Two of rugby’s greatest-ever players graced the field of King Edward VII School (KES) during an exhibition match, coaching clinic and press conference ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Former Springbok wing, Bryan Habana, and former New Zealand flyhalf, Dan Carter, also acted as coaches during the match for KES and Queens High School respectively after they made their appearance during a surprise at half time.
Habana was later revealed as the Mastercard 2019 Rugby World Cup Ambassador in a press conference with included the Webb Ellis Trophy, the trophy for the world cup.
Legendary rugby players @BryanHabana and @DanCarter are now acting as coaches at the exhibition match @RK_Gazette @KingEdVIISchool pic.twitter.com/YJpwpWRaeT
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) March 13, 2019
Legendary Springbok winger, @BryanHabana has walked onto the field at half time to give some words of advice to the KES players while they are 14-0 ahead @RK_Gazette @KingEdVIISchool pic.twitter.com/wEHigFjRgh
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) March 13, 2019
The rugby legends ran onto the fields multiple times during the exhibition match to take kicking tees and water bottles out to the players. The players themselves enjoyed the support from these rugby legends, and one can only imagine what it was like for them receiving advice from the players about their game play during the team huddles.
Legendary New Zealand flyhalf, @DanCarter gives advice to the Queens players @RK_Gazette @KingEdVIISchool pic.twitter.com/skGVw6MlhK
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) March 13, 2019
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) March 13, 2019
All through the exhibition match, school learners shouted their war cries from the sidelines, something Carter commended them on afterwards. The match ended with KES winning 28–5 after the home side scored four tries and converted them all.
“It’s great to be back [at my former school], and I see the spirit of rugby is still the same here,” Habana told the whole school when given the microphone. “I started playing for the U14 D side and worked my way up. Never give up on your dreams.”
Carter, who is Test rugby’s all-time leading point scorer, commended his Queens players for their never-say-die attitude, which led to a try in the dying minutes of the match.
“I wish I could bring my old school’s 1st team here to play KES because there are a lot of similarities between the schools,” he said.
A quick breakthrough try followed up with a conversion has extended the KES lead to 14-0 @RK_Gazette @KingEdVIISchool pic.twitter.com/Az36tNpKNJ
— Nicholas Zaal (@NicholasZaal) March 13, 2019
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