Why sports heroes must never forget who's watching

LAST Sunday, as the Suzuki Griquas prepared to take the field against the Boland Cavaliers, something quietly powerful unfolded before the first whistle was even blown.

- DANIE VAN DER LITH

A young boy, confined to a wheelchair, proudly led the team onto the pitch. That moment went beyond being merely symbolic; it actually served as a reminder of what sport truly represents.

For many young boys and girls in the stands, the rugby field is more than just a patch of grass, because to them it's a stage where heroes are born. To that child in the wheelchair, and to countless others watching from the sidelines or on their screens, the players on that field aren't just athletes but models, living proof that dreams can be chased.

Children don't look up to players because of how many tries they score or how much they earn. They idolise them because they represent strength, resilience, and passion. And that admiration carries a deep responsibility.