“I have never seen so many white people in my life!” I exclaimed, as I made my way through to Newlands stadium. I was going to the IRB Junior world championships finals on the 22nd of June 2012. The final was between South African under 20 rugby squad (the baby bokke) and New Zealand (the baby all blacks). The weather was a bit chilly, little bit of rain, but that didn’t stop people from going out and supporting the baby bokke.

According to www.irb.com, The International Rugby Board was founded in 1886.The IRB is the world governing and Law-making body for the Game of Rugby Union .The countries who took part in the IRB where: Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.

The day of the finals Newlands stadium had the best crowd ever, people where cheering from the all over the stadium the atmosphere was just perfect.

Rugby is a very beautiful sport, I mean before that game I wasn’t much of a fan but as soon the game started and the boys did their thing, in an instant I was hooked. Just before the game started New Zealand started off with the demonstration of their famous Haka (a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Māori people of New Zealand!). Just 15 minutes before half time, New Zealand got the first try of the game, and that is when things started to heat up. After being granted two penalties, the Bokke finally got their try just 17 left before the game ends.

In the end the baby bokke represented South Africa and won the game beating New Zealand with a score of 22 to 16. The tournament was held in Cape Town South Africa, and they made sure the trophy remains here where it belongs.

Writer: Nwabisa Sonkqayi

Photographer: Sikhulule Ngxowa