Cape Town - Still on a high following their spectacular flash art performance at the Springboks versus New Zealand Rugby match in Cape Town at the weekend, learners at Tygerberg High School were in for a treat when Captain Siya Kolisi paid them a surprise visit to express his thanks yesterday.
It took close to 600 learners two weeks to perfect a 30-minute spectacle, choreographed by a team of teachers including Jesse Harmse, which saw the Grade 8 to 11 learners perform over 10 formations using material, including the letters SA and NZ, the Springbok and All Blacks emblems, and the South African flag.
Harmse told the Cape Argus that the school was approached by a company who saw their previous work.
“We had two weeks to put the flashes together, the formation, the blocks, it usually takes much more time but we knew this was one of the things we needed to make work.”
Harmse said when the learners heard about their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they immediately got into work mode and put everything in.
“If there’s one thing I can say, is that we were nervous after the first week, but we pulled through, it just got better and better as we went along, and their confidence grew, they wanted to do it and wanted to do it properly.
“Even the energy on the Friday when we had our last rehearsal, there was that feeling of ‘this is it’.”
Tygerberg High School in Parow is the alma mater of Springbok lock duo Eben Etzebeth and Marvin Orie.
Harmse recalled the moment the learners walked on to the pitch.
“Wow, this had to have been one of the biggest stages. We walked on to the field after 8.30am and that’s when things started getting real. They knew how big the platform was, they were going to be among the biggest, greatest rugby players, and watched by a crowd with the fiercest of energies and then to also be aired nationally and internationally.”
Harmse said while walking off the field, he realised the learners had hit every formation perfectly.
“When we ran off the field, as soon as we got off, that is energy that cannot be matched. I am so proud of them, I really am. Not even the Haka could scare them,” he joked.
The learners’ exhilaration did not stop there, when Kolisi thanked the learners for their efforts and for getting the vibe going at the stadium.
"Eben says hello, some of you were outside and he video called to say I must come in and say hello to you guys.
"Thank you for your efforts, we appreciate it.
"You know Eben comes from here, so I just want to also encourage you, because I know maybe some of you are rugby players but you don't have to be a rugby player, whatever it is that you want to be, you just have to work hard and push yourselves to limits and believe in yourself."