The windows of his family's house had been blown in by the air raids that fanfared Desert Storm, and he'd been shaken awake by American cruise missile strikes in June 1993 and December 1998.

The Xhosa are a proud and patrilineal people with an expressive and euphonious language and an abiding belief in the importance of laws, education and courtesy.

But an ugly eruption of racist gibes against some of its young Black players was a reminder that not everyone glories in the diverse portrait of the country that this team reflects.

your Fraternitie […]gave me for the securitie of my future Peregrination, concinnated by the pleasant wit of that inimitable Artizan of sweet Elegancie, the moytie of my heart