Share

All Blacks star gifts boots to Welsh boy

Cape Town - It was a failed date night that ended with one Welsh woman gaining mother of the year status after her son was gifted the boots owned by All Blacks fullback Damian McKenzie.

According to the Stuff website, after the tourists beat Wales in Cardiff, McKenzie greeted his own family before giving his playing boots to rugby obsessed youngster, Corey Gillespie.

But it was only by chance that the seven-year-old was even at the match after his mother Toni Read pulled out of her date night with her husband Daniel and gave her ticket to their rugby-playing son.

"We are a rugby mad family and try to get tickets to whatever we can," she told Wales Online.

"We had tickets for New Zealand so thought we would have a night without the children."

After the match several All Blacks, including McKenzie, popped over to greet the fans in a part of the stadium which included the excited Welsh family. The fullback ended up handing the starstruck boy his boots.

"He was totally shocked. He didn't know what to say," Read said.

"They all took their time out to have their photos with him with their family around.

"Other people were asking to take pictures of him and the boots, he's a little celebrity.

"He can't wait to go to school tomorrow with the pictures."

Gillespie has been playing rugby for two years and dreams of using the boots to play for Wales some day, his mother said.

"He's been training from the age of three and played his first game at five.

"If he's not playing rugby he's watching it.

"He told me he'll wear the boots when he plays for Wales. He's only a size one and he's worked out he needs to grow by nine sizes to fit them.

?"I had mum of the year from my son, by giving up my tickets for him it turns out it's a night he'll never forget."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE