Green and gold fever rages at i’langa Mall
Scores of Lowvelders gathered at i'langa Mall on Saturday morning, July 30, to meet some of the Springbok players.
It was an exciting day for the fans as some Springbok players held a meet-and-greet at i’langa Mall on Saturday morning, July 30.
It was an especially thrilling day for one nine-year-old local, the captain of his U9 rugby team at Barberton Primary, Tyrique Pieters.
“I feel very excited to meet some of the Springbok players,” said an enthusiastic Tyrique. “I struggled to sleep on Friday and even marked the day the Springboks would be here on my calendar.”
He came with his family all the way from Barberton on Saturday morning to have his shirt and rugby ball signed by some of the players, and said he was very excited to be able to meet Faf de Klerk and Herschel Jantjies, but wished he could have met the team’s captain, Siya Kolisi.
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“He recently got his hair cut just like Siya. He said it is because he is the captain of his school rugby team, just like Siya is the captain of the Springboks,” said his mother, Margaret.
“I love rugby. It is a lot of fun. I like to run and tackle. I would like to be a professional rugby player one day,” Tyrique said.
Crowds flocked to i’langa Mall to get the chance to see some of the Springbok players. The first meet-and-greet was held outside the mall in the piazza next to Doppio Zero. A second meet-and-greet with some of the other team members was held inside.
i’langa Mall’s Henri Gouws said the whole morning was “an electric experience”.
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“It was an honour to host and celebrate the nation’s pride at i’langa Mall. The sense of unity portrayed by our community was inspiring as they lined up to meet their heroes dressed in the legendary green and gold,” said Gouws.
“It is so much in keeping with the team’s message, ‘Stronger together’. There is no doubt that our beautiful city of Mbombela is backing our Boks.
“We wish the Springboks all the best for the big game this Saturday. The nation is rooting for you,” he said.
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