Rugby runs in their blood
"Both boys have come a long way. They've played their hearts out and we are so happy they have been able to represent competitive teams in big tournaments. It has taught them not to give up," the boys' mother, Nadja, said.
Brothers Udo and Ulrich Cilliers might differ in age and attend different schools but they have at least one thing in common; they just love rugby.
Ulrich is 11 years old and in grade six at Curro Nelspruit, where he plays rugby for the first team. He has just returned from the Pumas u/12 B team tour to Vryheid, where his team performed fairly well last week, beating the Sharks and losing to the Lions and Falcons.
He is the first Curro pupil to have been chosen for a provincial rugby team since the school opened it doors five years ago.
“I was so glad and proud to have represented the province at the tournament. “I made great friends and I think I played well,” Ulrich said.
Udo is two years older than his brother and is in his final year at Laerskool Laeveld. He was disappointed when he did not make the Mpumalanga interprovincial team.
“Soon after, we heard about the Bokkie Week and I attended the trials. I made the 22-player squad for south-eastern Transvaal and I am so happy,” Udo said.
“I am actually relieved to have made the team as it is the first big team I am a part of and it makes me very proud. It also makes me stand out at school.”
Bokkie Week is in its 25th year and brings together teams chosen from 15 different regions in South Africa. Udo is also the only player from the Lowveld in his team. He and his family will travel to Kroonstad for the tournament next week.
Having one son back from an interprovincial rugby tournament and the other off to participate in Bokkie Week, Francois and Nadja are understandably proud parents.
“Both boys have come a long way. They’ve played their hearts out and we are so happy they have been able to represent competitive teams in big tournaments. It has taught them not to give up,” Nadja said.
“It was only a matter of time. I mean, Udo was born with a rugby ball in one hand and food in the other.”
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Both brothers enjoy other sports at school too. Udo participates in cricket and tennis as well as in cross-country and athletics. Ullrich plays similar sports and was actually chosen last year to represent Mpumalanga at the South African nationals in cross-country.
Rugby, however, remains their number one pastime. Both boys are passionate Lions fans. Their grandfather has always supported the team and the boys were influenced by him on their visits to him.
“I want to be a Lions player one day,” Ulrich said.
“Me too,” said Udo.
“First a Lion and then a Springbok.”
Watch this space!
