He's on old man now. In his eighties. But once, a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, he was an avid sportsman with one great love in his life - rugby. There is no gridiron football in South Africa - only rugby: our national sport and, indeed, our national religion. The World Cup of Rugby was held in France last year and we won it - we are the reigning world champions of this great game. The game is as important to the average South African as his other two great social loves...beer and barbecue. "He" is my father-in-law - Ken - and he can't play the sport anymore and, indeed, is too frail to travel regularly to our local stadium to watch the big matches. But not long ago, as a special treat, we took him to Durban's giant Absa Stadium (named after the local team's sponsoring bank) - although locals still refer to it by the name it always had...King's Park. It holds 70 000 fans (small fry, I realise, by American and European standards). We got permission to let him wander around the stands, to relive his memories and even to walk upon the hallowed turf where many great victories have been won by our provinicial (state) side - the Natal Sharks. This wasn't my gig: the whole thing was arranged by Ken's daughter Anne (my sister-in-law) for an assignment she'd been given by her photography class. I just went along for the ride. I normally tag any pictures I've manipulated, but in this case I haven't bothered because I reckon the shots that have been doctored are pretty self evident!

said DaveMullany 2008.02.17 at 07:48:51 PST