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Township teens' tour to Sevenoaks creates memories for life
A group of boys from schools in South Africa's Eastern Cape undertook the journey to Kent, but the motivation goes deeper than a simple tour.
For rugby fans and players worldwide, going on tour creates memories, wherever matches are played or however long ago.
A group of South African schoolboys are building those memories as they tour to Sevenoaks RFC in Kent.
The visit, which has been brought about through a huge collective effort, offers boys from townships in the Eastern Cape area of South Africa a chance to travel to the UK.
They are being hosted by families of their Sevenoaks opposition and by the end of their trip they will have played three games against Sevenoaks Academy, Sutton Valance and Brighton College.
Lincoln’s backing
The tour is being organised by Lincoln Mali, CEO Southern Africa of Lesaka Technologies and founder of the Lincoln Mali Foundation, which aims to develop the next generation of leaders in Africa.
He is particularly focused on the Eastern Cape because this is where rugby initially took off in the South African black community. It is also where Orientals Rugby Football Club, the team his father played for, was based.
Unfortunately, while the national team reached the pinnacle of the game in the 90s, rugby in the Eastern Cape was struggling and Lincoln felt he had to do something.
He explained: “I felt I had benefited from playing rugby when I was a student in the 80s and now it was dying.
“I thought it was important we start rugby again, because if school rugby isn’t strong, the clubs won’t be strong, and if the clubs aren’t strong, the Springboks won’t be strong.
“Also as people are asking for more representation in the Springbok team, the biggest contribution to that comes from the Eastern Cape.”
Aiming to regenerate rugby in the area, Lincoln created a tournament for schools in disadvantaged areas to play each other and, as it grew, an old friend was impressed.
Linking up with Sevenoaks
Louis Botes, juniors coach at Sevenoaks RFC, reached out proposing that his club host the boys from the tournament .
Initially, the suggestion was bringing one player over, but this grew and grew until eventually the club said it was willing to host an entire squad of 22 boys.
Lincoln said: “When Louis told me I was walking in a shopping mall and I was bawling, crying. I just couldn’t believe it.”
Covid prevented the tour from going ahead as scheduled, but the plans were soon back in place, with a squad of 22 players from the school’s tournament selected to tour.
The team, known as the Mzwandile Mali XV after Lincoln’s father and wearing the colours of the old Orientals Rugby Football Club, was ready to go to Sevenoaks.
Hopes of fostering relationships
Lincoln has high hopes for the tour and the effect that it could have on the boys. “The juniors who are going to be meeting boys from South Africa for the first time will, hopefully, build long-lasting relationships themselves,” he said.
“Maybe one day they will play each other for England and the Springboks!
“We’re also hoping that one or two of the boys can be seen by Sevenoaks or one of the other schools will see the talent, as talented young people can get opportunities through sport.”
The sense of community is also felt at Sevenoaks, as Louis explained: “It’s a community club. Against Tunbridge Wells, we had ten homegrown players in our team and the club is really invested in rugby and youth. It’s a great opportunity to learn from each other.”
Greg Gorrill, the club’s head of communications added: “Giving children from every walk of life access to the sport is something the club is very proud to embrace.
“It’s a really big deal for Sevenoaks, we’re honoured to be hosting it."
