Attack coach Stephen Jones, team manager Martyn Williams plus Dewi Lake, George North, Will Rowlands and Nick Tompkins spent time with young patients on a variety of wards, speaking to them and their families as well as being able to hand out some gifts to the children who have been receiving care.
Speaking about the visit Rowlands said: “We had a chance to meet the kids. I was up on the surgery ward and it was nice to say hello.
“They seemed pleased when we were giving out teddies. It’s very easy to get bogged down with the rugby out here with high stakes and playing Test match rugby.
“It’s nice to spend some down time and getting out to the community. Doing something like this today is very special.
“Cape Town has been great. We have enjoyed everywhere so far, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein and to finish up here is perfect.”
On the importance of getting out and doing something other than rugby Jones added: “Touring is about integrating yourself in the society you are going into, you get full appreciation for the country and how it functions.
“We had an incredible welcome on the wards from the staff, children and their families and it was very humbling. We gave a few squad photos and they enjoyed searching for Will in the picture.
“Cape Town has been fantastic. We have had an amazing welcome throughout South Africa and the places we have been have been incredible.
“It’s great for the players and I am sure if you asked them they will say they have enjoyed their time in South Africa.”
The visit was organised thanks to the Children’s Hospital Trust, an independent non-profit organization established in 1994 to raise funds to support specific projects and programmes to help advance child healthcare through the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
Trust CEO Chantel Cooper commented: “Words cannot adequately describe the joy on the faces of children when they saw the coaches and players walk towards their bed, you could feel the excitement and awe in the air.
“The staff were also delighted and this was an amazing boost in morale for them. It has been a tough couple of years in healthcare and this is just what everyone needed. Special appreciation to the team from Wales.”
