South Africa’s Deaf Rugby Squad Inspire the Nation Ahead of Historic Gold Medal Bid
South Africa's Deaf Rugby team gathered at Loftus Versfeld on Monday, 26 October, for their official capping ceremony before departing for Tokyo, where they will compete in the World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship.
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The ceremony carried weight beyond its formality. For a team that competes largely outside the spotlight of mainstream rugby, receiving a national cap represented the years of sacrifice and determination required to reach international competition.
**Captain Dercksen on the Burden of Leadership**
Captain Marnus Dercksen described the honour of leading the team in Tokyo as one of his greatest personal achievements, though he was candid about the pressures that accompany the armband.
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"One of the biggest sacrifices I have had to make is not picking friendships because we are a team," Dercksen said.
He explained that while he values the opinions of his teammates and considers their input, he understands that responsibility for final decisions ultimately rests with him. His message to young Deaf South Africans watching the team's journey is direct: "Don't stop believing."
The team's motivation is partly rooted in disappointment. At the 2023 World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Argentina, they finished fourth. That result has become a driving force as they now set their sights on gold in Japan.
**Communication Challenges in Camp**
Player Reimerd Spreeth pointed to communication as one of the team's most significant obstacles ahead of the championship. Some players are meeting for the first time during training, and varying levels of hearing among squad members add further complexity to building cohesion on and off the field.
Despite those difficulties, Spreeth said the team remains committed to making it work. His own path to international rugby underscores the importance of visibility within the South African Deaf community. He only became aware of the Deaf Rugby team a few years ago, and the discovery changed the course of his sporting life.
Spreeth wants others in a similar position to understand that a platform exists where they can play rugby and represent their country. For him, awareness is the first step towards opportunity.
The World Deaf Rugby Sevens Championship in Tokyo will test both the team's rugby ability and its capacity to function as a unified unit under pressure.
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Source: Briefly News
