Three months after a serious neck injury cost him the use of his legs, a young rugby star from Humansdorp’s day was made when he was surprised by two Springbok rugby players in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Boks, Scarra Ndubeni and Canan Moodie, rocked up at Aurora Special Care Centre, where Devon Bosman (18) was recovering after breaking his neck during a rugby match for his team, Kruisfontein RFC, in July this year, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
Ndubeni and Moodie were responsible for transporting Bosman to Cheshire Home in Summerstrand, where he will be continuing his journey to recovery, while renovations are being made to his home in Humansdorp to make it wheelchair-friendly.
Bosman, affectionately known as “Bakkies” by his teammates, had no idea what was going on and said that he was only told about a surprise that was coming.
“I had no idea that this was the surprise,” he said, smiling from ear to ear.
“When they came into my room I was so surprised that I nearly fell over. I was extremely excited, it was such a special moment,” Bosman, who has been playing rugby for more than a decade, said.
“I’m also so happy that Canan was here because he is a Blue Bull, just like me,” he said.
As he was being wheeled into the facility by the two Boks, Bosman received a warm welcome with a loud applause from residents at the home.
Apart from being in awe at meeting the Boks, the residents immediately took to Bosman and started introducing themselves, something that warmed the heart of his mother, Fredylene Smith, and seven-year-old sister, Angel Bosman.
“I also didn’t know what the surprise was going to be but I am so happy that they made his day like this,” Smith said.
“I just know that the time here will be good for him and it will help him become independent.” Smith added that, to her surprise, her son has not once indulged in a pity party or negativity of any sort.
“He has been so positive since day one. There were times when he was the one motivating me and telling me that I shouldn’t lose hope.
“As a family we are standing 100% behind him. This will be good for him.”
Bosman agrees that the time at Cheshire Home will be good and he has hope for a full recovery.
“I have seen that there has been so much progress already from where I started with this injury up until now and I will remain positive.
The surprise came with courtesy of the Chris Burger Players Fund and Toyota, the official charity and sponsor of the Springboks.
