Mossel Bay Tourism Media Release: Immediate. 17 July 2008

PROUD MOSSEL BAY PROUD OF RUGBY’S SCHALK BRITS

Mossel Bay is basking in pride for its newest rugby Springbok, Schalk Brits, who is expected to run out against New Zealand tomorrow.

“Yes, we’re all incredibly proud of him,” said the town’s mayor, Alderlady Marie Ferreira, “and it’s wonderful that he’s one of us (although of course Springbok Johan Muller is also a Mossel Bay man).

“It feels as though we’ve been waiting for so long for Schalk to wear the green and gold and I wish him all the luck for Saturday.”

Schalk’s father, Chris, said, “we’re very proud of him - that’s for sure!” But he said that he’d be watching the game on television in Douglas because “we’d arranged a hunting trip there ages ago, and Schalk would have gone with us if the call hadn’t come.

“I can’t go to the game, though I would have loved to, because my passport has expired and I’d never have been able to get a passport arranged in just a week.

“I’m incredibly sorry about that.”

Schalk was born in Empangeni but came to live in Mossel Bay when his family decided to settle here.

“I met him in 1993 when I came to work here and he was in the sixth grade,” said Park Primary headmaster, Rassie Meissenheimer.

“He stayed with us through seventh grade in ’94 and then went on to Paul Roos in Stellenbosch.

“He was always very loyal and an excellent sportsman - besides rugby (he was chosen for the under-13 Craven side) he also played cricket and he was always very busy.

“You could see from the start that he had excellent self-esteem and huge potential.”

Mr. Meissenheimer said that Schalk impressed him during his (Mr. Meissenheimer’s) first week in the town. “I saw him at the Dias Museum during an event where his mother had something to do with promoting Persian carpets.

“He was only in grade 6, but he came up to me and welcomed me to Mossel Bay and said that he hoped I’d enjoy living here.

“That was quite something from such a young person.”

Debra Bouwer, Mossel Bay Tourism’s marketing manager, said that Schalk’s achievement was another demonstration of the quality of Mossel Bay’s people.

“He’s a great example to us all - and Mossel Bay Tourism and the Proud Mossel Bay Campaign congratulate him and wish him well for Saturday and his future career.”

More information about Proud Mossel Bay at www.visitmosselbay.co.za

ENDS 413 WORDS

MORE INFORMATION:
Debra Bouwer - Marketing Manager, Mossel Bay Tourism marketing@visitmosselbay.co.za

Telephone: +27(0)44 691 2202 www.visitmosselbay.co.za.

Mossel Bay: Town of the Year
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