRDC SA is proud to be part of this initiative by SA Rugby in creating hope off the field and building a stronger South Africa together.”

With its dual focus on sustainability and social upliftment, SA Rugby’s collaboration with CRDC SA is proving that sport can be a powerful vehicle for change. Through initiatives like ‘Bag That Builds,’ the rugby community is tackling pressing environmental issues while making a lasting difference in the lives of South Africans – one recycled brick at a time.