Sports Physiotherapy Internship in South Africa, Port Elizabeth

This internship requires a minimum commitment of 4 weeks, with placements available in 2-week intervals thereafter. A 6-week placement is recommended to maximise your learning, practical experience and contribution to the programme.

Placements typically provide approximately 140 hours over 4 weeks or 200 hours over 6 weeks. Applicants must have completed at least the first year of an undergraduate physiotherapy degree, or hold a higher relevant qualification. A CV outlining your academic background and relevant experience is required.

Sports Physiotherapy in South Africa

South Africa has a rich sporting culture, with rugby, football, cricket, hockey, netball and many other sports playing an important role in communities across the country. However, access to professional physiotherapy, injury prevention and rehabilitation services remains unequal, particularly for young athletes growing up in under-resourced communities.

Based in the coastal city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), our Sports Physiotherapy Internship offers an exciting opportunity to gain practical experience across a variety of sporting and clinical environments, while contributing to the health and wellbeing of local athletes.

Working alongside an experienced, qualified South African physiotherapist, you will gain exposure to established private practice, competitive sports clubs and grassroots community sport. This varied placement provides an opportunity to develop your clinical understanding, learn different approaches to injury management and rehabilitation, and experience the realities of sports physiotherapy in South Africa.

Through our established relationships with local sports clubs, schools and community organisations, you will also have the opportunity to support athletes who may otherwise face significant barriers to accessing professional physiotherapy services.

Your Sports Physiotherapy Internship

Your placement combines experience in an established physiotherapy practice with practical involvement in local sports clubs and community-based sports development programmes.

You will work under the guidance of a dedicated local supervisor who holds a BSc in Physiotherapy and is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), through the Professional Board for Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics (PPB). Your supervisor is also authorised to practise in private and community settings, ensuring that your placement is supported by experienced, locally qualified professional expertise.

Clinical Practice Experience (minimum 8 hours per week)

You will spend time in an established physiotherapy practice, observing and supporting the day-to-day work of a qualified physiotherapist.

This experience will help you develop your understanding of musculoskeletal assessments, injury diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation techniques and patient management. You will also gain insight into the professional responsibilities, administrative processes and practical considerations involved in operating a physiotherapy practice.

Depending on your level of experience, you may have opportunities to assist with appropriate assessments, rehabilitation exercises and treatment activities under direct professional supervision.

Sports Club Experience (6-8 hours per week)

Alongside your clinical experience, you will work with local sports clubs across a variety of sporting disciplines, gaining valuable exposure to the physical demands and injury risks associated with competitive sport.

Your responsibilities may include supporting pre-training preparation, injury prevention and prehabilitation activities, alongside pitch-side first aid and athlete support during training sessions and competitive fixtures.

You will have opportunities to observe how physiotherapy principles are applied within active sporting environments, helping athletes prepare for competition, manage injuries and work towards a safe return to sport.

Community Sports Physiotherapy (20-25 hours per week)

A particularly rewarding element of this internship is the opportunity to work within our charity’s established community development programmes.

It works with local schools and communities to create opportunities for children and young people through sport, education and personal development. Many of the young athletes participating in these programmes have limited access to professional physiotherapy services and structured injury prevention support.

Working alongside our local coaching and programme teams, you will help introduce physiotherapy principles into school and community sporting environments, supporting pre-training preparation, prehabilitation, injury prevention education and pitch-side first aid.

This experience offers a unique opportunity to understand the role physiotherapy can play beyond a traditional clinical setting, while supporting locally led programmes that aim to make sport safer, more inclusive and more accessible.

Additional Sporting Opportunities

Your placement will generally operate from Monday to Friday, although occasional weekend participation may be required or offered depending on local sporting schedules.

Depending on the timing of your visit, you may have opportunities to attend local fixtures, sporting tournaments and other competitive events, gaining further exposure to pitch-side athlete support and sports injury management.

All practical clinical activities will be undertaken under appropriate supervision and in accordance with your level of training and applicable South African professional requirements.

Criminal Records Check

We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

All documentation must be submitted and approved before departure.

Sports Physiotherapy Internship Opportunities

Whether you are looking to complete a university elective, fulfil practical placement requirements or gain international experience to strengthen your future career, our Sports Physiotherapy Internship in South Africa offers an exciting opportunity to develop both personally and professionally.

The combination of clinical practice, competitive sport and community-based physiotherapy provides a diverse learning environment that is difficult to replicate in a traditional placement.

You will gain insight into different approaches to physiotherapy, develop practical skills under professional supervision and experience the challenges and rewards of supporting athletes from a wide range of backgrounds.

We welcome applications from physiotherapy students who have completed at least two years of undergraduate study, as well as more advanced students and graduates looking to broaden their experience. Where agreed in advance, placements can be structured to accommodate university elective requirements, with attendance records and supervisor feedback available to support academic assessment.

Beyond your placement, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in South African culture, explore the beautiful Eastern Cape and connect with local professionals and communities.

Most importantly, this is an opportunity to develop as a future physiotherapy professional while contributing to established, locally led initiatives that use sport to improve opportunities for young people.

