The Rugby World Cup might have come and gone, but rugby fever is at an all-time high for Junior Madiba (14), thanks to ER24, the Toyota Cheetahs and Springbok Makazole Mapimpi.
Sidney Venter, ER24 Regional Manager, recently invited his neighbour, George Madiba, and his sons to their first live rugby game between the Toyota Cheetahs and the Cell C Sharks at Free State Stadium.
“The boys were always playing soccer next door, but I realised sometime last year that I no longer had a soccer ball flying over my wall but a rugby ball!” laughs Sidney.
He conversed with George, who shared that Junior’s love for rugby started last year when he started high school and joined the rugby team, but his love intensified with the start of the Rugby World Cup.
“As far as I understand, Junior is also showing great potential in rugby, which inspired me to consider surprising him and his family with the extra tickets I had for the game," said Sidney.
But the wheels were set in motion even more when Sidney realised that since the home side would be playing the Sharks, the boys’, and especially Junior’s, favourite player would be there too.
“I can usually hear them competing over who will play Mapimpi in their rugby game. But usually Junior gets that honour!” says Sidney.
On game day, Junior was spoiled with a surprise pack from the Toyota Cheetahs while also meeting the Cheetah mascot. But the biggest surprise was left to the end when he met his hero, Makazole Mapimpi.
“I am so happy that we could make it possible for Junior. You have to show interest in your fellow man, in your community. I wanted to provide an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy this moment and expose Junior and his brothers to the magic of a live game. That is what makes me happy too”, said Sidney.
ER24 is proud to be the official medical emergency service provider of Free State Rugby and the Toyota Cheetahs.