Eben Etzebeth makes sickly young fan’s dreams come true

The pair met over lunch in Umhlanga on Thursday, and nine-year-old Blayke Fourie's order was a tall one.

"Surprised beyond his wildest imagination."

That's how Blayke described the moment he met his favourite rugby player, Eben Etzebeth.

The brave boy from Johannesburg had been suffering from progressive kidney failure for the last four years.

He says watching the Springboks kept him going.

In December, his father donated a kidney to him, and he was given a new lease on life.

Blayke met Etzebeth and the entire Sharks team at Kings Park Stadium on Thursday. 

Little did he know that he would be having lunch at the Mercedes Benz in Umhlanga with the man he says he looks up to.

"I was very surprised. He came over to me, and I asked him when he would be finished with his lessons. He said about 20 minutes, but I am going to get his autograph just now. I feel very happy."

Etzebeth says he's humbled to meet a fan.

"It's amazing spending time with a little child and being a father, being with children is such a blessing." 

Thanks to the Reach for a Dream Foundation in partnership with Wimpy, he was given the opportunity to enjoy lunch with the Sharks player. 

The organisation's Kerry Donkin says nationally, they're able to fulfil the dreams of more than 2000 children like Blayke every year. 

ALSO READ: Baby Ahana: Fundraising for Durban toddler with rare cancer continues

They include up to 400 children suffering from life-threatening illnesses in KZN

Donkin says they're gearing up for their biggest national fundraiser, the Annual Slipper Day, at the end of this month.

"It's a fun way in which schools and corporates can get involved, buy a R20 sticker, put your slippers on in support of children like Blayke who are fighting a life-threatening illness. 

“So we work a lot with the doctors in the public and private sector, and a child just needs to be between the age of three and 18 and have one of their illnesses on our list. So all your cancers, livers, heart conditions."

Find us on social media

Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here

We are also on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)