Eleven -year-old cancer patient Isabella Esterhuyse saw her dream of meeting the Springboks come true on Saturday before their game against Argentina in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
A viral video on social media showed the teary Isabella, from East London in the Eastern Cape, received a letter from the Springboks confirming that she was going to attend the game as a mascot and hold Bok captain Siya Kolisi’s hand while singing the national anthem.
Isabella walked hand-in-hand with Kolisi and the Springboks players and sang the national anthem in front of more than 40 000 rugby supporters.
Before she was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma in April, Isabella played club rugby.
With rugby being Isabella’s anchor as she fights cancer and with meeting the Springboks a lifelong dream, the young hero told “The Star” that she felt over the moon after a well-spent day with the Boks.
“I had the time of my life. It was my dream come true. My favourite part was holding Siya’s hand on the field and when Gayton McKenzie let me hold the trophy and pass it to Siya.
“I love all the Boks; but Siya, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe and Bongi Mbonambi are my favourites. I love Pieter-Steph because his heart is so kind, and I love Bongi because we are both bald and we are always smiling,” said Isabella.
After sending a request letter to the Reach For A Dream Foundation to meet the Boks, Isabella’s wishes were granted.
Reach For A Dream Foundation is a non-profit organisation that helps fulfil the dreams of children between the ages of 3 and 18 who are faced with life-threatening illnesses.
According to Lwanele Mpeta, the Eastern Cape region branch manager at Reach For A Dream Foundation, Isabella’s wish was referred to the organisation by her paediatric oncologist, Dr Rema Mathew.
“We believe every child deserves to have their wish granted. A child comes to us through many different avenues. We have field workers in hospitals.
“A doctor might refer them (paediatric patients), and they can register themselves through our website under the ‘refer a child tab’,” said Mpeta.
Through collaboration with Capital Hotels and Apartments and Shamrock Pies, the Reach For A Dream Foundation approached SA Rugby in July, making Isabella’s dream a reality.
“Reach For A Dream approached SA Rugby in July and they were more than accommodating to help us make this dream come true. On September 1, SA Rugby gave us confirmation that the dream would be taking place.
“Every child gives us three dreams that they would like. We usually fulfil the first dream, but we also need a doctor’s sign off if it is medically safe to do so. If not, we move to the second and third dream.
“Isabella’s first dream was to meet the Springboks, while the second was to go on a safari and the third an iPad. Because she was fit enough to travel, we arranged the first dream for her,” said Mpeta.
She said the meeting instilled a sense of hope, resilience and strength as Isabella battles cancer.
“Meeting the Springboks was not merely a dream realised; it was a profound beacon of joy and normalcy amid her challenging journey, especially during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
“This momentous occasion symbolised the crucial support of the community, reinforcing her courage and resilience. It also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of collective efforts in injecting hope and happiness into the lives of children like Isabella,” said Mpeta.
Isabella’s mother, Tara Esterhuyse, described how her daughter felt after finding out she would be meeting the Springboks.
“She was in tears from the moment she started reading her letter. This day has meant everything to Isabella. We are overwhelmed by the love and support that has been shown to our daughter,” said Esterhuyse.
An elated Isabella said the experience was exhilarating.
“I feel amazing today, even though I am exhausted. It still does not feel real that Reach For A Dream actually made my dream come true.
I am happy that my family could share my dream with me,” she said.
The Star
hope.mafu@inl.co.za