By Tebogo Mothupi
It was not just about the caps. It was about the honour of representing and wearing South African colours.
Loftus Versfeld opened its doors to South Africa’s Deaf Rugby team as they held their capping ceremony ahead of their trip to Tokyo.
The ceremony represented the sacrifices, challenges, determination, belief, unity and shared ambitions of a team heading to Japan with unfinished business and gold in mind.
Wearing a national cap is never just about a piece of clothing. It represents much more, reflecting the level of commitment, sacrifice and privilege required to represent your country on the international stage.
On Monday, 26 October, Loftus Versfeld gave South Africa’s Deaf Rugby players the privilege of carrying the hopes of their country as they gathered for their capping ceremony before heading to Tokyo for the World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship.
The team’s determination to win and the pride they carry made the ceremony even more special. At the 2023 competition in Argentina, they finished fourth, a result that has fuelled their desire to win gold and lift the trophy.
However, behind their eagerness, passion and ambition are stories that deserve to be heard and shared. These are stories of perseverance, leadership, communication and the belief that achieving something greater is possible.
For captain Marnus Dercksen, wearing the armband and having the honour of leading the team in Tokyo has been one of his greatest achievements and experiences. However, it also comes with significant responsibility.
“Don’t stop believing” is the message Dercksen wants young Deaf South Africans to take from the team’s journey of determination and dedication.
The message may be simple, but it carries an important lesson about the hard work and commitment required to reach an international audience through sport.
This is especially true for Deaf rugby players, who do not receive the same visibility and support as South Africa’s other rugby teams.
The weight of wearing the armband
Being selected to represent your country internationally is an achievement in itself. For Dercksen, being entrusted with the responsibility of leading the team takes that achievement to another level.
“One of the biggest sacrifices I have had to make is not picking friendships because we are a team,” Dercksen explained.
His words highlight the difficult decisions that come with leadership. Although friendships are important to him, he understands that, as captain, he must always consider what is best for the entire team.
He further explained that he listens to his teammates’ opinions and takes them into consideration, but ultimately knows that the final decision rests with him.
As they head to Tokyo, the team understands that unity and trust in one another will be crucial. Every player has a role to fulfil, and putting the team first will be essential as they face the challenges of international competition.
Eyes on gold
With the competition approaching, the team is drawing motivation from its fourth-place finish in Argentina in 2023.
That experience gives the players a foundation to build on as they focus on their main goal: winning gold.
For Dercksen, the ambition goes beyond the result. He hopes the team’s journey will encourage young Deaf South Africans while raising awareness of the sport and helping them discover opportunities they never knew existed.
Working through communication challenges
Reimerd Spreeth identified communication as one of the team’s biggest challenges ahead of the competition. He understands that effective communication and mutual understanding will be key to their success.
He explained that some players are meeting for the first time during training, while others have different levels of hearing.
Despite these challenges, the team remains determined to make things work and bring the gold medal home.
Spreeth’s journey reflects the importance of awareness, opportunity and representation. He only discovered the Deaf Rugby team a few years ago, and now he is representing South Africa on the international stage.
His story could inspire members of the South African Deaf community who were previously unaware that these opportunities existed.
Visibility can open doors, and that is what Spreeth wants young people with hearing loss to understand.
He wants them to know there is a platform where they can participate in rugby and have the opportunity to wear their country’s colours.
The support behind the jersey
Dercksen has encouraged South Africans to follow the team’s journey through its Facebook page, keep up with the latest updates and send messages of encouragement.
He believes that knowing people back home are supporting them can help the players feel connected to the country they are proud to represent.
Behind every successful team are people working behind the scenes. For South Africa’s Deaf Rugby team, these include the coaches, administrators, families and sponsors who have supported the players and helped make their dream of competing internationally possible.
The team was encouraged to enjoy the experience, embrace Japanese culture and strive to win gold. This message gave the players the opportunity to appreciate the journey while keeping their main goal firmly in sight.
A legacy beyond gold
Travelling to Tokyo to represent South Africa is about more than just another competition. For the country’s Deaf Rugby team, it is an opportunity to build on past performances, pursue gold and inspire the next generation of Deaf rugby players.
The team’s dream is not only to win gold but also to gain recognition, allowing young South Africans to see Deaf rugby as a pathway worth pursuing.
The challenges, ambitions and journeys these players have experienced throughout their careers deserve to be recognised as part of South Africa’s rugby story.
Ahead of the World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Tokyo, the players hope their dedication and hard work will turn their dream of representing their country into reality as they set their sights on gold for South Africa.
The team offers every young Deaf person watching, who has wondered whether they could wear their country’s colours and represent it on the international stage, something to believe in.
Their journey demonstrates that opportunities can be discovered, ambitions can be pursued and challenges can be overcome.
The caps have been awarded. However, the story is far from over. There is still a bigger prize to pursue: winning gold, inspiring those who follow and making South Africa proud.
Perhaps that is what made the ceremony and the journey so memorable and powerful. The players are not only competing for a medal.
They are also playing for the young Deaf South African child watching the game and wondering whether it is possible.
The team will take to the field in Tokyo with Dercksen’s message in their hearts: “Don’t stop believing.”
