Morningstar U13 players inspired by first Springboks Test at DHL Stadium

Six boys from Morningstar Rugby Club in Durbanville had an unforgettable experience on Saturday, as they watched the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry match between the Springboks and All Blacks at DHL Stadium. The youngsters belong to the U/13 Morningstar Rugby Club, founded in 2015 to bring rugby back to the community and provide young people with a sense of belonging, growth, and potential.

Recently, the club introduced a junior programme (U8-U13), and one former player has already pursued rugby overseas. The boys had the opportunity to have their t-shirts signed by Springbok player Manie Libbok and watch their favorite players in action, thanks to the Pick n Pay School Club. Excitement was evident on the faces of Xavier Pienaar, Darren Ockhuis, twins Ashwin and Cheswin Williams, Luke Smith, and Jamelle Goliath, along with their coach Aldo Carelse, who experienced their first Bok match and their first time at the stadium.

The boys, who refer to themselves as the "future Springboks," expressed their enthusiasm outside the stadium, with Darren eagerly taking a picture in front of the stadium with his arms wide open. Upon entering the stadium, they danced to the beats, jammed to the music, and proudly sang the national anthem. During the game, the boys were on the edge of their seats, analyzing the match and encouraging each other, with one of them saying, "Kyk wat doen Damian" (Look what Damian Willemse is doing).

After the Springboks' 33-26 victory, the boys eagerly approached Manie Libbok to get their sweaters signed. Coach Carelse emphasized the significance of the experience, stating that the boys come from an under-resourced community where such opportunities are rare. Luke particularly enjoyed the game between the posts and getting his t-shirt signed by Manie, while Cheswin expressed his ambition to become a Springbok.