“I Believe in You”: Rugby Coach’s Words to Heartbroken Player Inspire SA

• A short video of Lichtenburg High’s under-16 rugby coach, Mr Bok, comforting a heartbroken player has gone viral across South Africa
• The coach’s words inspired viewers, highlighting the importance of mentorship and belief in young athletes
• The clip has sparked widespread praise online, with parents and former players sharing how such encouragement can leave a lifelong impact

A short video of an under-16 rugby coach offering words of encouragement to a heartbroken player has touched South Africans, highlighting the enduring impact of mentorship.

The clip, filmed on the sidelines of Lichtenburg High School, shows coach Mr Bok speaking to a visibly disappointed player after a match.

With slumped shoulders and downcast eyes, the boy appeared weighed down by defeat, until Mr Bok’s words shifted the moment.

“I still believe in you 110%. Keep your confidence, that’s where the magic is,” he said, reminding the player that everyone has off days and that what matters is how you respond afterwards.

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“Are we going to allow that off day to keep bothering you inside your heart…or are we going to turn that wheel now, my boy? Let’s turn that wheel. I believe in you.”

The coach reflected on the player’s journey throughout the season and assured him of his unwavering support. The encounter ended with a hug, a gesture that has been shared widely online, striking a chord with over a million viewers.

Watch the clip below:

How did netizens react to the clip?

The video’s comments section reveals the story’s wider resonance. Parents, former athletes, and ordinary viewers expressed gratitude not just for Mr Bok but for all mentors who invest time in encouraging young people. One parent wrote:

“Years later, when life throws challenges at you, it’s the coaches’ words, ‘dig deep’, ‘keep going’, ‘don’t give up’, ‘I believe in you’ , that make all the difference. Rugby is more than the game; it’s about the lessons it teaches a boy for life.”

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Many viewers shared how the clip brought back memories of coaches and teachers who shaped their lives, proving that sport can offer far more than trophies and scores.

Rugby continues to thrive as a grassroots sport in South Africa

Rugby in South Africa is a deeply loved sport, embraced by millions, with many children falling in love with it at a young age.

In July, a primary school pupil from Rietkuil Primary School, Zedan Johnson, caught the attention of social media users with his incredible runs and footwork. His performances have reportedly put him on the radar of several rugby scouts.

Zedan impressed while playing alongside his peers at one of the country’s most competitive school rugby tournaments.

This grassroots talent reflects the strong foundation of rugby in South Africa, evident in the success of the Junior Boks, who triumphed over the Baby All Blacks at the Under-20 Rugby World Cup in July and became world junior champions. The ongoing historic achievements of the women’s Springboks at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the USA.

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Rassie Erasmus names squad for All Blacks game

Briefly News previously reported that Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a full-strength squad for South Africa’s upcoming tour of New Zealand, despite missing the services of prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who failed a doping test ahead of the series.

The team will face the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on 6 September, before meeting them again in Wellington on 13 September. Both fixtures are crucial as South Africa aims to defend its Rugby Championship title.

Source: Briefly News