“My heart leapt up when I beheld” 19 May 2014

Henry Sieberhagen

10H

All was quiet and still, nothing could be heard except for the beating of my heart and the dull sound of cheering fans. I looked around at my team mates the heroes of my childhood. It was only at this moment that the realisation set in, I was about to fulfil the dream of every young South African boy. I was about to play a rugby match for the country I hold so dear. I looked down at the symbol that covered my heart, the springbok. By now a lump had formed in my throat and tears were rolling down my cheeks.

The line started moving toward the entrance of the battle that is Dunedin, correctly given the nickname, The House of Pain. Only one South African team has been successful in winning there. All of a sudden the stadium opened up, and the dull sound turned into a deafening roar. My heart leapt up when I beheld the sea of South African flags, swaying to Noksi Sikele iAfrika, whilst singing the national anthem I could hardly breathe. I don t think I even got a word out. I was in a daze, until one of the older, more experienced, players told me to get into position. We lined up to watch the traditional Maori war-cry, which is the Haka.

The first half just went by in a flash and I looked up at the score board, 13-5. I was devastated, we were trailing by 8 points. I did not even listen to what the coach said at half time. I was too focused on what i had to do in the next half. We were told to go back to the field for the next half. We were receiving the kick off. The kick off was a bit to deep. Dan Carter put it to deep into our half. The ball landed in the safe hand of Brian Habana, who sped off in the opposition’s direction. We played with a new kind of vigour. It only took a couple more phases before Willie Le Roux dotted the ball behind the poles, after a brilliant chip and chase. The score was now 13-12. We received the kick off again but this time Dan carter placed it perfectly. Although it was a perfect kick, Victor Mattfield was taken out in the air, which gave us the penalty. Then an argument broke out, but the argument was broken up by the captain. He said” we are going to go for the line out.” Handré Pollard performed a beautiful kick, which put a in their 22, 10 metres from their try line. We then proceed to maul the ball over and score in the corner. Unfortunately Handré Pollard missed the kick.

We were now only leading by 4 points. After a terrible start, The All Black’s received a breath of new life. They played with a new energy and sense of urgency. We then proceed to defend for the remainder of the game, but the score still remained 17-13. We did everything in our power; there was nothing that they could do to break our line. They battered at the walls of our defence, with their forwards and sniped us with their backline, but they could not break through. The time ticked by slowly, if the game was never ending. The horn sounded for the end of the game. In one last ditch effort, they tried out a new backline effort. We had to keep our composure. The ball was then passed to the wing, the man I was marking. He sprinted towards the line, I sprinted to cross cover defend. I dove for the tackle, but he slipped from my grasp and scored in the corner.

I lay on the ground, paralysed with disappointment. The greatest day of my life had turned into the worst. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I heard the comforting words “It will be okay...”