Close your eyes, take a deep breath and let your mind paint a picture: the sun setting over the African sky; a sold-out Mbombela Stadium; chanting rugby fans; electrifying fireworks and smoke machines exploding with excitement; a hair-raising rendition of the “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”; 30 pairs of professional rugby togs bolting up, down and across the field. This is the enthralling scene for the much-anticipated United Rugby Championship Test Match: Springboks vs All Blacks. The first meeting of two matches, kicking off at Mbombela Stadium and Ellis Park respectively.
It’s not everyday that you get to sit and watch one of the greatest all-time rivalries in World Rugby – in fact, it is nothing less than a privilege. The historic rivalry between the South African and New Zealand sides has stood the test of time; a rivalry which has mainly been dominated by the New Zealanders. Nevertheless, this Mbombela magical showdown served as the 102nd match between these two sporting powerhouses.
The one thing to remember about South Africa is that, as a nation, WE LOVE RUGBY. No composition of words that can quite accurately describe the electricity felt in the air when a rugby match kicks off, whether it’s a school match, club match or National Championship! Every South African can remember the 2019 Rugby World Cup final – the undeniable sense of hope and adrenaline that was felt all around us. Regardless if they were die-hard rugby supporters or not, on RWC Finals day everyone whipped out their Springbok jerseys (or any green shirt that they could find), and UNITED as ONE NATION for 80 minutes.
UXi Sport and its national Rugby Institutes are no stranger to the love and excitement felt towards rugby. It was an honour for us, as UXi Sport, to host over 40 rugby, sporting and corporate VIPs to our UXi Sport Suite in Mbombela Stadium, to witness the Springbok-All Blacks clash. Filled with food, drinks and an atmosphere like no other, the UXi Sport Suite was the place to be on Saturday the 6th of August. On a day-to-day basis, this VIP Suite is actually home to the UXi Pumas Rugby Institute, and is their official Student and Education Hub. With the most enchanting view of the field and stadium, it’s easy to see why the UXi Pumas Rugby Institute students never want to leave “campus”!
The match itself was a spectacle on its own, which made for quality entertainment; there is no denying that both teams put it all out on the line during this contest. Despite Ian Foster’s increase in pressure and an All Black squad spice-up, the Springboks were ready to rise to the physical challenge – no matter what it took. It is impossible to forget Faf de Klerk’s brutal knockout by Caleb Clarke within the first few seconds, Handre Pollard’s flawless kicking boot, and Jaden Hendrikse, Damian Willemse and Willie Le Roux leaping into the arms of adoring fans. No one can deny that the Springboks were on top form. Even though the All Blacks were able to squeak in some points, thanks to the likes of Jordie Barrett and Shannon Frizell, the “full package” Springbok side (as described by All Blacks captain, Sam Cane) were too good for the New Zealanders, and claimed a 26-10 victory.
To make this match even more iconic, one of our own Institute successes, Kurt-Lee Arendse (UXi Western Province Rugby Academy 2016), was in the starting Springbok line-up. Despite his horrific aerial collision with Beauden Barrett, Kurt-Lee had a tremendous game; giving the students in the UXi Sport Rugby Institutes an increased sense of hope. They know that they are on the right path, and they too can follow in the same footsteps as Kurt-Lee. The UXi Rugby Institutes give hope to those young boys who maybe didn’t get selection for the SA Schools Teams, or didn’t get that Union contract straight out of school. Kurt-Lee didn’t, and now he is playing at the highest level of rugby possible, using the UXi Western Province Rugby Academy as his first step. Further, eight of our UXi Pumas Rugby Institute students were given the opportunity to be the official Test Match ball boys – this was truly a life-changing experience. Can you imagine how indescribable it must be as a 20 year old aspirant-rugby professional to share an International Rugby field with two of the greatest teams in the history of the sport? Standing alongside Malcolm Marx as he cleans the ball before he takes a lineout – it is a moment that these students will remember forever.
Echoing the words of the late President Nelson Mandela, sport has “the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” Sport has this incredible ability to break barriers between people, and bring a country together. Sport emphasizes the opportunities that are available in the world, and provide a pillar of hope to the youth of our nation. Sport unites; sport inspires; sport CHANGES THE WORLD.
