Six kids given front row seats to see Boks for the first time – and Libbok signed one’s sleeve

Whether it was the flyover that got the world talking or the nail-biting encounter between rugby’s greatest rivals, Saturday’s match between the Springboks and the All Blacks will be talked about for a while.

But for six U13 rugby players from Morningstar Junior Rugby Club in rural Durbanville, it will be one to remember for a lifetime.

The six children, between the ages of 12 and 13, were given tickets four rows from the field to watch the Springboks’ epic 33-26 victory at DHL Stadium, with all of them never having seen the Boks – or even a plane up close – before.

In a treat that most adults would be jealous of, they got to see players and planes, the haka and Mexican wave, while Springboks Pieter Steph du Toit, Manie Libbok and Thomas du Toit came over to their section to speak to fans post-game.

And in between, they got to see Mi Casa perform, Sasha-Lee Davids perform a beautiful rendition of the national anthem and even a Michael Jackson tribute half-time show.

“I enjoyed it so much. I learnt from all the different players. My favourite part was when Eben Etzebeth ran one of the players over!” said a 13-year-old Jamelle, who plays as a wing.

For Cheswin, also 13, the best part was getting to watch his favourite player Cheslin Kolbe kick for poles – and slot them each and every time at a 100% conversion rate.

They, too, had something to say about the aeroplanes that have had the world talking well into this week.

“That was nice! It was so big and so close!” said an enthused Jamelle.

Like many South Africans, Aldo Carelse, their coach and chaperone, shared something in common with the boys.

“It’s my first time as well!” he laughed. “It’s really an unforgettable experience. Words can’t describe how grateful we are to come here.

C