When Shaun De Souza leads Zimbabwe's Junior Sables into battle at the Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy in Uganda this week, his focus will be on winning a third continental title and preparing another generation of players for international rugby.
But behind one of Zimbabwe's most successful youth rugby coaches lies a remarkable story of resilience, perseverance and hope—a journey that began not on pristine rugby fields but in uncertainty, moving from one home to another as a child.
As he prepares for his fifth consecutive Barthes Trophy campaign, De Souza revealed to Rugby Africa Media that his upbringing has shaped not only the man he became but also the coach he is today.
"We moved from home to home, living with grandma, then grandpa, ended up in social welfare care, and we moved to St Joseph's," De Souza recalled.
The twins, Shaun and Shane, eventually found a home at St Joseph's House for Boys in Harare, a children's home established to care for orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged boys.
For many, such beginnings would have been a limitation.
For De Souza, they became the foundation of a life dedicated to giving young people opportunities.
"I've been fortunate to have people invest in me throughout my life, and that taught me the importance of giving back," he said.
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"Coaching has never been just about rugby for me; it's about creating opportunities and helping young people become better versions of themselves.
"Like many people, I've experienced challenges growing up, and those experiences taught me gratitude and the value of community. They also showed me that sometimes all a young person needs is someone who believes in them."
That belief changed the course of the twins' lives.
Their outstanding sporting talent caught the attention of St Joseph's board member Clive Barnes, then headmaster of Prince Edward School, who arranged for the brothers to enrol at the prestigious Harare institution. Barnes also convinced the Kewada family to sponsor their education.
The opportunity transformed Shaun's life.
He excelled in rugby, athletics and basketball before establishing himself as one of Zimbabwe's finest wingers during his playing days with the Sables.
Today, nearly three decades later, he has returned to Prince Edward as the school's First XV coach, helping shape another generation of rugby talent.
His influence stretches far beyond schoolboy rugby.
This year's Barthes Trophy in Uganda marks his fifth successive campaign with the Junior Sables, having guided Zimbabwe to back-to-back African titles in 2022 and 2023.
Now, after Kenya and Namibia ended Zimbabwe's dominance over the past two editions, De Souza is determined to reclaim the continental crown.
Yet trophies only tell part of his story.
Perhaps De Souza's greatest achievement has been building the pathway between junior and senior rugby.
Seven members of Zimbabwe's senior Sables squad that recently toured North America have come through his coaching system.
Godfrey Muzanargwo, Dylan Utete, Dion Khumalo, Takudzwa Musingwini, Edward Sigauke, Bryan Chiang and Simbarashe Siraha all developed under De Souza, with several progressing from Prince Edward to the Junior Sables before graduating into the senior national team.
One of his greatest success stories is Racing 92 loose forward Shingi Manyarara, who captained Zimbabwe to the 2023 Barthes Trophy title and is now regarded as one of the country's brightest exports in world rugby.
Those names provide perhaps the strongest argument yet that De Souza has become one of Zimbabwe's finest rugby developers.
While many coaches are judged by trophies, De Souza's legacy is increasingly measured by the number of international players he continues to produce.
Few coaches in Zimbabwe can point to such a direct influence on the current Sables squad.
With so many of the country's senior internationals having learnt their rugby under his guidance, there is an increasingly persuasive case that De Souza is the natural successor whenever Zimbabwe begins planning for the future leadership of the senior Sables.
His ability to identify talent, nurture character and prepare players for international rugby has already been proven.
For De Souza, however, the mission remains unchanged.
"I think the Barthes Trophy is one of the most important competitions on the continent," he said.
"It provides young players with genuine international exposure at a critical stage of their development. For African rugby to continue growing, we need strong age-group competitions. The Barthes Trophy creates pathways, develops coaches and officials, and prepares players for professional rugby."
Heading into Uganda, he insists Zimbabwe's ambitions extend beyond simply reclaiming the trophy.
"We're extremely motivated. Success isn't something you inherit; it's something you earn every single day.
"Our focus isn't on talking about winning the title. Our focus is on preparing exceptionally well, building a connected team and performing to our potential.
"We're fortunate to have a balanced squad with a good mix of physicality, athleticism and rugby intelligence. We have players who I believe have the potential to become future Sables."
Those words perhaps reveal the true measure of Shaun De Souza.
For a man whose own future was transformed because someone believed in a young boy moving between homes in Harare, success has never been measured solely by medals or championships.
It is measured by seeing another young Zimbabwean pull on the green and white jersey.
"When I see former Junior Sables wearing the green and white, I get goosebumps," he said.
"I don't just see talented rugby players; I see young men who have embraced responsibility, leadership and service to their country."
And as Zimbabwe begins another quest for continental glory in Uganda, the country's hopes rest with a coach whose greatest victories have never simply been lifting trophies—they have been changing lives.
The Barthes Trophy is going to take place from August 7 - 15 2026 at Mutesa II Stadium Wankulukuku, Kampala in Uganda.
