Bozza competition winner and Springboks mingle in Sandton

Springbok rugby players were almost as excited as the Bozza competition winner after it was revealed who will follow the team around for the next 18 months.

Mark Nancarrow (23) from George will join the Boks as they compete in upcoming Test series, the Rugby Championships, and the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year.

This follows Nancarrow being a finalist in the MTN Springboks Bozza competition and already spending a few weeks with a backstage pass to the Boks’ training and matches against England.

It was at a Sounds the Call series launch in Edenburg that Springboks Lood de Jager, Jesse Kriel and Handré Pollard (who already know Nancarrow from his time spent with them) expressed their joy at the news.

With them were former Springboks John Smit, Corné Krige and Os du Randt.

The series honours South Africans who made contributions to Springbok rugby, and Du Randt was the first to be recognised for his role as a loosehead prop in two World-Cup-winning sides.

Nancarrow said it was the best day of his life. “I always wanted to be a Springbok, and to meet the players you idolise, behind the scenes, you learn they are normal people too – that was amazing.”

Smit, regarded as one of the Springboks’ best-ever captains, congratulated Nancarrow.

Smit said Nelson Mandela first showed the power of the Springboks to unite a nation, and the team has been doing this since.

Kriel agreed. “We have a big responsibility when we are on the field because we represent the country.

“We set an example for the youth in everything we do, both on and off the field.”

MTN’s Mapula Bodibe called the Springboks a national asset, and the telecommunications company answered an important call when it became the first to sponsor the team after a change in sponsorships.

Democratic South Africa’s first sports minister, Steve Tshwete, will be honoured next in the Sounds the Call series, it was revealed.

Also read:

Springboks rugby team prepare at St Stithians ahead of England clash 

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