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Miss Rhead writes...
Today was our final match day - Mr Gibbs and Mr Fraser had twenty boys to choose their starting line up from. We enjoyed another hearty breakfast in the hotel before heading off to the club that we were playing. Masiphumelele Rugby Club, our opposition, were the first club side we have played this tour and it was definitely our warmest welcome. After a delay to kick off, waiting for the medical cover (just in case) - we were off and dominating the first half, scoring four tries and converting three of the four so we went into half time leading 26-0. This was based on really solid defence and playing some really good rugby. Masi retaliated with two tries at the start of the second half, but we continued to dominate and the final score was 43-17 to us.
In a sense, though, the result was irrelevant. This was about two teams enjoying the challenge of taking each other on and earning each other's respect in the process. Masi is a club with strong rugby values and an understanding that rugby can have a transformative effect on the lives of young people. A rugby club is a family, a place to belong and an extraordinary source of support and this was brought home to the boys in the minute's silence preceding the game, held to mark the life of one of the club's founding members who had tragically died playing for the club only a week or so ago.
The day, though, was anything but maudlin; rather, it was a joyful celebration of everything the game represents. It was fitting that, after enjoying a magnificent braai (barbecue), the boys from both sides began an impromptu game of touch rugby, this time involving several of the younger children who had watched the match earlier.
Eventually, we had to drag them away. Our boys still had energy to spare so we took them to a nearby beach for a dip in The Indian Ocean which was followed by another game of touch before an ice cream. This evening we also allowed the boys to explore the waterfront, in small groups, with money for supper and time to enjoy each other's company. There was the opportunity for a relatively early night before we head off on safari tomorrow.
It was wonderful to receive the following email from an English couple, now living in South Africa, who had happened to pass the Masi ground, heard English voices and so stayed to watch out of curiosity. They took the trouble to write:
Just a quick note to send compliments on the impression of your team in SA.
We’re Brits (from Somerset originally) living down here and happened to watch the team playing Masi who are one of the local township teams. It is fantastic to see a UK public school touring with township teams rather than just the smart SA public schools. The boys must have had a far richer experience because of this. I’m sure you are aware, but both Masi and Khayelitsha are incredibly poor, tough and violent places so having first hand contact for your boys goes much deeper than sport. That approach speaks volumes about your school and the people involved in structuring the tour. We chatted briefly to the teacher leading the group who could not have been a more positive example and role model for the players.
The team were playing well and competitively but what was impressive was their conduct, sportsmanship and the way in which they were looking after their opponents respectfully. With our much younger children watching, it was great to have a such a great example of UK schools to show them!
Congratulations.
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