Start Dates 2027

09th Jan – 4 to 12 weeks
06th Feb – 4 to 8 weeks
06th Mar – 4 weeks
10th Apr – 4 to 12 weeks
08th May – 4 to 8 weeks
5th Jun – 4 weeks
17th Jul – 4 weeks
21st Aug – 4 to 12 weeks
18th Sep – 4 to 8 weeks
16th Oct – 4 weeks

Note 1: 4 weeks = 28 nights, 6 weeks = 42 nights, 8 weeks = 56 nights, 10 weeks = 70 nights, 12 weeks = 84 nights

Note 2: dates are based on school holidays and are subject to change.

Note 3: All programmes run from Saturday to Saturday.

Note 4: These participant dates are based on the current published school terms in South Africa. However, based on future developments they may change at short notice. We will update you as soon as any changes take place.

Road trip to Cape Town (Add-On)

We also offer an optional 7-night road trip from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, which you can choose to join during your placement. Please be aware that participating in this trip will reduce your total placement hours by approximately one week’s worth of activities, which may be important if you are completing specific university or elective requirements.

Participation is entirely optional, and our regular programmes will continue running throughout this period for those who choose to remain on placement.

On the final day of the road trip, you can either finish your journey in Cape Town or return to Port Elizabeth on our minibus, arriving at approximately 15:00. You are welcome to stay at our accommodation that evening if required.

Please check the road trip dates against your placement schedule. The trip is available as an optional Add-On when making your booking.

Visa & Entry Requirements

Most visitors only require a visa to enter South Africa if they intend on staying over 90 days but this can be extended once in-country. We recommend you research this yourself depending on what Nationality you are.

Placement Structure & Sports Coaching

Our Sports Physiotherapy Internship combines clinical experience, sports physiotherapy support and practical sports coaching within local schools, sports clubs and community programmes.

It is important to understand that hands-on sports coaching forms an essential part of this placement. Alongside developing your physiotherapy knowledge and supporting injury prevention, rehabilitation and pitch-side first aid, you will be actively involved in coaching specific sports and helping deliver structured sporting activities to children and young athletes.

Your placement will typically involve:

Clinical Practice (minimum 8 hours per week): Working alongside an experienced physiotherapist in an established practice, observing consultations, assessments, treatment and rehabilitation.

Local Sports Clubs (6-8 hours per week): Supporting pre-training preparation, prehabilitation, injury prevention, pitch-side first aid and athlete wellbeing across different sporting disciplines.

Community Schools and Sports Programmes (20-25 hours per week): Actively coaching sports, delivering structured activities, supporting physical development and incorporating injury prevention, prehabilitation and first aid into our established community programmes.

Placements operate primarily Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend activities depending on sporting fixtures, tournaments and other opportunities.

Professional Supervision

You will be supported by a qualified South African physiotherapist who holds a BSc in Physiotherapy and is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), under the Professional Board for Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics (PPB).

Your supervisor is authorised to practise privately and has experience in community-based physiotherapy, providing professional guidance throughout your internship.

Clinical participation will depend on your experience, qualifications, supervision and relevant professional requirements.

Equipment Donation for South Africa

We are committed to sustainable community development and ensuring our programmes create benefits that continue beyond individual placements.

Part of your programme fee contributes towards purchasing sports equipment and resources for our partner schools and community programmes. You may use this equipment during your placement, and it remains with the local programmes after your departure.

Where an equipment donation is not appropriate, financial contributions may instead support ongoing programme delivery and development.

Sports Camps

During South African school holidays, your regular school-based placement activities may be replaced by involvement in sports camps organised in and around Port Elizabeth.

These camps provide children and young people with opportunities to participate in organised sport, develop skills and remain physically active outside of school terms.

As a physiotherapy intern, you will be expected to participate actively in sports coaching and camp activities, while applying your knowledge of warm-ups, injury prevention, movement, physical preparation and first aid wherever appropriate.

Sports camps are an important part of our community programmes and provide an opportunity to work with different groups of young athletes in a dynamic, practical environment.

Social Life in South Africa

We believe that enjoying your time outside your placement is an important part of the overall experience.

Our local team organises a variety of social activities, excursions and opportunities for volunteers and interns to explore South Africa, experience local culture and build friendships with people from around the world.

From beach outings and sporting activities to traditional South African braais, weekend adventures and group excursions, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy everything the Eastern Cape has to offer.

Living alongside other international volunteers and interns also creates a sociable environment where you can share experiences and make lasting friendships.

Accommodation

You will stay in our shared volunteer accommodation in Port Elizabeth, alongside other international volunteers and interns participating in our programmes.

Accommodation is basic but comfortable, with dormitory-style rooms and communal living spaces that create a friendly and sociable atmosphere.

The accommodation is conveniently located for accessing your placement activities, with shops and other useful amenities nearby.

Living together provides a great opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, share your experiences and enjoy a supportive home away from home throughout your internship.

Accommodation

A lodge with shared rooms (4-10 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Shared toilet and shower facilities; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation including pool, TV and games room and bar; Single and double rooms may also be available if requested and booked pre-departure.

View our accommodation photo album.

Food

3 meals a day Mon to Fri and 2 meals (breakfast and lunch) a day at weekends.

Arrival Pick-Up & Transfers

Included on arrival and departure date. Early arrival will be subject to an additional charge.

Training

Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support

Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support and full supervision on placement

Donation

Part of your fee may be used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. We also encourage you to bring any extra equipment that you are happy to give away but this will need to fall within your personal weight allowance with the airline you travel with. It’s important you discuss the distribution of these items with our in-country team.

• Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Spending money
• Some food
• In country travel
• Laundry service
• Extra activities not on itinerary.