UXi Western Province Rugby Academy’s contribution to the 2023 Rugby World Cup win.
The final whistle has blown and South Africa is crowned rugby world cup 2023 winners. Siya Kolisi lifts the Webb Ellis cup for the second time in his career, making history, not only as the 1st African captain in South Africa, but also as the only team who has ever secured the cup in a world cup final- four times!
Cheslin Kolbe spent the last few minutes with his jersey drawn over his head, when he was sent off with a yellow card. However, most fans in South Africa watching those tense last minutes and seconds- spent it in the very same way. They were unable to watch the gripping suspense as it unfolded at Stade de France.
Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus- did something remarkable, it has more meaning for the South African nation than most people would understand,” unless’ as Siya said in the post-match conference- “they were South Africans”!
The many, many getty images moments after the whistle blew, will be remembered forever as they set the social media platforms on fire across the world.
A week later, everything is quieter in France and Saint Denis has returned to normality, for us in South Africa, the celebrations continued all week with the Springbok celebration tour around the country. The smiles, the cheers and even tears of joy will be remembered forever, the special moments where Cheslin Kolbe graced a young fan with his world cup medal, crowds cheering and shouting SIYA, SIYA, SIYA! One nation forgetting all of its problems for one week!
The UXi Western Province Academy players made sure they were on the bus to Cape Town early enough to see Kurt Lee Arendse and Grant Williams, their heroes and former students at the Stellenbosch and Western Province Academies. These players did not come from top rugby schools or big cities, they are small-town boys who hardly had the background that could predict that they would one day be such celebrities and wear the Springbok jersey.
They once, like the current academy students, attended the Academies in Stellenbosch to become better players, improve their skills and knowledge, and have a platform that would elevate them to the next level of their incredible journeys.
As with most of the 2023 world cup Springboks, these players’ determination and passion for rugby has inspired HOPE for so many players in similar situations across South Africa. They send a message to our academy players to continue to follow their dreams, to work hard, and never give up!
The road to victory is never easy, it comes with great disappointment at times, many failures before the break-through comes. This week we also celebrate every coach and mentor who works relentlessly to bring forth the next generation of Arendses and Kolisis at the Western Province rugby academy. The educationalists, role-models, all the silent heroes who whisper words of encouragement, and who go beyond known limits, to make a difference in the many lives of aspirant players.
We all witnessed the disappointments of yellow cards, unexpected injuries like Bongi Mbonambi who got injured during the first few minutes of the final. It takes an extraordinary mindset to overcome such moments, to get up from it as an individual and a team. The purpose of the UXi Rugby Institutes is to develop rugby athletes holistically, not only on-field but more importantly, mentally, spiritually and for life after rugby. Life just like a game of rugby brings unexpected turns and events that are unpredictable. Life does not always pass us perfect balls or give us easy opponents to beat. Life knocks us down and changes course in a matter of minutes and seconds.
For UXi Sport’s rugby institute journey that started in 2018, the significance of this World Cup win is symbolic. It started with a vision and plan to create an international platform that talented players can access, irrespective of their diverse backgrounds, that will afford them equal opportunity to access the world of rugby that has been inaccessible for many of the South African youth. Since then, five international rugby institutes in five provinces were established and over six hundred players have entered its systems, UXi International Rugby Institutes have developed two Springbok players, one Blitzbok player, Ricarde Duarttee and also delivered over sixty Currie Cup under 20 and 21 players.
Its oldest rugby institute, the former Western Province Academy has been in operation for almost 10 years, it recently underwent a name change and will now be known as the Western Province International Rugby Institute. The formidable coaching team and support staff, with over hundred years of experience amongst them, will continue to find and build the next generation of future bok stars. We have witnessed how a vision and plan backed with determination, hard work and passion, can UNITE a country and lead a team to an inspirational victory!
UXi Western Province Rugby Institute is inspired to achieve GREATNESS!
