Letters from the Lowveld 19

Buying tickets to the Springbok Rugby in Mbombela may win you mom-points initially, but don’t let it go to your head – you can still Destroy someone’s day in the process.

How the Springboks, Stronger Together and 43k fans united a family and saved this Mom’s bacon…

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Back in March, I thought it would be a good idea to try to get tickets for the Springbok rugby in Mbombela.

In a male-dominated house, this idea was well received. I had Done Well.

But where in the stadium to book tickets? Considering Charlie’s only goal was to get Cheslin’s signature, according to him – pitch-side was the Only Option. But not according to my budget. My price-range was nearer the top of the stands….high enough up that altitude sickness becomes an issue. Basically, the Nose-Bleed seats. I went from Hero to Zero very fast. In fact, the whole event was apparently Ruined.

Now, I’ve “destroyed” my kids days before, but never 6months in advance, so this was a new record.

Fortunately memories are short and over the next few months my Mom Performance received more moderate reviews.

Until Saturday. The Big Day.

Lengthy discussions had taken place by this point, with advice sought from far afield. It seemed that the thing to do to get players signatures is make a rush for the pitch-side as the fulltime whistle blows. One must have a few objects like mini-balls to be signed. Permanent markers must be taped to the object to make it easy for the players.

We duly printed & laminated some pictures, but more objects were needed. So we headed off to the local Convenience Store to purchase such objects.

But when you live 30min from the nearest chain store, the selection available is inversely proportional to the prices. Running out of household essentials is Budgetary Crisis. Morale changed faster than a Kolbe sidestep and my refusal to buy a full-size ball for signing (we have 4 at home) or a Springbok soft toy (totally impractical for signing) landed harder than a t-bone tackle from Eben.

I was The Worst.

Regardless of this new blow, Team Booth regrouped and departed for the match with a backpack full of balls, permanent markers and tape. Our small-town kids were given a briefing on how many people to expect and that it was everyone’s responsibility to stick together. Top tip from a more prepared mom – write your phone number onto your child’s arm with one of your many permanent markers!

Since half of Hoedspruit seemed to be coming to the match, I told Ben we were sure to see someone we knew. WhatEVER Mom <insert eyeroll>.

As we neared Mbombela, excitement started mounting like the number of vehicles carrying green & gold occupants and by the time our Park & Ride bus dropped us at the stadium, the carnival atmosphere had captured everyone. The Convenience Store purchases (lack thereof) were forgotten as Springbok caps were bought, cheeks stamped and selfies taken.

We found our seats and you will not believe this – I had made a Good Choice!! I know, I am as shocked as you are. Our seating in the south-western corner meant we were not looking into the sun. It’s almost like I thought this through…

The glow of this accolade had not yet worn off when disaster struck…We were in The Wrong Seats. We gathered our stuff (did I leave my pride under the seat??) and began the trek, kids dying as my “cringe-factor” apparently went through the roof. Not hard, considering how high up we were…

Our misfortune was chuckled at by our new neighbours, whom of course witnessed the our eviction and the kids shame, and our brains acclimated to the further lack of oxygen. Our bums had barely touched down, when school friends sitting a few sections across arrived to say hi to Ben & Charlie. They beamed greetings, photos were taken and I was rescued from the Brink of Disgrace. Ben even noted that I was right about seeing someone we knew (ok, maybe I added the part about me being right…)!

Now I don’t want to bore you with the details. Like the utter goosebumps of being one of 43000 people singing the national anthem at full voice. Seeing your kids’ excitement explode like the pitch-side fireworks when a try was scored, or to be the designated runner, enthusiastically racing between the stadium & the food queue to update everyone (shyness forgotten) on what the groans / roars were about. And don’t get me started on the reactions when our actual rugby ball was caught by Siya and then Cheslin, signed and thrown back and Rassie pulled them in for a photo. Or when Dwain Vermeulen gave us his signed BOOT. To be fair, I think Andrew was more excited than the kids.

A very wise man once said

“sport has the power to change the world…  to create hope where once there was only despair.”

Nelson Mandela was speaking about breaking down racial barriers and uniting a nation, but I can confirm that sport also has the power to unite a family and help them put aside each other’s failings.

And from the perspective of a mom trying her best not to destroy another day, this is no small matter.

Thank you mBOMBela. Thank you Springboks. Stronger together – absolutely!!