Emotions ran high during the Tshwane schools softball tournament final between Hoërskool Tuine and the home team on Saturday.
Not because of the match, but because of a moving tribute to fallen Hoërskool Tuine teammate, Giovanni Hendriks.
Giovanni, a Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) sufferer, died earlier this year.
Hosted at Crafford Stadium, the Tuine team requested that Giovanni’s family be present at the final, a game Giovanni most likely would have participated in had he not passed away.
The family – father Giani, mother Elize and brother Elandré – walked onto the field with the team and their coach, Darius Voges.
Here they were handed a balloon in the school’s green and gold colours.
READ MORE: UPDATE: West’s Giovanni to be laid to rest
The team then encircled Giovanni’s family, dropped down on one knee and prayed along with Voges.
Everyone let go of their balloons and a minute’s silence was held in honour of Giovanni.
Voges said that he was very proud of his team’s performance and that they took the initiative to pay homage to Giovanni.
“Despite them missing Giovanni, they played really well and won the game,” said Voges.
“We were very surprised by this heart-warming gesture,” said Giani, Giovanni’s father.
“We still miss him terribly, his place in our home is empty.
“For now we can only take things one day at a time.”
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