By Dylan Bettencourt
- Johan Kotze met Alan Strydom, a homeless man and rugby fan, outside DHL Stadium and gave him a spare Springboks ticket.
- They drank brandy and Coke, took selfies and were seen on SuperSport as the Boks thrashed the Barbarians 54–7.
When Johan Kotze’s friend cancelled last minute, he had an extra ticket to see the Springboks play at DHL Stadium. He had no idea that ticket would make someone else’s dream come true.
Kotze, 56, from Riebeek West, went to the game alone. Outside the stadium, near the McDonald’s underpass, he spotted a man huddled in the cold.
That man was Alan Strydom, who goes by Luigi. He is homeless, uses a black bag as a raincoat, and sleeps under a bridge in Green Point.
Kotze struck up a chat. “He told me he’d never seen the Boks live, but he knew the full starting lineup,” he told News24.
Luigi used to be a maths teacher and is a massive rugby fan. He often watches games through pub windows because he feels too ashamed to go inside.
Touched by Luigi’s story, Kotze gave him the spare ticket. “I just felt so sorry for him,” he said. “It was emotional. I started tearing up.”
Inside, the two men cheered as the Springboks beat the Barbarians 54–7. They shared selfies, sipped brandy and Coke, and even appeared on SuperSport.
“He was crying and thanking God,” Kotze said. “You could see it meant the world to him.”
Later, Luigi returned from the toilet with a security guard who asked Kotze to confirm he was with him. “I said, ‘Yes, he’s my partner, here’s proof.’”
Kotze found out Luigi is 49, goes to church every Sunday for cupcakes, and always sleeps in the same spot near the bridge.
After the match, Kotze walked Luigi back, gave him money for food and promised to see him again.
“I thank God my heart was willing,” he said. “It wasn’t for publicity, it was just the right thing.”
Pictured above: A plane flying over DHL Stadium before the Springboks game.
Image source: @Springboks
