MEET LITTLE EMILY-ROSE

Widowed rugby legend Errol Tobias has become a dad again at 74 after finding love with Ro-Andria

- COLIN HENDRICKS

PEOPLE often do a double-take when he tells them he's a new dad but he doesn't mind – and at 74 he's more than ready to handle nappy changes and be on daddy duty around the clock.

After all, Errol Tobias is accustomed to taking on challenges – he's been doing it almost his whole life.

In 1981 he made history by becoming the first black Springbok, taking to the field as a centre against Ireland at Newlands at age of 30. Fast-forward several decades and his life continues to evolve and surprise in ways he never imagined.

Just last year, Errol and his 30-year-old partner, Ro-Andria Sylvester, welcomed their first child together.

He admits he was taken aback when he found out Ro-Andria was expecting "because I'm at such an advanced age". Yet he quickly adapted, much like he did on the rugby field.

"I was chosen for the SA team at what's considered an advanced age and I've never indulged in smoking or drinking, which keeps me healthy. If I draw inspiration from the Bible, even Abraham had a child late in life. If this is God's plan, I'm ready to embrace it," he tells YOU.

Errol has four adult children from his marriage to his late wife, Sandra, who passed away after a heart attack in 2020. Still, the art of changing nappies remains a challenge for him.

"Yesterday he dried her and he managed to put the nappy on front to back," Ro-Andria says with a laugh.

"Well, I had to learn everything from scratch. And there's no front or back on a rugby ball," Errol replies.

Errol and Ro-Andria are raising their seven-month-old daughter, Emily-Rose, at their home in Caledon in the Overberg in the Western Cape. Ro-Andria also has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, who's part of their household.

Errol is a hands-on dad, Ro-Andria says, and is involved in all aspects of childcare.