The Springboks have been doing their rounds on the Cape Flats, training hard at local clubs and meeting and greeting hundreds of excited fans.
on Thursday, the Boks stieked uit at Accordian Park, the home of Belhar Rugby Club, where the players, led by Captain Siya Kolisi, met with about 500 excited fans, including the club’s president, Jerome “Donkie” Booysen.
The Belhar club is one of just two Cape Flats clubs currently playing in the Super League A division. The other club is Tygerberg RFC.
On Monday, the Boks trained at Florida Park in Ravensmead, where despite the pouring rain, hundreds of laaities and their parents pitched up to see their heroes train for next month’s Rugby Championship.
Along with Kolisi, mense also swamped fan favourites Elton Jantjies and Damian Willemse.
HEROES: Springbok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit signing autographs at Accordian Park, Belhar. Photo: Noor Slamdien/ ANA Pictures
Fans who asked after coach Rassie Erasmus were told he was ill and missed the visit.
Kolisi handed over a signed Springbok jersey to Booysen, thanking the local team for the use of their grounds and the hospitality shown to them.
A smiling Booysen said he was honoured to host the national team.
“As long as God spares me, I will make sure that the Springboks come back every year to the area to train,” he said.
He said it was a dream come true for laaities in the area.
“Our people can’t afford to purchase tickets to watch the team play at Newlands. So this is the best way for the children in our area to have the opportunity to see and meet their sports stars,” Booysen added.
He handed a Belhar Rugby Club jersey to Kolisi as a token of appreciation.
Excited children walked around with their booklets to collect as many Bok autographs as they could.
Spokesman for the Springboks, Rayaan Adriaanse, says they were welcomed with open arms and open hearts.
“The atmosphere was great and the weather was fantastic. The people really made the players’ day. It is a custom of the team when we visit communities to hand over a jersey as a sign of appreciation,” he says.
“The team will have the last open training session in Stellenbosch [Friday] and on Sunday we leave for Durban.”