Sport builds a relationship from Wales to Glencoe
A visiting Welsh school from Ysgol Dewi Sant (St David's School in South West Wales), stopped over at Sarel Cilliers in Glencoe last week, where they played rugby and netball as part of their 13-day tour of Southern Africa.
It is often said that sport unites a country. Think of the Francois Pienaar/Madiba moment when the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup. Or a few years later, when Bafana won the African Nations Cup.
Sport is now uniting countries. A visiting Welsh school from Ysgol Dewi Sant (St David’s School in South West Wales), stopped over at Sarel Cilliers in Glencoe last week, where they played rugby and netball as part of their 13-day tour of Southern Africa.
Bruce Evans, a teacher and tour organiser at Ysgol Dewi Sant, said many friendships were formed during their two-day stopover in Glencoe.
The 47-strong group of boys and girls, aged between 11 and 16, first stopped over at Matsieng in Lesotho where they played several matches and rekindled a relationship with the Mahlonyeng School, with which St David’s has a twinning arrangement.
Through Titch Cartwright, a friend of Bruce’s and a former educator in Potchefstroom, a suggestion was made to visit Sarel Cilliers who have developed a formidable sporting reputation in Northern KZN.
“It has been wonderful to visit Glencoe and meet the teachers and students who have been so welcoming,” said Bruce.
The rugby match against Sarel Cilliers was won 22-10 by the visitors.
The field was harder than the visitors are used to, thanks to the harsh winter, but the conditions probably suited the fleet-footed Welsh lads.
“It was played in a really good spirit as were the two netball games. The B team lost 22-7 but the A team drew against Sarel, 12-12, in what was an exciting game.
“Afterwards, the students swopped addresses and I believe a solid relationship has been formed between St Davids and Sarel Cilliers,” remarked Bruce.
His comments were echoed by Dave van der Westhuizen, Sarel Cilliers’sports master, who said hosting the Welsh team ‘was a real treat’. “It is a privilege to host our international visitors and we are grateful that we are on their itinerary.” Other stops on their tour included Durban, Potchefstroom, Krugersdorp and a visit to a game reserve before returning home.
The Sarel staff and coaching staff gave the Welsh tourists a typical South African braai with ‘wors, pap and sous’ which they enjoyed, although at first, the ‘pap’ did create some bemusement, as many thought it was rice!
