Memories From The Veld: A Look Back Into Sport Growing Up

Hi. My name is Russell Hughes, and today we are going to go on a trip down memory lane...

24th June, 1995.

My first sporting memory. I sat, in my living room, watching the rugby world cup. South Africa vs New Zealand. I remember watching with fear every time Jonah Lomu stormed down the wing. Watching with all the pride that my 4 year old self could muster when Francios Pienaar disappeared into a ruck. And with joy never experienced before when Joel Stransky kicked the winning drop goal. And even though i didn't realise the significance of the famous Pienaar/Mandela moment, it still struck a chord.

This set me off for a lifetime of love with sport. Trying to drop kick a goal, barefoot of course, over the old white washed wall with the battered old leather rugby ball that 'oupa' gave me.

Trying my hand at tennis on the cracked and leaf ridden tennis court.

Trying to get cricket teams together that consisted of grandparents that could hardly bowl never mind bend down to field the ball. And me batting. For hours. Never out (it was always, always a no ball).

17th June, 1999.

The famous cricket world cup semi final between Australia and South Africa. This cruel, cruel day that reduced a 8 year old to tears, beliefs shattered. South Africa are no longer invincible! Never mind, 8 year old tears dry quick.

This just spurred me on, ill just beat the Aussies on my own! My first net session, whites carefully laid out next to a newspaper cut out of Makhaya Ntini. I was going to grow up to be like him.

Out i went to my net sessions to bowl as fast as i can, and hit the ball as far, far into the distance. 

And then it ended. My 8 year stint in SA. 

I was moving to England.