WATCH: Prince Harry plays rugby with underprivileged children
Scores of underprivileged children showed off their rugby skills to Britain’s Prince Harry at Durban’s King’s Park Stadium on Tuesday.
The prince also took to the field with a group of children and played tag rugby against a team led by former Springbok captain John Smit.
Harry, who is fifth in line to the British throne, was watched by a posse of South African and British media as he played with the children.
Earlier, the red carpet was roled out for Harry. The prince was welcomed to the stadium by Smit and eThekwini deputy mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala.
The prince took to the field wearing a Sharks’ rugby jersey, before he was introduced to various people and coaches associated with the SA Rugby and British High Commission Rugby Exchange programme, which provides opportunities for players and coaches from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Much to the amusement of those in attendance, the young royal stuck his head inside the mouth of Sharkie, the mascot of the Sharks rugby team.
A 12-year old boy, Siyabonga Gumede, said that he was “excited” to be playing rugby with Prince Harry.
The youngster, who plays scrum half said his family did not believe he would be meeting “Prince Harry from England”.
”They were thinking I’m lying … saying all that, but they don’t that I’m here,” said Gumede.
Speaking afterwards, Smit said he was happy Harry prefers rugby to soccer.
Prince Harry was on hand to present the Webb Ellis Cup to the New Zealand team after their victory over Australia.
Smit, however, admitted that they did not discuss the recent Rugby World Cup in too much detail.
“We kept the World Cup chat to a minimum, because as soon as I mentioned it, he mentioned Japan, so I didn’t have too much to say,” Smit joked.
Later on Tuesday the prince is expected to visit young surfers who were previously street children. - ANA
(Photo from video)