Kyle Saunders has been selected to represent South Africa in the SA Bok Tag rugby squad at the World Cup in Australia later this year.
And all that’s standing in the way of the 21-year-old is the R42 000 cost of the trip.
The young man from Beacon Valley started playing rugby at Cornflower Primary in Lentegeur. When he was in Grade 4, he joined Hamiltons Rugby Club.
He later attended Oval North High, where he refused to fall prey to gangsterism and drugs.
Kyle also played for the Stellenbosch Rugby Knights and for the Maties under-21s.
He is studying Sports Science at Stellenbosch Rugby Academy, while doing an internship at Panorama Primary as a coach.
His father, Gavin Saunders, says: “We had to make a student loan application, which I am currently still paying off.
“This has really put a strain on our income and financially it is really an uphill battle.
“He has been given this huge opportunity to represent the nation but government or SA Rugby doesn’t fund him and his team at all.”
“But I believe as parents, these are sacrifices we have to make for our children in order for them to become beneficial one day.”
Kyle will be representing SA alongside 39 nations and 200 teams participating in the Cup.
“Everybody sees Mitchells Plain for its gangsterism and crimes, but they never see our talents and the positive things because the world is being fed with negativity instead of the good things that actually matter,” Kyle says.
“I was raised to work hard for what I want and decided to take that one step.
“I’m amped for the opportunity to play in a World Cup against the world’s best.”
The tournament takes place 1-4 November and the team will depart 25 October.
For donations, call Gavin on 082 925 0981.