Langa Lions Reach International Cup Final

Last month United Through Sport helped a squad of 12 rugby-mad children from the Langa township of Cape Town achieve their ultimate dream... To perform in front of South African international rugby legend, Chester Williams, at the final of the touraid U14 International Rugby Cup.

Known as the ‘Langa Lions’, the South African team were one of ten international teams invited to take part in the tournament which was organised to give disadvantaged children from around the world the chance to play, learn and develop sporting skills as well as gain a greater cultural understanding of one another. Each team was given the chance to spend 6 days living in the UK with a host team and benefiting from expert rugby tuition from a top UK Rugby Club.

The Langa Lions beat off fierce competition from the likes of Cambodia, Moldova and Kazakhstan to secure their final place against tournament favourites, India’s ‘Jungle Crows'. However, victory wasn’t to taste so sweet for the hungry Lions who despite dominating play in the first half succumbed to the mighty Crows in the second half, ending in an India landslide with a final score of 19 to 5. Despite the obvious disappointment, tears were soon replaced by smiles as each of the Lions lined up to receive their second place medals from South African rugby legend, Chester Williams.

However, this happy ending is a far cry from the reality these children face back at home. 34% of Cape Town’s population earn below $2 per day, 29% are unemployed and there is an unacceptably high incidence of HIV and AIDS. For children living in these conditions, sport is their only release. It builds in them a sense of optimism, determination and hope… hope that if they work hard and believe in themselves, they can change their lives for the better. The Touraid opportunity gave these 12 children a unique insight into another world and what is possible, despite the odds.